Travel guide: What to see

Rarely do you find someone bored in Thailand… There’s always something to see! Certainly one of the inevitable ingredients to a trip to Thailand is plenty of trips to temples - they really are great places to see so this is no obligatory chore! Unlike some tourist attractions in other countries, Thailand’s temples are not just historical sites dressed up to cater for visiting tourists; they are integral components of normal daily life. Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok is an excellent example. Although as far as a tourist is concerned a visit to Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok is equivalent to a visit to the Eiffel Tower in Paris or Tower Bridge in London, locals visit the temple to worship and make merit. Although they might at times be significantly outnumbered, you will see locals at prayer here, as you will at all of the temples on Thailand’s tourist track. Temples are not though the only places that reflect Thailand’s history and culture that are worthy of a visit.

Thailand’s King and Royal Family are probably more revered than monarchs in any country in the world. Their status is reflected in the grandeur of Thailand’s royal palaces. These truly are spectacular places to visit and receive a glimpse of Thailand’s regal past and an insight into the lives of Thai royalty. In many of the palaces there are museums reflecting aspects of Thailand’s past, but museums are by no means restricted to royal palaces - there are scores around the country. Bangkok’s National Museum does a thorough job of reflecting all aspects of this diverse country, but each Thai province has its own museum reflecting important aspects of the locality’s past and present. Often directly alongside Thailand’s museums there are a number of galleries reflecting the country’s art though the work of past and present artists. Thailand also boasts numerous theatres and cultural centres which host traditional Thai theatre and dance and offer cultural shows and events. Of course, as with any country in the world, when you visit Thailand you should visit its monuments and shrines. Although you may not grasp their full significance, they still warrant visits; who would go to France without visiting the Arc de Triomphe? And what visit to Thailand would be complete without seeing a Thai boxing match or a trip to a floating market?

One of the key reasons people visit Thailand is the physical beauty of the place and for the adventurous there is plenty to see. Thailand abounds with waterfalls, hot springs and places of natural beauty. There are caves to see and mountains and hills to visit. But even in the cities and towns there flower gardens to escape to.

You will never want for a place to visit and something to see in Thailand. The wealth of attractions makes a trip easy and means you can plan what you want to see with relative ease. Make the most of what’s on offer, and make the best of your time in the kingdom.

[Thanks: http://www.discoverythailand.com]