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Thailand

If Thailand were a lady - or a lady-boy - women would want to be her, men would want be with her, and everybody would feel slightly sick with envy at the thought of her plentiful tourist assets. The backpacker trail here is as well-worn as a battered copy of 'The Beach', making it a little difficult to 'get off the beaten track', though more secluded areas can still be found in the rural North East. Established backpacker haunts are popular for good reasons, and cutting them out would mean missing some great experiences - like hedonistic fun at Koh Phangan's monthly Full Moon Party (or at smaller 'Half Moon' raves in the jungle), or meditation and mojitos in arty-crafty hippy retreat Pai. Elsewhere, backpacker clichés exist alongside a rich, varied culture - as in the fantastic northern city of Chiang Mai, where an enviable combination of quirky nightlife, a beautiful temple at Doi Suthep, and a phenomenal Sunday market make it one of Thailand's most rewarding places to visit.

Thai food, with its irresistible mixtures of chilli, lime and lemongrass, is just as varied and rarely disappoints - it's likely to be delicious whether you eat in luxury hotels or at 20 baht roadside cafes. Thai culture is fascinating; from breathtakingly elaborate temples like Wat Phra Kaew (the temple of the Emerald Buddha) in Bangkok, to the vast historical ruins at Attataya. For wildlife, visit one of Thailand's 48 national parks (Ang Thong Marine National Park and Khao Sok National Park, to name but two) or take a day trip to the excellent elephant conservation centre in the Mae-yao National Reserve. Hop on a bright orange, government-run bus service to northerly Mae Hong Son for remote hill tribe communities, sleepy provincial towns and beautiful mountain scenery. In short, a trip to Thailand can be as stereotypical or as varied as you choose, and it's this potential to tailor-make your ideal experience that makes it such a rightfully popular destination.

Come to Thailand for...

Bangkok

Bangkok

Dive into Bangkok, where devout believers at Buddhist temples fuse with deafening street markets and masses of people to create a city of Eastern tradition and Western urbanity.

Go for: Markets, Temples, Trains, Tombs & Memorials, Spas and Spa Resorts

17 experiences: The Eastern and Oriental Express, Wat Phra Kaew (The Temple of the Emerald Buddha), Banyan Tree Spa, Talat Kao, Procession of the Royal Barges. 12 more »

Central

Central

Go for: Industrial, Wildlife, Rainforests and Jungles, Historic Cities &Towns, Beaches

30 experiences: Bridge over the River Kwai, Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries, Chaweng Beach, Khao Sok National Park, Phra Nakhorn Khiri. 25 more »

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai

Go for: Spiritual Retreats, Arts, Crafts & Cookery, Historic Cities &Towns, Traditional Cultures, Activity Courses

8 experiences: Tribes of Northern Thailand, Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep Temple, Chiang Mai, Become a Novice Buddhist Monk, Visit the Mae Nam Taeng Valley Elephant. 3 more »

Andaman Sea

Andaman Sea

Go for: Islands, Coastlines, Beaches

11 experiences: Krabi, Ko Phi Phi, Ao Phra Nang, Islands of Phang Nga Bay, Kata Beach. 6 more »

Vientiane

Vientiane

Go for: Temples, River Trips, Monuments & Landmarks, Buddhist, Festivals

6 experiences: Vat Sisaket, Bun Bang Fai Rocket Festival, Pha That Luang, Wat Sisaket, Patuxai Monument. 1 more »

Phuket

Phuket

Go for: Beaches, Sailing

5 experiences: Katanoi Beach, Sailing the Andaman Sea, Surin Beach, Patong Beach, Amanpuri.

North East

North East

Go for: Festivals, Spectator Sports, Temples, Sacred Places

9 experiences: Surin Elephant Round Up, Wat That Phanom Chedi, Amansara. 4 more »

Hua Hin

Hua Hin

Go for: Spas and Spa Resorts, Beaches, Kitesurfing

3 experiences: Chiva Som International Health Resort, Hua Hin for Beaches near Bangkok, Kitesurfing at Hua Hin.

North

North

Go for: Archaeological Sites, Trekking, Mountains

14 experiences: Doi Chiang Dao, Ban Chiang Archaeological Site, Sukhothai Historical Park. 9 more »

South East

South East

Go for: Islands, Natural World

4 experiences: Koh Samui, Ang Thong National Marine Park, Kamalaya.

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