Thailand

In the north, the landscape is marked by mountains and forests with indigenous hill tribes and temples of distinct northern architecture, while the south offers visitors breath-taking sceneries with white, sandy beaches and hundreds of islands surrounded by turquoise seas. To the east and northeast, there are many mysterious ruins and archaeological sites waiting to be explored, while in the central region, the splendour of the grand palace and other historical sites provide a glimpse into the Kingdom’s rich history and its interaction with the outside world over the centuries. Owing to the abundance and variety of natural resources, Thailand is a favoured destination for adventure seekers and eco-tourists. There are more than 100 national parks, including over 20 marine parks, and more than 1,000 different mammal species, numerous birds – both native and migratory – and spectacular marine life. Activities like mountain biking, white-water rafting, trekking and camping, bird watching, scuba diving and rock climbing are available in almost every region of Thailand.

Thailand is also well-known among foreigners for its rich cultural heritage and warm hospitality. A lot of fun and colourful festivals, such as the Thai New Year or Songkran, the water festival, and Loy Kratong, the festival of lights where candle-lit floral floats are released down the rivers, always draw visitors’ attention. In addition, the country offers a great variety of arts and crafts, from local wooden handicrafts and exquisite Thai silk to distinctively delicate jewel-studded nielloware that tell many stories about the Kingdom’s rich heritage. The Kingdom’s cultural diversity and renowned hospitality, together with its world-class accommodation and convention facilities, have contributed much to the continued success of the Thai tourism industry. Around 15 million foreigners now travel to the country annually.

Over the years, the Kingdom and its cities have topped numerous travellers’ polls as being among the world’s most popular tourist destinations, including those conducted by prestigious traveller magazines such as Condé Nast and Travel & Leisure, with the latter recently ranking Bangkok as the first top cities in the world in its “2011 World’s Best Awards” survey. The Kingdom has also been voted many times as the most popular destination among visitors from Scandinavian countries. Located in the centre of mainland Southeast Asia, Thailand also serves as a regional hub, with many travellers using it as their base in continuing their journey to other neighbouring countries in the region and beyond. For these and other reasons, Thailand will continue to attract travellers from all over the world in the years to come.