Thailand Indroduction

Beaches, bargains, palaces, and stunning temples. Thailand has much to offer anyone, from the burned-out corporate executive in search of ultraluxurious respite to the intrepid backpacker hoping to explore beyond the beaten track. What brings visitors back here time and time again is undoubtedly the warmth of the Thai people, their laidback attitude, the kingdom's at-times incomprehensible yet beguiling customs, feverish festivals, and amazing culinary adventures. For many, Thailand's most notable draws are its opulent royal palaces, ancient ruins, and ornate temples housing skillfully crafted figures of Buddha, a revered symbol that underscores a fervent and widespread devotion by the (less Westernized) traditionalists. In madcap Bangkok, you'll find an ultramodern cityscape muscling in on quiet canal and riverside communities. Mercantile hubs such as historic Chinatown consist of scores of labyrinthine alleys crammed with narrow "shophouses," markets, and diners, all evoking a heady mix of sights, sounds, and smells. Beyond Bangkok, rice paddies carpet endless flat plains in a landscape dotted by tiny villages and mountains. White sandy beaches and acres of coconut palms and rubber plantations lace the southern and eastern gulf provinces. Wherever you go, expect contradictions and oxymorons: Witness all-permeating Buddhist pacifism co-existing with popular pugilism in Muay Thai boxing. Inscrutable Thailand will incessantly intrigue and confound the curious traveler.

There is also adventure of all kinds here: Extreme sports on land and sea, trekking to hill-tribe villages, and abseiling down sheer limestone cliffs. The country's infrastructure allows travel by bus, train, car, boat, or even hot-air balloon, as well as via a network of new budget airlines serving many regional cities. Gorgeous tropical islands play host to low-end guesthouses or stylish and contemporary five-star resorts. Regional cuisines differ greatly and offer a breadth of flavors in varying blends of sweet, sour, and salty variations -- not always ignited by fiery spice. I list the best restaurants and hotels, as well as hints on where to find what you're looking for in this dazzling kingdom.

The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew

The Grand Palace and Wat Pra Kaew really are places you must visit while you are in Bangkok. Both have considerable historical significance and are extremely beautiful places to see.

The Grand Palace was built in 1782 by King Rama I who established Bangkok as Thailand’s new capital. The palace was to be bigger and grander than palaces built in the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya eras to underscore the significance of the change of capital. The result was a palace of jewels and gold and splendour the like never seen before in Thailand. The Grand Palace remained the Royal Family’s official residence from 1782 to 1946. The last king to live there was King Chulalongkorn.

Wat Pra Kaew was built to house the Emerald Buddha which was returned to Thailand after Thailand’s the capture of Vientiane in 1778. The Emerald Buddha is the most important representation of the Buddha in Thai Buddhism. To pray before the Emerald Buddha is to make merit, and although this is an important place on any visitor’s itinerary, it is important to recognise that this is a place of worship and should be respected as such.

BANGKOK

The cosmopolitan & international city of Bangkok offers an exciting, vibrant and chaotic mixture of Buddhist temples, opulent palaces, ultramodern architecture, classy hotels, street vendors, tuk tuks, elephants, floating markets, transportation canals, delicious cuisine, and huge open air markets. It is truly a place where east meets west.

Bangkok's major tourism attractions include the fabulous Wat Phra Kaeo (Emerald Buddha Chapel) and Grand Palace complex; Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha), Wat Saket (Golden Mount); Wat Benchannabophit (Marble Temple),Vimanmek Palace, favorite residence of King Chulalongkorn, the royal barges, the Pasteur Institute's Snake Farm where poisonous snakes are milked for their venom to make invaluable serum. Jim Thompson's House Museum contains a superb collection of Asian objets d'art, and Suan Pakkand Palace's lacquer pavilion is decorated with medieval gold leaf murals. Also well worth a visit is the world's largest Crocodile Farm, and a 200-acre open-air museum called the Ancient City. Bangkok also boasts entertainment and recreational complexes such as Siam Water Park, Safari World, King Rama IX Park and Dusit Zoo, together with exceptional shopping, fine dining and a legendary nightlife.

The Rose Garden, a riverside tropical country club one hour west of Bangkok, offers an 18-hole championship golf course, fine accommodation and a Thai Village where daily shows feature traditional activities such as folk dancing, the Thai wedding ceremony, a Buddhist ordination and elephants at work.

Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya, a magnificent city which used to be the capital of Thailand and which evolved into an important trading center in Asia during the 16th and 17th centuries, is where awesome temple ruins can be found. During its glory days, there were palaces, pagodas, and temples set upon an island cut across with canals and waterways.

Chiang Mai

Thailand on your mind? Where do you start a trip to a land as vast and as enchanting as Thailand? If you desire sun, sand and solitude in the beautiful, unspoiled islands and beaches, Thailand will not disappoint. On the other hand, if you happen to be a visitor who desires to experience something mystical, then Chiang Mai’s temples that seem to be frozen in time with an old-world feel are a must-see.

Floating Market

When in Bangkok, Thailand, it’s nice to experience a few adventures from seeing mystical pagodas and biking off the tourist track, to taking the long tail boat to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, to savoring the culinary Thai specialties.

Passing through the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is a great opportunity to witness how the locals live – you get a glimpse of their stilt houses, businesses, plus the temple and other aspects of a charismatic way of life – while making your way up the river. If you’re a movie buff who has watched James Bond flicks, you’d recognize the floating market as a spot where one such chase scene was filmed years ago.

Flat boats are laden with produce (ranging from fresh fruits and vegetables, condiments, handicrafts, paintings, souvenirs and other merchandise) peddled by shrewd lady vendors ready to stop and bargain with customers. It all becomes a colorful spectacle somewhat like an unfolding aquatic cultural show, prompting most tourists to click away with their cameras.

Once we arrived we got stuck in, enjoyed it for what it is: an aquatic cultural show festooned with abundant color and souvenirs. It can be an amazing experience. If you intend to be part of the bustling Bangkok floating market scene, try to be up and about early in the morning to experience it at its best. The Damnern Saduak is about 110 kilometers outside Bangkok.

Koh Samui Koh Samui

For many people, a great getaway in Thailand consists of having the opportunity to explore hidden gems and meeting genial people, partaking of delicious food, and experiencing the other aspects of a diverse culture. Most people also look forward to basking under the sun, specifically the glorious beaches such as those found in Ko Samui.

Regarded as a self-styled Boutique Island in the lower end of the Thai Gulf, Koh Samui has emerged as a runaway favorite among leisure visitors because of its beauty and ‘coconut’ feel. From your villa resort, you can find numerous coconut plantations all over the island, and make your way out to where the outdoor theatres with performing elephants and animal farms are. If you’re with family members who love sights of nature, there are stunning waterfalls, like the Na Muang (a term that refers to the huge purple rocks forming the waterfalls. There’s also a large natural swimming pool sitting under the waterfall.

Prasat Hin Phimai

During the rise of the Khemr rule, the capital was named Angkor Wat and much of Thailand is part of this vast empire. Great structures and temples are scattered around northeastern Thailand im a place called Isan today. This is the modern town of Korat.

The Prasat Hin Phimai is a striking structure built with magnificence and old world elegance. The temple somewhat resembles the ever famous Angkor Wat. The main difference between the two is that the central part of Angkor is an enormous mountain artificially made whereas the Phimai’s is a flat and smaller version of the sanctuary. The Phimai is also easier to explore compared to the huge Angkor. The similarity of the floor plan and outward appearance of the two are remarkable. The interesting part is that while the Angkor Wat is dedicated to the Hindu deities, the Phimai is somewhat a Buddhist temple. The Phimai has 3 concentric enclosures which are rectangular in shape. The temple’s outer walls serve as the protection of the city and it measures 500 meters by one kilometer. In the temple, another middle rectangle shaped wall lies within an enclosure. Inside is a vast open space which will lead visitors to an inner sanctuary.

Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok

Temple of the Emerald Buddha, also called Wat Phra Kaew, is considered the most sacred temple (wat) of Buddha in Thailand. Wat Phra Kaew is located within the historic center of Bangkok (district Phra Nakhon), inside the grounds of the Grand Palace. Within the temple is a valuable artifact called the Emerald Buddha Statue and it is said to be the idol that protects the city. The Statue of Emerald Buddha is made up of green jade (not emerald) and is dressed in gold clothes with a total height of 45cm.

As far as the history of the statue goes, it is said that it was made in India during 43 BC in Patliputra. The statue was transferred to Sri Lanka for its safeguard. And then, years later in 1784, it was placed within Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok, Thailand. The structure of the statue is called the Jasper Statue. Tourists not only come to this place because of its sacred beauty but also to adore and admire the beautiful statue that stands in the middle of the temple. It is green in color and covered all over with gold. The statue has three different set of clothes which are changed only by the King when the seasons change. The sets of clothes which are not used are kept safe in Regalia (public grounds) for public display. The temple is like a personal chapel of the royal family and therefore, does not house any kind of monks.

The entrance to the temple is from the backside and faces the back of the Emeral Buddha Statue. To reach the entrance to the ubosot, the audience has to climb up to the terrace. The temple is covered entirely by a gallery, the outside of which is depicted with paintings from the Ramakien epic.

Phi Phi Island

When setting out to enjoy a unique and rejuvenating Thai vacation with young family members in tow, there are plenty of things to do from exploring hip young haunts to water sports fun.

If you’ve decided to go on a backpacking adventure to Phi Phi Islands, you and your kid can relish the havens of luxury with only a few of your worldly possessions on your backs. You can begin a fun journey by checking in a villa or a bungalow in a hillside resort that offers panoramic views of the bay and islands.

Koh Phi Phi actually has two islands, the larger Phi Phi Don where beautiful beaches galore; and Phi Phi Leh which is noted for its cliffs, natural caves and water-filled canyon. Both islands are located in Krabi province, around 42 kilometers or about a 45-minute jaunt from the south of Phuket.

Phi Phi Islands (coined from the original Malay term Pulao Pi ah Pi) has an allure all its own. The tiny island oasis beckons not only as a snorkeling destination but as a day tripper’s trekking delight. From amazing coral reefs and limestone lookouts to the idyllic beaches to the immense Viking Cave (so named because it resembles ancient Viking ships but was later on renamed by an explorer who thought it looked more like a great serpent) which consists of a cave and sea lake formed by a clef between the two cliffs, Phi Phi Island is a revelation.

Phuket Island

Phuket is Thailand’s biggest island which is located in the Andaman Sea, south of the country. Famous because of its world class beaches and modern facilities which are at par as the most popular beaches of the world, Phuket has been the ideal paradise getaway for people who would like to relax and unwind.

Despite the devastating tsunami in 2004, the island has fully recovered and is back to catering to more visitors than ever before. Tsunami detection buoys have been put up to serve as warning devices and to reassure the general populace as well as visitors of their safety.

The island is world famous for its hospitable people and the friendly environment. It is perfect for releasing stress and enjoying the natural beauty of nature. With the diverse selections of places to visit which range from beaches to natural rainforests, you are assured of a visit to an island paradise.

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أهرامات الجيزة وأبو الهول ، ممفيس ، سقارة

خطوة الى الوراء في الوقت المناسب لأيام مصر القديمة في جولة خاصة من أهرامات الجيزة العظيمة وأبو الهول ، وجبانة سقارة والعاصمة السابقة ،