Overview

Royal Grand Palace, Bangkok © Thailand Tourist Board

From idyllic, unspoilt beaches with turquoise seas and pure, white sands to bustling cities sporting exotic markets and a vibrant, colourful nightlife, it is easy to see why Thailand has become one of the most popular tourist destinations for the adventurous and young at heart.

A turbulent and often bloody history spanning several millennia has left Thailand scattered with ruins, forgotten temples and deserted cities; revealing a rich tableau of past eras that contrasts sharply with the more modern aspects of the nation's contemporary face.

Thailand's booming tourist economy, driven largely by Hollywood (the country has been the setting for The Man with the Golden Gun, The Bridge over River Kwai and Alex Garland's The Beach), has resulted in the opening of a number of expensive and luxurious international hotels. Those looking for the rustic splendour of the beaches and islands will find plenty of cheap and comfortable accommodation, however.

The size and geographical diversity of Thailand provides for a variety of activities: snorkelling, diving and a host of watersports are very popular around the Islands, while inland enthusiasts can trek into the mountains or cycle across the flat river areas of the northeast. Bustling, crowded cities like Bangkok and Patong display the wilder urban side of Thailand, ensuring the country has something to offer everyone who visits.