About Thailand
"In Thailand you'll discover the rich and mysterious heart of South-East Asia"
Thailand is exotic yet accessible, with something for every visitor. Relax on white sand beaches, hike through vast areas of tropical forest, or live it up in the amazing capital of Bangkok.
There is much for you to discover in Thailand. The country offers a huge range of new experiences in sights, sounds, tastes, and outlook. But different as it may be from your home, Thailand is probably the easiest exotic country for visitors. The people are friendly, leisure activities are well organized, the food is great and you receive excellent value for money.
There's adventure, too. You can go trekking into hill tribe territory in the North, snorkelling and diving in the South and exploring ruined cities in the central region or crumbling Khmer temples in the North-East.
And, it's not just the stunning beauty of the land and sea that draws travellers to this country; Thailand's fascinating culture is an equally powerful enticement. Thailand's past has left its mark in the shape of numerous temples, palaces and ruins, all easily visited using the countries modern transport infrastructure. Such a wonderful blend of historic past and modern comfort makes Thailand the perfect destination.
The country of Thailand lies in the southeast tip of Asia. With an area of some 510,000 square kilometres and a population of some 57 million, Thailand is approximately the same size as France. It shares borders with Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos and Malaysia. The west coast of Thailand is bounded by the Andaman Sea, and narrows to a peninsula in the south. To the east the coast stretches for 1,500km along the Gulf of Thailand to the border with Malaysia. Both coastlines are dotted with numerous tropical islands.
Thailand is known as 'The Land of Smiles,' it is a country rich in ancient history with an abundance of fascinating ruins, temples and deserted cities. Thailand means "land of the free", and throughout its 800-year history, Thailand can boast the distinction of being the only country in Southeast Asia never to have been colonized. One of the things making Thailand so intriguing is that it respects its past while embracing the future. The culture and traditions blended with architecture and the arts are admired by people around the globe. The people of Thailand have proven that they can adopt foreign influence while maintaining their own special identity.
As with its long and glorious history, Thailand is amazingly rich in cultural heritage. The most important element that has been, and will continue to be, the major driving force of cultural development in Thailand is the belief in Theravada Buddhism. Thailand's culture is about more than music and paintings - it arises from a complex system of mutual respect and politeness that binds the country's people together.
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Culture
All in all, if its culture you're looking for, Thailand's the right place to go- you won't be disappointed.
Monarchy and religion are the two sacred cows in Thailand. Thais are tolerant of most behaviour, as long as it doesn't insult one of these. Buddhism is the dominant religion, and orange-robed monks and gold, marble and stone Buddhas are common sights. The prevalent form of Buddhism practised is the Theravada school,which emphasises the potential of the individual to attain nirvana without the aid of saints or gurus. Make sure you are suitably dressed when visiting a temple - no shorts or singlets.
Thai is a complicated language with its own unique alphabet, but it's fun to try at least a few words. The main complication with Thai is that it is tonal: the same word could be pronounced with a rising, falling, high, low or level tone and could theoretically have five meanings!
Thai cuisine is pungent and spicy, seasoned with heaps of garlic and chillies and a characteristic mix of lime juice, lemon grass and fresh coriander. Galanga root, basil, ground peanuts, tamarind juice, ginger and coconut milk are other common additions. Fish sauce or shrimp paste are mainstays of Thai dishes, and of course rice is eaten with most meals. Main dishes include hot and sour fish ragout, green and red curries, various soups and noodle dishes. Thai food is served with a variety of condiments and dipping sauces. Snacks and appetisers include fried peanuts, chicken, chopped ginger, peppers and slices of lime. There is an incredible variety of fruit available, either fresh or juiced. Sugar-cane juice and, for something stronger, rice whisky are favourite local tipples.
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Events
Many festivals are linked to Buddhist or Brahman rituals and follow a lunar calendar. New Year, Songkran, is celebrated in mid-April by 'bathing' Buddha images, paying respects to monks and elders by sprinkling water over their hands, and generally tossing a lot of the H2O in the air for fun. Expect to be soaked unless you want to party-poop in your room. The sowing and harvesting of rice has given rise to a cycle of festivals. To kick off the official rice-planting season in early May, the king participates in an ancient Brahman ritual in a large field in central Bangkok.
A Rocket Festival is held in May in the country's north-east, using a volatile mixture of bamboo and gunpowder to convince the sky to send rain for the new rice season. The rice harvest from September through to May leads to joyous local celebrations throughout Thailand.
The Vegetarian Festival in Phuket and Trang, during which devout Chinese Buddhists eat only vegetarian food, runs for nine days from late-September to early-October. Merit-making processions are the most visible expression of this festival, but there are also ceremonies at Chinese temples.
The Elephant Roundup in Surin in November is an elephantine festival popular with the kind of people who enjoy watching pachyderms play soccer. During the Loi Krathong Festival, held after the rainy season (usually in November), candle-lit floats are cast into waterways to bring good fortune for the coming year.
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Basic Living Costs
One reason why Thailand is such a popular place with foreigners is that it's really cheap. Basic costs of living here are significantly less than those of Europe or the US.
If you're careful and on a shoestring budget, you could manage on around 600 baht a day, including food and accommodation. If you've got money to spend, then of course, the sky's the limit, because resorts and hotels in Thailand, especially in Bangkok, can get as expensive as anywhere else on earth!
One can have a very nice Thai meal with a drink for less than Bt 50. Eat western food and you can expect to pay at least 100 baht a dish. A beer in a restaurant will cost between 30 and 70 baht depending on the brand. Staple groceries also come cheap in supermarkets - a dozen eggs: 25 baht, a litre of milk: 30 baht, bottle of beer: 30 baht, loaf of bread: 15 baht, can of soft drink : 15 baht, bar of chocolate: 30 baht. Wine is expensive, Bt 400 will be a cheap bottle. If you're tempted by culinary exotica, a bag of crispy fried grasshoppers goes on the street for around 20 baht, snail curry for a little more!
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Health & Safety
Vaccinations are not necessary for Thailand. It is a good idea to consult your doctor as to his recommendations on anti-malaria pills although only a few of the most remote border areas are considered malaria zones by local health authorities. Health care is surprisingly good in the country and many medical staff in the major cities and tourist destinations have been trained in the US or the UK. Dentist and specialist doctors are skilled and very good value.
It normally takes a couple of days to acclimatize yourself to the heat and humidity of Thailand. It is advisable to not over exert yourself for the first few days and make sure that you drink plenty of fluids, and avoid being out in the mid-day sun. It is best to wear light loose clothing, preferably cotton. Perspiration trapped beneath the skin can cause an itchy rash called prickly heat, you can buy a talcum powder for this that contains a cooling agent.
Thailand is one of the safest countries in Southeast Asia and the risk of being a victim of crime is very low. The most common form of crime against tourists is theft, usually by stealth rather than violence, so visitors should take care to secure their personal possessions at all times. In more remote areas the risk of muggings and robberies does exist but again is very low. For more information about Teaching English in Thailand & Thai Lifestyle check out:
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About Bangkok
Bangkok is probably one of the most interesting cities in the world. It's an intoxicating mixture of aromas, sights and visual delights. A city of infinite layers - get beneath one and you'll reveal another - but that could take years.
There are many great things about living in Bangkok, the combination of the exotic east with many of the comforts of home. Here you can spend the day visiting beautiful famous temples, eating spicy hot soup in a noodle stand in a back Soi (lane), or shopping at the local market for exotic fresh food. Then in the evening go out for a beer, see the latest Hollywood blockbuster, in English, at the local theatre or maybe go ice-skating or bowling.
There is never a reason to be bored in Bangkok, with its world famous nightlife districts, five star gourmet restaurants, concerts, endless shopping arcades, delicious noodle stands, movie theatres, friendly people, sporting events, etc. Bangkok truly offers something for everyone."
There is more visible historical evidence of past eras in Thailand than in any other South-East Asian country, so if you're interested in ruins, temples and deserted cities, this is the place to go. For pure holiday-making magic, Thailand's islands and beaches are working definitions of heaven (once you get out of the shadows of the evil multinational hotels). And as for urban delights, the huge metropolis of Bangkok, although it can alarm with its chaos and its scale, tends to so charm visitors with its energy and cultural treasures that the steamy soupy diesel mixture that passes for air in this city is more than forgiven.
Thailand is an easy country to travel in, with efficient transport, cheap accommodation and a delicious national cuisine. The Thais are renowned for their friendliness and hospitality to strangers. Although they're often depicted as fun-loving, happy-go-lucky folk (which they often are), they are also very strong-minded and have struggled for centuries to preserve their spirit of independence.
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About Koh Samui
We are fortunate enough to base one of our volunteer teaching programs on Koh Samui in the gulf of Thailand. This beautiful island epitomises the idyllic simplicity of a tropical hideaway. It is characterised by beaches of soft white sand, crystal clear waters and bright clear sunshine. You can experience the hustle and bustle and the exotic flavours of Thai food markets, snooze in sleepy fishing villages or relax on glorious sandy shores fringed by swaying palms and lapped by warm tropical waters. Paradise at it's best! The island retains its laid back feel, and hasn't become over commercialised. Samui is a place to relax, meet people, sunbathe and party. The local people, like Thai people in general, are friendly, generous and gracious hosts, and welcome visitors and residents alike to experience the Thai culture and beautiful natural environment.
The island, Thailand's third largest, measures 21 kilometres at its widest point and 25 kilometres in maximum length. A coastal road runs around the island for some 50 kilometres and links the many beaches and bays. Chaweng and Lamai beach on the north and eastern coasts are among the most popular. There is plenty to see and do and, luckily, the island is small enough to put it all within easy reach. The natural beauty and charm of the island will captivate you, and like many others, you won't want to leave the tropical beaches fringed with coconut palms.
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