Thailand

The Kingdom of Thailand lures more visitors than any other country in Southeast Asia with its irresistible combination of natural beauty, historic temples, renowned hospitality, and robust cuisine. From the pagoda-studded mountains of Mae Hong Son to the verdant limestone islands of the Andaman Sea, from the pulse-pounding dance clubs of Bangkok to tranquil villages moored along the Mekong River, the country seemingly offers something for every type of traveler. Whether in the tranquility of a mountaintop temple, the scented atmosphere of a riverside restaurant, the raucous din of a festival procession, or in some other passing experience, ...

The Kingdom of Thailand lures more visitors than any other country in Southeast Asia with its irresistible combination of natural beauty, historic temples, renowned hospitality, and robust cuisine. From the pagoda-studded mountains of Mae Hong Son to the verdant limestone islands of the Andaman Sea, from the pulse-pounding dance clubs of Bangkok to tranquil villages moored along the Mekong River, the country seemingly offers something for every type of traveler. Whether in the tranquility of a mountaintop temple, the scented atmosphere of a riverside restaurant, the raucous din of a festival procession, or in some other passing experience, somewhere, sometime, virtually every visitor to Thailand arrives at a point where the inexplicable heart of the Thai experience enters the soul. From that point onward, the most difficult part of being in the country is negotiating how much longer you can manage to stay, or how soon you will return.

About the Expert

Joe Cummings has contributed to more than 35 guidebooks, maps, atlases, phrasebooks and photographic works, including his bestselling Lonely Planet Thailand and Buddhist Stupas of Asia: The Shape of Perfection.