Veni, Vedi, Visa—I came, I saw, I shopped. No matter how much you resist, no matter how much you hate to shop, it is next to impossible to come to Thailand and not go crazy shopping. You can shop for electronics, clothes, toys, antiques, shoes, bags, souvenirs, jewellery and anything under the sun. You might arrive with a modest suitcase and handbag but on your return journey end up paying for extra baggage at the airport!

You will know you have arrived in Thailand when you see people greeting you with folded hands saying ‘Sawasdee kha’ or ‘Sawasdee krup’ depending whether the person saying it is female or male respectively. Even if you are there for just a day or two, by the end of your stay, you will have encountered the phrase at least a hundred times. The Thais are known for their gentle hospitality and quiet, polite demeanour.

When people think of Thailand, most think of shopping in Bangkok, and the rest think of relaxing by the beach at Pattaya or Puhket. But Thailand has so much more to offer. The Thai name for Thailand is Prathet Thai meaning the ‘land of the free’. It is a haven for tourists and backpackers alike. There are countless beaches, island escapes, historical monuments and ruins, temples and palaces, national parks, just to name a few of the attractions. You could plan your trip extensively or just set out on your own with your rucksack…either ways, it will be an experience you won’t forget.

City of angels

The full name of the capital city, Bangkok (168 letters) holds the record in the Guinness book of world records for the world’s longest place name—in short it is called Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, meaning ‘city of angels’. The ceremonial name is a combination of two ancient Indian languages Pali and Sanskrit.

Among the various attractions in the city the Grand Palace is a must see, along the banks of the Chao Phraya River. It served as the official residence of the King of Thailand in the past. It houses the Wat Phra Khew or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The history of the statue is almost as impressive as the statue itself. The architecture is extravagant and remarkable. Most structures are covered with gold leaves and glass that reflect the sunlight brilliantly.

Another attraction is the Vimanmek mansion believed to be the largest Golden teak building in the world. It was removed from its original place in Ko Sichang district and reassembled at Dusit Palace in 1900 and is now a museum paying homage to King Rama V.

Take a cruise along the Chao Phraya River in the evening, check out the floating markets, find out the story behind Jim Thompson’s silk stores, meet creatures of the deep at the Siam Ocean World, be amazed at the Safari World, and visit the world’s largest Crocodile farm.

For shopping enthusiasts the choices are limitless, from the Suan Lam night market to the weekend market at Chatuchak and the countless malls…here you can shop till you literally drop!

Coast to coast

Apart from the beach at Pattaya where you can just relax or try out some water sports, there is the Ripley’s (of the Believe it or Not! fame) haunted mansion where you can spend time browsing through the museum, go for a 4-D thrill ride, get chased around a haunted house and find your way out of a cryptic maze.

The choices for beach escapes are limitless—Rayong, Cha-am, Hua Hin, Phuket and Krabi, Koh Samet, Phi Phi Island, Coral island, Koh Samui, and so many more. You could try water sports like snorkelling, angling, para sailing, riding a water bike or taking a banana boat ride. Of course you could just spend the day soaking in the sun with a book, eat some local fare at the many food stalls, and get a traditional Thai massage right on the beach.

Times gone by

For those interested in history, there is the ancient city of Ayuthhaya, which was once the capital of the country for four centuries. Apart from some ruins, there are also a few museums that are worth a visit. Another capital city of a by-gone era is Sukhothai’s Historical Park that has ruins of temples and other structures that reflect the grandeur of a golden era. Both these areas are designated UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Most people would recall the Bridge on the River Kwai because of a Hollywood movie of the same name. The infamous railway bridge to link Thailand and Burma was built during the World War II. You could even take a tourist train to the border and back, have lunch at the banks of the river, and shop for black onyx that this place is known for. There are also museums you could visit around the town to find out more about the bridge’s notorious history. There are many waterfalls and caves to explore around here so you could either make this a day-trip from Bangkok or stay overnight and explore.

Nature Trail

If the wilderness is your cup of tea, then you have a whole list to chose from. Among the bigger nature parks are the Khao Yai, Kaeng Krachan, Thab Lan, Chiang Dao, just to name a few. There are hotels and resorts around, and camping grounds and cottages within the Park too. It depends on how much you want to rough it out.

The Tiger Temple of Thailand came into the spotlight after National Geographic did a documentary about the perseverance of a monk who was given an abandoned tiger cub that began his mission to rescue and rehabilitate tigers. There are several tigers and other animals under his care. Visitors can go and even get up close to these feisty felines. Definitely a unique experience.

Not to forget…

April is the month of festivities. It is the when the Thais celebrate their New Year, Songkran. It is celebrated by throwing water at each other, very much like Hindus celebrate Holi, sans the colours. The water gives some respite from the heat and is a fun way to get involved in the local culture.

When in Thailand, try the local fare. If you are a seafood fan, then you are in heaven. Bring your sense of adventure with you and try the local fare. But beware! Thai food can be very spicy at times.

With so much to do, and so much to see, one vacation might not suffice. That is Thailand’s way to make sure you keep coming back!