Experience Thailand

The Kingdom of Thailand lies at the heart of South East Asia, bordered to the north by Laos and to the east by Laos and Cambodia.  To the south, it’s bounded by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia and to the west by the Andaman Sea and Myanmar (Burma)…..

The capital and largest city of Thailand is the city of Bangkok (known in Thai as:  Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit) or Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or just plain Krung Thep (The City of Angels) for short – you can see why we westerners prefer Bangkok!

Bangkok has been the political, social and economic centre of not only Thailand but much of South East Asia and Indochina for almost 200 years.  Its influence in the arts, politics, fashion, education, and entertainment as well as being a business, financial and cultural centre has given Bangkok the status of a  truly world class city.   Bangkok is the world’s 22nd largest city by population with approximately 8.2 million residents, but tourists, itinerant workers and other visitors swell those numbers to an estimated 15 million people.   Thailand is an ethnic melting pot approximately the same size as Spain.   About 75% of the population is ethnically Thai, 14% is Chinese in origin, and 3% Malay.  Thailand is one of the most devoutly Buddhist countries in the world and they are officially years ahead of us!  That’s because the calendar in Thailand is based on Eastern version of the Buddhist Era, which is 543 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar – so in Thailand it’s the year 2552 BE!

With this rich history and colourful culture, Thailand is a feast for the mind and the senses. Take a trail deep into the rainforest past roaring waterfalls or go on a white knuckle ride on a bamboo raft. For a more tranquil way of enjoying Thailand’s exquisite beauty, go to the coast and bask in warn, azure waters and soft white sand. You can indulge in diving and snorkelling and game fishing.

But no trip to Thailand would be complete without a stay in Bangkok.  Here you can see the mix of traditional Thai and Buddhist culture with modern shopping or nightlife as cultured or as hedonistic as you choose. There’s no better base in Bangkok than the Shangri-La Hotel, one of the world’s premier luxury destinations.  Set in beautiful tropical gardens it enjoys convenient access to the central business and shopping districts. This five star luxury hotel is consistently voted one of the best hotels in the world, and boasts unrivalled services in an elegant and exotic setting.

Or see all that South East Asia has to offer with a cruise. Leaving from Phuket on an excellent 4 star ship with a range of restaurants and lots of bars, taking in Port Klang and spending a day in Kuala Lumpur, then heading to Singapore and Penang.

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