Thailand is one of the world’s most beautiful countries and a very popular holiday destination as a result.  More than 15 million visitors flock to the country every year to take advantage of the culture and the climate, and there is great diversity within the various different regions.

Whilst most head for the bright lights and nightlife of Bangkok many others prefer the serene tropical beaches along the coastlines to the south of the capital.  Resorts such as Phuket and Koh Samui have long been popular, but in recent years lesser areas, such as the Krabi province, have become more popular.

There is a growing ex-pat population now resident alongside the natives, who themselves comprise some 40 different ethnic groups.  With such a melting-pot of different peoples, social tension can occur, but at the same time there are areas that are largely peaceful and free from crime.

Much of southern Thailand’s culture is influenced by the sea, with the Andaman Sea on the western coast and the Gulf of Thailand to the south and east.  Peoples like the Moken rely on the sea almost entirely, hunting for food and by trading and bartering their goods with other locals or tourists, and many of the islands are inhabited by different tribes.

With tropical reefs and islands, Thailand also boasts some of the world’s best sites for diving, with the Andaman Sea providing the greater variety and some of the most colourful species of tropical fish.

Naturally seafood is also a major part of the cuisine, with curries and soups being staples.  Thailand is the world’s largest exporter of rice, ahead of China, and noodles also feature strongly, but there are also a wide variety of salads and stir-fry dishes among others.

Water also comes to the fore in the main annual festival, Songkran, which traditionally celebrates the arrival of the Thai New Year in mid-April.  For three days, people take to the streets with water pistols, buckets and whatever else they can lay their hands on, with the aim of drenching any passers-by.  In most areas the festival lasts for three days, but in some northern areas it can last a week or more.

Particularly in the northern and central areas, Buddhist and Royal temples proliferate, with over 30,000 active throughout the country.  The foremost of all of these is the Wat Phra Kaew, which translates as Temple of the Emerald Buddha, in Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon district.

There are currently just over 100 National Parks, 21 of which are marine parks, and this is set to grow in the next few years.  There are many species of wildlife native to Thailand whose status is endangered or vulnerable.  This includes the Asian Elephant but there are others, including the Javan and Sumatran Rhinoceros, which are on the critically endangered list.

The thickly forested hills and mountains are popular with trek and adventure enthusiasts.  The highest peak is Doi Inthanon at 2,565m and this forms part of the Loi Lar Mountain Range that runs along the border with Burma.  One of the main centres for exploring this area, Chiang Mai, is a growing cultural hot-spot having developed plans aiming to achieve UNESCO Creative City status.

Meanwhile, resorts like Hua Hin and Koh Samui offer the sandy beaches that have become so popular, and swimming and snorkelling are plentiful.  There are also resorts dedicated to detox holidays, as tourists seek relaxation time during their holidays, and a variety of sports, including golf, cycling and of course water sports.

Travel around Thailand’s interior can be difficult, as roads are not always of the best quality, but for intrepid travellers it’s a good way to explore, either by car and motorbike or by train.

Mark Chalcraft is a writer who loves to travel but doesn’t get to do so as often as he would like. Instead he spends his time reading about places that he would like to visit.  He is writing on behalf of Sanctuary Spa Holidays.

Editor, Third Age.