With the thousands tourist spots around the world, why would you choose Thailand as your first or next travel destination? This country is so unique that it is possibly the only nation in the world that has preserved its culture despite its modernization. So if your idea of a perfect getaway is to relax on the beach, have a taste of delicious food, and soak up some distinctive culture, you should consider Thailand vacations.
Here are the reasons why Thailand is a dream destination for travelers from all walks of life:
1. Massages
The famous Thai massage usually comes cheap. A full-body massage can cost you only a few dollars an hour. Massage parlors are plentiful in this country but make sure you get one that offers legit and great massages. Once you enter a massage parlor, you'll also face a lot of Thai massage choices – from reflexology to foot and full-body massage.
2. Delicious food
Thailand offers every tourist delicious and healthy food. Meals in this country usually include five various flavors such as sweet, bitter, sour, spicy, and salty. This is an ideal combination that makes every meal great for your taste buds. Among the ingredients that are commonly used in preparing Thai food are lime juice, shrimp paste, lemon grass, coconut milk, kaffir lime leaves, tamarind, coconut and palm sugars. Giving Thai dishes some punch are different chili peppers as well as cilantro and oyster sauce.
3. Canal cruises
Thailand is once called the "Venice of the East" because of the many canals running their way through the cities, including Bangkok, the country's capital. Bangkok is in fact, a place where you can find a network of waterways. If you want to have a glimpse of the everyday Thai life, then it's good to have a tour of these canals which head down to Bangkok's main river, the Chao Phraya.
If a canal cruise isn't included in your tour package, then you can just hire a boat for yourself. A Thai way of exploring these canals is through long-tail boats. Try this in your Thailand vacations and you sure will be amazed by Thai's old lifestyle despite the modernization in the city proper of Bangkok.
4. Cultural sights
When it comes to cultural attractions, Thailand has so much to offer. It has a lot of places, museums, and temples that sure will astonish you. You shouldn't miss the Grand Palace which was built in 1782 to serve as the king's residence. For 150 years, this palace has also been the home of the Royal Court and the government's administrative seat.
5. Magnificent beaches
The country's main attractions are its beautiful beaches. Phuket is the country's most famous beach destinations. It is Thailand's largest island with numerous major international resorts. Since it's popular, this island is crowded with tourist and it isn't really perfect to those who are looking for a relaxing escape. If you want to stay away from the crowd, you can try to go to Bon Island, which is a wonderful island paradise. With its warm water, soft sand, and rich marine biodiversity, it has become a great site not just for swimming but also for snorkeling.
These are the things that make Thailand vacations perfect for almost all kinds of travelers. What's even better is the strength of dollars compared to Thai baht, which means your bucks can really go far in this place.
It is impossible to visit Thailand without first dropping off at Bangkok. And it is impossible to enjoy Bangkok without paying attention to a handful of useful tips that would not save you time and money but also some headaches.
Bangkok is a bustling city. No doubt about that. But it is a city that seemed to have been created by a sadistic urban planner who is bent on confusing tourists. It is a labyrinth of sorts. And in it, it is easy to watch your I'm-on-a-vacation mood fizzle away with confusion, disappointment, and the stress of getting lost. So with that, our first tip is for you to get a map.
It's not expensive. For a few baht, you can buy yourself a map. But don’t just buy any other map, buy one that has English translations as well as Thai names on it. It will also better if you familiarize yourself with what's written on the map, especially if you are planning to stay for a week or more.
When shopping, learn how to exercise good bartering. Thais know if you are a foreigner in the city. And sadly, they also know how much you will be paying on an item. A good rule of thumb when shopping in Bangkok is to haggle, but do it very nicely. Chip off as much as 40% off the original price and you could get the price you could happily pay for. If the price is disagreeable, by all means, walk away and go to the next vendor. There is a good chance that you will be offered the last selling price when you do.
Bring with you plenty of water. It's a no-brainer but for a generally humid country like Thailand, it pays to bring with you your own supply of liquids. Fortunately, there are always plenty of Bangkok stores that have refreshments ready on their fridge. Only buy those that are sealed. Oh, by the way, drinking fluids the Bangkok way could be a bit quirky for new comers. They drink them straight from a small plastic bag with straw. Try it. It's fun, not to mention very convenient.
Beware of scammers. We are all familiar with the 'don’t talk to strangers' stuff, but once you get into Bangkok, you would always wish that someone would help you with the directions. Good thing is, there are always those Thais who are willing to help. Unfortunately, not all of them are out there to give you just a few directions. Be careful of those who approach you in the street. You would not want to hop from one gem shop to another if that's not where you want to go.
Organize your tour. For lesser headaches, it will do you good to prepare your tour beforehand. This will allow you to go to the places that you intend to visit.
Use the MRT and BTS, regularly. No matter how appealing tuk-tuks, canal boats and motorbikes are, it is always better to stick with the underground train and the Skytrain. Get as much pass as you need.
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