Bangkok

Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand and nearly all travelers going to Thailand will pass through this popular Thai travel destination. Although Bangkok has a bad reputation due to the bad traffic problems and the air pollution, Bangkok is definitely one destination where every traveler should spend a few days during their vacation in Thailand. Bangkok has many great attractions such as beautiful Buddhist temples, a variety of spectacular shopping malls and unique activities such as the floating market.

Phuket

One of the most visited travel destinations in Thailand is Phuket. This popular island is in fact the largest island in Thailand and Phuket has many attractions to offer its visitors. The beaches on Phuket are among the most beautiful beaches in Thailand and there are plenty of excellent Phuket beach resorts from which travelers can select. Many travelers choose to visit Phuket on vacation because of the world famous Phuket nightlife and the many great Phuket bars. Other popular tourist attractions on Phuket include the Phuket Fantasea Show, the Simon Cabaret Show and of course a number of world class golf courses. A number of different airlines offer multiple flights a day from one of the Bangkok airports to Phuket International Airport.

Pattaya

Pattaya is the beach resort area which is closest located to Bangkok which is why many local Bangkok residents visit Pattaya during weekends. The beach at Pattaya is actually not very impressive when compared to the beaches found on Phuket or Samui however the beach is not the primary reason why Pattaya is one of the most popular travel destinations in Thailand. The biggest attraction for many visitors is in fact the lively nightlife which can be found in Pattaya.

Samui

Samui is a beautiful tropical island which is located off the east coast of Thailand. The beaches on Samui are even more beautiful then those found on Phuket. The most popular Samui beaches are all located on the east coast of Koh Samui and are Chaweng beach, Lamai beach and Big Buddha beach. If you are looking for a resort area on Samui which offers plenty of activities and plenty of nightlife venues then be sure to book a hotel or resort in Chaweng beach. Both Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways offer several daily flights from Bangkok to Samui.

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai offers travelers a different type of holiday experience then what those travelers visiting one of the beach destinations experience. Chiang Mai is located in the mountains in the North of Thailand. Chiang Mai is a great destination for those travelers that would really like to experience Thai culture and the cultures of the hill tribes. If you enjoy the nature then Chiang Mai is a great choice as there are various great attractions in and around Chiang Mai such as trekking, rafting, elephant riding and visits to the nearby hill tribes. A number of different airlines offer several flights per day to Chiang Mai from either one of the Bangkok airports. The best time to visit Chiang Mai is during Song Kran which is the Thai New Year festival.

Once of the most striking attractions in the city and top of any tourists list is The Grand Palace, built in 1782 and once the abode of the Thai king. Within the complex are many glorious and striking palaces, Wats and monuments. To really appreciate it go early to miss the crowds and the intense heat of the mid-day sun. Wat Phra Kaew is also known as The Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Inside this temple you will find a hundred year old statue. The statue has been sculpted from a gigantic piece of jade. Wat Arun, is also called The Temple of Dawn and its elongated Khmer-style tower is decorated in minute pieces of porcelain. Known to be the oldest temple in the city is Wat Pho. This temple was constructed by King Rama I and is commonly called the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. The actual Buddha is a lengthy 46 meters long and 15 meters high, has mother of pearl inlaid feet and is gold plated.

Another attraction not to be missed if you do find yourself in Bangkok is Jim Thompson’s House. He was an American man who decided to open up a museum in order to revive Thailand\’s silk industry; in the museum you can find an interesting and stunning collection of Thai and Asian art, antiques and pottery.

Don’t miss out a voyage along the Chao Phraya River in a long-tail boat or aboard the local express ferry that goes up and down the river many times every day. Make stops at various famous landmarks and then embark again at the next stop. This is a relaxing and gentle way to avoid the traffic, the heat and in the same time see a different side of the city.

Bangkok is a great city for shopping so make sure you bring your credit card with you. There are street markets all over the city along with air conditioned department stores and local designer boutiques. Chatuchak Weekend Market has thousands of stalls to explore and you most likely be able to find whatever you are looking for here, craft items, pets, artwork, antiques, stylish clothes and tasty local delights. China Town is a hive of activity that is just like a maze, here you’ll find gold shops, fabric shops, traditional Chinese medicines and street after street of market stalls. Night-time shopping at Patpong market will provide you with all your presents to take home, souvenirs, fake brands, watches and clothes.

If you are planning on traveling for a period of time then Thailand is not the only Asian country with lots to offer. From Bangkok it is easy to take a plane to Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam and they are all fascinating places to visit. If you don’t want to fly then you can always jump on the train. You can take a train from Bangkok to many other Asian cities, travelling by train is very cheap and sleepers provide comfort and a good chance of meeting other travelers.

You will find plenty of hotels and guest houses in the cities of Asia at reasonable prices. In the main tourist destinations your alternatives ranges from a simple room with a fan to a luxurious suite at an international hotel chains. In less popular destinations your choice will be more limited but you should always be able to find clean and comfortable accommodation. If you are planning on taking a trip to Asia in the near future then take a look online for hotels in Thailand and Bangkok as well as cheap Singapore hotels.

Phuket, Thailand Sand between your toes, stunning tropical sunsets, cold drink in your hand and warm blue inviting seas – this is picture perfect Phuket. This island is known for its silky soft beaches, superb oriental hospitality and great value accommodation. You can go diving in the Andaman Sea, golfing at championship courses or indulge in exciting eco-adventures in the tropical forest of Phuket. Take an exhilarating speedboat trip to surrounding islands or a serene cruise around mystical Phang Nga Bay, or simply enjoy Phuket’s vibrant nightlife in Patong Beach.

Known as the Pearl of the Andaman, Phuket is a large island in the Indian Ocean. The surrounding waters contain much varied marine life and the town is known for its quaint Sino-Portuguese architecture. It is a very attractive island for sightseeing with lovely seashores and forested hillsides.

Property prices soared, many locals sold up to national and international hotels and many of the most beautiful beaches are now host to scores of them, along with restaurants, bars, travel agents, massage parlors and the usual other suspects.

For the budget traveler, the days of grass huts on the beach are largely gone and simple seafood feasts have been replaced by KFC, Starbucks and Pizza Hut. Phuket is an expensive place, with lodging, eating and transport all far costlier than elsewhere in Thailand. You can minimize this by eating on the street and drinking less (or diligently chasing happy hours) but if you really want to spend some time here, you’ll need to adjust your budget. Dishes of pad thai for 100B are not unusual here.

And you can’t avoid the disgraceful public transport here, where the spineless authorities refuse to crackdown on the tuk tuk mafia, meaning public buses only run between Phuket town and the beaches, but not between beaches. This makes interbeach travel very expensive and a good reason to hire a motorbike or car. Its worth spending a night in historical Phuket town and then heading to one of the low-key beaches where budget spots can still be found. Once you’re in the water, who really cares whether they’re paying 500B or 50,000B for their bed? Phuket was hit by the Boxing Day Tsunami, with Kamala, Patong, Bang Tao and Naiyang the worst hit. Reconstruction in most areas is progressing rapidly.