Why Thailand

Elephant riding

Motor biking

River cruise

All the kinds of attractions has made Thaland an alluring destination worldwide.

Sports & Activities

Outdoor Activities

Thailand’s diverse geography offers an impressive range of activities.

Northern Thailand’s mountainous forests are renowned for their spectacular waterfalls, lush green scenery, caves, birds, and other wildlife. The exotic elephant safaris and trekking with knowledgeable guides to visit remote hill tribes have become very popular.

The Southern coastline is ideal for all aquatic fun, regardless of your level of expertise. An abundance of national parks, land and marine, scattered throughout the country provides a variety for exploring Thailand’s natural wilderness.

Some come to take advantage of the country’s plentiful, excellent golf courses, while others seek their thrills in adventurous sports. Whatever your choice may be, there’s bound to be an activity tailored especially for you.

Adventurous Tours

Those in need of adrenaline rush and want more out of life, take your pick of any of these thrill-seeking activities sure to be memorable. Whether you’re a novice or expert, the skilled staffs and facilities ensures safety is a priority.

Cave Explorations

Because of Thailand’s mountainous geography, particularly in the North, West and South, an abundance of natural caves are on hand for exploring. Some contain beautiful limestone creations, while others house sacred Buddha images. Though safe and vividly marked, most require a guide. Don’t be alarmed if you should encounter sleeping, harmless bats.

Golf

The nation’s passion for golf has never waned. The excellent golf courses scattered around the nation, with diverse scenic backdrops, have hosted numerous international competitions. Though many clubs are exclusive, numerous golfing holidays are commonly available throughout the year at popular golfing destinations.

Rock Climbing

This cliffhanging sport began in Krabi, with its scenic location and many challenging routes, bt is now available at many sites throughout the country. The sport’s popularity has picked up dramatically over the past few years, with the introduction of artificial wall climbing offered in most metropolis and resort towns.

Whitewater Rafting

Take your pick of the leisurely bamboo rafting on tranquil rivers in the North or the more exciting whitewater rafting in sturdy inflatable rubber boats in strong currents and rocky gorges. Umphang in Tak made whitewater rafting famous among locals and has earned a world class rating. Nowadays, many more places around the nation offer this thrilling ride, with class ratings from 1-5.

Eco-Tourism

To be in touch with nature and to help conserve it for future generations, these types of activities were designed for responsible nature lovers. Appreciate the beauty, view its wonders, but keep it intact for others too.

Bicycle Tours

What a better way to fully appreciate the local lifestyle than by pedaling through those narrow roads that tourist buses can’t penetrate? It is also a novel and good way to enjoy the natural wilderness and historical ruins.

Elephant Safaris

Experience lurching through the forests atop a pachyderm and learn to appreciate its mighty strength and agility, able to wade across deep rivers. Most elephant camps that offers treks are based in Chiang Mai, but elephant rides are also offered at tourist destinations in most resort towns.

Sea Cruises

Take a cruise and view the impressive scenery the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea has to offer. Travel in style and leisure.

Trekking

Thailand offers ideal terrain for hiking, from the limestone forests of Krabi to the undulating mountains in the North, where many hilltribe people live. Head over to any national parks for nature-based trekking, teeming with wildlife, waterfalls , and other natural attractions. Some treks incorporate elephant safaris and other modes of transportation.

Walking Tour

Sometimes the best, and time-efficient ways to learn about Thai culture is simply by walking around, either plainly observing or immersing yourself with the people. Most walking tours involve temples within the same vicinity. And in Bangkok, sometimes walking is much faster than cars.

Wildlife Viewing

Some of the rarest, tropical animals and birds can still be found in the nation’s national parks. The most common trips are birdwatching, but even a simple walk in any mountainous area will guarantee a sighting of at least some common animals found in Thailand: gibbons and monkeys.

Water Sports

In popular seaside resorts, a variety of water sports are on offer, from parasailing, waterskiing, windsurfing and motorboat/ jet ski rentals. Inflatable “banana boat” rides have gained in popularity, where a maximum of 5 sitting astride an elongated rubber tube attempt to hold on as the motorboat tugging it sends it into a number of swerves, eventually resulting in a wipe out.

Deep Sea Fishing

Anglers have a choice of excellent facilities for big game fishing at Pattaya and Phuket, where it’s almost guaranteed you’ll catch a sailfish at the latter destination throughout the year.

Islands

Spectacular off-shore islands dot the azure waters of Southern Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand, providing ample opportunities for frolicking in the sun or for perfecting those tans.

Kayaking/ Sea Canoeing

Having gained much popularity in recent years, kayaking is widely available at all seaside resort towns. It first became known in Krabi and Phang Nga, being the most peaceful way and only way to enjoy the strange karst islets, narrow channels and mangrove forests.

Sailing

The international yachting fraternity love Thailand’s dramatic coastline and congregate once a year at Phuket for the annual King’s Cup Regatta. H.R.H. The King was once an avid sailor and still shows interest for this sport. Though sailing is possible from Hua Hin and Pattaya, the best facilities and most scenic sights are in Phuket. Charter a yacht, join a crew or even sail one of your own, the choice is endless.

Scuba Diving/ Snorkeling

The Andaman Sea offers some of the world’s most spectacular coral reefs, ocean drop-offs, and submerged pinnacles. With numerous wreck dive sites and islands also available on the Gulf of Thailand side, diving is capable nearly year-round. The crystal clear waters enables you to view colorful sea fans and soft corals for up to 100 feet, while the murky waters, full of nutrients, attracts larger marine animals, with numerous sightings of the elusive whale shark. The tropical, warm currents means suiting up in bathing suits is quite adequate.

Windsurfing

Windsurfing has become one of Thailand’s most popular water sports in the last two decades, and it is practiced all over Thailand’s beaches. Wind-surfing is not only exhilarating and an excellent way to get fit, it is also quiet, non-polluting and environmentally friendly It is a sport that enquires dexterity and coordination and also strength.

You can learn to windsurf on all major beaches in Phuket, Samui, Pattaya and Krabi, as well as on islands of Ko Tao and Ko Chang. Once you have mastered the basics, you’ll find boards and sails available everywhere. While you need wind to windsurf, you can get too much of a good thing.

Don’t go out to sea if the weather is threatening to turn stormy. You should wear a life jacket at all times. Beware of boats and swimmers on crowded stretches of water, especially when you are still learning how to handle your board and sail. It is easy to forget about the sun with the wind on your face, but it is especially strong when reflecting off the water all around you. So wear protective sunblock.

Jet-skiing

Jet-skiing has been taken up with enthusiasm all over Thailand with jet-skis available for hire at all major beaches in Thailand-Samui. Phuket, Pattaya, Samet and Krabi. Despite the speed, jet-skiing in Thailand is a safe sport, If you keep your head and watch out for other sea traffic, especially swimmers and snorkellers, Rocks are usually markes, but take care, especially at low tide. When you are roaring around the bays, it’s easy to forget that you’re in the full force of the sun, so protect yourself beforehand.

Culture

Learn about the different elements that comprises this enchanting Kingdom. See what you cannot experience from reading guidebooks and gain a deeper insight into the unique and diverse lifestyles of the Thai people.

Cultural (BKK)

Experience the harmonious mixture of cultural diversity that forms a large metropolis, enabling it to survive as the capital of the Land of Smiles.

Cultural (North)

With their own history and influences, the 700 years plus Lanna culture of the North have their own stories to tell.

Hilltribes

Most commonly found in remote areas of Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, and Tak, eachunique tribe has their own unique culture and tradition. Their exotic distinction manages to attracts and fascinates all, though they’ve been around for numerous decades.

River Cruises

Take a boat ride among the labyrinth of canals and observe the traditional lifestyle still in existence. Floating markets, people giving alms to monks in boats, children playing in the waters – all part of a normal life you’ve only read or heard about.

Special Interest Activities

Unlike other countries, Thailand’s exotic cultural heritage offers unique experiences that can only be found here. Immerse yourself into these cultural activities, some of which are mentally challenging such as Buddhist meditation, or pick up a new skill, like Thai cooking. You’ll be impressed by what we have to offer.

Agrotourism

It is often said that nobody who’s willing to work will ever starve in Thailand. A 13th century king’s praise for his homeland, inscribed in stone and memorized by schoolchildren, proclaims that “there is rice in the fields, and fish in the waters.” Even in hard times like today, the country’s natural wealth continues to provide hopes and a livelihood for its sons and daughters.

Buddhist Meditation

Any of us have at one time or another found the toll of living in the modern world hard to bear. Stress, depression and disillusionment are some of the diseases of modern times that leave us yearning for a solution, a cure, so to speak. More and more people are turning to meditation as they fail to find the answer through worldly paths.

Meditation is found in some form or other in all major religious traditions. Even those who are not religious use it to focus the mind, to hone it, so that it works better. In Buddhism, meditation is the integral to the eight-fold path to enlightenment. One trains one’s mind so that it can see the four-point Supreme Truth that forms the core of Buddha’s teachings: suffering, what causes it, the end of suffering, and the path to that end. Even if you are not interested in Buddhism, meditation is a valuable training that can be applied to daily life, for it helps with concentration and when done correctly can lead to a state of peace and calmness that’s beyond worldly joys.

Longstays

Gain a deeper insight into the fascinating world of Thailand’s hilltribes and local people by spending a night with them. Not only is it more economical, but interesting facts may also be revealed.

Muay Thai

You might have heard about it, or even seen it on TV—the furious punches, crushing elbow strikes, lethal kicks, powerful grappling and artful feints. But nothing compares to seeing them executed to loud cheers and heart-racing tune of an accompanying wind-and-percussion ensemble. Welcome to the exciting world of Muay Thai, a martial art like no others, and a proud heritage of a nation.

Thai Cooking Courses

Thai cooking as now enjoyed all over the world is a blend of Asian and European influences adopted through centuries of trade and diplomatic exchanges. Thais have traditionally lived close to the land and the waters, and original Thai cooking reflected that. Main ingredients were rice, fish, vegetable and herbs. Very little meat was used, and traditionally beef or buffalo meat was eschewed since the animals were the mainstays of farm life.

Traditional Thai Style Natural Healing

A massage to restore balance among the elements. A herbal sauna to cleanse and rejuvenate the body. A herbal pack to calm nerves and redirect the energy. All this may sound very New Agey in the West, but it has been part of daily life here for centuries.

Before the arrival of modern medicine, herbalists filled the dual role of doctor-pharmacist. Originally, village doctors were monks or former monks, since Buddhist temples were the center of learning, not only of religion but of more worldly matters like astrology and medicine as well.

Entertainment

Though foreign forms of entertainment have infiltrated into modern Thailand, traditional Thai entertainments are still an integral part of the Thai lifestyle. From happy villagers singing bantering songs, a colorful temple fair, watching a game of takraw, to elegant, classical Thai dancing, traditional entertainments are the core of Thai social events, as witnessed at various festivities throughout the nation. Thai people embrace the notion of celebrating seriously. Indeed, Thais are known for their love of sanuk (‘fun’) and indulge in this passion with high-spirited enthusiasm and fervor.

Traditional Theater and Dance

Khon performances are considered the most elegant form of classical, traditional Thai dance. The royalized, all-male, masked dance is based on the Ramakien epic, as depicted by the murals in the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Since the complete performance lasts many days, selected scenes can be viewed at the National Theater and the Royal Chalermkrung Theater in Bangkok and at the Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center up north.

The costumes and routines of traditional Thai dances come in many forms, depending upon the region the dance originated from. Most major cities offer khantoke dinner and the traditional Thai dance shows for tourists. The Lanna style khantoke dinners originated in Chiang Mai, where a single setting of small sampling of various Thai dishes are placed on a round tray.

Lakhons dances are solely performed a group of females in elaborate costumes, but are less formal than the Khon. These are usually seen at temples or sacred shrines, such as the Erawan Shrine, where devotees make merit by hiring the dancers to perform.

Commonly featured at temple fairs and on TVs, the most popular dance-drama is likay, where performers sing and act out local folklore tales in a comical, satirical way.

Though widespread in Malaysia and Indonesia, nang talung (shadow puppet) shows can only be seen in the South, particularly in Phattalung and Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Modern Concerts, Exhibitions, and Performance Theaters
Practically all of Thailand’s major, state-of-the-art concert and exhibition venues are located in Bangkok, with the exception of Kad Suan Kaew in Chiang Mai. Thailand Cultural Center has the country’s best performance facilities and often attract international performance groups.

Exhibitions are displayed at a variety of venues throughout the country, from department stores to galleries/restaurants. Most first rated exhibitions are shown at the German Goethe-Institut and the French Alliance Francaise in Bangkok.

The 2 most well known venues for staging plays are the Bangkok Playhouse and the Patravadi Theater in Bangkok.

Movie Theaters

A plethora of international standard multiplexes are scattered throughout Bangkok, with some chains branching out into major cities upcountry. Theaters in major cities show films in both Thai and original soundtrack, be it English, Chinese or Japanese. Hollywood blockbusters have dominated the Thai market since the 1990s. Nowadays, movie theaters are equipped with state-of-the-art sound equipment and plush seating. Some theaters in Bangkok even have VIP theaters that offer large, comfortable seats and in-theater, personalized snack and drink services.

Mobile units still offer open-air screenings in many upcountry villages.

Nightlife Entertainment

The Thai music industry is comprised of international pop and rock music (mainly Western and Japanese), Thai pop, and the ever popular folk music. International rock stars regularly perform concerts for their Thai fans at Bangkok venues. Past performers include Westlife, Michael Jackson, Robbie Williams, and Oasis.

Pubs, bars, and dance clubs (commonly called ‘teque’, short for discotheque) are integral factor of the Thai nightlife. Because Bangkok is teeming with these establishments, the trendy spots change quite often, depending on the whim of the night crowd. Rarely do new venues last for more than 6 months. Tapas (formerly Taurus) reigns as a popular venue with the longest history. The nightlife spots in Bangkok are concentrated in 3 particular areas: RCA, Patpong/Silom Road, and Ratchadapisek. The nightlife in upcountry towns is more sedated than in Bangkok, with the exception of Pattaya, Phuket, and Chiang Mai.

Temple Fairs and Festivities

Thailand’s many ethnic groups contribute to the diverse local festivities and religious events that occur year-round. Aside from the numerous public and religious holidays on the Thai calendar, the locals often have their own festivities that may be related to their unique tradition, seasonal produce promotion, or certain activities, such as boat racing and kite flying. Part (or even all) of these festive events are staged at the town’s main temple. The temple fairs host an assortment of activities, from folk entertainment, contests, vendors, to local foods.

Most Thai festivals are celebrated nationwide. However, some cities are associated with hosting spectacular celebrations, such as Sukhothai and Loy Krathong and Chian.