THAILAND INFORMATION
If you take one lasting memory from Thailand, it has to be the hospitality of its people. Their charm can be seen everywhere - from the north's breathtaking hill villages and the pulsating metropolis of Bangkok, to the powder-white shores of the south's remote beaches and world-class holiday and hotel resorts in Phuket. Coloured by magnificent temples and flavored by a world-renowned cuisine, Thailand really does have it all.
BANGKOK
is the Orient's most cosmopolitan city and has attractions to stimulate even the most jaded travelers. Bangkok, Thailand's major gateway, casts an irresistible spell of enchantment. To the Thais it is Krung Thep, "City of Angels", and you'll find it truly a magic place, one that captivates the imagination. Joyfully exuberant, Bangkok embraces modern development and presents an initial picture of thrusting office towers; of world-class hotels offering deluxe comforts; of glittering shopping plazas packed with treasures of the East such as silks and gemstones; of restaurants serving Thailand's acclaimed spicy specialties and virtually every other national cuisine worthy of the name; of neon-lit entertainment spots where the fare ranges from classical dance to laser disco. Ultimately it is from the people that Bangkok derives its unique flavor. Fun-loving and easy going, they possess a rare tolerance which imbues the city with a real sense of freedom. It may appear at times hectic, yet what finally comes across is Bangkok's good natured acceptance of life with all its idiosyncrasies.
Pattaya,
is 147 kilometers southeast of Bangkok, and faces the Thai Gulf. It is Asia's premier beach resort, and caters with equal appeal to families, couples and single visitors. Pattaya's relaxing tropical ambience is synonymous with every ingredient for memorable holidays. Accommodation ranges from luxuriously appointed backside hotels with superb convention facilities to simple guesthouses. Sporting opportunities abound both on land and water, and include some of the finest golfing, game fishing, 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, night clubs, bars, discotheques, cocktail lounges and cabarets. Pattaya can be brash, bold, beautiful and bucolic, and offers everything and authentic international beach resort can.
Phuket,
a large island in the Indian Ocean, is 867 kms from Bangkok. It is the only island having provincial status and was a regional headquarters as well, with a rich and colorful history. Known as the Pearl of the Andaman, it derived much of its former glory and its enormous wealth from tin production, which in Phuket dates back over 500 year. Today, Phuket is the major tourist attraction of Thailand. The surrounding waters contain much varied marine life, and the town is notable for its Sino-Portuguese architecture. It is a very attractive island for sightseeing, with lovely seashores and forested hillsides.

Top>>
TRAVELERS GUIDE

Beaches
Famous for inspiring Alex Garland's novel,'The Beach', it won't take you long to find your own idyllic retreat, with untouched sandy coves and endless beaches dotted around the coastlines and the south's exotic islands out at sea.

Sports
Thailand's national marine parks, countless islands and coral reefs offer some of the best scuba diving and snorkelling in the gulf, whilst the south's mangroves are great for kayaking. For more extreme sports, striking limestone cliffs will challenge the most experienced rock climber, while wilderness trekking, combined with overnight stays in tribal villages, is the north's biggest draw. An absolute must-see is Thai boxing (Muay-Thai) the Lumpini Stadium Bangkok is the most famous boxing arena in the world.

Local tastes
Just as Thailand's landscapes change from north to south, so does its cuisine. In the north try Khao Sawy, a light curried noodle dish and Som tam, a spicy papaya salad. Down in southern Thailand, chilli is the order of the day. Novices should start with a Kaeng Leuang, a mild yellow curry made with the region's tasty green squash.

Evening flavour
When it comes to evening flavor, Thailand stands unrivalled. Bangkok, once only known for the seedy sights of Pat Pong, it's now part of the world's premier nightlife map. Down south, you'll find a chilled vibe, with plenty of variety, from tranquil beach bars to the tourist bar strips of Phuket, Pattaya and Koh Samui.

Best buys
Beyond the fake designer tackle and replica antiques, you'll find amazing arts and crafts and unique antiques. With intricate theatrical masks and puppets, delicately crafted bamboo goods, bewitching buddha heads and beautiful raw silk reclining cushions, you'll need to pack less just to bring it all home.

Live the Experience
For the real 'Thailand Experience', visit Bangkok, where palaces back holy temples and street sellers barter beneath the shade of cloud-piercing skyscrapers. Deep in the north's mountains is a different world, where jungle villages lay hidden, and elephants and bamboo rafts are the only rush hour you'll see. Down south, you'll find an altogether different scene, where talc-white shores and multi-coloured marine life are by far its biggest draw.

When to go: Though Thailand is hot year round, the best time to go is between November and March, when it rains least and the temperatures are cooler.

Language: The official language is Thai, but English is widely spoken and understood. Other languages may be spoken by hotel staff.

Currency: Thai Baht
1 US Dollars = 36.45 Baht approx. (changes as per the daily exchange rate)
1 Baht = INR 1.21 approx. (changes as per the daily exchange rate)