Thailand is the only nation in South-east Asia, in modern world history, that remained independent despite the colonising efforts of the European powers. Thailand Condensed provides readers with an overview of key events in the nation’s past, Kings and even famous Thai personalities. Also featured are interesting nuggets of information on Thai icons and culture such as elephants, tuks tuks, dance and silk. which are presented in one volume for the reader’s ease of reference.
A thorough guide to the number-one tourist destination in Southeast Asia. The finest hotels, with impeccable service, cost a fraction of what you would pay elsewhere, and shoppers will never tire of the vast selections, from silk scarfs and designer gowns to exotic jewelry. Try elephant trekking, sea canoeing or Thai massage. Taste the exquisite cuisine, explore mystic temples (30,000 of them!) and sail to unspoiled islands.
Bangkok by night draws its lifeblood from the realms of the steamy and the seamy. The capital of Thailand is world-famous for its innumerable massage parlours, yet at the same time the city is rich in historical treasures. Some of its Buddhist temples are more than 400 years old, and contrast strangely with Bangkok’s otherwise cutting-edge modernity. Its unique charm stems also from the winding presence of the Chao Phraya river, a waterway that can hardly be seen due to the multitude of small vessels that ply up and down it daily carrying a vast horde of passengers and goods, representing a cameo of the multiplicity of colours and styles that correspond to everyday life throughout Thailand.
In February 1996, Don Kaufman leaves wintry Oxford, Ohio, home to Miami University, and travels halfway around the world to the sub-tropical climes of Asia. Having never taken more than a couple of weeks off from teaching, Don anticipates a "never-before" experience. After thirty-six hours, he arrives in Chiang Mai and is greeted by Mike Burgett, his close college friend and world-renowned expert on honey bees. As the two rush through the airport, Mike explains that a last-minute change of plans has them heading to the mountain research station in mere hours. Four members of the Chiang Mai faculty will join them. That trip proves seminal, for on their second night on the mountain, the group discovers that each of them was born in 1944-the year of the wood monkey, according to Chinese astrology. Under an ink-black dome lit with glittering stars, they christen themselves "The Monkey Brothers," setting in motion a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. In the ensuing weeks, as they eat, drink, and fish their way throughout Northern Thailand, the six friends form a tight bond. With the Monkey Brothers for company, Don experiences a steady drumbeat of novelties-exotic foods, centuries-old temples, and local sights like the night bazaar-punctuated by incredible moments of terror, joy, and fellowship-careening down a mountain in a truck in the dead of night, accompanying an Elvis impersonator during a raucous concert, and joining the entire nation in a fireworks-splashed farewell to a member of the Thai royalty. Along the way, Don and Mike find that in the Land of Smiles, past and present co-exist peacefully: From a mountaintop in Northern Thailand, they look out in the distance toward the vast, quiet rainforests of Viet Nam, remembering friends and classmates lost in the fighting there decades ago; from the shore of a small island, they survey a reservoir created by the damming of the Kwai River, made famous by the World War II-era film, Bridge on the River Kwai; and from the back of a Honda motorbike, they zip along the streets of Chiang Mai, old friends in search of new adventures.
Here is a guide to the most amazing city in Thailand, perhaps in all of the Far East - Bangkok - and to all the surrounding sites. This is based on sections extracted from the more comprehensive Hunter guide to the number-one tourist destination in Southeast Asia. The finest hotels, with impeccable service, cost a fraction of what you would pay elsewhere, and shoppers will never tire of the vast selections, from silk scarves and designer gowns to exotic jewelery. Try elephant trekking, sea canoeing or Thai massage. Taste the exquisite cuisine, explore mystic temples (30,000 of them!) and sail to unspoiled islands. "The Adventure Guides" are about living more intensely, waking up to your surroundings and truly experiencing all that you encounter. The regional chapters take you on an introductory tour, with stops at museums, historic sites and local attractions. Places to stay and eat; transportation to, from and around your destination; practical concerns; tourism contacts - it's all here! Detailed maps feature walking and driving tours. Then come the adventures - both cultural and physical - from canoeing and hiking to taking dance or cooking classes. This unique approach allows you to really immerse yourself in the local culture.
The Rough Guide to Thailand in a new ePub format is the most accessible handbook to this beautiful and intriguing country. From Bangkok's vibrant night markets to stunning island beaches, the 24-page introduction pinpoints all of the country's highlights. There are details of all the best places to stay, eat and drink, to suit every budget, plus "Authors' Picks" to highlight the very best options. There is plenty of expert advice on a range of activities, from trekking and scuba-diving to cookery courses and spa treatments. The guide also takes a detailed look at Thailand's history, culture, religion and wildlife and comes complete with easy-to-read maps for every region.
With over three thousand kilometres of tropical coastline, Thailand boasts an abundance of perfect white-sand beaches. The Rough Guide to Thailand's Beaches and Islands is the ultimate travel guide to Thailand's greatest natural attractions, and will help you uncover the very best that's on offer - whether you want to party under a full moon or find your own desert-island idyll. Rough Guides' knowledgeable authors have carried out extensive research to provide you with insider reviews of the very best places to stay, eat and drink - no matter what your budget - with expert information on venturing beyond the beaches and getting around Thailand. Boasting full coverage of Bangkok and an indispensible guide to underwater Thailand, The Rough Guide to Thailand's Beaches and Islands will help you get the most out of your visit to this fascinating country.
A guide to the islands and beaches of Thailand, form the popular resorts of Phuket, Samai and Pattaya, to the tranquil coves on Ko Tarutao, Ko Lanta anbd Ko Chang. The guide includes detailed recommendations of the best beaches for both families and partying, as well as expert advice on diving, snorkelling, kayaking and other water sports.
