Traffic and tranquillity, beaches and bargains, ancient palaces and stunning temples: Thailand has much to offer the millions who visit every year. The world caught on to Thailand's magic years ago, and foreign investors, with the encouragement of the Thai government, have seized on this fascination. Luxury resorts are popping up in virtually every town and island, turning once remote and unspoiled beaches and towns into bustling package-tour destinations, some virtually unrecognizable to those just a couple years removed from their last visit.
The opening of Bangkok's space-age airport, Suvarnabhumi, with the capacity to handle 45 million travelers a year and eventually 100 million with planned expansion, will only make Thailand a more convenient destination, recent political turmoil notwithstanding.
That's not to say Thailand has lost its charm; far from it. The authentic Thai way of life with its vibrant Buddhist culture is just outside the comfortable bubble of five-star resorts and luxury tour buses: All you have to do is wander the streets and soak it in.
In bustling Bangkok, find canal and riverside communities, a sprawling Chinatown, an ultramodern cityscape, and giant outdoor markets that are a heady mix of sights, sounds, and smells.
Beyond urban Thailand are flat plains carpeted with rice paddies and dotted with tiny villages, mountains of luxuriant teak forests where elephants once roamed wild, long stretches of white-sand beach, acres of coconut palms and rubber plantations, and clear-blue waters against towering rock cliffs. Rural life is languid and hospitable, and behind every warm Thai smile there is true kindness.
Outdoor-adventure opportunities abound: sail, paddle, dive, and snorkel in the sea; trek to villages; ride the rivers; or go on four-wheel-drive adventures in the rugged upcountry. Rural Thailand is ripe for exploration by bus, train, car, motorbike, and boat, and visitors are limited only by their tolerance for adventure.
Gorgeous tropical island beaches play host to laid-back bungalow guesthouses and posh, Thai-style five-star resorts. The cuisine is captivating, a unique blend of sweet, sour, and salty tastes tempered with fiery spice. And whether shopping the sprawling bazaars or visiting Thailand's notorious nightlife, you're sure to have some sanuk, or fun, Thai style.
