I have been to Thailand on three separate occasions and to three different resorts, Phuket, Pattaya and Ko Samui. Even though each destination is different you can just tell that you are in Thailand.
The Thai people have to be the friendliest people I have met, they are the most gracious and treat tourists with great respect. Nothing is too much trouble for them and even though they don’t have any of the luxuries that we take for granted they are not begrudging people. When we were in Phuket, we hired a taxi to take us to a different beach for the day. The driver took us and waited all day in his car until we were ready to go back to our hotel. When we arrived at our hotel later that afternoon he couldn’t change the note I had given him so he asked me to bring him the money the next day. This shows how trusting they are and how warm they can be to tourists.
In Thailand, new rubs shoulders with old. You may see a shanty town one minute and then the most modern up to date hotel or shopping centre the next. The Palaces and Temples of Bangkok have to be seen to be believed and the reclining Buddha is enormous. You can stop over in Bangkok before moving on to a beach location, or like me visit the capital for the day to see the most popular sights.
One of my favourite reasons for going is their cuisine. I love to try different dishes and even sample food from street vendors. The food on offer is very international right down to all the regular fast food outlets that we are familiar with.
The beaches vary from resort to resort, with the best I have seen being in Ko Samui, soft white sand and clear blue water. Of course you can take excursions to places like Phi Phi, which we did when we visited Phuket and here the beaches are to die for. The film 'The Beach' was filmed here and I took the opportunity to go snorkelling in the blue/green waters there. The backdrop of the limestone cliffs is amazing.
Another thing that I like to see in Thailand is the elephant. Sometimes you will see them freely walking down the road in amongst all the traffic. There are numerous day trips that will take you to an elephant farm, park or zoo where you get the chance to ride one and watch them perform in arenas. In the past we have been through the jungle on these beautiful creatures. We were even sitting in a bar one night when a young elephant popped his trunk on the table looking for bananas.
If shopping is your pleasure then you can buy just about anything in Thailand and probably at a fraction of the cost back home. They even have Tesco. There are lots of markets and small shops where you have to barter to get the best price. I love this and have great fun with the Thai people who all seem to have a very cheeky smile. My wife and I also like to get clothes made to measure. I take time to find a reputable tailor by asking around and I have never been disappointed yet. My last purchase was a silk lined cashmere suit for £45 made to measure in 24 hours. Jewellery is another good buy in Thailand and many gem factories will give you a guided tour to show how the jewellery is cut and made.
Nightlife in Thailand covers all extremes from the most upmarket restaurants to some very colourful bars and nightclubs where anything goes. Don’t let this put you off. We took our daughter to Thailand when she was 2 and again when she was 6. The more risqué parts can be avoided. It caters for everyone. Lots of bars will have a Thai boxing ring in them as well, where you can watch a fight live.
If you are looking for somewhere with culture, friendly people, easy on the pocket, modern hotels, super beaches, great cuisine and a friendly smile, then Thailand is the place. It is also a great twin centre option with places like Hong Kong, Bali, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur or Sri Lanka. If this has wet your appetite and you would like more information then please contact me with any questions.
