The country offers an amazing variety of things to buy which never fails to astound well-traveled tourists. All items one could possibly imagine ranging from electrical goods to works of art, clothes and jewelry are affordable enough, particularly if one has the gift for haggling.

Jewelries
As the fourth largest exporter of jewelry in the world, Hong Kong is known to have more jewelry shops than any other city. Jewelry is a good buy in Hong Kong, given the country’s free-port status. Jewelry in all forms - gold, diamonds, pearls, etc. - are abundant and considerably affordable in local shops and department stores. If you’re also buying them in bulk as gifts for relatives back home, quantity is also not a problem.

Jade
One of the most popular items among the Chinese is the jade, an ornamental stone believed to have great spiritual powers. Although the more common color of available jade is in green, there are also jade stones available in shades of white, grey, black, yellow, orange and subtle violet. Denoting power and wealth, jade stones are often carved into shapes such as dragons and deer, because of popular Chinese tradition. When buying jade items, it is best to shop with someone who has considerable knowledge and experience in purchasing them, or someone who knows where to get good quality pieces.

Gold
Another well-desired item is the bright-yellow 24 carat gold called chuk kam, which means “pure gold” in Chinese terms. Stores and specialty shops that carry and produce chuk kam are usually packed and buyers usually have to undergo a bidding process in order to purchase the said item.

Pearls

Pearls are also a good buy in Hong Kong as they come in all sizes, shapes, and colors. Pearls in Hong Kong are normally sold for a fraction of what they would cost in other countries.

Some shops give their customers the luxury of designing their own jewelry and the type of metals to be used with it. Haggling for jewelries at jewelry shops is not a common practice, but it wouldn’t hurt to give it a try though.

1. Boracay. Hailed as one of the most beautiful beaches in the archipelago, Boracay boasts of its four-kilometer White Sand beach with ultra-fine white sand. There are lots of activities tourists can do in Boracay, ranging from planned activities by the many resorts, indulging in spa treatments, or scuba diving and mountain trekking. Activities both for the adventure-seeking tourist and those looking for a relaxing time-out are available at this beach. Boracay is alive during the night. The beach turns into one big party venue and tourists can enjoy dancing, dining, drinking, or jamming with artists on the sandy shore.

2. Pagudpud. The beach of Pagudpud located in Ilocos Norte features crystal blue waters and white sand, which makes it an easy favorite among tourists. The strong winds and waves of this beach is often compared to those of Hawaii, which means this beach is frequented by surfers. Compared to Boracay, Pagudpud is more secluded and the ambiance is more calm and relaxed, making a great getaway place to unwind.
3. Panglao. Panglao in Bohol is the place to visit for diving enthusiasts. The island is famous for world-class diving locations and numerous tourist resorts. The diving sites that are located along the north of Panglao Island are Doljo Beach, Napaling, and Puntod. These diving sites are deep and the currents are strong.
4. Pearl Farm. The Pearl Farm Beach was once a pearl farm, where white-lipped oysters were cultivated for their pink, white, and gold-colored pearls. Today, the beach offers tennis courts and numerous water activities tourists can engage in, plus the Ylang-Ylang spa named after an aphrodisiac flower native to the Southeast Asian region.
5. El Nido. Located in Palawan, El Nido has been dubbed as the country’s “last frontier.” El Nido offers several great beaches, which is a great escape from the busy urban life. Aside from the great beaches, the island is a great place to see beautiful seascapes, a variety of tropical birds, and towering marble cliffs.

The fastest and easily the best way to go around Thailand is by train. The country has managed to build an elaborate but highly effective network of railways that criss cross the country and have dedicated train stations in strategic areas. You can go to practically any location in Thailand by riding the train. The train fare is quite reasonable, which makes it a great choice for budget travelers. Long haul travel is not a problem either as there are carriages that have bunk beds, while the first class carriages have airconditioning. There is also no chance of getting hungry because food in the trains are quite delicious and are even brought to you.

Another good option (if you are willing to take a longer time to get to your destination) is to take the bus. Just like the trains, buses ply their routes that are part of a network of bus routes that would bring a traveler to any part of the country. There are some buses that have airconditioning, which makes the long travel more comfortable. The bus fare is also quite affordable This is probably the reason why more locals use the bus when travelling across the country. When travelling by bus, be aware of the language barrier though. It may be difficult to confirm where you are with your fellow passengers since most of the Thais do not understand English.

For those who have deep pockets then flying is the best available option. With the deregulation of the local aviation industry, a number of independent airlines have started doing business in the country, this has brought the price of plane fares down and it also meant that the destinations being covered by these airlines has diversified. Most of the popular spots or areas in Thailand are serviced by these airlines, which makes travelling to, say, Phuket or Chiang Mai so much easier now.

Of course, a trip to Thailand will not be complete without trying to ride the traditional Tuk-tuks. Whenever you are in Bangkok try to at least take one ride in these two stroke engine powered vehicles. Navigating through the bustling streets of Bangkok will never be as exciting or hair raising than with these amazing little contraptions.

Movie buffs will be delighted to know that Thailand offers a number of wonderful options in terms of the kinds of movie theaters that they can go to. Probably the most wonderful and unique movie experience you can probably take advantage of in Thailand are the Gold Class movie theaters that are located in both Ayuthaya and Bangkok. Gold class movie theaters offer a very high level of service and amenities to all of its movie patrons. For starters, the seats are not the usual theater seats, large, comfortable reclining chairs are installed in the theaters. Blankets and socks are also provided in order to bring an additional level of comfort. Practically anything that could be associated with comfort or luxury and giving the moviegoer a pampered experience is provided in these theaters. At this rate you will actually forget about the movie and just focus on how comfortable you get.

More traditional movie theaters are also still in operation in Thailand. There are movie theaters that can be found in all of the major cities and areas within Thailand so there are no worries that a certain place will not have a movie theater. Most of the latest Hollywood movies are shown in Thailand and you an also expect to see not only local Thai movies but also films from other Asian regions – a direct result of the growing and very robust film industry within the Pan-asian region.

Asia is the birthplace of karaoke so it is natural that there will be a lot of karaoke bars and clubs where one can sing to their hearts’ content. Karaoke singing has become almost a subculture within Asia and this also includes Thailand. You can expect to see a lot of Thais going to these places. Karaoke bars in Thailand come in many different iterations. There are the upscale bars that are found in hotels and there are also those hole in the wall places that are frequented by Thailand’s working class – and all manner of other iterations in between the two. Do not worry about being a bad singer, the Thais are extremely polite so rest assured that they will not laugh at you. Instead they will clap enthusiastically and show you that you are the best singer in that place. Those who are shy can decide to use private VIP booths where they can sing and order food in relative peace. These booths are soundproof too in order to give users a level of exclusivity. You can hold private parties with your companions and entertain yourselves with songs. Be reminded though that there are some karaoke places where English songs are not available so do ask before you go.

Probably the biggest attractions for shopping in Thailand are its legendary markets. It is here that you will find practically anything that you can dream of at the lowest possible prices. The great thing about shopping in these markets is not just the amazing bargains that can be had, it is the fact that these are centers in the everyday lives of the Thais. These markets were not constructed for tourists these are part and parcel of what makes Thailand. Thus, by shopping here you also get a glimpse or a slice of Thai life.

As markets go, the Chatuchak market in Bangkok is THE market to go to. It is just amazingly big and practically everything is being sold there. With the improvements made over the last few years in the area, the Chatuchak shopping experience has really become more shopper friendly. There is now less traffic, there is a dedicated area for pedestrians, the stalls are now in zones so that everything is easier to remember, and there are even maps provided to make navigation easier. The market (which is only open during weekends) is just so big that one needs to plan at least half a day to go through most of the stalls. One whole day is a better option though as it will allow you to really go through a majority of the stalls.

And what should you buy when you do go to the markets in Thailand? Well, there are many choices in terms of items that you should be buying in Thailand. For women, there are two things that should immediately be considered. Pearls are quite affordable and available in large quantities. These even make perfect gifts to bring back home. The other item that should be bought is Thai Silk. Silk from Thailand is famous all over the world and these are easily bought in the markets in Thailand. Another product that is representative of Thailand are the Thai Batik cloths that are sold all over the country particularly in Bangkok and Phuket. There are many other Batik products that you can also buy like sarongs, shirts, bags and even handkerchiefs.

Thailand, because of its great geographic location and a history of sports mindedness makes it a very ideal place to practice and promote sports tourism. The country offers a myriad of new adventures and activities for the sports minded individual. Thailand offers sports and sports related activities from the more mainstream fare to activities that are not exactly widely popular. This makes a trip to Thailand a worthy investment because of the diversity of activities that one can do.

Tourists who love the water are in for a treat because Thailand not only offers some of the best beaches in the world to play in, it also has the provisions for many water sports that are widely popular the world over. You can go snorkeling or diving and see for yourself the wonderful aquatic life that inhabits the seas of Thailand. There are also jetskiing, surfing, kiteboarding facilities that are available in practically all of the beach resorts in the country. One unique water activity that one can experience in Phuket are the yellow submarines. These are small submarines that can take visitors under the sea to watch the marine life in the area. These submarines leave from either Rassada Pier or Chalong Pier for a two hour trip underneath the sea. The submarines are quite comfortable with airconditioning and ample space.

Those who are into contact sports can also use their time to learn about and watch Muay Thai Boxing, the most popular sport in Thailand. The national sport of the country is also becoming a favored sport in the west. The great aerobic workout that can be had from training in Muay Thai has made it a preferred activity for those who want to lose weight. Of course, the mixture of grace and brutality of the sport makes it a great spectator sport. There are many stadiums where you can watch Muay Thai matches.

Golf enthusiasts should bring their golf clubs when they travel to Thailand. The country boasts of some world class golf courses that have been designed to international standards. What’s more it is not that expensive to play and use these great golf courses.

Go kart racing is also a great activity that should be experienced if you are in Pattaya. The course in the Pattaya Kart Speedway is quite challenging and will give loads of excitement and fun for drivers of all experience levels.

Thailand is quite famous for the number of festivals that are held there every year, aside from the national festivals that are celebrated all throughout the country, it also boasts of having regional festivals that are no less colorful or significant. In fact, regional festivals in Thailand are far more in number compared to the national festivals. Festivals are held in the country all year round, there is not a month in the calendar year where there are no festivals to celebrate or commemorate. This means that no matter what month you plan your trip to Thailand you will definitely find a festival that you can attend or participate in. Some of the more memorable festivals in Thailand are:

Songkran – The Thai New Year is one of the most fun filled festivals in the country. During the celebration of this festival the whole of Thailand becomes a battle zone – a field where people will try to get others wet. The origins of the festival are far more peaceful though as it was originally about sprinkling water on the hands of elders as a sign of respect. The water sprinkling has now devolved into hard core dousing as bucketfuls of water are thrown at other people. Tourists will definitely have to try this fun festival.

Loy Krathong Festival – this happens during the last night of the full moon during the month of November. People celebrate this particular festival by going to rivers and canals and floating miniature boats that are made of cork and banana leaves. These little boards, which are called kratongs, are seen as vehicles that will bring their gratitude as well as their prayers to the gods. Every single kratong contains three essential things – a flower, three incense sticks and a candle. It is breathtaking to see thousands of these kratongs slowly floating away in a river is just breath taking.

Macha Bucha – This is actually a Buddhist festival, probably one of the most important Buddhist celebration throughout the year. Macha Bucha Day, which is not entirely a festival, is held during the full moon day of the third month in the lunar calendar. During this day, worshippers would walk around the temple three times as a way of acquiring divine merits.

The Grand Sale – this is not a festival but a modern day event – and probably one of those events that have made Thailand a great tourist destination is the Amazing Thailand Grand Sale. This annual event is basically a great day for shopping as prices in practically all establishments as a way of attracting more tourists into the country. So far, this event has been delivering the goods as it has really resulted in the increase in tourist arrivals in Thailand over the last few years.

Of course, when it comes to food, nothing is better than to actually eat it in its country of origin. It does not matter if a great cook or chef prepared Thai food for you in your country, it still will not be able to beat eating authentic Thai dishes in Thailand because what you will be eating is the real genuine article. You get the freshest produce that are prepared and cooked by chefs that have generations of skill and expertise on the intrinsic methods of cooking Thai dishes behind them.

Wherever you are in Thailand there will definitely be great Thai restaurants and eateries that you should try. Be adventurous though. Do not limit your gustatory experience to the tourist traps. Try to find out the restaurants that the locals frequent because this is where the real culinary experience begins.

The Chiang Mai Floating Restaurant is not frequented by tourists but it is a big hit among the locals. The ambience is amazing as you can choose to eat around or above the lake. There are also fountains and jetties to complete the atmosphere. The Thai cuisine that is served here is absolutely delicious and cooked to perfection. The Tom Yum Kung is just perfect. The shrimp dishes are also quite tasty like the deep fried shrimp and the Liang Curry Shrimp Soup. When it comes to the spicy dishes you should tell the waiter how hot you want your order to be. Don’t say anything and you will be given the traditional hotness preferred by the Thais, and it is HOT.

In Bangkok Baan Kanitha is the must go to place for authentic Thai food. Right now, there are already two branches of the restaurant in Bangkok proof of its success and acceptance from the public. Every single dish on their menu is worth trying as they are all delicious. There are some standout dishes though. One of them is a Pomelo Salad called Yam Sam O, which could be considered as one of Baan Kanitha’s signature dishes. Other dishes that are worthy of a visit or two to the restaurant are the Gai Hor Bai Toey (Chicken in Pandanus Leaf) as well as the Tod Man Kung (Deep Fried Shrimp Cakes).

If the absolute best Thai cuisine is what you want to get though then don’t forget to eat at Baan Rim Pa in Phuket. The restaurant has been described as the finest in the country, The menu at the restaurant is based on the recipes that are prepared for the Royal Family themselves. This means that the quality, preparation, and yes the cost, is a cut above the rest. It is still an affordable meal nonetheless and the experience of actually eating Royal Thai Cuisine is an opportunity that should not be missed.

There are many historical sites in Thailand that should be visited when you go to Thailand. Phanom Rung Historical Park has the distinction of being one of the most important Khmer sites in the country. The park is situated 120 kilometers from Korat City and it boasts of having the largest number of Khmer monuments in the whole country. Almost two decades were spent restoring almost all of the monuments and edifices in the park and the end result is quite impressive. Visitors will see towers, temples and Buddha images that have that distinct Khmer architectural flair. A Hindu saivite or monastery is also located in the park along with statues of Vishnu. The place is also filled with ruins that depict the images of many Hindu gods, Brahma as well as artistic images from scenes in the Ramayana.

The Chiang Saen, located in Chiang Rai, is a town that is situated near the banks of the Mekong River. The town itself is just like any other town in the rural countryside of Thailand – except for one very big distinction, the many ruins that dot the place, which point to archaeological proof that in the past Chiang Saen was a majestic ang bustling 14th century city kingdom. The town is filled to brimming with these archaeological wonders. There are at least 36 temple ruins dotting the area, as well as moats, fortresses, many images of the Buddha as well as the remains of the ancient city walls. What is most intriguing though is that there are ruins in the area that are actually older than the Chiang Saen era – which gives proof to the existence of an even older kingdom that was located there called Yonok. Most of the artifacts that have been unearthed in Chiang Saen has been relocated and are on display at the Chiang Saen National Museum.

If ancient grandeur is what you want to see though then you should visit the Royal Palace at Sukhothai. The site covers almost 160,000 square meters and has two compounds. The place is then surrounded by an impressive moat. The two compounds, Noen Phrasat and Wat Mahathat, are considered as important places in the ancient Khmer culture. The whole site gives a good representation of Khmer culture as it depicts its very distinctive architecture, artistic styles as well as many images and murals that can be seen in both the inside and outside of the structures.

1. The capital of modern day Thailand is Bangkok, but the ancient capital of the country is actually Ayuttaya
2. When it comes to cooking the very delicious Thai cuisine, the locals use fish sauce instead of salt
3. Wat Po is one of the most revered as well as the oldest temple in the whole of Thailand but what most people do not know is that you can also have a very relaxing traditional Thai massage at the temple at very affordable prices
4. In the coastal resort of Hua Hin, one can choose from over 40 different tailoring shops when ordering suits
5. The actual Thai name for the capital of Bangkok is Krung Thep. But it is also known as the City of Angels
6. The Thai people put great respect and reverence to the Royal Family, particularly the King of Thailand. He is so revered that a person who makes even a passing joke about the Monarch can be put to prison.
7. The Thais are averse to being touched on the head, even a child should not be touched on the head. This is because they believe that the soul resides on the head and is thus very sacred.
8. One of the rudest things that a person can do in Thailand is to point with their feet
9. Another cultural quirk and taboo in Thailand has something to do with objects, that is, it is not polite to throw an object at a person across the room. This means that you should present an object carefully to the other person (with both hands if possible), even if it means you having to walk across the room to do so.
10. The reverence of the Thais extend to all statues of the Buddha. These statues should be treated with the utmost respect. When you are approaching a statue that is situated in the open you should remove your shoes. You are also required to remove your shoes when entering any temple
11. When entering a house always remove your shoes, this becomes more important and imperative when you visit houses in the rural parts of the country because the locals there will have lesser understanding of your social faux pas if you do accidentally go inside their house with your shoes on.
12. The Hollywood movie The Beach that starred Leonardo di Caprio was actually filmed in the exotic Thai island of Phi Phi. This beautiful island was devastated by the deadly tsunami that happened last December 2004.
13. One important Thai word that a tourist should know is Mai Pet, this is what he should tell the waiter if he does not want his food to be too hot or spicy.