THAILAND CHOICES
Thailand
Something for everyone
Whatever your age or lifestyle, Thailand has a holiday for you
Young couples • Hit Bangkok for cool nightlife • Check into chic boutique hotels • Go trekking or tubing at Pai • Haggle at markets in Bangkok and Chiang Mai
• First-timers? Thailand’s an easy, friendly introduction to Asia
• Gay travellers? Consider Pattaya’s nightlife and Phuket’s Pride event
Older and wiser • Special anniversary or birthday? Celebrate on the Orient Express or a cruise
• Consider an extended stay; Thailand is great value
• Take time to learn cookery, massage or meditation
• Tour the cultural sites of Ayutthaya, Sukhothai and Chiang Mai
• Pay your respects at the Bridge over the River Kwai, Kanchanaburi
Solo travellers
• Mingle on a small group culture or adventure tour
• Join in on activities like cookery courses or muay Thai
• Treat yourself to a spa retreat • Think value; Thailand’s hotel prices offset that single supplement
• Day trip from Krabi, Phuket or Samui • Spend a few days as an elephant mahout in the North
Divers • Base yourself in Khao Lak or Phuket • Beginner? Choose Koh Tao off Koh Samui
• Consider a liveaboard for the Similan and Surin islands, Burma Banks and Mergui Archipelago
• Dive the Andaman Sea November to April, Gulf of Thailand May to Sept
• Retreat to Koh Racha and Koh Lanta and dive nearby
Families • Think both Phuket and Pattaya for family attractions
• Look out for kids clubs, even in luxury resorts
• Ride elephants around Chiang Mai
• Consider Krabi; moderately buzzy and great for excursions
• Reach Pattaya, Hua Hin or Cha Am without internal flights
• Remember Thailand’s great on-the- ground prices
• Consider festivals for fun cultural experiences
Romantics • Incorporate local drummers or a blessing from monks in your wedding
• Take an elephant escort up the aisle • Marrying in summer? Koh Samui has the best weather at that time
• Look out for honeymoon packages and treats like rose petal baths
• Consider a hotel with butler service for a touch of honeymoon luxury
• Think boutique hotels – both stylish and intimate
Golf • Relax – golf is great value in Thailand • Hire a caddie for less than £5 a day or a golf cart for £12 a day
• Get cooler play by heading North or using floodlit courses by night
• Treat muscle strain with a great value Thai massage
• Travel agents: Offer your local club a group trip
A touch of green • Book a Green Leaf accredited hotel • Use one of the Royal Projects as a focus for a hike
• Volunteer on a conservation holiday • Find reputable dive companies on
www.greenfins-thailand.org
Medical • Get a cheap medical MOT in Thailand • Be reassured, many private Thai doctors are Western trained
• Look for hotel wellness retreats and fitness programmes
• Get excellent value cosmetic dentistry or surgery
• Make sure your travel insurance covers medical procedures
Activities • Head north for trekking and rafting • Rock climb on Krabi’s famous crags • Fish for giants in well-stocked lakes • Take a snorkel excursion from Phuket, Krabi or Samui
TOP TIPS Visit your local diving club and tell them
about the learn-to-dive courses and liveaboard dive holidays that run throughout the year
• Go yachting, especially from Phuket • Check your insurance covers your planned adventures
Top left: Saffron-robed buddhas. Top right: Thailand is the land of smiles Below right: Tempting Thai food
Thailand Travel Guide 2012 5
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36