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 With over six million foreigners flying
into the country each year, Thailand has become Asia's primary holiday
destination and is a useful and popular first stop on any overland
journey through Southeast Asia. The influx of tourist cash has played
a significant part in the country's recent development, yet Thailand's
cultural integrity remains largely undamaged. In this country of
fifty-three million people, over ninety percent are practising Theravada
Buddhists, and King Bhumibol is a revered figure across his nation.
Tiered temple rooftops and saffron-robed monks dominate every vista,
and, though some cities and beach resorts are characterized by high-rises
and neon lights, the typical Thai community is the traditional farming
village: ninety percent of Thais still earn their living from the
land.
Most journeys start in Bangkok . Thailand's huge, noisy, polluted
capital can be an overwhelming introduction to Southeast Asia,
but there are traveller-oriented guesthouses aplenty here, and
heaps of spectacular temples to visit. It's also the best place
for arranging onward travel and visas for neighbouring countries.
A popular side-trip from the city takes in the raft houses of Kanchanaburi,
the infamous site of the Bridge over the River Kwai. After Bangkok,
most travellers head north, sometimes via the ancient capitals
of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai , to the enjoyably laid-back city of
Chiang Mai , where they organize treks to nearby hilltribe villages.
There's tranquil countryside in bucketloads up in the northern
highlands around Mae Hong Son and along the Mekong River in Thailand's
northeast (Isaan), where you can stay in village guesthouses and
hop across the border into Laos. The northeast is the least visited
area of Thailand, but holds two fine ancient Khmer ruins at Phimai
and Phanom Rung, and the country's most popular national park,
Khao Yai |
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