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Thailand is a beautiful country, and if you’ve never been there before, you should definitely visit. Here are some tips and hints I picked up when I visited the country.
Do Lots of Planning
Planning is an essential part of every trip away. It’s not enough to just get on the plane and turn up in Thailand. If you do this, you’ll end up causing yourself a lot of unnecessary trouble and hardship. If you want to be prepared and ready to make the most out of your visit to Thailand, you need to know what you’re going to do when you get there.
You should book your hotel or hostel well in advance. This will make sure you avoid disappointment when you arrive at your destination. You do need to be careful to look for the best deals though. Prices can vary massively depending on location. So, weigh up the pros and cons of the location with the price of the accommodation in this area.
Move Around the Country
There’s a lot of variation in Thailand, so don’t restrict yourself to one part of the country. There’s so much to see and do that you’ll be missing out on a lot if you do that. A lot of people get off the plane in Bangkok and don’t leave the city until they get back on the plane and head back home.
That’s not the best way to experience the country. You should do what I did and move around the country as much as you can. That way, you’ll see everything that this diverse country has to offer. I went island hopping, and you should too. There are so many different islands to explore, so go for it!
Visit the Grand Palace
The Grand Palace in Thailand is one of the country’s most iconic and majestic landmarks. And, for that reason, you should definitely make sure that you visit in while you’re in the country. It’s one of the most famous locations in Bangkok, the capital city, so you won’t have any trouble finding it.
It’s an impressive gold-tipped structure that has been there for more than 200 years. Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn is another similar structure that you should visit. You can climb all the way to the top and marvel and the intricate mosaic detailing that the building possesses. It looks great from a distance too if you can’t be bothered to climb it.
Go on an Elephant Trek
The elephant is a sacred animal in Thailand. They treat all elephants with great respect, and going on an elephant trek is one more like a spiritual journey than a sightseeing trip. You get to trek through the wilderness of Thailand while also learning a lot more about these majestic creatures.
You’ve probably never got so close to an elephant before, and it’s a real pleasure. It’s not something you’re likely to forget in a hurry. You can combine the elephant trek with a bit of luxury too. There are holiday packages that allow you to stay in a luxury hotel once the trek has been completed.
Experience the Festivals
A lot of what makes Thailand so great is the feeling of community and friendliness. And if you want to experience this first hand, you need to take part in the parties and festivals that take place in the country every year. They give you a glimpse into the local traditions and customs, so you’ll learn a lot about Thai culture in the process.
The Floating Lanterns festival which takes place in November is one of the most popular and famous among tourists. There’s also the Naga Fireballs in October. The fireballs rise up from the Mekong river. It’s not exactly clear what causes it to happen, and this mysticism is part of the fascination.
Explore the National Parks
Thailand’s national parks are renowned the world over. There are plenty of beautiful parks and UNESCO World Heritage Sites for you to explore. Khao Yai National Park is one of the best. I loved it when I visited, so you should definitely check it out. It has waterfalls, caves and even rare wild animals.
Thilosu Waterfall is the best waterfall in the country though. It’s incredibly beautiful, and people travel from all over the world to see it. There are also plenty of hiking trails and cycling routes for you to explore if you want to stay active and burn off the calories while you’re on holiday.
Use Local Facilities
There are lots of different organisations that can be very useful for people who are traveling in Thailand. Firstly, the police and other public service workers are always completely helpful and easy to talk to. If you do find yourself in trouble or you need to ask a question, don’t be afraid to approach them.
There are also lots of great Thai websites that will be able to help you out on your travels. I’d recommend using local forums to share and gather information. For the latest Thailand news, there are lots of websites available in English, so you’ll be able to stay up to date with what’s happening.
Spend Some Time in Vietnam Too
Vietnam is just across the border from Thailand, so it makes perfect sense to spend some time in the country. This is what I did when I went to Thailand. Vietnam is an entirely different country, but the culture is so different. There’s a real distinction and difference between the two countries; you’ll be surprised at what you discover.
You should definitely spend some time in Halong Bay when you’re in Vietnam. It’s a body of water that lies between valleys on either side. When the mist is hanging low over the water, it’s an incredible sight to behold. There’s nowhere quite like it on the planet.
This is how I made the most of my time in Thailand, so it should work for you too. Remember to savour every moment there and do all the things that you wanted to do before you arrived in the country.