Travel Thailand: 5 Top Destinations

With several sights to see and surprises to offer, Thailand could be one of the best locations you should not miss to visit. Culture, beaches, people, and heritage sites are some of the things you can expect when you travel to Thailand.

Bangkok - Traveling Thailand wound not be complete without visiting Bangkok. As the nation's capital with an estimated population of over 10 million (including the neighboring provinces), this city is by far the largest in the country. The city is divided into 50 districts or khet but for tourists and those who are new in the place, 6 divisions would be more useful. These are Ratchadaphisek in the northeast section of the city, Sukhamvit in the southeast, Silom in the south, Thonburi in the west, Rattanakosin in the central north, and Phahanyothin in the north. The whole Bangkok district would give you a diverse taste of culture, history, religion, modernity, and fast-phase life. You can actually witness how all these blend together to comprise the whole Bangkok package. Buddhist temples, historical museums, towering buildings, contemporary restaurants and hotels, shopping centers, canals and rivers, and food make Bangkok a one of a kind city in Southeast Asia.

Phuket - Down south, Phuket features magnificent beaches, tropical sunsets, white sands, blue seas, and breathtaking sceneries. No wonder it is the most popular vacation destination in Asia beating every beaches of the neighboring countries. It has several beaches like Kata Beach, Karon Beach, Patong Beach, Kamala Beach, and Surin Beach. The island showcases several water sports and activities including parasailing, jet-skiing, and scuba diving. By day, Phuket is alive with beachgoers and shoppers and by night, lights, sounds, and party people dominate the whole island.

Chiang Mai - The second largest city in Thailand with an estimated population of more than 200,000. This city located in the northern part of the country offers greener and quieter city. Chiang Mai's tourism is becoming more and more popular and permanently settling at this city is very common. When you travel Thailand and visit Chiang Mai, you surely would want to see museums such as Hilltribe Research Institute Museum and the Chiang Mai City Arts & Cultural Center. With religion and history enriching the city, you can see several Buddhist temples such as Wat Chiang Mun, Wat Chiang Mun, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Oo-Mong, Wat Phra Jao Mengrai, Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, and Wat Chedi Luang. The oldest temple dates back in the 11th century. Chiang Mai features attractions such as Chiang Mai Flower Festival in February, Bo Sang Umbrella & Sankampang Handicrafts Festival in January, The 2nd Orchid Fair also in January, and the Loi Krathong Festival usually falls in November.

Pattaya - Located 150 km. north of Bangkok, Pattaya is one of the most popular tourist destinations, which offers great beaches, beer and go-go bars, and a wide array of sport activities. Visit Pattaya when you travel Thailand is a must. Although it is the most overdeveloped part of the country in terms of tourism, prices in Pattaya still remains with reach. In fact, prices of foods, accommodation, and transportations are very affordable.

Krabi - In a small province of Krabi lies a small town with the same name. Paying a visit Krabi town when you travel Thailand is worth the time. Located south of Bangkok near Phuket and Phi Phi island, the town features great beaches along with high end hotels and not so expensive hotel that cater tourists of different classes.

Robert Thatcher is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides Thailand travel resources on http://www.your-thailand-travel.info.

By Robert Thatcher

Holidays in Koh Samui - Getting Value For Money

Considering taking a holiday in Koh Samui? Wondering whether you'll be able to get value for money? Or will a stay in paradise break the bank? Well you'll be pleased to hear that in fact there are always fantastic deals available, many at significant reductions, you just need to know where to look to secure that bargain holiday in Koh Samui.

Koh Samui is known for having some of the best luxury hotels available at low and affordable prices. If you're considering spending your vacation in Koh Samui why not consider some of the island's popular destinations; such as the Anantara Bophut Resort and Spa situated in Fisherman's Cove, with its personalised spa menus and infinity pool; or the Carpe Diem Hotel with its excellent location right in the heart of Fisherman's Village; or maybe try the brand new Arisara Place Hotel on the hillside with its 30 serviced apartments. Thanks to the good exchange rates against many of the major currencies, including the US Dollar, Euro & GBP, visitors to the island should find that they get even greater value for money.

The abundance of fantastic deals available in many of the Koh Samui resorts means that everyone should be able to achieve excellent value for money when booking their holiday; whether you choose one of the luxury hotels such as the Bophut Resort & Spa, or one of the Leading Small Hotels of the World, or whether you opt for one of the fantastic huts of the Como Resort along the beach at Buddha Bay, there is a great deal waiting for everyone.

Tour operators, travel agents, hotels and airlines are always offering some great discounted deals, you just have to look for them, and if you look in the right places you can achieve luxury at some of their best and lowest prices. Early booking discounts are often available around eleven months in advance of your holiday or when the new season's rates are announced. These early booking discounts are often made more enticing by offering reduced or 'no' deposit schemes.

At the other end of the spectrum are the last minute deals, where booking late can often secure you a bumper deal; however these can often be a little hit and miss - you may be able to secure yourself a cheap hotel but the cost of flights often increase closer to the date of departure so keep this in mind, or in order to qualify for the late booking discount you may need to accept 'allocation on arrival', in these cases you don't actually find out which hotel you will be staying in until you arrive at your destination, which may not suit everyone. Other deals which are often available are bonus offers such as seven nights for the price of five; or you may find that some hotels and tour operators are offering free room upgrades, for instance you would pay the listed price of a deluxe room, but receive an upgrade to one of the much coveted sea view rooms.

Another consideration is when to take your holiday. Do you need to take your holidays to Koh Samui during the peak periods such as Christmas and Easter, or during one of the main school holidays between July and August? If you don't, then booking out of season is another great way of achieving great value for money as tour operators, airlines and hotels often offer some great incentives to book your holiday during their quieter periods. Or if you want to make the most of your money, why not time your visit to Koh Samui to coincide with one of the festivals which are held on the island, such as the eagerly awaited and widely celebrated festival of 'Loy Kratong' or the full moon night, which is normally celebrated in November - the festival is a spectacular sight with thousands of people gathering on the islands beaches in the moonlight, with many of the locals taking to the water in small Kratongs or boats that are lit by candlelight, a very romantic and spectacular sight from the beach.

There are many untapped bargains and deals available for the discerning holidaymaker on this breathtaking paradise island, holidays in Koh Samui offering fantastic value for money are there for the taking, so what are you waiting for?

Visit http://www.bophuthotels.co.uk to browse the latest discount holidays available to Koh Samui in particular our fantastic deals on Bophut Hotels. You'll also be able to read our resort guide to find out everything you need to know about the beautiful paradise island of Koh Samui and Bophut Resort.

By Jessica Portman

Amazing Thailand - Explore and Be Amazed

Amazing Thailand is a traveller's paradise. Not only is Thailand crawling with sandy white beaches and islands, it's heaven for people who love food and shopping. Thailand cuisine is famous worldwide for its fresh herbs and spices. For food lovers, Thailand tourism does not restrict itself to restaurants of fame. Whether an outdoor stall in downtown Pattaya, or a classy restaurant in Bangkok - the tastes of Thailand come out in full glory. And if food isn't exactly what you're looking for, then Thailand also offers a rich shopping experience. Bangkok houses some of the biggest shopping malls in the world with almost everything under the sun on offer - be it international or local brands of household articles, electronics or fabrics.

What makes tourism in Thailand all the more amazing is its culture and festivals. The legendary Thai massage gets its own flow of tourists - some come for the massage and some come to take courses in Thai massage. National festivals in amazing Thailand include the fun-for-all water splashing 'Songkran', and the almost fairytale like quality of 'Loy Krathong'.

Popular tourist destinations in Thailand are:

Phuket, Ko Samui, and Hatyai in Southern Thailand; Bangkok, Pattaya, Kanchanaburi, and Ayutthaya in Central Thailand;Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, and Pai in Northern Thailand; and Khao Yai National Park and Phimai historical park in North-eastern Thailand.

Bangkok

Bangkok was originally a small trading centre is one of the most visited tourist places in the world today. The city has innumerable tourist spots and attractions like the Siam Ocean World, The Grand Palace, Thonburi Snake farm, Dusit Zoo, Chao Phya river and its canals, Wat Pra Kaeo - the temple the emerald Buddha, Pat Pong night bazaar, and the Calypso Cabaret.

Pattaya

Originally a fishing town, Pattaya also attracts as many tourists as Bangkok. The Sri Racha Tiger Zoo, the Vimantaitalay tourist submarine which offers trip underwater to see corals and deep sea life, The Million Years Stone Park, Pattaya Crocodile Farm, Pattaya Park Beach Resort Water Park, Funny Land Amusement Park, Siriporn Orchid Farm, Underwater World Pattaya, the Thai Alangkarn Theater Pattaya, Bottle Art Museum, Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum are amongst the hundreds of tourist attractions here.

What started off as Rest and Recuperation for American soldiers in Vietnam in the 1960s is today one of the most preferred tourist destinations. Amazing Thailand as it's popularly known has seen an exponential increase in tourism through five decades now, with predictions of even better future prospects.

Visit amazing Thailand for its beauty and explore Bangkok, Thailand along with nightlife in Pattaya, Thailand.

By Willium Taylor