Imagine beaches, covered with the white sandy silt that is massaged by the relentless stroke of the ocean, over and over, that brings the green beauty of a tropical resort to life. Imagine the cold of the cocktail in your hand and the warmth of the sand clasping your toes. Imagine the desire to keep tasting a dish, loaded with flavour, fish, prawns and nuts, and drizzled with all sort of colourful sauces. Imagine knowing that your vacation is not digging a hole in your life’s savings. Fortunately, we do not have to imagine anymore because Thailand is a real place, only hours away from your doorstep. If you have not been to Thailand already, here are a few reasons why you should be digging in your drawers, to find your passport and visit this enchanted country on the holidays.

The Centre of the Asia Pacific

Bangkok is only a thirteen-hour flight away from any city in the UK. The time difference between London and Bangkok is 6 hours. It might be a bit difficult for some to take that flight to reach the country, but once you are in Thailand, the country can become a base, for further expeditions into other countries of the region. Singapore is only 2 hours away from BKK Airport, Bali is 4 and Hong Kong is only 3 hours from Bangkok. Still not convinced? Make the decision after knowing that taking a flight to Bangkok Airport is still the cheapest route into Asia from the UK. All roads seem to lead to Bangkok in the Far East. After coming to Thailand, the avid traveller can visit Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam easily.

Diamonds for pennies

The current exchange rate for one British pound is around 40 to 45 Thai Baht. Most British tourists realize that Thailand is much cheaper than any store in London upon landing in the country. It is so relaxing to have had a deep tissue massage with aromatherapy for just £10. The food is delicious and extremely cheap. Hit the shops and buy your entire wardrobe for half the price. Most clothes imported to Britain are from Asia, it’s just that they magically become really expensive on their way to the store in London. When you have the opportunity, buy those temple pants everyone is talking about in Thailand. Hit the shops to buy souvenirs and birthday gifts for the entire year and be amazed at wads of cash still remaining in your pocket. There is the ‘Amazing Thailand Grand Sale’ from June to August where you can buy stuff at a whopping discount of up to 80%.

The Land of Smiles

People in Thailand are incredibly friendly and exceptionally cordial to tourists that are visiting their country. It is great to have Google maps to assist you in finding your way, but in case your phone has no power for it, you can just easily ask local people for directions. Thai people love the travellers who visit their country and take a small part of the serenity of Thailand back home. The government of Thailand has made laws and regulations that protect tourists from any harm, and enforce the rule of law to protect Thailand tourism. Be it the famous beaches or the rainforests of Thailand, you’d always find people ready to help, guide, wave and smile at you.

The Cuisine

Thai food has made its mark on the taste buds of the world. For most Britons, the Thai experience is restricted to a handful of restaurants in London and some frozen spring rolls. The real Thai cuisine experience is waiting for you in Thailand. Apart from being cheap, as previously stated, Thai food is scrumptious and healthy. The spice can be certainly adjusted to suit a more European palate but, in most cases, businesses already know how much heat to add when serving the dish to a British tourist. The wide variety of flavours, the bright red of the lobsters and the yellow of the mango chutney and the sweet and sour explosion of tastes is what makes Thai food unique and an experience on its own.

Every city is a new experience

Bangkok may be the capital of Thailand but the top 5 Thailand destinations include Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phi Phi Islands, Ayutthaya and Phuket. Thailand beaches are legendary and are known for their beauty throughout the world. Thailand is exceptional in the sense that there is a little bit of everything found here. Once done discovering the beaches, explore the island of Thailand. Discover your spiritual self in Thailand’s many temples and connect to mother earth by giving an elephant a bath at the many wildlife sanctuaries throughout the country. Return, yet again, to the busy cities of Thailand for a bombastic nightlife and roaring dance parties. The floating markets, Royal Palaces, gilded temples of Thailand provide an experience unlike any other in Asia, if not the world. Furthermore, the country has the best transport infrastructure in the region. A tourist can move between cities with relative ease just by taking an overnight train, a boat, a short flight or a bus.

The Culture

Ko Pha Mgen Island and its people introduced a new tradition to Thai culture many years ago. Their Full Moon Parties are now celebrated throughout Thailand. Dance to the hedonistic tunes under the moonlight, next to the glistening beaches of Thailand. The greatest thing about Full Moon Parties is that they are season-less. It’s like celebrating Christmas twice a month, every month. Every party takes a new life, with new cheerful faces. In April however, Thailand celebrates the Songkran, which is the Water Festival. Look out! There are naughty kids in the streets with water guns and tubs of water coming to get you. Tourists usually move with aqua armed guns around town so they could also participate. Then there is the lantern festival that sees a million stars ascending to the heavens, each one a prayer to the gods. The Lantern Festival is celebrated throughout the country but the skies above Chang Mai seem to glitter more in the month of November. This is but a small list of festivals that are celebrated throughout the year, making Thailand the coolest place to visit.