In the lush valleys you can visit any number of orchid farms and the elephant training farms or spend time learning about the Hilltribe people. The monasteries and temples will offer you both a unique and traditional cultural experience. If you enjoy being active then a variety of trekking options will invigorate you as the scenery is simply breathtaking, but remember the weather is a little cooler in the north! Head south to the resort, spa and beach paradise that is Phuket and you will be overwhelmed by the spectacular coastline. The idyllic white sandy beaches on the western coast offer an inviting opportunity to relax or perhaps rejuvanate yourself with an endless array of decadent spa treatments available on every corner. Patong Beach which is 15km west of Phuket town has been overdeveloped and is packed with tourists however it offers street lined markets, an abundance of restaurants, bars and discos. Watersport activities are readily available and can be found at every beach and excursions out to the many islands a great day trip option. Being an affordable destination Thailand will always be an attractive holiday experience. Whether it is beach tranquility, indulgence or a cultural experience you are looking for Thailand will exceed all expectations.

Thailand for Shopping

Thailand is a shopper's paradise! You can grab some great bargains but you can also shop for quality jewellery and gifts. Depending where you are shopping will decide whether the price is fixed or whether you can bargain. At the bigger department type stores, the prices are marked and fixed whereas as the smaller shops and markets, you can often barter to get the price down by up to around 30%. When bartering, the best idea is to take a look around the other shops first and get an indicative price and then try your luck. Keep in mind though that the Thai people are usually very polite and they respond better to polite bargaining rather than more aggressive barter. If you are shopping for jewellery or some of the gems that have earned Thailand a worldwide reputation, look for the stores marked by the Jewel Fest Club. The Club ensures quality products at reasonable prices with money-back guarantees so you are safer to purchase from a store that belongs to the Club. You will receive a certificate of purchase and authenticity. Most bigger stores in Thailand are used to overseas shoppers and will offer a shipping service. They will take care of all the customs and insurance documents. Or you can do this yourself at the Post Office. If you are purchasing bigger items such as furniture etc, there are plenty of shipping companies that can arrange this for you. Keep in mind too that if you spend over 5,000 baht you may be eligible to receive a refund of the 7% value added tax. There are conditions regarding this and proof or purchase and completed forms are required but it is worth looking into if you are buying up! Where to Shop in Bangkok: Ploenchit-Ratchaprasong - top department stores and luxury shopping malls can be found in Sogo, Gaysorn Plaza, Isetan, Zen, Amarin Plaza, Peninsula Plaza which makes this the biggest shopping promenade in Bangkok. The Central World Plaza and Narayana Phand Pavillion host the official handcraft centre and the Ratchaprasong intersection is the gateway to several shopping areas such as Ploenchit-Sukhumvit, Siam Square-Mah Boon Krong, Silom and Pratunam-Phetchaburi. Silom-Surawong-Patpong - specialist shops, boutiques, plazas, street stalls and Patpongs famous night markets. Silom-Mahesak-New - For gems and jewellery (especially Mahesak Road). There is also the Oriental Plaza and River City shopping complex here. Sukhumvit - boutiques, modern shopping plazas and restaurants. Chinatown - gold shops and traditional shopping places. Bang - a lively market good for clothing bargains. Pratunam-Phetchaburi - Pratunam market is popular for clothing. Baiyoke - Renowned as a garment centre. Nailert - You can find just about anything here! Bo-Be - Wholesale and retail clothing. Chatuchak Weekend Market - Open Saturday and Sunday where you can buy everything from plants to clothing, furniture and home decor. Department Stores can be found in Amerin Plaza, Future Park Rangsit, Gaysorn, Mah Boon Krong Centre, Nailert, Narayana, Peninsula Plaza, Ploenchit Centre, River City, Seacon Square, Seri Centre, Siam Centre, Siam Discovery Centre and Times

Square.Thailand for Adventure

Adventure activities just don't get any better than in Thailand! Think mountainous jungle terrain, rainforests, swamps, waterfalls, rivers, coastline, national parks ... and that's just the backdrop! There is a vast range of adventure activities available depending on how extreme you want to go. The different areas of Thailand offer different types of adventure activities. Northern Thailand is characterised by hills covered in forest, deep valleys, waterfalls and mountains. Here you will find all kinds of adventures such as white-water rafting, elephant treks, hiking and more. Further north, Chiang Rai is home to many ethnic hill people and you can learn about their age-old customs and traditions. In the south, Thale Ban National Park has nearly 200 square kilometres of rainforest teeming with wildlife and with hiking tracks leading to limestone formations, caves and waterfalls. Adventure activities in Thailand include: * Canoeing * Kayaking * White Water Rafting * Trekking (foot or elephant) * Mountain Biking * Fishing * Boating * Sailing * Rock Climbing & Abseiling

Thailand for Golf

Golf is one of the most popular sports in Thailand and there are over 200 courses nationwide, many of them of championship level. Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones Jnr and Pete de Gar Player are just some of the designers who have contributed to these courses making many of them among some of Asia's best. There are courses in or within easy reach of all majore cities. One thing to not is that it is mandatory to employ at least one caddy for your round. The best time to plan a golfing holiday to Thailand is in the cool season from November through to March. From April to October it is often hot and wet but the rain is mostly in the afternoons. Green fees are generally reasonable and you may have to book ahead for some courses.

Thailand for Romance

Thailand is fast becoming a top destination for honeymoons and romantic holidays and no wonder! Here you can take an elephant trek, wander through ancient temples and ruins, shop the streets of Bangkok, take a tuk tuk ride through bustling streets, relax on idyllic beaches, pamper yourselves with decadent spa treatments, dine on sumptuous local cuisine, marvel at the ever-changing landscape, learn ancient customs and traditions ... all within one diverse country! For those who are looking for a relaxing visit, lounging by the pool, head south to the beaches. The resorts here offer everything from the more budget through to the luxurious and the beautiful beach settings are simply breath-taking. If you are a couple that enjoys nature and getting to know the local people, head north to Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai where you can take an elephant trek, enjoy the rainforest with cascading waterfalls and tropical humidity and get to know the local people in the smaller villages. Better yet, combine both and spend a little time in each area and really get to know Thailand - the land of smiles!
 

Quick Stats

Population: Approximately 62 million Flying Time From NZ: Approximately 11 - 12 hours Language: Thai but English is also widely spoken Climate: Humid and tropical for most of the year. The rainy season depends on the area of Thailand as the north and south have different rainy seasons and it even depends on which side of the peninsula you are on in the south as to when the most rain falls! Currency: Thai Baht Banking: Currency conversion is available at most hotels and banks are readily available. Travellers cheques are best exchanged in banks and you will need your passport to do this. Travellers leaving Thailand may take out no more than 50,000 baht per person in Thai currency. Electricity: 220 volt - you will require an adaptor and transformer for NZ devices

Top things to see and do

1. Paddle around Phang Nga Bay filled with oddly shaped islands and hidden caves

2. National Treasure Ayuttanya isa a ruined city that gives insight into the ancient history of the country

3.Take a boat along majestic Chao Phraya River

4.Bangkok's Wat Phra Kaew and Grand Palace complex houses the Bot of the Emerald Buddha and a golden chedi

5.Trek by jeep or on foot to see the hill tribes

6.For Thai silks visit Chiang Mai's bustling night market

7.The island of Koh Samui is the place to swim, snorkel, windsurf, dine on the sand or just people-watch

8.The remote northeastern town of Mae Hong Son is known for its lively early morning market

9.Fantasea Show in Phuket

10.The spectacular sanctuary of Phanom Rung is one of the highlights on Thailand's Khmer Culture Trail