Thailand has a rich and colourful culture and is often referred
to as a golden land; not because there is precious metal
buried underground but because the country gives off a certain
lustre, be it the fertile rice fields, stunning white sandy
beaches or the friendly warm hospitality of its
citizenry.
Buddhism is paramount to the Thai people, so
you'll see exotic temples and monuments dappled across the land and
saffron-robed monks taking leave of their wats (temples) to
receive alms from the people.
Futuristic malls, quaint markets and the
glittering Grand Palace grace the dynamic Bangkok, while
ramshackle villages and elephant trekking lie further north, with
glorious idyllic islands providing the perfect
escape.
Flying time: 11 hours 30 minutes to
Bangkok.
Time difference: GMT +7 hrs.
Getting there: There are direct services to
Bangkok with British Airways, Qantas and Thai Airways, plus
services with other carriers, such as Emirates, via
Dubai, and Qatar via Doha.
Currency: Thai Baht.
Vaccinations: Precautions for typhoid, cholera
and hepatitis A should be taken, with some regions
under risk from malaria -please contact your doctor for
up-to-date information.
Visas: British passport holders do not require
visas. All other nationals please check visa requirements
with the embassy.
Best time to visit: Generally, Thailand is very
hot and humid and the best time to visit is from
November to April. Koh Samui, however, is best visited
from June to September.