Thailand: An Ideal destination for leisure and water sports.

Thailand is a famous South Asian country known worldwide for its exotic tourism.  Thailand is the place which offers a lot more than just a beach holiday. Thailand’s currency is Thai Baht, where 1 Thai Baht (THB) values approx Rs. 2.2 (INR), this makes it a very affordable tourist destination.

Do you want a beachside vacation amidst the exotic spas, pristine beaches, adventurous water sports, diving, beautiful Buddhist temples, and luxuries resorts? Who would n’t! Well, Thailand is the destination you must head to.

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Let us explore Thailand tourism to know closely about the country, best places to visit, things to do, the best time to visit and how to get there.

Best Places to visit in Thailand

Here are the best places to visit in Thailand, which you should not miss on your trip:

• Bangkok

Bangkok which is the capital of Thailand is also pivotal in Thailand tourism. Amidst the metropolitan setup, the city offers excellent Thai hospitality. It has beautiful temples, to the amazing skyscrapers and malls, making it a perfect blend of modernity and cultural heritage.

Chatuchak Weekend market and Taling Chan floating market are the places to go on a shopping spree to find the amazing handicrafts, artefacts, ceramics at low prices. (This is a market where you have to show your bargaining skills to get the best deal).

Enjoy Thai nightlife with outstanding Thai restaurants, cafes, and bars at the Khao San road within your pocket.

Most popular and well-known places in Bangkok 

• Grand Palace.
• Buddhist Temples of  Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho and Wat Aun
• Giant Swing.
• Erawan Shrine
• Vimanmek Mansion
• Bangkok National Museum.
• Jim Thompson House.
• Cruise boats on Chao Phraya and Thonburi’s canals.

 

• Phuket

Phuket is a must sought out destination go among the Thailand beaches with its Emerald waters, Ancient Temples, vibrant nightlife, thrilling water sports. When in Phuket, you can enjoy the extensive water sports such as Snorkelling (swimming with fishes), Scuba Diving, Sea Kayaking, Surfing, Kitesurfing and Jet Skiing.

Apart from the water sports, you can enjoy on Banana Beach (in Laguna), Freedom Beach (in Patong), Bang Tao Beach to enjoy the best of beachside leisure and night parties.

Phuket is also good for exploring Thai cuisines for the authentic South Asian delicacies.

• Pattaya

Pattaya is a place with pristine sights having popular golf courses, go-kart racing, theme parks and zoos such as Elephant Village, Sri Racha Tiger Zoo, tourist submarines, Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden, Million Years Stone Park, Cartoon Network Amazone which is a theme water park, The Sanctuary of Truth, Wat Khao Phra temple, Mini Siam, Walking Street and Thepprasit Market.

• Krabi

Krabi is one of the Thailand beaches which is set on the shore of the Andaman Sea. It has national parks which are biodiverse and full of water sports facilities. Top places to visit in Krabi are Hat Noppharat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, Ao Nang, Railay and Ko Phi Phi.

There are other pristine islands of Ko Lanta and Phi Phi which are famous for their adventurous water sports and emerald waters. These are coral islands and well-known diving spots.

Among the top activities are Kayaking, bird watching, snorkelling, diving, etc.

• Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai has over 300 Buddhist Temples such as Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Wat Chiang Man, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Suan Dok, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Chet Yot and many more.

It also has Chiang Mai Zoo, night markets having local artefacts and handicrafts, Thai massage parlours. Chiang Mai is a cultural heritage retreat in Thailand.

Top Best Things to do in Thailand

Here is the list of things to do in Thailand, which could help you in deciding your bucket list for your Thailand trip:

• Visit the Grand Palace

One of the top things to do in Thailand is to visit the Grand Palace located in Bangkok to witness the grandeur of Thailand’s history and architecture.

• Visit the Golden Triangle

This is the place where Laos, Myanmar and Thailand meet, also the Mekong River and Ruak River meet at this point. You can look across Myanmar and Laos from this point.

• Street Shopping

With the amazing local markets, hopping around the markets on a shopping spree is not to be missed when in Thailand.

• Thai Spa

Thailand is famous for its Spas and Massage Parlours, visiting them for a rejuvenating experience is a must thing to do there.

• Thai Cuisine

Another thing to drool about is the delicious Thai Cuisine, be it the Thai Curries or the Thai Raw Papaya salad, feeding oneself on these delicacies should be on the do list on your trip to Thailand.

• Visit Buddhist Temples

To closely witness the Thai culture, visit the pristine Buddhist temples should be on your list. Chiang Mai and Bangkok have some of the amazing Buddhist Temples of the world.

• Beachside Parties

To make the most of your trip especially when you are with your friends, attend the most happening beachside parties. These parties have a good crowd and make you enjoy the most memorable times on the trip.

• Water Sports adventures

One of the most important things to do in Thailand is its water sports. It is known for its corals and the best facilities available for water sports such as snorkelling, kayaking, scuba diving, jet skiing, surfing, kitesurfing etc.

• National Parks

Witness the extensive biodiversity in Thailand by Bird watching, visiting zoos and national parks at the Krabi islands.

Best Time to visit Thailand

Thailand has 3 main seasons Monsoon (June to October), Summer (March to May) and comparatively cooler season (November to February). The best season to visit Thailand is between November to February with an average temperature ranging from 20℃ to 30℃.

When travelling to a new country, knowing useful phrases is very much handy and helpful, so here is a list of important words, phrases, and numbers you must learn in Thai!

NOTE: Thai is a tonal language so it’s best to hear these words a few times from locals to get the exact tone. But the guide below will still be a good reference to remember which phrase means what.

Thailand local language guide

Hello / Hi
Sawa-dee-khrap (if you’re male)
Sawa-dee-kha (if you’re female)

Note: khrap is the respect suffix used by males and kha is the respect suffix used by females. You can use these to end any phrase.

You can also use the short version ‘Sawa-dee’ without the respect suffix. (Not recommended)

You can use Sawadee any time of the day.

How are you?
Sabai-dee-mai-khrap? (if you’re male)
Sabai-dee-mai-kha? (if you’re female)
Just ‘Sabai dee mai?’ (Short version without the respect suffix)

I am fine
Sabai-dee-khrap (if you’re male)
Sabai-dee-kha (if you’re female)
Just ‘sabai dee’ (short version without the respect suffix)

In the examples below, not used the respect suffix. You can add khrap (male) or kha (female) at the end of all these phrases/sentences.

Good Morning
Arunswad (pronounced Alun-sa-wad)

Good Night
Ratreswad (pronounced Ratee-sa-wad)

Goodbye
La-khon

What is your name?
Khun chue arai?

How old are you?
Khun ayu torai?

You can answer this question once you learn to count in Thai which have been explained below.

Yes
Chai

No
Mai
Or Mai Chai
(Mai chai literally translates to not yes)

Do you understand?
Khao jai mai?

Good
Dee

Thank you
Khab khun

I’m sorry / Excuse me
Kho thod

No problem
Mai pen rai

Garoonaa
Please

I like it
Phom chob

No, thank you
Mai, khab khun

When?
Merai?

Who?
Khrai?

What?
Arai?

Why?
Tammei?

How many / how much?
Torai?

How to count in Thai (0 to 9999)

0 – soon
1 – nùng
2 – song
3 – sam
4 – see
5 – há
6 – hok
7 – jed
8 – bpad (pronounced paad)
9 – kao
10 – sib (pronounced seeb)
11 – sib ed
12 – sib song
13 – sib sam
…
20 – yee seb
21 – yee seb ed
22 – yee sib song
30 – sam seeb
40 – see seeb
And so on until 99

100 – nùng roy
…
1000 – nùng pan

Chun gaao!
Cheers!

Very good
Dee mak

No have
Mai Mee

No good
Mai Dee

Aloy
Delicious

Aloy Ma
Very Delicious

Shorthand conversation Example:

Me: Sawadee krap (I say hello)
Girl: Sawadee kha (She says hello)
Me: Sabai dee mai krap? (I ask how she is)
Girl: Sabai dee or sabai dee kha. (She says she is fine)
Me: Khun chue arai krap? (I ask her name)
Girl: Aom. Khun chue arai kha? (Tells her name and asks for mine)
Me: Phom Cheé Dev (I reply with my name)
Me: Khao Jai Mai Krap? (I ask her if she understood me)
Girl: Chai kha (She says yes)
Me: Dee Mak (I say that’s good)

Credits:  Rishabh Dev.

How to reach Thailand

One can book flights from all major International airports in India to Bangkok or Phuket in Thailand. An Indian passport holder can obtain a visa on arrival at the airport with a passport that’s valid for 6 months and at least one whole blank page for the entry/exit stamp. The process is very simple, you can find the visa forms upon arrival at the airports and the visa fee costs about 1000 Thai Baht approx Rs.2200 (INR).

If you are looking forward to planning a trip to Thailand, feel free to contact us. We at Thripzel are committed to planning your trip to make the most of it, making it a memorable experience for you.