What To See Thailand
Central Thailand
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Bangkok
Southern Thailand
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Phuket
Northern Thailand
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Chiang Mai
Isaan
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Isaan
Walk/Drive Food&Drink In The Know Did You Know?
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In the Know
If your time in Thailand is limited, or you would like to get a real flavour of the country, here are some ideas:
Ways to be a Thai
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Have fun - the general attitude of Thais is that if something is not sanuk (fun) it is not worth doing.
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Stay cool, as overt displays of public affection or, far worse, anger, are frowned upon; smile and keep your temper at all
times.
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Show respect for the monarchy, especially King Bhumibol and his grandfather, King Chula-longkorn (Rama V).
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Show respect for religion, especially Buddhism and Buddha images. Do not climb on the latter to take photos.
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Try a traditional Thai massage - the contortions and manipulations involved are designed to reduce tension.
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Drink some Thai whisky, such as the popular brand, Mekong, taken with soda, ice and fresh lemon or sometimes Coca-Cola.
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Watch sepak takraw, a kind of volleyball with a rattan ball played with the feet and head. It is popular among Thais.
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Dress appropriately, especially in temples. Nudity and topless sunbathing on the beach are considered offensive.
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Learn some Thai - even a few words will win smiles.
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Try Thai food, which is delicious, sophisticated and sometimes spicy.
Good Places to Have Lunch
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Border View (Moderately priced) ADDRESS: 222 Golden Triangle, Sop Ruak PHONE: (053) 784001-5. Thai, Chinese and Western food
presented on a beautiful terrace by the Mekong.
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Bussaracum (Expensive) ADDRESS: 139 Sethiwan Building, Thanon Pun, Bangkok PHONE: (02) 266 6312. Enjoy royal Thai cuisine
in an elegant atmosphere.
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Captain's Choice (Expensive) ADDRESS: Choeng Mon Beach, Ko Samui PHONE: (07) 425041. One of Samui's top restaurants, renowned
for its fresh seafood.
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Giorgio's (Moderately priced) ADDRESS: Beach Road, Patong Beach, Pattaya PHONE: (076) 341193. Italian food and good wines
served in a beautiful tropical garden.
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Indochine (Moderately priced) ADDRESS: Wat Jaeng, Thanon Samphasit, Ubon Ratchathani PHONE: (045) 245584. One of Thailand's
best Vietnamese restaurants, in an old teak house.
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Le Coq d'Or (Expensive) ADDRESS: 68/1 Thanon Ko Klang, Chiang Mai PHONE: (053) 282024. This top French restaurant was formerly
the British consul's residence.
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Lemongrass (Moderately priced) ADDRESS: 5/1 Soi 24 Thanon Sukhumvit, Bangkok PHONE: (02) 258 8637. Fine Thai food served in
an elegant, old, wooden house.
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Lobster Pot (Expensive) ADDRESS: 288 Beach Road, Pattaya PHONE: (038) 426083. Fine seafood in the heart of downtown Pattaya.
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Riverside (Moderately priced) ADDRESS: 9/11 Thanon Charoen Rat, Chiang Mai PHONE: (053) 243239. Good Thai and European food;
excellent live music.
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Tum Nak Thai (Moderately priced) ADDRESS: 131 Thanon Ratchadapisek, Bangkok PHONE: (02) 274 6420. Perhaps the largest restaurant
in the world - the staff use roller-skates. Good for kids.
Top Activities
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Bird-watching by the Mekong, in the mountainous north and by the south's lagoons.
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Dancing at world-class discos in Bangkok, Phuket, Ko Samui and Chiang Mai.
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Golfing on the country's many fine courses.
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Thai cooking lessons - there are plenty of schools, especially in Chiang Mai.
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Learn Thai massage and apply the skills back home!
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Go river fishing - try your luck with a Mekong catfish.
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Shopping - particularly in Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
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Sunbathing on some of the world's best beaches, including Kata, Phra Nang, Chaweng and Maya Bay. One of the quietest is Mai
Khao.
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Swimming in Thailand's warm, clear seas, especially in the south.
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Walking on signposted trails in national parks.
Top Adventure Activities
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Big-game fishing off Phuket, Krabi and Trang.
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Boating/sea canoeing - explore the sea caves and karst towers at Phang-nga.
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Caving around Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son.
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Diving or snorkelling in the pristine Andaman Sea.
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Elephant riding through the lush Mae Sa Valley.
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Mountain biking in and around Chiang Mai.
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Parasailing is always popular, especially at Pattaya and Phuket.
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Rock climbing at Phang-nga Bay and the peninsular south.
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Trekking to see the north's hill tribes, especially from November to February.
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White-water rafting is popular in Chiang Rai and the north.
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