December is a great time to take a trip to Thailand as the area is packed full of celebrations, festivities, and holiday traditions. Over eleven million people travel to this great country each year, and December is one of the busiest months for tourism.
The Ayutthaya World Heritage and Red Cross Fair takes place in Mid December at the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Histirical Park. There are exhibits, booths, a showcase of Buddhist art open to tourists, and a food fair. This is for sure a great family event that the whole gang will enjoy.
Late December is the Star Of David festival that celebrates Christmas, the holidays, and even Santa! There are beautiful light displays, religious displays, and a parade. See religious statues and set ups like you won’t believe. This area has some of the prettiest holiday decorations you will ever see.
The 7th annual Chantaburi World Gem Show will take place this month. See stunning gems and one of a kind jewelry creations. Brag to your friends about all the great treasures you will see on display.
December 5th will be the celebration of the King’s birthday, his majesty will be turning 83! There will be a fun ceremony followed by a festival of music. Expect a big turnout for this event.
The Laguna Phuket Triathlon takes place in December. This is an “iron man” competition with contestants from all around the world. Watch the competition as the competitors swim, cycle, and run a marathon.
One of the most popular celebrations of the year is Thailand’s New Year Countdown. There are celebrations is almost every area, but Bangkok goes all out. If you attend one of these celebrations you can expect classical dance performances, folk songs from the many provinces, and musical concerts. It’s a sight to see and everyone enjoys themselves.
The great country of Thailand has amazing white beaches, blue clear water, and lush tropical rainforest. If you are one of the many tourists who visits this year, don’t forget to turn out to one of the many parties, gatherings, and festivals. The people are friendly, and there are many free and low cost things to do.
The art, sculptures, and architecture is amazing in any region of Thailand. If you are planning to travel to Thailand you may be excited to see all the cultural and religious art that seems to be everywhere you turn. There are so many places to see artifacts it’s unreal.
The Wat Phra Borommahathat Doi Suthep is one of those places you just have to see to believe. It was built in 1383 by King Gue-Na on a plateau. The view is out of this world and shows you Thailand’s northern capital Chiang Mai. The temple contains a pagoda that holds part of the holy relics of the Lord Buddha. Buddhists from all over the globe flock here to pay worship to the holy temple.
The Monkeys Temple in Lopburi, called San Phra Kan, is a shrine lying with two sections. The older section dates back to the Khmer period while the new section is a building made in 1951. The new section has a four armed deity figure with a Buddha’s head, which is a project of worship. Actual monkeys are on and in the temple, and are a favorite of tourists. The monkeys are tame and eat the food offerings left by the worshipers.
The Wat Chao Phraya Thai is just a few minutes outside of Ayutthaya, and another great sight to see. King U-Thong built it in 1357 for meditation. There is a massive pagoda, which was constructed in 1792 that can be seen very far away. Unfortunately the pagoda is in a ruinous state at the present, but it’s still a great place to visit.
Phanom Rung Historical Park in Buriram is the place to go to see some interesting 12th century stone art. There is a great stone hall of the castle you should not miss. There are also many lintels and pediments depicting episodes from Indian texts such as the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the Puranas.
Thailand has a lot to offer, especially when considering the areas massive collection of ancient and religious art. From architecture to sculptures, it is a sight to behold.
Australia is reputed to have one of the strongest beach cultures in the world, but many Australians still choose to travel to Thailand to experience their beaches. Although there have been some suggestions that Thai beaches are not as safe as Australia’s, and many tourists suggesting that ordinary travel insurance will not be sufficient, this is largely an exaggeration.
Of course, the main difference is that Thai beaches do not offer the same rolling surf that can be expected in Australia. Instead, you can look forward to peaceful tree-lined tropical beaches, with pure white sand and friendly locals that will make your stay a magical one.
As with all tourist destinations, choosing the top five beaches in Thailand is a near impossible task, but we will try to narrow it down so you can plan your holiday with at least a little more certainty. And you won’t have to worry about your travel insurance being in adequate!
Phuket. This is possibly the most famous Thai beach destination for Australians attracting tens of thousands every year. Despite its popularity however it is not the most peaceful destination but it is certainly the most developed. Some tourists appreciate the choice of accommodation and the nightlife but if this is not your scene you can give it a miss. Nevertheless it needs to be included in the top five list because of its reputation and popularity.
Songkhla. This is a virtually unknown beach destination located in the deep south. It consists of a beautiful beach punctuated by rocky outcrops and tropical jungle. And lack of tourists is the main attraction in this area but there is limited accommodation. As far as other attractions are concerned you can visit nearby temples and still enjoy the wonderful food distributed by the many street vendors. If you’re looking for peace, serenity and quiet then this is the destination for you.
Lamai Beach. Located just south of Chaweng, this sparsely populated area is attractive to those in the know. It is not quite as remote as Songkhla, and has a much wider choice of accommodation and nightlife. The beach is beautiful and relaxing making Lamai a great choice for those wanting a beach without the crowds, but still with a semi-tourists feel to make your stay a comfortable one.
Maya Bay, Ko Phi Phi Ley.This beautiful beach is often described as the most picturesque in Thailand. Surrounded by limestone cliffs and nestled in a small bay, the beach is the perfect place to completely unwind in natural surroundings. Although it is a little remote, you won’t have to worry about your holiday insurance being inadequate!
Ko Chang. A long-time popular destination for backpackers, many other tourists have now joined in the throng of tourists who visit the west side of the island. With beautiful white sand and gentle sloping hills, all set against a backdrop of coconut palms, this is a quiet haven for tourists who are not afraid to get off the beaten track.
So, from the many hundreds of choices, we have narrowed your search down to five Thai beaches any tourist will enjoy.
In the heart of Southeast Asia – that is where you can find Thailand. Wai is what they call an act of respect that they do for greetings. You will put your hands together in a prayer like gesture and bow your head. In India they call it namaste. One of the most important parts of their custom is the belief that the head is the most honored part of the body and feet are the dirtiest. So touching a person’s head is a rude attitude for Thais. As almost all of us know, Buddhism is the most practiced religion in this country.
You must be 50 years or older in order to apply for a Thai Retirement Visa. The first requirement in applying for this visa is a non-immigrant visa and in order for you to get that, you need to be 50 years old, have proof of a monthly income and a letter from the bank, which shows the statement of your pension or funds. To fulfill the financial requirement for the visa you must show proof that you have a bank account with at least the amount of THB 800,000 which is US$ 24,330. You must also have a monthly income of THB 65,000 or US$ 1,975.40 to be exact. Your retirement visa is valid for a year and you will need to renew it every year that you plan to live here. Once you have been granted a retirement visa you will no longer be allowed to work while staying in the country.
Internationally, Thai food is one of the most popular due to its taste with a touch of both Western and Eastern unique flavors. Thai food is also well-known for its hot and spicy dishes. Like many other East Asian countries the main food here is rice. Some examples of Thai cuisines are Chok, which is a breakfast food; a porridge which is eaten by most Thais. Another example is a rice soup with pork or chicken which they call Khao tom. When it comes to desserts, you will often find fresh fruits. Thais traditionally drink Sato (rice wine). For anyone willing to be extra adventurous and walk on the wild side you can also find exotic insect dishes here that really must be seen to be believed!
The cost of living in Thailand is very affordable. You can live a comfortable and simple life for only US $400 to US $500 a month, including the house rental, other utilities (electricity, water, etc), transportation and food. Thailand is also a safe country but like in other countries, you still need to observe and apply safety precautions for your own protection.
Enjoying a vacation is one of the most delightful experiences that one can undergo. There are people who work incessantly, maybe even doing a couple of jobs to make ends meet. This is especially exacerbated by the fact that the world is going through a severe recession which leads to enormous economic pressure on people. This is why people find the prospect of a vacation so very alluring. As then, one can take a break from the hectic life, take rest and get rejuvenated while spending some time with the family. And if vacation means going for a break to the lovely country of Thailand, as part of Thailand Vacation Packages, the joy is indeed immeasurable. There are fewer spots in the whole world that are widely hailed as exotic vacation spots as Thailand.
There are so many exciting locations and splendid amusements that Thailand has to offer that it will tickle the senses and leave one satiated and supremely satisfied. For one, there is the wonderful capital city of Bangkok that has all the sights and sounds of a modern city that also has its roots extended to the ancient Thai tradition. It is also the seat of power, where one can get glimpses of the royal family with all its glorious pomp and splendor. There are also quite a few pagodas, which represent the glory and the grandeur of the Buddhist religion, and try to get peace and solitude among the monks in these monasteries. Thailand Vacation Packages are quite incomplete without a visit to Bangkok, which is also fabled for its many amusements and entertainment avenues as well as nightspots that adorn its streets and city spaces.
Thailand is also well known for its 400 kilometers of pristine, beautiful beaches with Pattaya being at its very center. The Pattaya circuit has many quality resorts, beaches and seaside getaway opportunities that are sought so widely after, by discerning tourists and visitors. One can spend so many days and idyllic evenings beside the beach, soaking up the sun and savoring the inimitable cuisine that typifies Thailand. Thailand Vacation Packages also include visits to see the elephants that play an important role in Thai temple and daily life, not to mention the polo sport that is a visual treat for observers. These are some of the unique aspects of Thai culture and life.
If you want an ideal getaway and enjoy the better things in life, Thailand Vacation Packages may be just what you need.
