Thailand is one of the most beautifu countries to visit in Asia, technologically advanced state with modern and massive architecture, developed ecnomomy and an estabslished market for selling high quality technology products.

But Thailand is not all bout that -this country, situated in the heart of Southeast Asia, is a preffered destination for many people who are eager to explore or just touch to its vast and colourful culture. The territories of the modern day country have been populated for more than 12, 000 years and were first included in the kingdom of Funan during the 1st century AC which influenced the diversity of the Thai culture. It has been also influenced mainly by the Indian dominence -India is the largest countryon the Northern Thai border and thus the huge and denesely populated state has been dominating over the Thai cultural life for centuries as Thailand was included in the different kingdoms and empires that appeared on the modern day indian territories.

The main religion in Thailand is Buddhism (almost 94% of the population) and many of the soldiers in the past retired on the monasteries becoming monks. This has strongly influenced the culture as today many of the tourist destination are closely related with Buddhism -temples founded centuries ago, different animalism cult shrines, monesteries deeply hidden in the Thai Mountains where a visitor can observe the famoust Muay Thai boxing -the national sport, a kind of martial art. All these buildings are made and decorated in the typical Thai style, colourful with sharp edges and surrounded by richly planted gardens -it would be a pleasure for the eyes of every tourist. Not to mention the delights that you can find at the markets, where most of the products are lovingly hand-crafted and are able to boost the best price for gold jewellery in the world.

Even though the topic focused on the religious and the history links with the Thai culture, it is essential to note that these are the richest cultural sources for the Thai nation and every tourist headed to the Southeast of Asia must visit that country that promises the great experience of getting familiar with the ancient and colorful Thai culture.

When one thinks of Thailand, they think of a great tourist destination. This is because the country is full of interesting, amazing, unique and diverse attractions. Thailand offers a huge array of tourism packages that are affordable for anyone going on a holiday, from luxery hotels to cheap hostels, you can find most tourist needs in Thailand.

Thailand offers a long and rich history where old traditions stick and modern times have not come close to affecting them. It offers a unique culture that is distinct and has been handed down from one generation to another.

Not only are the packages affordable for any budget, but they come with a variety of attractions, accommodations and dining pleasures. Some attractions would include scuba diving, hiking, walking, wildlife tours, cultural tours, cycling and fabulous beaches.

The traditional Thai greeting is the "wai"and is typically given to a higher status person from a lower status person. The Thai use first names usually with the title "Khun"before it which is a form of address used for both women and men.

Meals are usually served in buffet style or in the center of the table on serving platters and are eaten with fork and spoon. Chopsticks are also used. Once the host is served, one may begin eating. It is advised that you leave a little food left over on your plate which represents that you are full. If you eat all your food, it is thought that you are still hungry. Rice should never be left on the plate as this is considered wasteful and one should never take the last bite from the serving bowl unless they are asked if they would like a second helping.

These are just some of the common traditions of Thailand and its culture. There are many others. If you plan on a visit in this extraordinary country, you will do well to read up on it and prepare yourself before your visit.

The effects of the western entertainment and the changes in the general tastes all over the world has made little impact on the traditional performing arts of Thailand, though they are not so vibrant as they were a few decades ago. The Thai dance drama has not yet become extinct and has survived till the modern age as an elegant form of art that has refined itself through the centuries.

The Thai dances were greatly influenced by the dancers of Angkor Vat which was annexed by Thailand in the year 1431. Since then, the dancers have been seen as a symbolic link between God, Nature and Earth.

Besides the regional and folk dances such as the Indian influenced famous Manhohra dance of Southern Thailand, there are two other major forms of classical Thai dance drama, which are known as the Khon and the Lakon Nai.

The Khon is the highest form of classical dance drama of Thailand. The performance is enacted by the dancers all of whom are dressed in a multi colored hue, handmade costumes and splendid golden headdresses and masks. The dance drama is based upon the Ramakien, which is a national story derived from the famous Indian epic, Ramayana.

Lakhon is the next highest form of classical dance and is usually performed by female dancers. The dance drama is based on folk stories and also the Jataka tales of India, which encompasses the story of the previous births of Lord Buddha.

The classical dances of Thailand still retain the original grandeur as they are strict in tradition and unchanging. There are about 108 basic movements of the body which the dancers should perform, by keeping their upper body in an upright position. The knees can be bent and stretched in synchronization with the music. The movement of the fingers and the hands are alluring and complex. The gorgeous costume which dazzles under the spotlights (and draws up mental images of merchants trying to seduce these wonderful women and sell gold to adorn themselves) along with the movements by the dancers truly makes the performance a wonderful experience.

Thailand is often called the Land of Smiles because of the nice nature of it’s people. All of the people are kind and outgoing and most will assist you if you are in need of help. If you are going to visit Thailand sometime in the near future there are a few things that you do need to be aware of. It is not like the United States. The water is not drinkable. You need to make sure to buy bottled water to make sure not to drink the contaminated water. The food has spices that while they are quite delicious they may upset your stomach. Your stomach may not be used to them and they may cause bloating or diarrhea so it is best to bring medicine with you just to be safe.

When shopping make sure to try to haggle. Do not just pay any price for things. Often times the street vendors will throw out an outrageous price for something so that if you haggle they still come out ahead. It is very hot over there. You should wear clothing that fits loosely. Whenever you leave the place you are sleeping make sure to bring toilet paper or disposable hand towels with you every time you leave. They do not use toilet paper the way we do. They believe that hosing off is enough. Flip flops are also essential. You must take your shoes off and leave them in doorways before entering places.

Also make sure to bring something to cover your knees and your shoulders. In Thailand you must cover them when you walk into religious places. Thailand can be a very fun destination to visit if you are prepared. If you do not plan ahead you could be hot and sweaty with an upset tummy and nothing to wipe with when you are done. Planning will make the experience even better.

Thailand with it’s long and rich history is a country that holds many traditions. It is a unique culture that is known all around the globe and is preserved. It is a very distinct culture that has been handed down from one generation to another.

For instance, meals are usually served as buffets in the center of the table for all to share. Traditionally, a Thai meal is eaten with three or more people. Meals are consumed with a fork and spoon, however, certain foods such as noodles are frequently consumed with chopsticks and sticky rice with fight hand fingers. It is advised that a little food be left on the plate to show you are full. If you eat everything on your plate, it is assumed that you are still hungry. Also, rice should never be left on your plate as that is seen as wasteful. You should also always wait to be asked for a second helping instead of taken the last bite from the bowl.

Thailand offers one of the most authentic Thai massages which are therapeutic because they have an ancient way of massaging known as “nuat phaen boran”. The Thai massage is done without oil so there is no need to worry about greasy oils during the hot weather.

Aside from their relaxing massages and special way of eating, the Thai culture offers a wide array of music and dance. Typically, visitors witness that of the Thai classical dance which generally consists of Thai ladies wearing colorful Thai costumes. The Thai dance can be found in most resorts and hotels in Thailand.

These are just a few of the beauties of Thailand although there is so much more to explore in this culture. One should always expect to have a pleasant experience in this beautiful and colorful country, and if you are backpacking you will always be able to find friendly and beautiful cheap hostels that will let you experience the culture from the centre of the cities.

Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand, and one of the most popular tourist spots in Asia. Bangkok has got a lot of delights in store to offer you, starting from the very beautiful and natural views to the interesting nightlife; you will get all of them here.

Among all the other places in Asia, Bangkok is considered to have one of the wildest nightlife. You get all kinds of disco, bars, clubs etc, moreover Bangkok is also known for its naughty image. However, if you are looking for fun with your friends and spouse then here you will get plenty of “toned down” options too without having to get laser hair removal treatment just to fit in with the crowds.

In Bangkok, there are 6 different districts which are popular for their colorful nightlife. These districts are Siam Square, Chidlom and Ploenchit, Sukhumvit, Khao San Road, Ratchada and RCA. At Sukhumvit, you can experience various kinds of clubs and bars; all of them are quite famous for their live music, drinks and dance floors. The same applies to the other 5 districts too.

Among all the other bars in Bangkok, the “Go Go Bars” are very popular. Apart from great music, live performances and drinks, one of the most unique features of “Go Go Bars” are their showgirls who exhibit some great pole dancing moves.

Bangkok is also very famous for its gay nightlife. If you want to experience the Gay Pride Event, where gay people dress up in an eclectic manner then you must visit the Silom area. Here, there are many clubs and discos where you can see Ladyboy Cabarets.

If you don’t like to dance, and just want to enjoy good music like jazz or a quiet drink then you should visit places like Bar Bu Ree, Mojo’s, Bombay Bar, Tokyo Joe’s, Bamboo Bar, Jazzit Bangkok and Brown Sugar. They will offer you a very relaxed ambiance.

So, whether it is thrill that you seek or just peace and solitude, the nightlife in Bangkok has something for everyone.

Water, water everywhere and everyone soaked to the skin!! This seems to be the situation in Thailand at the time of Songkran, the Thai New Year. I was privileged to be present to witness Songkran 2010 in all its watery glory. The sight of young children running around with plastic water guns in their hands and buckets filled with water not too far behind, greeted me wherever I went. Though I was thoroughly drenched, I couldn’t hold back a smile at the bizarre yet amusing tradition of throwing water as celebration!

This tradition apparently traces back to ancient beliefs regarding Nagas or mythical serpents that brought about rain by spewing water from the seas. Since the Songkran month is the hottest month of the entire year in Thailand, throwing water symbolizes the wish for heavy rains.

The Songkran Festival takes place between April 13 and 15 every year and great festivities mark the grand occasion. This fateful year, however, the revelry and merry making was cut short by the Red Shirt protesters who soaked the capital city in the color of blood. Unending rallies, shoot-outs and mass protests threatened the onset of doom for Thailand.

As tourists we felt afraid to venture on the Thai roads and feared violent encounters such as we had heard of, the Thai people went about their business as usual. Spurts of water still ensued to counter the bloodshed and the city still gleamed in Gold, reed diffusers sweetly wafted up the streets. The Golden Land of Thailand seemed unperturbed and resolute in the face of crisis.

Now, when I look back at the spirited efforts of Thailand to make the Songkran a new beginning for itself, I salute the courage shown by its people. My stay in Thailand was not only pleasurable due to the various dances, parades and absolute splendor of the Songkran 2010 but it was strangely satisfying. I feel content knowing that in the battle of good vs. evil, whoever may eventually triumph, celebration of life still goes on.

Ko Phi Phi is the Thai Island which has made the best recovery from the 2006 tsunami. I wasn’t too sure what to expect when I got there: a complete wreck? Trash everywhere amongst total squalor? Not at all - this Island has made a come-back, and is totally geared up for the tourists once again, and the curving bays, white-sand beaches and jungles are shining brightly in the Andaman Coast.

I booked a days snorkelling trip round the Islands for only 500 baht (the equivalent of £9.50). This was value considering it was a 7 hour day and lunch was included of a large bowl of chicken and vegetable fried rice. It was a beautiful hot and sunny day and there were 12 of us on a longtail boat. We went round Phi Lei and Monkey bay where there were loads of wild monkeys hanging around the sea on the rocks and in the trees. We then went snorkelling around turquoise bays and the fish and coral were beautiful, then stopped for lunch on a proper Robinson Crusoe beach and went for a swim in the warm waters, then was the big baby. We went to Maya Bay which is where the film ’The Beach’ was filmed. The boats pulled up into a bay, so we jumped out and swam to the edge where we had to clamber over wet rocks almost breaking our necks, it was so amusing to see us all tentavely clambering over on our stomachs like toddlers learning to walk as we feared for our lives and safety of keeping our bones intact, and then there were some rope lines to help pull us up onto a bamboo ladder, so up the ladder, down the other side, clambering over more rocks then a 5 minute trek through bushland, round the corner and…… TA DA!!!! The Beach in all its glory. I was very impressed, Unfortunately Leonardo Di’Caprio was unavailable, caught up somewhere in Hollywood undoubtedly. The beach wasn’t very long, but it was perfect white sand and big cliffs on each side, and across the way the cliffs left a gap which led out to the sea. The water was pure turquoise and I could go so far out and it still only reached my waist. I was swimming away thinking “Oh my god, Leo’s been in this water, how cool is THAT?”. Lying on the white sand feeling the suns heat, basking in the tranquility of the moment was a THE highlight of the day. Then it was the mission back, and once back on the boat we sailed back to the mainland of Phi Phi, watching the sun set over the ocean as the waves bobbed us along.

The thing about Phi Phi is its actually quite expensive compared to the rest of Thailand, and I managed to get a Guesthouse for 300 baht a night (£5.70) which was way up in the hills, up a steep climb and far away from the beaches, but considering I would be paying about 10 times that amount to stay closer to the water, I felt the trek everyday would do me good. The accommodation is not great value for money, the place was really quite dirty and dingy, but overall, its still so much cheaper than Samui, and a million miles cheaper than home, - so who am I to complain? It was still a wonderful place to spend a few days, and once there, you realise you are not in Kansas anymore - and isn’t that the point of travelling?

Before I run, the val d isere ski bookings for our next group trip have been sorted out. Next monday is the cut off for the overall cost, please get it to me when you have it.

Is it possible to party on the beach at the full moon hedonistic extravaganza on Thailand’s Island Ko Phangan, and come back in one piece without losing your money or dignity?? Of course it is, I am living proof.

Arriving at the party at Ko Phangans resort of Hat Rin with my 7 friends in tow at 12 midnight, we were instantly catapulted into the heaving masses of partygoers. In high season the crowds can reach 30,000, we went in September and there were 12,000 people, still busy but not claustrophobically stifling. Winding our way down a side lane full of bright lights and drink stands, we were as excited as children at Christmas, no idea what to expect but we came with no real expectations. The night didn’t disappoint. Some may call it tacky, but that is half the appeal, and a MUST do event if in this part of the world. Bursting onto the beach the first question was “What to do first, where to go, which direction, left or right?” The answer became clear, first up was to get painted in UV paint of course! Every single person dancing or stumbling past was covered in UV paint, so after studying the selection of weird and wonderful psychedelic colours and patterns, we all became adorned with some fantastic creation of multicoloured stars and swirls over our faces and every inch of exposed flesh. Naturally the next stop was to purchase a bucket of vodka and red bull, and then with gathering anticipation we sauntered happily up the beach, past the skipping rope, which was on fire. Throngs of drunken and spaced out half naked guys were showing their prowess by taking on the fire rope. I haven’t skipped since I was about 8 years old, and the rope wasn’t on fire, and I hadn’t consumed a bucket of vodka, so that activity was safely observed from the sidelines. Miraculously there were no serious injuries on my watch. The music was booming out from all different DJ booths lined up on the beach, a selection of dance, funk, hardcore trance and drum and bass – a fine selection for all tastes. Stopping to dance at each place, I looked around me and everyone was in their own happy place, and I felt like the Joker, having a huge smile plastered over my face with the thought running through my head – “I can’t believe I’m partying in a little dress and flip flops, on the beach of a Thai Island. How cool is this??” Eventually some refreshment was required to reboost the energy levels, so a cup of tea and muesli was consumed in one of the buy cafes down a lane, full of other recovering revellers. Once refuelled it was back to the beach where the sun had risen, blinding us with the dazzling rays. The music was still pumping, the hardcore guys were still dancing and I looked around me at the total carnage on the beach. Bottles, rubbish, cigarette butts strewn all over the sand, and somewhere in the night I had broken my flip-flops and discarded them, so whilst picking my way through the leftovers, desperately trying not to cut my feet open on glass, I was still dancing as I moved along surveying the scene, and as the waves lapped the shore I realised I still had that insane grin on my face, and the same thought of “I can’t believe I’m partying here in a little dress, minus my lost for ever flip flops, on the beach of a Thai Island. How cool is this?”

The only downside, I may need to book an appointment at tattoo removal brentwood when I get home…

Political intrigue, a diplomatic rift that has split two countries, an international mystery centred on a priceless piece of jewellery: perhaps these aren’t the first things that spring to mind when you think of our country’s favourite longhaul destination? Thailand is an incredibly beautiful nation, with its landscape as captivating as its people and where endless strectches of golden, sanded perfection contrast with the exhilirating bustle of Bangkok. For twenty years now Thailand has been embroiled in an international scandal that has seen Saudi Arabia sever all ties with the country, but this week the Thai government took significant steps to end the rift.

The affair started in 1989 when a janitor from Thailand stole jewellery from a palace in Saudi Arabia. Amongst the jewellery was an incredibly rare blue diamond worth an estimated $20million and from then on the story resembles the plot of a Hollywood blockbuster.

The thief escaped back to Thailand, to the consternation of Saudi Arabia, but tensions between the two countries increased further when within a year of the incident three Saudi Arabian diplomats were shot dead in the Thai capital. Diplomatic ties finally reached breaking point when this was swiftly followed by the as yet unexplained disappearance of a Saudi businessman, Mohammad al-Ruwaili, who is believed to have been a witness to the shootings.

The janitor was eventually arrested in Thailand and the jewels were supposedly returned to Saudi Arabia but anger grew in Riyadh when it transpired that most of the jewels were fake and that the blue diamond itself was still unaccounted for.

The severing of friendship between the two previously cordial countries was confirmed when in 1994 the Saudi charge d’affaires claimed that the murdered Saudi diplomats had been silenced on the official orders of the Thailand government. Saudi Arabia had been home to a large number of Thai workers, around 300,000 in 1989, but less than 15,000 were living there by 2009. This incident is estimated to have cost Thailand billions of dollars in trade.

Thailand’s Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, is now in discussions with the Saudi charge d’affaires to discuss improving diplomatic ties between the two nations. In a major development this week five Thailand police officers have been arrested and charged with the abduction and murder of Mohammad al-Ruwaili in 1990. Whilst this is seen as an important step in mending the two decades old rift, the murder of the diplomats is still a mystery and until the day when the fabled blue diamond is returned then Saudi Arabia may remain the only country to evade the charms of Thailand.

Speaking of jewels, I was chatting to my brother who works in economics and he believes that there is massive money in buying stocks for red diesel suppliers. To be honest, I’m not convinced, all of this is making me think that purhaps we are forgeting all the true beauty in the world and just focusing on the wealth that it could bring us. I mean do you really think that a theif ever stops to think about how precious the thing in his hand is?