From the moment you step on to the soil of The Amazing Kingdom, the Thai culture
is sure to take you in its amazing enfolds. Being greeted with the gracious wai
gesture, the unique riverside lifestyle or traditional Thai boxing and Thai massage,
cherished memories will pervade you for a long while.
To experience Thai culture, the best time to visit is during the Thai summer. The
cool season during November – December is also a good time to visit Thailand, as
temperatures are milder, with little threat of rain.
Relish a Regal Experience at the Grand Palace
Among the several well-known tourist spots of Thailand, The Grand Palace gives you a peek into the majesty and magnanimity of the Thai monarchy. Built in 1782 by King Rama I, the Grand Palace consists of several Thai-style buildings with highly decorative architectural detail and murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana.
The Temple of the Emerald Buddha
Another important tourist attraction in Thailand is the Wat Phra Kaeo. Carved from one piece of Jade it is the most sacred and fabulous Buddha statue. Watching the Thais observe age-old Buddhist rituals in the temple everyday is a genuine slice of Thai life.
Wat Pho
Home of the reclining Buddha with a traditional massage school, this marvelous tourist spot of Thailand is only a short walk from the Temple.
Bangkok National Museum
Among the several tourist spots of Thailand, the Bangkok National Museum serves as a good place to know more about the Thai culture, history and of the traditional significance of Buddhism to the Thai way of life.
The City Pillars
These are the abode of Phra Lak Muang the guardian spirit of Bangkok. In Thailand they serve as a political statement by the ruling classes.
The National Gallery
Housing both traditional and contemporary Thai art, the National Gallery, another essential component of Thai tourism, displays works by Thai artists from the 17th century onwards.
World Heritage Sites on a Bicycle
Sukhothai
Meaning Dawn of Happiness, it was founded in the middle of the 13th century. It
was the dawning of the first Siamese Kingdom and the birth of Thai language and
a golden age for classical Thai art, architecture and Buddhism. Traverse these magnificent
ruins in the World Heritage Site with a rented mountain bike for a pittance.
Ayutthaya Historical Park
The most glorious town and trading port in Asia, you can drive by the ruins of a
15th century pagoda, just down the street and come away enchanted with a magical
effect.
Unique Riverside Lifestyle
Although Bangkok is a modern metropolis, the architecture and way of life along
the river and canals remain true to the city’s origin.
Floating markets
Start early when the sun was not hot and the fruit and vegetables were at their
freshest. Popular floating markets include Damnoen Saduak, Taling Chan, Amphawa
and Tha Kha.
Ko Kret, the Pottery village
Home to the Mon community, take another historical voyage along the canal of Klong
Om. Catch lush fruit orchards, village potters making earthenware products like
bowls, vases, mortars, and water making a pretty sight. Another highlight is the
local dishes prepared from young coconut shoots and sweets in Klong Khanom Wan or
Dessert Canal.
Learning Thai Art, Dance and Theatre
Thai Boxing – Muay Thai
Fitness, self defence or training for professional boxing, Muay Thai kick boxing
is one martial arts technique that finds many takers. The pains and aches on learning
pugilistic moves like breaking elephant’s tusks can be relieved after some downtime
on the beach or swim in the tropical sea.
Thai Cooking
Experience the joys of authentic Thai food preparation in a day-long course or longer
to learn the secrets of preparing your favorite local dish from a real Thai chef.
You can even choose your own kitchen. Upon returning home, feast yourself and friends
with Tom Yam Kung spicy soup, Phat Thai noodles, green curry, spicy papaya salad
and many more.
Thai Massage
Thai massage is a deep-massage technique that can be very relaxing, but it goes
beyond pampering and relaxation. Advanced practitioners are trained to treat illness
as well.
Thai Dance
The Patravadi Theatre in Bangkok is one of the country’s more active theatres that
not only stages performances but also offers traditional Thai dance lessons. To
get an over view of ancient Thailand through the expression of dance, Siam Niramit
in Bangkok and Alangkarn in Pattaya City offer nightly colourful and spectacular
performances. They showcase detailing on the ancient Thai history and the Masked
Thai ballet/opera based on the Hindu Ramayana, referred to as Ramakian by Thais.
Traditional Thai Art - Puppetry
One of the best Thai art experiences is perhaps the Joe Louis Puppet Theatre performances.
The ancient Thai puppetry art called Hun Lakhon Lek involves the animation of a
puppet by a host of puppeteers - usually 3 persons per puppet; each portion or limb
is controlled by one person, no strings are used.
At Home in the Village
Up to dozen families in each rural community offer to host foreign guests and visitors
into their homes. Visitors are free to decide how they wish to spend their time
and learn what it is really like to be a rice farmer, a fisherman or an orchard
manager, while acquiring hands-on experience.
Popular villages include:
- Thai Elephant Conservation Center, Lampang
Learn about the life of the mahout or elephant keeper.
- Ban Chiang, Udon Thani
Learn about the way of life in times past through cultural presentations and demonstration
of textile weaving, making copper utensils.
- Ban Na Teen, Krabi
Learn batik making, rubber tapping and the production of latex sheets, boat building,
paper-making from pineapple pulp and squid fishing.
The Fascinating Living Past
One of the world’s most vibrant capitals, Bangkok has contrived to weave traditional
ways into its metropolitan atmosphere. Dazzling temples, traditional houses, old
communities and fragments of the past not only survive but also shape the city’s
character.
Bangkok history is so closely connected to the waterways. Often called The Venice
of the East, cruising along the klongs as the canals are called in Thai, takes you
on a journey of contrast back to earlier eras.
The convivial enjoyment of food has always been a hallmark of Thai life, and for
visitors to Thailand there is no shortage of eating options in Bangkok.
Sporting Thais
Thai culture includes a whole lot of sporting activities. Thais take up a number
of sports like
Boat races
Petanque
Thai boxing Muay boxing
Takraw
Sepak Takraw
Sea
Kraabi Krabong