Thailand - Destination Thailand

Thailand is well endowed with unbeatable attractions - irresistible natural beauty, warm hospitality, ancient ruins, pristine beaches, tranquil villages and adventure. It's hard to beat. No wonder it's such a popular destination. Although over the last decade tourism to Thailand has changed. The "Land of Smiles" is no longer just a backpacker preserve but a tourist and business playground. But whether you're a budget or bumper traveler there's plenty to cater for all interests. If you don't want a el cheapo beach hut you'll find other options and may even be able to afford a hotel or spa resort - not such a splurge in Thai baht!

Bangkok will probably be your first port of call and its reputation does not disappoint. This metropolis is an electrifying and pulse-pounding experience. Traffic congestion and girlie-bars are part and parcel of life so get on a thuk thuk (taxi) to explore especially around Chinatown and do check out the nightlife even if it's just Kho San Road or Thai boxing. Bangkok is also where you will find the elaborate Wat Phrae Kaew complex containing the grand palace and the temple of the Emerald Buddha. This "Venice of the East" also has watery canals cutting their way through the city, excellent to explore on a hot day. You can travel by boat along the Chao Phraya river or visit the Floating Market, it's touristy but still an interesting experience.

Chiang Mai in the far north is Thailand's second-largest city and the base for excursions to temples, teak forests, working elephants, caves, waterfalls and the northern hill tribes. The main attractions are the Doi Suthep hilltop temple and elephant trekking. Numerous companies in Chiang Mai offer combinations of elephant trekking, bamboo rafting, cycling and motorbiking. Be careful when selecting a tour as low-end prices might also mean less care and feeding!

If it's idyllic beaches you're after Thailand is also the place to come. Take your pick from the three islands off the south-east coast. Koh Samui was a backpacker's haven but is now well developed with sophisticated beach resorts, bars and an airport. Chaweng Beach is the key hang out spot. Koh Phangnan is less developed and popular with more adventurous travelers. The all-night full moon beach parties at Had Rin are famed but if you're not into partying you can also find peace on remoter sections of the island. Koh Tao Island (Turtle Island) is also less developed but an increasingly popular scuba-diving destination with clean water and good visibility. The Beach starring heart-throb Leondardo di Caprio was filmed in Krabi Province in the south-west. Maya Bay on Phi Phi Le Island is the main location used in the film. Phuket was another spot used for filming although it was one of the regions hit by the tsunami in December 2004. The beaches have since been cleaned up and visitor numbers are returning - usually one million per year so don't expect peace and quiet!

For something more historic you can visit Kanchanaburi, the original site of the famous Bridge Over The River Kwai. Thousands of allied prisoners of war and Thai forced laborers died at the hands of the Japanese during WWII. The Bridge Over the River Kwai location now has a post-war railway bridge that you can walk or train over. The province of Kanchanaburi itself is a stunning oasis of jungle-clad hills and sweeping waterways.

THAI TOURISM TO INCREASE

Thailand expects a 36 percent rise in tourism revenue this year thanks to a new international airport and efforts to woo back Asian travelers.

Revenue in 2006 may rise to a record 490 billion baht ($12.7 billion) from about 360 billion baht in 2005, said  Tourism Authority of Thailand governor Juthamas Siriwan. Tourist arrivals will probably increase to 14.2 million from 12 million in 2005. This was a positive change after the effects of the 2004 Tsunami on tourism.

Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi International Airport is scheduled to open in late September, with the capacity for handling more flights than the over-stretched Don Muang airport.

Tourism is Thailand's second-biggest foreign-currency earner after exports, accounting for about six percent of gross domestic product.


BANGKOK AND CHIANG MAI BEST CITIES IN ASIA

Bangkok and Chiang Mai have been voted the two Best Cities in Asia in 2006 according to an Internet survey conducted by Travel + Leisure Magazine. At a global level Bangkok was third and Chiang Mai fifth.

The criteria for “best cities” included sights, culture and arts, restaurants/ food, people, shopping and value for money.

Other high-level rankings included Chiva-som International Health Resort as the World’s Best Destination Spa and the Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai as the best hotel spa in the Asia/Pacific/Africa/Middle East. In addition to the cities and spas, six Thai hotels were in the top-100 hotels of the world, with the Peninsula Hotel Bangkok ranked number four.