Holidays in Thailand - where to go and what to see

Thailand is one of the most attractive places in Asia; tourists from Russia, China, India and other countries come to relax in this hospitable corner again and again, because Thailand has just the perfect combination of unique culture, grandiose temple buildings and all kinds of Buddha images, magnificent palaces, ancient museums and an unforgettable beach holiday on the paradise islands. Exotic experiences in the form of a floating market or a crocodile farm, rafting on the River Kwai and visiting local tribes will be the highlight of the trip. Well, and, of course, everyone who has been here at least once notes the friendly attitude of the local residents. And tourists who are just planning to discover this incredible country will need the following information.

Sights of Thailand

Without exaggeration, the most famous and busiest street in Pattaya, Walking Street, runs along the Gulf of Thailand, the entrance and exit to it is limited by two arches. The place is on the must-see list, especially for city guests who come here for the “strawberry”, because Walking Street is the main concentration of nightlife in Thailand. Erotic shows for every taste, numerous bars with naked go-go girls and sports bars, and of course, “night butterflies” for every taste. The only thing that adventurers should remember is that Tai not only holds the record for the number of temples, but also for the number of transvestites and transsexuals.

The temple and park complex Wat Yang is a favorite place for meditation of the royal family and numerous Buddhist pilgrims, located in the suburbs of Pattaya.

Wat Yang is the most extensive temple complex in the country. Here you can see not only the multi-style temples of Thailand, but also the Chinese palace of the emperor, Indian temples, ancient wooden household items, and bronze sculptures of real and mythical characters.

Within the park you can visit the most popular attraction - the Golden Buddha Mountain, where the image of Buddha is painted directly on the rock using laser beams. The 130 meter image was made in 1996 in honor of the King of Thailand.

The Temple of Truth is another corner of Pattaya where tourists from all over the country flock every day, because this building very clearly demonstrates the modern religious art that currently exists in the country.

The 105-meter wooden temple began to be built in the 80s of the last century on the initiative of a Thai millionaire, and completion of construction is scheduled for 2025. This is one of the striking examples of Khmer architecture that can be seen in the Cambodian temple complex of Angkor Watt, all the characters of Buddhist and Hindu mythology are hand carved from wood.

Wat Ron Khun (White Temple) is one of the most beautiful Thai buildings, which was built near the city of Chiang Rai in the north of the country. This snow-white Buddhist temple was created as an example of the purity of Buddha; its grandeur amazes even seasoned tourists, because Wat Ron Khun, even on a cloudy day, shines like the castle of the Snow Queen. And all thanks to the material from which the temple is made, the walls and sculptures here are made of alabaster and decorated with mirror mosaics.

The Royal Palace is the spiritual center of the country, dominated by the main sanctuary, the statue of the Emerald (Jade) Buddha. Every exhibit, every attraction of the palace is a real historical monument of a certain era. The temple part has been preserved in almost its original form thanks to reconstruction, especially the area on the river side. Here, on a flat plain, lies the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, which has been considered a holy place since the 18th century.

The Royal Palace is not a residence; 4 buildings are closed to the public and are used only for ceremonial receptions.

The three-hundred-meter Baiyok Sky Tower, built in the center of Bangkok, is the tallest structure in the country. The 84-story building houses a multi-level parking lot, a hotel, restaurants and observation decks, one of which is rotating. The platforms on the 77th and 84th floors offer an extraordinary panorama of the city and its surroundings.

The Tiffany Show in Pattaya is the most popular drag queen cabaret, existing since the mid-70s. Tiffany has nothing in common with those erotic shows on Walking Street that shock the public so much. Cabaret is a special kind of art, where well-groomed performers present a colorful program in a wonderfully equipped hall. Sometimes it’s hard to believe that these fragile figurines with doll-like faces were once men.

Beautiful places in Thailand

The Similan Islands, according to most tourists, are the most picturesque in all of Asia. This wonderful place is famous for its white sandy beaches, clear turquoise water and evergreen tropical plants, in addition, the Similans are ideal for scuba diving and exploring the local fauna.

Maya Bay is another paradise on our planet, located on the island of Phi Phi Ley and is considered the most beautiful place in the archipelago. The bay offers an extraordinary view of the snow-white coastal strip, which contrasts with crystal clear water and giant rocks covered with greenery. The bay gained fame after the movie “The Beach” starring Leonardo DiCaprio became famous.

Another place that became popular with tourists after the film was released is Tapu Island, now James Bond Island. A tall narrow rock sticking out of the water was captured in one of the parts of the Bond movie, however, here you can find many other rocks and cave formations that create the special appearance of the island.

Arriving in Pattaya, it is simply impossible not to visit the hill that leads to the most important local attraction - the Big Buddha statue. A gilded staircase leads to the 140-meter top of the hill, and the Golden Buddha himself sits in the lotus position and his gaze is fixed on the city. In addition to interesting images and statues, the hill is famous for the fact that it offers a magnificent panorama of the bay.

Ayutthaya is a small town north of Bangkok, once the capital of Siam, and now a popular tourist destination in Thailand. The main attractions are the ruins of the city, which can be seen throughout the territory, with a total of about 50 places recommended for visiting. Temples, monasteries, monastic monasteries, statues - even a day is not enough to explore all the historical monuments.

Particular attention is paid to the local shrine - the head of Buddha, which was buried during the destruction of the city, but the mighty roots of trees raised it to the surface.

Thai cuisine

Thais believe that the basis of any dish lies in the use of the right ingredients - fresh and healthy, while the cuisine of this country is considered quite exotic, based on a combination of sweet, sour and spicy tastes.

Residents of Thailand are omnivores, they have no religious prejudices or other rules regarding the consumption of pork, beef and other types of meat; they love traditional pizza, but do not disdain fried insects suitable for cooking. By the way, locusts, scorpions and other “delicacies” are often prepared right in front of you, in street stalls.

Part of the daily diet consists of meat, seafood, exotic fruits and vegetables. But the basis of most Asian dishes is rice and rice noodles, of all types, colors and tastes.

Rice is considered an excellent addition to any spicy dish, especially since chefs in this country do not skimp on spices, including Thai curry, so when ordering in a cafe or restaurant, be sure to discuss this point with the waiter.

A traditional Thai dish is Tom Yam, a very popular soup with a sweet and sour flavor. There are several cooking options with chicken, fish or seafood. Tom Yum with shrimp and mushrooms is especially popular.

In Thailand it is difficult to find a dish that does not have spices added. Even the green papaya salad is very spicy.

Features of Thailand

• The topic of the royal family and the royal house is a taboo for any Thai. In the morning and evening, residents of the country rise to the sounds of the anthem to honor their ruler.
• The most common type of transport here is a motorbike (scooter); countless of them travel along narrow streets and spew out clouds of bluish smoke. Renting a motorbike is cheap and convenient, given that there are practically no sidewalks here.
• The main public transport is a taxi called a tuk-tuk.
• There are clean water dispensers on every corner, and street laundries are also popular - they come in several types, including “self-service”, and clothes are often dried directly in the sun.
• In Thailand, food is everywhere. In numerous makashnitsa (motorcycle with sidecar) you can buy absolutely everything: banana-egg pancakes, unusual fruits, fried shrimp and meat. They cook them right outside, on gas burners.
• Rumors about unsanitary conditions in Thailand are not exaggerated; squeamish people are not allowed to enter this country. If you can't ignore the gutters, piles of garbage and associated smells, then Asia is definitely not for you.
• The main religion of Thailand is Buddhism, but the locals are very tolerant of everyone, including Christians.
• Many local residents live in premises that can hardly be called home; they look like barracks, hastily put together from scrap materials. At the same time, the Thais themselves look quite contented; in general, an atmosphere of friendliness reigns everywhere; it’s not for nothing that Thailand is called the land of smiles.
• Sex tourism is developed mainly in Pattaya; in this city there is a main concentration of ladyboys; sometimes you can distinguish them from real ladies only by their voice.

Holidays in Thailand

There are about two dozen holidays in Thailand, some are celebrated everywhere, and some only in certain cities, for example, the festival in Pattaya.

Since the country is a tourist country, it is customary to celebrate Catholic Christmas in resort areas, but away from the main crowd of guests, these holidays are not particularly highlighted.

Thanks to long-standing ties with China, Thais widely celebrate Chinese New Year (usually in late January to early February). The events take place for two weeks; processions, fairs and performances with the participation of dragons and tigers take place on the city streets.

The most revered holiday is Songkran - Thai New Year (April 13-15), locals begin to celebrate it on a grand scale right from the 11th; a modern tradition is to organize water battles with special pistols. On the eve of the festivities, water tanks are placed on the streets, which can be purchased for a nominal fee.

Other important holidays:

• Queen's Birthday (August 12) - On this day, Thais decorate the streets with portraits of the queen, ribbons and flowers, fairs and concerts are held. On this day, all women are given cute gifts, souvenirs and jasmine flowers (a symbol of royal power), so August 12 can be called a kind of March 8th.
• The king's birthday (December 5) is celebrated with no less pomp; on this day, Rama IX is glorified everywhere; his portraits are hung in small villages and big cities. After the end of the national holiday, the country is literally illuminated with numerous fireworks and salutes.
• Makhcha Bucha is the most significant Buddhist holiday, which takes place in late February and early March. On this day, religious ceremonies are held in all temples of the country, the main action takes place in the Temple of the Emerald Buddha under the leadership of the king.

Best hotels in Thailand   Resorts of Thailand

Tower Club At Lebua Hotel 5* occupies several floors (from 52 to 60) of the famous Bangkok Stay Tower skyscraper. In addition to a high level of service, modern, tastefully furnished rooms, guests have the opportunity to admire a magnificent panorama of the city and the river. The highlight of the hotel is the restaurants with different cuisines on the roof of the skyscraper.

The Furama Jomtien Beach Hotel, 4*, has earned the highest ratings in recent years; it is a comfortable, 37-storey hotel in the center of Jomtien Beach in Pattaya. Each room has a balcony with a wonderful view of the bay. In general, the architecture and decoration of the hotel can be called classic, made in a colonial style. Due to the distance from the center, guests are guaranteed a relaxing holiday; the journey to the main entertainment and shopping centers will take about 15 minutes.

In the ranking of the best hotels on the island of Phuket, a worthy place is occupied by Pullman Phuket Arcadia 5*, which is located on a cape with an incredibly beautiful view of the Andaman Sea and the surrounding tropical thickets. The hotel is located 100 meters from Naithon Beach and features modern room design, a large area and developed infrastructure for recreation and sports.

Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui Thailand 5* is the best luxury hotel on Koh Samui. The hotel is surrounded on three sides by impassable tropical jungle, which creates a unique atmosphere of unity with nature. The local beach is clean, with white sand and an abundance of bars, cafes and spas. The hotel complex occupies a large area on which several separate luxury villas with a private pool are built.

Thailand is an amazing country, if only because of how intricately the religiosity of the local residents is combined here, as evidenced by the huge number of Buddhist temples, and that feature of the country for which travelers from all over the world come - sex tourism.

There is indeed a huge variety of beach resorts in Thailand; they differ in the quality of service and the cost of their holiday.

Pattaya, probably the country's most popular city, is located along the Gulf of Thailand 160 km from Bangkok. As for a beach holiday, it is difficult to call this place the best; the coast of Pattaya is not very clean, and some areas are completely unsuitable for tourists due to garbage and dirt.

But curious vacationers who like to live a nightlife lifestyle will find a lot of entertainment here - erotic shows, bars, and the city is considered the most suitable for sex tourism in all of Asia. Married couples will also find something to do, for example, visit the sights, of which there are many, go on rides or go to one of the islands.

The island of Phuket is much more suitable for a beach holiday for sophisticated tourists. Phuket is located in the southern part of Thailand, washed by the Andaman Sea and is its main pearl and the largest of the islands of the kingdom. The flow of tourists in this part does not dry out throughout the year thanks to the beautiful beaches, tropical nature and the opportunity to explore the rich underwater world. Those interested can sail to a secluded island in the surrounding area or get to the mainland for sightseeing.

Holidays in Phuket will cost a little more than in Pattaya, but it is worth it, because this is a real tropical paradise.

The tropical island of Koh Samui is in no way inferior to Phuket in terms of picturesqueness and grooming, and is suitable for travelers who value privacy and a romantic atmosphere. Nevertheless, the infrastructure here is well developed - many hotels of different price categories, entertainment for children and adults, bars, restaurants and sports grounds.