Thailand
Known affectionately as The Land of Smiles, Thailand is one of the world’s most popular travel destinations, due in large part to its varied range of attractions and value for money. There are many popular beach-based island locations such as Phuket, Koh Samui, and some with spectacular coastal scenery such as Krabi and Phi Phi Island. Many are popular with backpackers, and Koh Phangan is famous for its full moon parties, whereas Koh Tao is renowned as the scuba Mecca for young travelers to earn their diving license.
Elsewhere, Chiang Mai in the north of the country is famed for historic temples, mountain scenery, hill tribe tours, and Thai cooking classes: Thai food is obviously one of the biggest attractions of the country too. Sukhothai and Ayutthaya are also famed for their historic temple and palace complexes. Then there is Bangkok, a busy travel hub and one of the world’s most famous and popular cities, home to the Thai Royal family and many of the country’s top cultural attractions. It is also famous for its adult nightlife, as is the nearby beach destination of Pattaya.
Sub-destinations
PHUKET
Recent Thailand Articles
From Water Fights to Sky Lanterns: a Guide to Thai Festivals
From the chaotic, water-soaked streets of Songkran to the serene, candlelit glow of Yi Peng, Thai festivals are a breathtaking display of culture, faith, and pure joy. This guide will take you through the most spectacular celebrations in the Land of Smiles, revealing...
Thai National Marine Parks: Beauty and Untamed Nature
There are some 26 marine national parks in Thailand, of which, at the time of writing, 21 are formally legislated, while 5 are in different stages of the process of legislation. The 21 legally-recognised parks cover area about 5,810 km². 4 national parks are proposed...
Mu Koh Tarutao National Park: Thailand’s Wildest Island
The 51 islands of the Koh Tarutao Marine National Park archipelago lie in the Andaman Sea, 20-70 km off the extreme southwest coast of peninsular Thailand. Tarutao is a Malay work meaning old, mysterious and primitive. Much of the island is composed of...
Mu Koh Ang Thong National Park: The Secret Emerald Sea
Dive in the Ang Thong National Park Mu Koh Ang Thong National Park is an archipelago in the Gulf of Thailand consisting of 42 separate and small islands. All the islands occur in the Ang Thong district, of Amphur Samui, Surat Thani Province. The park covers a total...
Mu Koh Lanta Marine National Park: A Slower Pace of Paradise
Established in 1990, by order of the then Prime Minister Khun Chaun Leekpai and the Wild Animal and Plant Foundation of Thailand, Mu Koh Lanta National Park became the 62nd national park of Thailand and covers an area of 134 km² or 83,750 rais. It includes...
Hat Nopparat Thara – Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park – Nature’s Masterpiece
The full name for the national park is Hat Nopparat Thara – Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park which, besides being quite a mouthful, is located in Krabi Province, not Phuket Province as many people think. It’s the 46th national park of Thailand and...
Mu Koh Similan National Park: Thailand’s Premier Diving Destination
The stunning Similan Islands with their tropical jungle beauty, white, sandy beaches and turquoise waters are understandably Thailand’s most popular dive destination. The granite islands which make up the Similan National Marine Park provide gorgeous coral reefs...
Mu Koh Surin National Park: Wild Heart of the Andaman
Mu Koh Surin National Park is situated in the Andaman Sea approximately 60 km from the coast of Phang-Nga Province in the southern Thai peninsula region. The park covers an area of approximately 135 km². Of the protected area, 102 km² or 76% is sea. Cuttlefish in...
Diving with Trevallies – Apex Predators of the Reef
Trevally are among the more common fish encountered by divers, in a variety of species. These powerful silvery predators patrol the reefs and are often seen preying on smaller fish, making exciting, sudden dashes around the reef and thrilling any on-looking scuba...