Places To Visit

• Thailand’s people – and its food – make it more than the sum of its parts, but those parts are still pretty special. From the beaches of the beautiful coastline to the frenetic streets of Bangkok, any visitor to Thailand has a host of options.
  
  
  
• Bangkok was once a city of canals, which partly explains its modern traffic problems, and the Chao Phraya river remains a great way to see major sights, while being a draw in itself.
• On Rattanakosin Island, you will find the monarch’s sprawling Grand Palace and nearby Wat Pho, home to the largest reclining Buddha in Thailand. You’ll also want to see Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, especially at first light when you can how it gets its name.
  
  
  
• From the river, you can also explore the shops, restaurants and bars of Phra Arthit Road, and Taling Chan Weekend Floating Market or Pak Khlong Flower Market.
• Phuket is the center for those exploring the west coast and its beach resorts.
• Islands such as Phi Phi are so famous as to be somewhat spoilt by tourism, but you'll find a series of neighboring islands are equally beautiful while offering a quieter experience. Don’t miss Phang Nga Bay, whose calm waters make it a great place to explore by sea kayak.
  
  
  
• The east coast is a similar mix of party islands, such as Koh Samui, and ones still relatively unspoilt, such as Koh Tao.
• Northern Thailand is a contrast again, offering jungle treks to scenic waterfalls and meetings with Akha, Lisu, Hmong and Karen hill tribes.
• The town of Chiang Mai is the base for exploring this region, but it is the mountain landscape that is the main attraction beyond its people.
• Many British visitors want to see the “Bridge over the River Kwai” at Kanchanaburi and  there is a moving experience.
  
  
  

Shopping in Thailand

• One of the first things travelers think of buying in Thailand is silk. From pillows and scarves to ties and shoulder bags, it comes in a wide range of colours and quality.
  
  
  
• Not everything that looks silk IS silk, of course. (How to tell the difference? If you can pull a thread and burn it, it should smell like human hair.)
• The Jim Thompson shops are a guarantee of authenticity, while buying in a market is riskier, although arguably more fun.
• For clothes shopping, note that most Thais are petite. Those of smaller stature are in their element but the larger among us may struggle to find clothes that fit.
• Wooden cravings are a delight and a bargain if you go big and ship furniture home. Chiang Mai is the furniture capital of the country but be aware teak items often come from illegally harvested wood.
• Chests, beds and other carved items such as statues can make spectacular conversation pieces but remember also that statues of Buddha larger than five inches high can’t legally leave the country without an export certificate, which should come with any new items.
• Thai celadon pottery is a unique product, whose pale blue or green colour makes it well suited to dinnerware. Benjarong, with its five colours of red, yellow, green, blue and white comes as more delicate porcelain items.
  
• Another choice for the table is black lacquerware, painted in gold leaf.
• Silver jewelry is also a good souvenir, given the skill of the makers. They often use rubies and sapphires mined in Thailand but look for a certificate of authenticity.

• One more intangible purchase that will last forever is a Thai cooking lesson, offered by most hotels.
• Speaking of gold, Thai gold jewelry is 22 carats compared to the 18 that is the UK norm, making it even better value.