Thailand is a country that welcomes travellers from all over the world to witness the white sand beaches, culture, and history of thousands of years. Moreover, it is also famous for its Thai cuisine which holds special importance in the country’s traditions. If you are planning a trip to this Southeast Asian country, read the following article. Although Thailand has so much to offer, you will be overwhelmed by which places you should visit first.
Therefore, the blog below will help you identify the must-see destinations in Thailand especially if you are a first-time traveler. For this purpose, apply for a visa and get an air ticket reservation without payment.
Details about Thailand
Also known as the Kingdom of Thailand, the country was also popular as Siam until 1939. It lies in Southeast Asia on the Indochinese Peninsula. Moreover, during the 6th to 11th centuries, the Thai people migrated from Southwestern China to the mainland of Southeast Asia. Historically, in World War 2, Thailand became an ally of Japan. Besides, the country joined hands with the United States during the Cold War, which was disbanded in 1977.
Etymology
Outsiders knew Thailand as Siam until 1939. However, according to research, the word ‘Thai’ means ‘free man’, and ‘land’ means ‘the place to live’. So, on the whole, it means to differentiate the Thai people from the natives living there. Another research shows that Thai simply means ‘people or human beings’ and is used to refer to individuals living in a specific country.
Neighboring countries
Thailand shares its borders with several countries from south to north and east to west. Some of them are mentioned below.
- Myanmar
- Laos
- Cambodia
- Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia
- Andaman Sea
Moreover, Thailand is also connected with Vietnam, Indonesia, and India through maritime borders.
ASEAN
The country is a founding member of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations). It is a union of ten states in the name of political and economic factors. Moreover, all these countries collectively have a population of more than six hundred million people. Furthermore, Thailand is at position 91st in terms of GDP per capita. In Southeast Asia, this country has the 2nd largest economy, whereas the 23rd largest in the world by PPP. Lastly, agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing are the leading economic factors, thus making Thailand a newly industrialised economy.
6 Main Tourist Attractions in Thailand
When traveling to Thailand, ensure to add the following places to your bucket list to explore the country. However, you are not restricted to this list only. You can travel to other tourist destinations as well.
1- Bangkok
Bangkok is a place that you should not miss when traveling to Thailand. The capital of Thailand is famous for street food, temples, and Michelin-star dining. Moreover, hangouts, rooftop dates, and bars at the riverside are also available in this frenetic city. Besides, you can also buy flowers, vegetables, and fruits from the longtail boats. The Kimpton Maa-Lai Hotel in Bangkok is popular for its breakfast buffet, gym, and rooftop bar.
2- Khao Sok National Park
Visiting Khao Sok National Park will surely mesmerize you if you are an outdoorsy person. This place has the world’s oldest green rainforest, waterfalls, and limestone cliffs. This makes Khao Sok National Park a bio-diverse area. You can also see almost 200 kinds of different flora and animal species including elephants, tigers, and monkeys. The best time to visit this place is from December to April because Khao Sok rains a lot during the rest of the months.
3- Kanchanaburi Province
Kanchanaburi is the third-largest province of Thailand, famous for its beauty. Its landscape includes rivers, mountains, seven-tiered waterfalls, Neolithic caves, and parks. Thus, this allows you hiking and rafting as outdoor pursuits. The Bridge over the River Kwai is an area of the World War 2 site that you should see when visiting this province. You can also learn about the history of the country at the Thailand-Burma Railway Center. Lastly, visit the JEATH War Museum to witness the prisoners-of-war camp.
4- Koh Samui
Undergoing some recent developments, Koh Samui is still one of the jammed islands in Thailand. This is because it is popular for luxurious hotels, spas, sunbathing, and good food. Moreover, the place also allows you to see the crystal-clear snorkeling spots of the Ang Thong National Marine Park and limestone towers. Near it, you can visit Koh Tao for diving and dinner in smaller family-run hotels.
5- Golden Triangle
The Golden Triangle is a forest-dense region in northern Thailand, joined by the borders of Laos and Myanmar. Tourists from all over the world are attracted to this place because of the coffee plantations and elephant sanctuaries. The Hall of Opium Museum, bike rides through the countryside, and a trip to Mekong on long-tail boat cruises also add charm to the beauty of this region.
6- The Andaman Sea
Maya Bay in Koh Phi Phi is the most popular beach in Thailand. Apart from that, several other beaches are located in the Andaman Sea. For example, it may include,
- Phuket’s Patong Beach
- Krabi’s Railay Beach
- Koh Yao Noi island
- Koh Yao Yai island
- Phang Nga Bay has the James Bond Island
All these islands and beaches in the Andaman Sea enhance Thailand’s beauty. This is because they are popular for limestone karst floating above the blue, clear water.
Documents You Require to Travel to Thailand
After selecting your tourist places, it is the right time to apply for a visa to Thailand. This requires you to submit the following documents.
- The first thing you must have is your passport with a validity of at least one hundred and eighty days.
- A visa application form with two passport-size pictures to identify yourself.
- Traveling to Thailand also requires you to provide proof of accommodation. This can be a hotel booking or a rental contract.
- Furthermore, it is advisable to have an air ticket reservation without payment before knowing whether your visa is approved. This will show the authorities that you have genuine intentions of flying to Thailand. For this purpose, you can visit reservationforvisa.com to get your visa document checklist.
- In addition, writing a cover letter also helps you explain your trip and the planned activities from a personal point of view.
- Lastly, proof of financial resources will help the embassy know that you can manage your daily expenses during your entire stay in Thailand.
Bottom Line
The article listed some of the most-traveled destinations in Thailand that you can visit if you are planning your trip for the first time. Moreover, make sure to have the necessary documents when applying for a visa. Happy journey!