Thailand Guide
Thailand has long surpassed its backpacker past, without losing that original charm. From the bars of Bangkok to the hill-tribe villages of the north and beaches of Phuket, Thai culture beams out from every smile. Rich colours, heady scents and unabashed friendliness come free with your massage, shopping trip or temple visit.
Bangkok is a chaotic mix of temples, Space Age bars, tuk-tuks and tourists that's as exotic as you want it to be. The resorts of Phuket and Krabi relax on world-class beaches, while Pattaya and Hua Hin are family-friendly retreats. Hill-tribe culture comes to the northern cities of Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai.
Kayak around the vast limestone outcrops of the Andaman Sea off Phuket and Krabi, where each island is a floating postcard. Bronze Age history waits to be discovered across the vast north-eastern plains of Isan, and elephant treks take a trunk road through the jungle in the Golden Triangle of the far north.
It's the order of the barter at the many night markets, and bargain designer goods are yours for as little as you can manage, but don't check the labels too closely. Bespoke when you're spoken to with a tailored suit or dress, whipped up in an instant by skilled hands. Silks and handicrafts follow where the hill-tribes have settled, so material girls (and boys) should head north.
Curry favour with spicy jungle dishes in the north, or cool down with tropical fruits in the south. Something fishy can always be found in the fresh seafood of the Gulfs, where the journey from ocean to plate can take mere minutes. Even the most bashful cooks can learn to make Tom Yum soup and the famed red and green Thai curries.
Bright young Bangkok things recline in the futuristic lounges of fashionable Sukhumvit, and young couples return to Koh Samui, having swapped backpacks for boutique hotels and spas.
