Your gateway to Thailand

Location and Geography
Literally Thailand means Land of the Free Land of Smiles It is all of these things Graciousness and warmth combine to make a stay here always too short One moment you re standing alone taking in the breathtaking beauty and peacefulness of a hushed temple courtyard the next you re risking your life trying to cross one of the busiest streets in all Asia Bangkok is a city of many faces a combination of modern buildings floating markets beautiful women classical dance Thai boxing and hauntingly beautiful Buddhist temples

Outside of Bangkok there s so much to tempt you in so many different ways You can holiday at one of the magnificent beach resorts like Pattaya 170km from Bangkok which is one of the most popular Here you will enjoy every imaginable watersport a variety of exciting evening entertainment great shopping world class golf the magic of sun drenched golden beaches and of course excellent cuisine There s also the stunning seaside resort of Phuket Thailand s largest in the Andaman Sea which is a paradise for holidaymakers with magnificent palm-fringed beaches aquatic grottoes underwater gardens and a necklace of breathtaking coral reefs

Just north of Phuket is Khao Lak one of Thailand s best-kept secrets offering beautiful beaches and forests some of the best diving in the world and excellent hotels and resorts Another resort playground is Koh Samui Island famous for its superb beaches and sparkling water There s also friendly intimate Hua Hin with its winding streets and special character Located 230km southwest of Bangkok this tranquil beach resort was once the destination of choice for members of the Royal Family and a coterie of the rich and famous

The seaside province of Krabi is located 814km from Bangkok and boasts magnificent white sand beaches verdant forest caves waterfalls and over 100 offshore islands which include the 2 Phi Phi Islands Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Ley These islands are part of the Hat Noppharat Thara-ko Phi Phi National Park and feature sheer limestone cliffs and sandy beaches Despite their isolation they boast several excellent hotels and resorts Another seaside province by the Andaman Sea is Phang-nga 788km from Bangkok offering superb natural beauty both onshore and underwater

For a completely different type of holiday travel to the forested mountainous area of Chiang Mai famous for its colourful festivals magnificent scenery laid-back lifestyle and beautiful handicrafts Further north in the jungle you ll find elephants hard at work moving heavy lumber and you can take an unforgettable ride on an elephant s back Cruise on a bamboo raft along the Mae Ping River visit one of the primitive hill tribes in their villages or travel further to the Golden Triangle and magical Chiang Rai the stepping stone to the remote jungle beauty of the north

Climate
Thailand s climate is tropical high both in temperature and humidity and dominated by monsoons April and May are the hottest months of the year when even the locals are moved to complain about the heat June sees the beginning of the South West Monsoon and brings with it the rainy season which continues intermittently until the end of October From November to the end of February the climate is much less trying with a cooling North East breeze and a reduction in the humidity level This is also the main tourist season and the best time to visit Thailand

What to wear
For the Western visitor there is no such thing as cool Just cooler than hot and drier than humid so light cotton clothing is the order of the day Don t worry about bringing too much clothing with you as almost everything can be purchased locally at a fraction of the price you will pay at home Do remember that the tropical sun can be quite fierce so a hat is useful and don t forget to use a good sun screen

Culture, Language and Religion
Visitors cannot resist exploring this beautiful country with its wealth of scenic attractions stunning cultural tradition evident in its art and architecture and its warm hospitable people Thailand offers the holidaymaker high tree-carpeted mountains jungles rich with wildlife orchids and exotic plants shining rivers miles of splendid golden beaches tropical rainforests golden palaces and spectacular religious temples Thai is the local language however English is widely spoken but limited

Currency, Departure Taxes and Visas
Local - Baht THB Visas are not required for South African passport holders Airport taxes vary from time to time however are about BT500 for domestic flights

Health
Immunisation against Hepatitis A

Local Time
GMT 7

Thailand Gallery