Thailand - the Land of Smiles is one of the few countries in Southeast Asia where you won't mind getting lost. Thailand's allure is pure oriental fantasy - a dream blend of traditional and modern cultures. Visitors enjoy Thailand's diversity: the mountains and hill-tribes of Chiang Mai and the north, the beaches and marine life of Phuket and Koh Samui in the south, and of course the dynamic and always reinventing capital city, Bangkok.

The balance between comfort and excitement is near perfect. From the frenetic capital to the hill country gateway of Chiang Mai, Thailand is a place that can excite the mind, tantalize the senses and take care of most everyday needs. The country is generally quite safe, and it has decades of experience in catering to travelers.

The capital is Bangkok or Krung Thep Which means city of angels, the spiritual, symbolic and physical heart of the nation is home to seven million people. To the north is Chiang Mai, Thailand's second largest city and its oldest for it was founded in the late 13th century and is one of the oldest continually inhabited settlements in the country.

Thailand's islands and beaches are working definitions of heaven . And as for urban delights, the huge metropolis of Bangkok, although it can alarm with its chaos and its scale, tends to so charm visitors with its energy and cultural treasures that the steamy soupy diesel mixture that passes for air in this city is more than forgiven. Thailand is an easy country to travel in, with efficient transport, cheap accommodation and a delicious national cuisine.

Geography of Thailand
The country covers an area of 198,000 square miles, stretching from 5 to 21 degrees north of the equator. It lies between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea. It is bordered by Myanmar to the west and north, Laos to the north-east, Cambodia to the east and Malaysia to the south. The kingdom has four very different regions. The North is mountainous. The Central Plains are a fertile rice bowl. The North-east is an upland plateau. The South is a peninsula lined with stunning tropical beaches and enticing islands.

Climate of Thailand
Thailand lies within the humid tropics and remains hot throughout the year. Average temperatures are about 29oC, ranging in Bangkok from 35oC in April to 17oC in December. There are three seasons: winter (November to February), summer (April to May), and the rainy season (June to October), though downpours rarely last more than a couple of hours.

History of Thailand
According to archaeological discoveries Thailand is the country where some 5,600 years ago the world's oldest Bronze Age civilization was flourishing around the north-east hamlet of Ban Chiang. Before the establishment of Thailand, the Thais had established small northern city states in Lanna, Phayao and Sukhothai in the early 1200 AD. In 1238, two Thai chieftains rebelled against Khmer suzerainty and established the first truly independent Thai kingdom in Sukhothai.

Ayutthaya which was founded in 1350 was made the state capital. It remained the capital until 1767 when it was destroyed by Burmese invaders. Ayutthaya's was ruled by 33 kings in its 417 years of existence as the capital. The Thais brought their distinctive culture to full fruition, rid of their lands of Khmer presence and fostered contact with Arabian, Indian, Chinese, Japanese and European powers. Ayutthaya's destruction was as severe a blow to the Thais as the loss of Paris or London would have been to the French or English.

However, Thai revival occurred within a few months and the Burmese were expelled by King Taksin who later made Thon Buri his capital. In 1782, the first king of the present Chakri dynasty, Rama I, established his new capital on the site of a riverside hamlet called Bangkok. Two Chakri monarchies, Mongkut (Rama IV) who reigned between 1851 and 1868, and his son Chulalongkorn (Rama V, 1868-1910) saved Thailand from western colonization through adroit diplomacy and selective modernization.

Thai food
After visiting and experiencing the exotic locales of Thailand, If you have missed out the mouth watering cuisine's of Thailand, then your sojourn is a futile. Thai food is internationally famous. Whether chilli-hot or comparatively bland, harmony is the guiding principle behind each dish. Thai cuisine is essentially a marriage of centuries-old Eastern and Western influences harmoniously combined into something uniquely Thai. The characteristics of Thai food depend on who cooks it, for whom it is cooked, for what occasion, and where it is cooked to suit all palates.

With their Buddhist background, they dislike Large chunks of meat which is well reflected in their fooding habits. They prefer stewing and baking, or grilling. The thai cooking is influenced by the country lying next to it or the country by whom they were ruled. Frying, stir frying and deep-frying is seen as the influence of China. The hot and spicy food was influenced by Portuguese missionaries in 1600m AD.

A proper Thai meal should consist of a soup, a curry dish with condiments, a dip with accompanying fish and vegetables. A spiced salad may replace the curry dish. The soup can also be spicy, but the curry should be replaced by non spiced items. There must be a harmony of tastes and textures within individual dishes and the entire meal.

Recipes of Thailand
Some of the popular Thai dishes that grace the menus of any Thai restaurant. Kai Yang with Khao Niao and Som Tam Satay, Kaeng Khiao Wan Nuea, Stir-Fried Mixed Vegetables, Khao Phat, Thot Man Pla, Mi Krop, Tom Kha Kai etc.

Ayutthaya's
The ancient city of Ayuthaya is located on an island in the Chao Phraya River, about 80km north of Bangkok. Ayuthaya was the ancient capital of Thailand for 417 years and has been ruledby 33 kings. Ayuthaya's is all scattered with temples and ruins which have been declared as a World Heritage Site. Many ancient ruins and artwork can be seen in this city, which was founded in 1350 by King U-Thong. Among the attractions are the Bang Pa In Palace and Japanese Village. Ayuthaya today is an assemblage of magnificent ruins that should not be missed by anyone with interest in either history or art.

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The Ancient Palace, Thailand
The magnificent Ancient Palace was the residence of Ayutthayan monarchs. It was made on the designs of the Palace complex in Bangkok. The royal temple of Ancient Palace was inspired from the Emerald Buddha Chapel in Bangkok, and is the focal point of a complex currently called the 'Ancient Palace'

Wat Phra Si San Phet, Thailand
The entire complex is dominated by Wat Phra Si San Phet's three towering Ayutthayan-style chedis, and contains several satellite ruins of meeting halls used for state ceremonies, to welcome foreign envoys, to view military parades and royal barge processions, and for leisure. Adjacent to the complex is the Phra Mongkhon Bophit Chapel which houses a massive bronze Buddha image.

Chanthrakasem or Front Palace, Thailand
This palace was built as the residence of King Naresuan the Great. The palace was renovated during the mid 1800s by King Mongkut (Rama IV) to be his residence during occasional visits to Ayutthaya. The palace is turnrd into the National Museum which falls under the jurisdiction of the Fine Arts Department. The museum is open every day, except Monday, Tuesday and national holidays, between 9.00 AM and 4.00 PM.

Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand's capital city, a buzzing metropolis with a laid back attitude, elegant temples and palaces stand side by side with Romanesque concrete skyscrapers and charming wooden houses.

Thai people call their capital "Krung Thep" which means the city of angels. But you can call it as you wish as it is the center of everything, traditional civilization, foreign civilization and material prosperity. It was founded about 300 years ago to replace the old capital city, Thonburi. Bangkok at night is decorated with lights which shine on historical places, castles and temples. This turns the confusing city during the daytime to a wonderful, dazzling city at night, as if it was really the city of angels. Most interesting tourist places in Bangkok are grand and splendid temples and palaces, canals and rivers. Furthermore, Bangkok is also a shopping center of all kinds of goods.

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Royal Grand Palace, Thailand
The Royal Grand Palace is a glittering walled complex that houses several palaces, all highly decorated with tiles and ceramics. Building was begun in 1782 when Bangkok was founded as the capital of Thailand. The complex houses Wat Phra Kaeo, the holiest of all Thai temples, where the sacred Emerald Buddha rests, not covered in emeralds but jade. There is even a scale model of Angkor Wat. There is a strict dress code and visitors wearing shorts, mini-skirts, sleeveless shirts or flip-flops will be refused entry, although it is possible to hire trousers and plastic shoes.

National Museum, Thailand
One of the largest and most comprehensive museums in the region, the National Museum houses a vast collection of artifacts from the Neolithic period through to more recent periods. The building, begun in 1782, is fascinating in its own right, having been built in traditional Thai style. The museum is so large that it needs more than one visit, but if time is short it must be spent in the lovely teak pavilion, which houses personal royal belongings. Free guided tours are given by volunteers at 0930 on Wednesdays and Thursdays and are highly recommended.

Night life in Thailand
Bangkok the city of angel slowly changes itself as sun touches down and in night the city is called the of "city of sin," and it's certainly true that commercial sex is not difficult to find. Much of Bangkok's nightlife is concentrated in the two red light districts of Bangkok - Patpong (between Silom and Surawong Roads) and Soi Cowboy (Sukhumvit). Bangkok's sex industry is as blatant and booming as ever. However, in addition to the numerous sex clubs and massage parlors, there are many excellent cocktail bars and restaurants and, at night, the area is always thronging with people.

Phuket, Thailand
Phuket, which is also known as the pearl of the Andaman, is the biggest island in Thailand. Located in Andaman Sea in the south, Phuket is 867 kilometers of Bangkok. The island is connected to the Thai mainland by a bridge, but has retained a distinct culture fused from Chinese and Portuguese influences combining with the culture of the chao naam, the indigenous sea-faring people. About 35% of the island's population are Thai Muslims. Phuket is a tourist city fully facilitated with good roads, airport, and various hotels of all levels from average to five stars, restaurants, and many entertaining places. There are only two seasons in Phuket. Raining season is during May to October. Summer, the best time for visiting, is from November to April.

Deep Wild Interior of Phuket, Thailand
Visitors to Phuket Province generally head for the sea, but the interior is worth exploring for its vivid patchwork of plantations and rice paddies, crowned by the island's last rain forest in Khao Phra Thaw Royal Wildlife Reserve. Here, rainy season hikes provide the best views of Ton Sai and Bang Pae waterfalls, with possible sightings of resident wildlife such as flying foxes and slow loris: visit the Gibbon Rehabilitation Center near Bang Pae falls and see how they reintroduce captive gibbons to the jungle.

Patong - Countless Pristine Sites
Phuket's limestone cliffs and palm-fringed tropical beaches are its biggest attractions. Sunseekers flock to its blue waters, with many enjoying the shopping and nightlife of vibrant Patong. A few quieter beaches to investigate are Karon, Kata, Rawai and Surin. Situated in the Andaman Sea, Phuket is a world-class dive destination with countless pristine sites and just as many operators, mostly around Patong. Experienced yachtsmen looking for all-inclusive charters will find fair-to-excellent craft with great facilities at the Phuket Boat Lagoon (Ao Sapam) and the Yacht Haven Phuket (Laem Phrao).

Pattaya, Thailand
Pattaya, a small city in Chonburi Province, is an international play ground of renown, located on the east coast of the gulf of Thailand and facing a wide bay. Pattaya has the rare distinction of being both a beach destination and a full fledged city. This near paradoxical status ensures the creature comforts and entertainment facilities of a major metropolis plus all the delights of sun, sea and sand. Such is the variety, Pattaya offers that it is ideal for all kinds of visitors.

Pattaya's relaxing tropical ambiance is synonymous with every ingredient for memorable holidays. Sporting opportunities abound both on land and water, and include some of the finest golfing, gamefishing and scuba-diving anywhere in Asia. Theme and amusement parks, offbeat museums and lush botanical gardens offer numerous forms of leisure activities and cultural entertainment for all family members. And, after dark, Pattaya offers all the allure and magic of a truly vibrant nightlife with a spectacular variety of restaurants, nightclubs, bars, discotheques, cocktail lounges and cabarets. Pattaya can be brash, bold, beautiful and bucolic, and offers everything an authentic international beach resort can.

Places to be at Pattaya, Thailand

Pattaya Beach
The major venue from where boats visit Pattaya's offshore islands. The northern section of the beach is largely tranquil, while the central and southern parts become increasingly lively,thanks to a juxtaposition of shops, department stores, boutiques, beauty salons, supermarkets, bars, discotheques, restaurants The central area of the beach is a major shopping area, while the southern end is one of Pattaya's major nightlife areas.

Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum
Located next to the Royal Garden Resort Hotel inside Royal Plaza Garden, this museum, only the second of its kind in Asia, features a high technology theatre adapted from a pilot-training simulator, permanent and special displays of oddities such as animal freaks and unusual human feats, based on the popular cartoon feature of the same name which is featured in newspapers throughout the world.