Travel Information Thailand

Thailand is a predominantly Buddhist country. The majority of the population observes Theravada Buddhism, a denomination which adheres strictly to the traditional Pali scriptures. No matter where you go in Thailand, you are likely to encounter monks in saffron or orange robes and see Buddha statues and ornate, gilded temples. About 94% of the population is Buddhist, so it can be considered as a kind of state religion. However, in addition to the Buddhist tradition, Hindu and animist rituals tend to play a big role in people's lives. The Thai Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and even though the majority of the population is Buddhist, in Thailand, Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, Christians, and animists live in harmony.

It is important to learn about foreign customs before you travel to any new country. Here are a few things to keep in mind when traveling to Thailand. Buddhists believe that the head is a sacred part of the body so touching the foot to the head is considered ignoble. It is also inappropriate to rise above the head of a monk e.g. passing your luggage over a monk’s head on a bus or train. Women should not be surprised when monks hold them at a distance because they are forbidden to touch women.

Thailand is located in the center of Southeast Asia and is bordered by Myanmar to the West, by Laos to the North, by Cambodia to the Southwest, and by Malaysia to the South. The border region between Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos is known as the "Golden Triangle". Thailand has more than 2,600 km of coastline, mainly along the Gulf of Thailand in the East. On the West coast, Thailand is bordered by the Andaman Sea. Industry is concentrated around Bangkok and the Northern and Southern provinces are primarily rural. The largest river (370 km long) is the Chao Phraya which is composed of many small tributaries and canals.

The landscape of Thailand was once dominated by teak forests and roaming elephants but today it is mainly fields and gardens. The Northern part of the country experiences frequent droughts and dramatic weather fluctuations as a result of deforestation. In the South, however, there are still evergreen forests – rainforests, mangrove forests, and beautiful beaches with lush palm groves.  This verdant landscape is perfect for active travel!

There are many islands off of Thailand’s Southwest and Southeast coasts. Koh Phuket, Koh Samui, Koh Samet, and Koh Chang are some of the most well-known among these islands. Thailand also has 79 national parks which are home to many diverse plants and animals, including elephants, tigers, snakes, water buffalo, gibbons, macaques, and countless bird species. Thailand’s intertidal zones, coastal mangrove forests, and warm tropical waters form habitats for a variety of marine-life including fish, crabs, clams, sea anemones and corals.

Thailand has a wide variety of delicious and inexpensive food. There are many food stalls and restaurants offering a wide selection of local dishes. You will find plenty of foreign food choices as well, but make sure you try some of the native culinary specialties. Thailand in known for its curries – red, yellow, green, and Masaman Panaeng. If you’re not a fan of spicy food, you should let your server know when you order. Traditional Thai food is very hot. Rice is the most important staple food in Thailand and it is served with almost every meal. However, noodles are also very popular in Thailand. One of the most popular snacks is Pad Thai – fried noodles with vegetables, peanuts, egg or tofu. Vegetarians will find plenty of vegetable and tofu options. Seafood lovers will also have plenty of delicious dishes to choose from. Thai cuisine traditionally involves plenty of fruit, including pineapple, banana, durian fruit, guava, lime, lychee, mango, orange, and papaya. Durian fruit, known as the ‘king of fruits’ is well worth a try. You will either love or hate this strong smelling fruit. Hotels usually serve iced tea for free. Coffee in Thailand is also very sweet. The typical alcoholic drink in Thailand is a kind of rice liquor. Beer and wine are available but they are relatively expensive since they are usually imported. There are some locally made options such as Singha, the Thai beer. Thai wines are very sweet.

Particular to Bangkok
Bangkok is famous for its street food. Throughout the city you will find countless food stalls. Whether you are looking for fruit, freshly squeezed juices, fried corn, fried noodles, fish soup, or something else, you will always be able to find a tasty meal. "Mango Sticky Rice" is a particularly popular street food. This dish is a combination of sweet mango and sticky rice and can be enjoyed as either a snack or dessert. The pineapple in Thailand is also particularly delicious. Street stalls are the cheapest places to get food (you can often get a meal for just a few cents) but there are plenty of sit-down restaurants as well. There are plenty of great restaurants for tourists on the Khao San Road. Thai food is usually very spicy and includes a lot of onions so if you have an aversion to either of these things then let your server know when you order.