Thailand

Tourists can have flexible itinerary to best suit their preference 

Private tours mean you do not have to depend on other people like a group tour – you can customize your wish list as convenient and flexible as you want. Group tours with dozens of people cover a list of places and choices,  but some which may not be of your interest – It is such a waste of time and even not fulfill your wish.

You can design your own plan with friends or family vacation.

Personal support to overcome cultural, language or any barriers in the new lands

When visiting new lands, communication with the locals will give you more chances to get closer to their culture including their customs, festivals, rituals, handicrafts or cuisines. And who will help you on that? Out Realistic Asia’s tour guides!

Private guides will be your interpreters in case you cannot understand and communicate in the local language, which will minimize the culture barriers and embarrassments, especially in limited time.

Unique Experiences you can find nowhere else

Choosing a luxury trip operator is the only one way to personalize your vacation. As, a customized tour is the core value of Realistic Asia. Going on a customized tour means that every small detail of your trip is all designed and organized based on tourists’ preferences. All tourists need to do is just imagining their dream vacation, and luxury tour operation will do the rest.

Premium services throughout the tour

From personal tour guide to transportation and accommodation, a luxury tour can help you get the best of both worlds when enjoying the most luxurious facilities while, at the same time, traveling to untouched places where only locals know about.

And if you have any problem, a Luxury Tour will always have their 24/7 support for you.

Authentic experience that will blow your mind

Thailand is famous for their crystal clear beaches and ancient, holy temples you can find no where else in this world. These are the most attractive places considering their historical or natural meanings. However, if you want to come to new places, just describe what types of places you want to go, luxury tour operator are always willing to put those place into your package.

Private & luxury transport throughout the trip

If you are in a luxury trip, you can consider and choose the most comfortable vehicle for your trip. For example, in Realistic Asia, we own modern fleet of vehicles from standards car to luxury Mercedes Benz. Private jets, yacht, helicopter and many luxury transportation are always willing to serve you!

Incredible services for your luxury holiday 

With 15 years of experience, Realistic Asia is confident to insist that our knowledgeable staff will be one of the best companions to your trips. Our outstanding staff will recommend you in finding the most wonderful itineraries based on your tastes and demands.

High-end accommodation

Because of our longstanding relationship, our luxury tour operators’ suppliers will ensure you not only competitive price but also high-quality service. Luxury resort is not always coming with a hefty price. With our connect in the industry and effort of the tour guide, we are proud that Realistic Asia can recommend the most suitable hotels and resorts for their customers to build up reputation.

Superb food and homeland food? Your choice!

There are risks of unsafe food, especially street food. Thailand is famous for their delicious and cheap street food, but you never know where the ingredients to cook these are. However, you can taste safe street food with the guide of experts from luxury tour operators. And In case you miss your homeland food, all you need to do is to ask your tour operator!

Unique experience from your very own desire

The most visible advantage that a luxury tour operator can bring to us is a unique tour.

In Realisitic Asia’s opinion, there is no common tour for everyone, every experience needs to follow tourists’ demand. Choosing a luxury trip operator is the only one way to personalize your vacation. In fact, in most of the tour, you will like some places in the schedule, some you do not, but you can not change any things because you have to follow other tourists on the tour.

However, in luxury tours, all destinations are your choices! So, you are a luxury traveler, just tell the tour operator about what you want it to be.

Price – “luxury” does not mean “expensive”

Many tourists think that luxury tour is expensive. It’s not true. In fact, Realistic Asia tour is not as expensive as you thought because we operate independently without any middlemen or third party. There is always the amount of money that you have to spend for the middlemen, however, with direct support from us – Realistic Asia, you can save that amount of money for the more important things. In addition, information directly from your operation will be clearer, more detailed and more sufficient.

Flexible timeline to explore off the beaten path places 

Dotted with the rich history for centuries, Thailand remains its intact beauty in all areas of the country. All kinds of tourist attractions are available, islands, beaches, highlands, cultural heritages, temples, architecture structures or just local life exploration and cuisine tour are waiting for you to experience.

Privacy at its finest

Most of the tours in Realistic Asia are private. It means that the tours will be tailor-made for each tourist, not following any group, personalize as much as possible for all customers’ demand or hobby.

Advice from local experts

To make your dream peak the highest satisfaction, we cannot deny the effort of local experts. Local experts are the one who extremely is knowledgeable about all destinations. They can take you to where other foreign travelers cannot know and even media cannot find.

24/24 personal support

Some tour operators just serve in working hour. With time difference, many tourists have to wait until tour operator’s working hour to have support. That wastes a lot of time. In many cases, waiting is the reason for you to hesitate, procrastinate and delay your trip. Time of customer is inestimable. Therefore, we guarantee to give you 24/07 personalized support with one dedicated agent from A to Z and from beginning to the end.

A tourist visa will be issued for tourism purposes only, which means tourists are not allowed to work or conduct business with it. The visa for tourism purpose will be expired within 30 or up to 60 days and foreigners can extend their visa at the nearest Immigration office for 1,900 Baht (this information is updated in June, 2019)

Tourists need to have a tourist visa if they plan to stay in this country longer than they are allowed (mentioned above) or their country has no visa exemption agreements with Thailand. For example, people coming from countries in the ASEAN organisation don’t need to have tourist visa if they intend to stay in Thailand within 30 days for tourism purpose.

Normally the best time to travel the country in a tropical area is when the weather is sunny and not so hot – Thailand is not excluded. The best time to go to Thailand is from November to April when it’s dry with the warm temperature hovering between 32 and 36 degrees and tourists can enjoy nine hours of sunshine per day without being soaked in sweat.

There are a lot of luxurious services tourists can find in a country that never sleeps like Thailand. Let’s name the most prominent luxury experiences here:

Enjoy your cup of coffee while watching the skyline in Bangkok or dine at Michelin-starred restaurant

Watching the sky at the top of a building is an experience that nothing can compare. So do not miss the chance to feel how it is to be on top of the world at rooftop bars of lavish hotels and skyrockets in Bangkok. Far away from the busy and noisy of the city, you will find peace looking at the blue sky, or watching an exclusive river cruise slowly making its way in the Chao Phraya River.

The famous Sky Bar in Bangkok is a popular place, but in this city, there are plenty more of fancy rooftops where tourists can enjoy their cup of coffee or glass of sip champagne under the gorgeous skyline of Thailand.

Explore the river and art district on a fancy river cruise

With people who prefer the calm and peaceful atmosphere, you can book a boat tour on the King River to reach the Riverside Art District.

Visit historical sites and enchanting waterfalls of Tee Lor Su

The map may not show it, but with a guide, tourists can find the waterfall by locating the Tee Lor Su – a UNESCO protected heritage. On the Burmese border, you’ll find the Thung Yai Naresuan National Reserve, which encompasses the biggest wildlife corridor in Southeast Asia, home to tigers, elephants, and bears. Sounds like a night out in Bangkok, doesn’t it? But really, this is a far cry from the capital.

Discover the unspoiled nature in Thailand’s National Park

Thailand is famous because it has many national parks throughout the whole country. So it is understandable that most people here treat Mother Nature with absolute respect. Many of the National Parks have their very own unique features or wild animals that need to be preserved.

Relax in blissful beach paradise and spas in Phuket

What’s more, Thailand is heaven with many islands that provide tourists with all the vibes they are seeking out. Thailand has it all, from luxurious islands with fancy resorts and services to isolated ones that you can hardly find anyone else to interrupt your wonderful nap in a hammock on the shore.

And for people seeking out a relaxing getaway, Bangkok just might be the perfect answer because it is also called the capital of pampering. All the spa here is mainly rooted in ancient Thai techniques and traditions. So prepare yourself to an extremely progressive, with a wide variety of innovative therapies and cutting-edge wellness technology.

Thai massages are globally recognized, but there is more to it: Thai massage combined with Pilates, Tai Chi, and Yoga. Here, you can receive a wide variety of treatments. And all aim at the same goal: to balance your physical and spiritual.

Same as the luxury experiences, there are a lot of tourists attractions you can go in Thailand, depending on your preference. You are an adventurous person who loves to explore untouched lands, or sporty person who is fond of water sports, or you just want to take a nap in a hammock, get away from the crowd? Thailand has it all.  Here are some of the best tourist attractions in Thailand that we recommend:

- Jim Thompson House: This is used to be the home of a famous American silk entrepreneur and art collector.

- Wat Pho: This is the country’s center for public education with host of superlatives.

- Sukhothai Historical Park: Many calls the Sukhothai Historical Park ruins one of Thailand’s most impressive historical sites.

- Chatuchak Weekend Market: This market is one of the largest markets in the world, with all goods you can think of: used shoes, vintage clothes to baby squirrels.

- Wat Phra Kaew: This complex is the heart of Thai Buddhism and the monarchy with its fantastic architectures. This temple symbols the country’s most holy image, the Emerald Buddha.

Thailand has a lot of UNESCO-recognized heritages. Here are some of them that you may take interest in:

- Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries: these areas are two adjoining regions in protection. UNESCO recognized them as a World Heritage Site in Thailand in the year 1991 and it still remains popular until this day. The two areas cover 622,200 hectares of lands – the home to many wild and rare animals like wild buffalo, black leopards, rhinoceros & wild bulls. Tourists can also find villages Thailand’s tribal people there.

- Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex: The complex is around 615, 500 hectares in large and the home to more than 800 species, including the rare Asian elephants and Vogel’s pit viper. The Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex includes five areas under preservation: Thap Lan National Park, Ta Phraya National Park, Khao Yai National Park, Dong Yai Wildlife Sanctuary, and Pang Sida National Park.

- Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns: The towns are believed to be built to protect the remnants of the cities of Sukhothai Kingdom. With their ancient temples and deep culture insight from local there, this is a big must in the visiting list for tourists who are fond of heritage sites. The associated towns are: Sukhothai Historical Park, Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park, and Si Satchanalai Historical Park.

- Historic City of Ayutthaya: This city is significantly important to Thailand’s history. It was first founded by King Ramathibodi I in 1351 and 200 years later, be  captured by the Burmese. There is saying that the Buddha Head entwined in the roots at the Wat Mahathat Temple, but in fact, there are no clear records as to how it landed there.

- Ban Chiang Archeological Site: UNESCO declared the site as a World Heritage Site in 1992. This site is famous for their red painted pottery. The marks of Asian agriculture run deep with their description of rice paddle, domestication of cattle and pigs along with the use and manufacture of metals. This world heritage site is perfect for art enthusiasts to pay a visit and absorb the ancient techniques as long as history there.

Thailand has it all, from white-sand-beaches to ancient ruins of a destroyed kingdom. Below are the country’s most famous landmarks.

- Prasat Hin Phimai: Built in the 11th century, this is one of the oldest and most significant temples in Thailand. Visitors can clearly see how significant and beautiful Khmer architecture is just by looking at this.

- Bridge Over the River Kwai: This bridge was made of iron and a remnant of the Death Railway. People call it by that deadly name since the railway was built by World War II’s prisoners – a reminder of the war’s tragedy and loss.

- White Temple: Many agree that this is one of the most fascinating and spectacular landmarks in Thailand for the unique outlook that White Temple has. However, the Temple was built in 1997, not some good-preserved ancient temple you can find in many places in Thailand.

- James Bond Island: The name says it all: people used to film the movie James Bond on this island and the original name, Khao Phing Kan was changed ever since.

- Sukhothai Historical Park: Sukhothai used to be Thailand’s capital. So, you can see what remains of this ancient city with most structures date back to the 13th and 14th centuries.

Thailand can be called the heaven for Yoga lovers. In their islands, no matter if it is a fancy one with exclusive resorts or isolated ones with no ATM machines, you can still find a place for you to do some Yoga to ease your mind and enjoy the nature.

-The Sanctuary, Koh Phangan: What could be more relaxing than a spa and yoga retreat on a Thai beach in front of the jungle? The Sanctuary features daily yoga classes — at 8 am there’s dynamic/Vinyasa yoga, at 10:30, there’s slow flow yoga, said to be ideal for the newbies, and at 4 pm there’s restorative yin yoga.

- Vikasa Yoga Retreat, Koh Samui: Many tourists rank think facility among the best place to provide a Yoga class in Thailand. With their aim to focus on individual evolution and spiritual development, Vikasa Yoga Retreat in Koh Samui is perfect. You can find everything you want here, from yoga to detox programs, yoga on pristine beaches with free gyms, etc. the experience is truly life-changing.

- Suan Sati, Chiang Mai: While at Suan Sati, you can stay in one of several unique accommodations offerings, including a refurbished truck, an adobe hut, a shared bungalow, or the bamboo wood dormitory.

- Museflower Retreat and Spa, Chiang Rai: This is a place to chill and enjoy the quiet of life. Chiang Rai is full of ancient temples, art collections, gardens, and tea plantations. The resort is located outside the city and near a peaceful lake. People often come here to experience health and wellness programs including yoga retreats, farm-to-table cooking workshops, spa treatment, self-care workshops, daily meditation classes, wellness classes, and Thai massages.

- The Yogarden Samui, Koh Samui: Depending on what you need, this resort can provide you with treatments to improve your well-being mentally and physically with its wide range of services: therapy sessions that include Thai massages, deep tissue massages, oil massages, coconut massages, reiki and chakra balancing, acupuncture, and more specialized practices. Just tell them what you need and you will have it.

Thailand and Cambodia join hands to conserve the ecosystems

The Ta Phraya National Park in Thailand shares common borders with Banteay Chhmar Protected Landscape in Cambodia. The two places are facing the same serious problem which requires the authority to take action immediately. Therefore, joint reforestation events are organized by IUCN and partners to mark their collaboration and determination to protect the ecosystems of the two countries.

Eco-friendly and sustainable tours

Tourism is the backbone of Thailand’s economy and is expected to continue in the future. Therefore, many eco-friendly and sustainable tours are built to lower the impact of tourism on nature and Thai’s people. This will help create more responsible tourism and at the same time, preserving nature for younger generations.

Thailand has plans to empowered communities (Strategic Plan 2018 – 2023)

The economic value of forests and landscapes for communities is increased through sustainable investment, community-based enterprises, certification schemes and/or mutually beneficial partnerships between governments, the large scale private sector and community enterprises.

With their geography, it is of no surprise that Thailand is an ideal country for trekking and hiking.

- Chiang Dao: It is located in the North of Chiang Mai, about an hour away. This place provides fantastic hiking experiences for all beginners and professionals, which range from flat strolls to hardcore treks in the tropical jungle.

- Umphang: This is an isolated place, halfway between Chiang Mai and Bangkok. This destination is a local’s favorite but still making its way on tourists’ top list. When you go trekking here, prepare yourself for overnight trekking to have the best experiences.

- Koh Phi Phi View Point: The best thing about Koh Phi Phi is that it is quite a pretty easy hike, but the view from there is absolutely spectacular. Koh Phi Phi is a famous island, tourists can have ocean views with forested hills and coastlines.

- Chiang Rai: Chiang Rai is Thailand’s famous hiking center along with Chiang Mai. These two areas are both located in Northern Thailand. But if you go trekking in Chiang Rai, prepare to be amazed by lush jungles, rice paddies, and charming authentic villages. Because it is so popular, there a huge and dense network of hiking trails. So, all tourists can explore the region at their own pace and path.

- Kamphaeng Phet: Kamphaeng Phet is much less visited in comparison to other popular trekking places. There are minority villages that tourists will pass by and easy hiking trails about 40 kilometers close to Khlong Lan National Park.

With their diversity in the natural landscape and a network of scenic roads, Thailand is an ideal destination for people who love adventurous and satisfying cycling tour.

- Kanchanaburi Province, Western Thailand: Rural trails and unsealed roads are the main roads that cyclists will ride here. This geography is best for cyclists who want to explore the mountain or rugged roads in Thailand. And there are chances that tourists can ride on of the few death Railway sections which are still in operation these days.

- Sukhothai, Northern Thailand: This is not an official trail for bikers, but for local farmers. Cyclists can explore this 13th-century town of Sukhothai by winding alongside the ancient canals and the evergreen lush paddy fields. There are many historical ruins left here, making it a famous place for Instagram lovers to make it to their feeds.

- Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province: This place is located in the south of the popular tourist spot of Hua Hin, so many people choose to have it as an ideal add-on to their original long trip. In Thailand, Khao Sam Roi Yot means “mountain of 300 peaks”, therefore, this place is for people with adequate cycle skills and experiences with serious pedaling.

- Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand: Differs from Khao Sam Roi Yot, this place is the one for cyclists of all abilities to enjoy a nice ride. So there is no doubt it becomes Thailand’s most popular cycling spot. But the area is also appealing with its hilly, challenging terrain – there must be reasons that Asia’s top cycling teams always head here to train.

- Ko Kret, Bangkok: Ko Kret is not so far from Bangkok, just 20 kilometers to the north. It was first not an island, but land yet was cut from an oxbow in the Chao Phraya River. Cycling here, cyclists have no worry in mind with the facility or the trails since it has smooth, flat concrete awaiting for all visitors.

Khao Yai National Park: In this oldest rainforest in Thailand, tourists can easily spot animals that they can not see at the zoo. Located only 4 hours from Bangkok, this place is  probably the best place to spot wildlife in Thailand.

You can spot wild elephants, tigers, bears, porcupines, gibbons, snakes, and parrots here. Many choose to pay a visit to the eerie bat caves to watch the sunset, too.

Phang Nga Bay National Park: Not only famous for their gorgeous coral reefs, the forests in this island also have around 300 species of wild animals.

You can spot Bengal monitors, flying lizards, water snakes and different types of vipers.

Kui Buri & Khao Sam Roi National Parks: This place is a wildlife lover’s dream. Located in the Tenasserim Hills, Kui Buri is mostly known to be one of the best elephant and gaur sightings in Thailand.

You can spot elephants, sambar deer, water buffaloes and monkeys

Thailand undoubtedly has beautiful landscapes

Southeast Asia in general and Thailand in special is the home to the most dense and large jungles, caves, etc. For many people who love and unforgettable fantasy adventure, or for those who just want to enjoy the view with their significant other, Thailand has it all.

Home to the most luxurious resorts in the world

Now it is not a rumour that South Asian is the place full of 5-starred resorts. Many are overwhelmed by the fancy facilities here with water bungalows or beachfront villas. These years, Thailand is emerging as an ideal place for a honeymoon trip with many places specially designed to be a “just two people” space.

Underwater heaven

What can be more romantic than a nice walk on the beach, hand in hand with your partner while enjoying the majestic view of endless blue ocean and gentle sounds of waves? Just like that, Thailand easily becomes the destination for beach lovers, and especially honeymooners because they love water sport here, or just want to enjoy each other’s company.

Hospitable locals

Thailand is well-known for its “thousand-smile country” title. Once you land off your plane, you will be welcomed with beaming smiles and the warm welcome from the people here. No matter where you go, the local people always welcome you with open arms and overwhelming friendliness to make your trip as comfortable as possible.

Nowadays, many travelers are not satisfied with the industrialized tour that takes them to the commonly popular place. They want more than that. They need authentic experiences in a new place by making a real connection – a genuine, local, and authentic connection.

- Chiang Trekking: If you are into hiking and connecting with people in the new land that you visit, this is an amazing experience. Tourists can trek in the jungle and reach the village and stay the night with a farmer family. You can talk to the kids in a small village in Thailand, or talk about everything with locals.

- Hands-on handicrafts: Tourists have the chance to make handicrafts from ceramic, wood carving to textiles. They will have the chance to see local artisans at work and learn from them to make their own souvenir.

- Giving alms to monks: This activity is for early birds only since the rituals take place at an early hour in the morning. This is a traditional part of everyday life in Thailand when Buddhist monks slowly walking down the streets on their morning alms and receive food into their bowls.

- And what can be more authentic than staying at a Thai’s family? The real Homestay experience can turn your trip to a cultural exchange or learning time. With a local host family, you can open up your whole perspective of Thailand and its people, seeing things that other tourists can’t and having yourself a little different Thailand.

Tourists can try a fish spa 

There is no way one can explain exactly what it feels like to have schools and schools of tiny fishes nibbling at your foot. They will eat your dead skin around your foot and that’s it. However, many are warned about the potential health risk of this method. Yet, this kind of spa is still very popular in Thailand because of the unusual, indescribable feeling customers will have.

Chat with a monk 

An AMA, but with a mock seems to interest many people. In most temples in Thailand, there will always be available mocks that can answer all your questions about their life, their religious and all your problems in this world under the Buddhism viewpoint.

Explore Phra Nang Cave – Cave of penises

If you are interested in the Penis Festival in Japan, you may find the experiences to discover Thailand’s

Phra Nang Beach with a cave full of penises. There are hundreds of pottery in penis shape here with all sizes, shapes, and colors you can think of. And it is not a prank, but instead, a phallic shrine dedicated to a female spirit who symbolizes fertility. Thai people make offerings here so foreigners should take notice and respect local customs and beliefs.

Visit Buddhist Hell 

In all unusual attractions in Thailand, don’t forget to make a quick pit stop in hell! Just kidding, it is actually a Buddhist Hell with gruesome images and statues portraying the future of those who are sent to hell to pay for their sins. This Hell Garden is not your typical garden with blooming flowers and colorful shrubbery. It portrays what Thai people believe and religion. This place is located on the way to Pattaya and visitors have to pay no fee to visit here.

Thailand has a lot of festivals and National Holidays, partly because of their religions and monarchy. Below is a list of official National Holidays that taking place throughout the year.

- Spring: New Year’s Day, Magha Puja, Chakri Memorial Day, Songkran Festival

- Summer: Coronation Day, Royal Ploughing Ceremony and Farmer’s Day, Vesak, Queen Suthida’s Birthday, The King’s Birthday, Asalha Puja, Beginning of Vassa, The Queen Mother’s Birthday

- Fall: King Bhumibol Adulyadej Memorial Day, King Chulalongkorn Day

- Winter: King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Birthday AnniversaryConstitution Day, New Year’s Eve

Songkran – the biggest, longest and most fun festival in Thailand

Can this be named as the world’s wettest and hottest festival? Songkran is actually a three-day water fight where the whole country and foreign visitors throw water bowls or use a water gun to get others wet. There are music, dancing, drinking and drenched people with water dripping from head to toe.

Ghost festival Phi Ta Khon 

The ghost festival is three days long, a colorful festival combining religious traditions, local handicrafts, and fun. Locals will wear masks with colorful features. It is held on the weekend of the 6th full moon of the lunar calendar with a big parade with ghost – dressing dancers.

The origin of the festival is somehow similar to the one in Mexico where people wear masks to help dead people mix with their living family members – to all have fun.

Lanterns festival

Tourists can attend Chiang Mai’s lantern festival every November. With first-time visitors, the festival is truly a remarkable sight with thousands of paper lanterns released into the sky, floating away to light up the night’s sky. Many breathtaking photos are taken here since the festival itself is too photogenic. Later, there will be parades, religious ceremonies, fireworks and the releasing of paper floats in the river.

Like any other tropical country in SouthEast Asia, the weather in Thailand is really complex and regional diversity. In general, you can visit Thailand throughout the year, but try to avoid the more rural parts of the country since they will become less accessible at the peak of the rainy season!

- Northern Thailand weather: is defined by a rainy season, cool season and warm season.

- Central Thailand weather: experience a tropical climate comprised of a cool season, warm season and rainy season.

- Southern Thailand weather: is defined by two seasons: the rainy season and the dry season.

Thailand’s food needs a little introduction if you are a first-time visitor. The cuisine here is mostly family style. And to your surprise, some places here still eat food with their fingers.

Thai food is known for its great and unique combination of seasonings while cooking. The season is kept balanced so that all flavors can stand out on a dish (or a bowl?) and different areas of Thailand have their very own way to show their culture and cuisine.

Southern Thai Cuisine

This place undoubtedly has the spiciest regional cooking seasoning in a land where everybody loves spicy cuisines. And because the area is very close to the beach, the food here tends to be quite salty and seafood is often the star of the meal in every restaurant.

Central Thai Cuisine

The people here tend to love sweet or savory flavored dishes. Many dishes in the central area include pork, freshwater fishes, coconut milk and palm sugar that you can nowhere else. And as a result of their closure to the Gulf of Thailand, central Thai eateries, particularly people living in Bangkok, also are huge fans of seafood.

China impact

Because of a huge number of Chinese Immigrants from southern China for centuries, their cooking styles have a huge impact on Thai cuisine. For example, several varieties of noodle dishes in Thailand are all China-rooted and there is a huge Chinatown where tourists can enjoy the best Chinese food or Thailand food with a Chinese twist there.

Mulism impact

Muslims introduced their culture to Thai people in the late 14th century. It is when they brought their cuisine of meat and dried-spice-based cuisine from their homelands in India and the Middle East to the local food. Until this day, we can still see the impact of this culinary commerce in many places in Thailand.

Tom Yum Goong (Spicy Shrimp Soup)

This can be named as Thailand’s most popular dish in the world’s cooking map. The dish is a fresh and lovely combination of fresh herbs, fish sauce and fresh prawns with mushrooms. The smell of this dish can not be mistaken with any dish and the flavor of sour-spicy-hot taste just screams ‘Thailand’ in your mouth.

Som Tum (Spicy Green Papaya Salad)

You can just love it or hate it – there is no in between. With the fresh ingredients including garlic, chilies, green beans, cherry tomatoes and shredded raw papaya, this dish has a unique sweet-sour-spicy flavour that is not easily forgotten.

Tom Kha Kai (Chicken in Coconut Soup)

This is actually a Tom Yum’s twist with young galangal, crushed shallots and tender strips of chicken. The twist here is the huge amount of coconut milk to help thicken the sauce and ease of the spicy flavor and will burn your tongue.

Gaeng Daeng (Red Curry)

This curry can get all of your taste buds tingling. Customers should eat it right when the dish is freshly out of the kitchen and still at its best so that you can taste the stunningly tender meat, with its mild, sweet and delicately fragrant.

Pad Thai (Thai style Fried Noodles) 

This dish is so popular you can find anywhere from Cape Town to Khao San Road, the de-fact-to international Thai dish!  The dish impresses customers with its amazing combination of fish sauce, chilli powder, sugar, and finely ground peanuts.

Thai beer

You can cool off easily with a gulp of the famous Thai beer. The most popular beer here are Chang and Singha beer, ranging from just 3.5% to 5.8% alcohol. With its cheap price and delicious flavour, many tourists vote these two beat the Thai dishes!

Thai whiskey

Alcohol lovers will like it here since in Thailand, not only their beer is delicious and cheap, but so are their whiskey. SongSam and Mekhong are two really good old whiskys that many recommend. With their rum-like taste along with the flavour of rice, sugarcane and molasses these two are the ultimate party experience you do not want to miss.

Sugarcane Juice 

Non – alcohol will also love Thailand since people here have a soft spot for all sweet treats, such as sugar cane. A bottle of sugarcane juice here is cheap and can be bought easily on the street. This drink is incredibly fresh, sweet, and sometimes people put lime into the drink to ease the strong sweet with some sour twist.

Cha Yen (Thai iced tea)

Cha yen is the de-facto-to king of Thai drinks internationally. The mixture of tea and sweetness make many drink lovers hooked. Also, it can be served both hot and cold so people drink this all year round.

Sample authentic local Thai cuisine

The cuisine is an inseparable part of the culture. So, if you want to understand a country’s culture, get to know its cuisine is a big must. You can try Thai food at any restaurants you want, from a Michelin-star food stall, a five-star hotel restaurant to the small food carts you see on the streets. Thai food is a lovely combination of sweet, sour, bitter and salty. The food we recommend? You’ve just read it!

Get on a cruise on the Chao Phraya River to explore the Grand Palace

Visiting a city by cruise is an exclusive experience that not everyone got to have. You can ride on the famous cruise on the Chao Phraya River to boat up to The Grand Palace. Visible from the shore, the Grand Palace complex is historically important as it has been the official home of the King of Siam from 1782 to 1925.

Lose your inhibitions at the Koh Pha Ngan full moon party

Thailand is a country of festivals and parties and if you arrive there on time of any festivals, you are in for a real treat. The full moon party is a monthly dance party that celebrates the beautiful moon rising over the beaches of Koh Pha Ngan.with a crowd of around 30,000 people dancing, singing under the sky with fireworks and moonlight.

Visit the world’s largest, Golden Buddha

It would be a pity that you take a trip to Thailand and NOT visiting the world’s largest Gold Buddha statue here. The statue is made of solid gold and can be found inside the Wat Traimit Temple in Bangkok’s Chinatown. Tourists should take note that it’s a religious place so they need to avoid wearing shorts, sleeveless shirts and shoes visiting there.

Take in the action at a Muay Thai boxing event

For people seeking out adventurous and sporty activities here, you should try Muay Thai. The sport combines lethal punches, furious kicks, and fierce elbow strikes. It can be quite violent so if you fancy trying your hand, there is a course available at the Muay Thai institute with professional teachers.

Early Days

The Mon and Khmer peoples established powerful kingdoms that included large areas of the country which absorbs its neighboring countries’ religious, political and cultural ideas.

Sukhothai

In 1238, a Tai chieftain declared his tribe’s independence from the Khmer. Then he established his very own kingdom at Sukhothai in the Mae Nam River’s valley and slowly build up the heart of modern day Thailand.

Ayutthaya

Sukhothai’s success built the ground for the kingdom of Ayutthaya. This kingdom was so powerful in the 14th & 15th centuries that it defeated the kingdom of Angkor, causing its decline. But in 1767,  the Burmese invaded Ayutthaya and totally destroyed it as a result of continuous conflicts. Some years after, two national heroes named Taksin and Chakri, soon rose to expel the invaders and reunified the country under the Chakri Dynasty. In 1782, Chakri made Bangkok his new capital and given the title of Rama I.  He was the first king of the Chakri dynasty, which has held power to this day.

19th Century

The European powers are the greatest threat to Thailand rather than any other country. Thailand was the only Southeast Asian country to preserve its independence. Thailand’s monarchs were willing to negotiate openly with the European threat at that time and then, agreed to adopt European style reforms that modernized the country and won its sovereign status.

In that same period, Thailand lost its control over Cambodia and Laos to France and ceded the northern states of the Malay Peninsula to Britain.

20th Century

Thailand experienced a drastic change in every aspect of life, yet still under the control of the royal family. It is not until a bloodless coup d’etat by military officers and civil servants in 1932 that the absolute monarchy and inaugurated Thailand’s constitutional era came to an end.  In 1949, Thailand changed its name from Siam to the name we use today.

Things you should do

- Dress properly: Because most Thai people are conservatives and considering their monarchy and religion, make sure to dress properly when visiting Thai temples and royal palaces. Your shoulders and knees should be covered regardless of your gender. When visiting these religious places, the more formal your clothes are, the better.

- Take off your shoes: One interesting thing in Thailand is that here, feet are considered dirty. So in many places, people leave their shoes outside and walk with their bare feet. Small tip: it is common that you leave your shoes outside your hotel room as well.

- Respect the monarchy: Thai people love their beloved monarchy and pay huge respect to the royal family.

- Respect all Buddha images: in this religious country, people who do not respect Buddha images can be punishable by imprisonment even if committed by foreign visitors.

Thing you don’t

- Forget the mosquito repellent: Thailand is a tropical country, so you may not want to befriend the mosquitoes there, right?

- Expose yourself: Thailand is not a fan of skin showing, including sunbathing toplessly on the beach or wearing too revealing clothing. Note that breastfeeding falls in the “not in public” category.

- Be overly affectionate in public: You may see young Thai couples holding hands, but that’s it – people do not show their affection in public like any other Asian country.

- Touch anyone’s head: Once you are in Thailand, don’t touch anyone’s head, not even children. It’s the most important part of the body according to the Thai.

- Visit any animal attraction, or participate in any animal activities before you’ve done your thorough research about since many people there try to abuse animals (tigers, elephants) to make money from tourists.