Thailand

Due to the current political unrest in Thailand all of our small group tours are on hold.

Thailand is bordered by Malaysia (South), Myanmar (West & North), Laos (North & East) and Cambodia (Southeast). Covering an area of 518,000 square kilometres (about the same size as France), Thailand has a population of some 61 million people, of whom over ten percent live in the capital city, Bangkok.

Thailand enjoys a tropical climate with 3 distinct seasons - summer from March through May, rainy with plenty of sunshine from June to September and cool from October through February. Average day-time temperatures range from 20- 35 C. The weather is always cooler in northern and mountainous regions.

From prehistoric time, there had been human settlements in Thailand forming successive kingdoms / city states since the 13th Century, including Sukhothai, Ayutthaya, Thon Buri and Bangkok, which was founded in 1782. From that time, nine kings of the Royal House of Chakri have reigned over Thailand, of which the current monarch is Rama IX, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest reigning monarch. The country is divided into 76 provinces, each sub-divided into amphoe, tambon and muban.

Bangkok
Major tourism attractions include the fabulous Wat Phra Kaeo (Emerald Buddha Chapel) and Grand Palace complex; Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn),- Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha),- Wat Saket (Golden Mount); Wat Benchannabophit (Marble Temple),Vimanmek Palace, favourite residence of King Chulalongkorn (1868-1910) and the world's largest golden teak building-, the fabulous royal barges-, the Pasteur Institute's Snake Farm.  Bangkok lies on both banks of the Chao Phaya, the main river of Thailand, 20 kms upstream from the Gulf of Thailand. King Rama 1, the founder of the present Chakri Dynasty built the present capital in Bangkok in 1782. Bangkok has an official name, so auspicious and long that it goes into the Guinness Book as the longest in the world for a city. In short, the official name is "Krung Thep" meaning "The City of Angels.

Ayutthaya
The ancient city of Ayutthaya, Thai capital for 417 years, is one of Thailand's major tourist attractions. Many ancient ruins and art works can be seen in a city that was founded in 1350 by King U-Thong when the Thais were forced Southwards by northern neighbours. During the period of Ayutthaya being the Thai capital, 33 kings of different dynasties ruled the kingdom until it was sacked by the Burmese in 1767. Ayutthaya is 72 kilometers north of Bangkok and boasts numerous magnificent ruins. Such ruins indicate that Ayutthaya was one of Indochina's most prosperous cities. The Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park, avast stretch of historical site in the heart of Ayutthaya city, has been included in UNESCO list of World Heritage since December 1991.

Phuket
Shaped like an irregular pearl and measuring approximately 21 kilometres wide by 48 kilometres long, Phuket is Thailand's largest island, a province in its own right. Sparsely populated outside Phuket town, the landscape is one of lush green hills, coconut groves, rubber plantations and a coastline dotted with a dozen spectacular beaches. Unspoilt stretches of fine white sand are found along the entire west coast of the island.

KRABI
Krabi is located on the inner Andaman Coast of Southern Thailand, 814 kilometres by road south of Bangkok, is an idyllic southern coastal province of outstanding beauty. Krabi covers some 4,707 square kilometres, edges the Andaman Sea, and numbers among its major attractions picturesque tropical islands, palm fringed beaches, forest waterfalls and caves, and topographical rarities such as a 75,000,000- year -old shell cemetery. The provincial capital lies the Thai capital, Bangkok. Krabi is most conveniently reached from Bangkok by flying Thai Airways to neighboring provincial capitals such as Surat Thani ( 211 kilometres from Krabi ), or Phuket ( 176 kilometres ) and completing the journey by road.

Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai presents a contrast to Bangkok. It is Thailand's second largest city and is located 700 kilometres north of Bangkok, The city popularly known as the "Rose of the North" presents a superb contrast. Chiang Mai was founded in the late 13th century and is one of the oldest continually inhabited settlements in Thailand. Within the city's original perimeter, still marked by moat and fortified gates, are numerous ancient Buddhist temples and other monuments attesting to a distinguished past. Close by are more magnificent attractions, including Wat Prathat Doi Suthep, and Phuping Palace, the summer residence of the Royal Family.

Language
Thai is the official language, though business people usually understand English and some Chinese dialects.

• the Thais revere their royal family. Even social malcontents who ignore legal and community standards refuse to tolerate a faintly implied slight on the Thai monarchy.
• Outward expressions of anger are regarded as crude.
• Travellers should dress neatly in all religious shrines. They should never go shirtless, or in shorts, hot pants or other unsuitable attire.
• Shoes should be removed when entering private Thai homes; chapels where Buddhist images are kept; and any of the Islamic community's mosques.
• Each Buddha image, large or small, ruined or not, is regarded as being a sacred object. Never climb onto one to take a photograph or do anything that might show lack of respect.
• Public displays of affection between men and women are frowned upon. Westernised Thai couples may hold hands but that's as far as it goes in polite society.
• It is considered rude to point your foot a person or object.
• Thais regard the head as the highest part of the body and do not appreciate anyone patting them there, even as a friendly gesture.