Thailand
 Thailand
(previously known as Siam) has been populated ever since the dawn of
civilization in Asia. There are conflicting opinions of the origins of the
Thais. It presumed that about 4,500 years. the Thais originated in northwestern
Szechuan in China and later migrated down to Thailand along the southern part of
China. They split into two main groups. One settled down in the North and became
the kingdom of "Lan Na" and the other one is in further south, which afterward
was defeated by the Khmers and became the kingdom of "Sukhothai".
However, the Thai history has been changed by the archaeological excavations in
the village of Ban Chiang in the Nong Han District of Udon Thani province in the
Northeast. From the evidence of bronze metallurgy, it now appears that the Thais
might have originated here in Thailand and later scattered to various parts of
Asia, including China.
The controversy over the origin of the Thais shows no sign of definite
conclusion as many more theories have been put forward and some even go further
to say that Thais were originally of Austronesian rather than Mongoloid. What
the outcomes of the dispute may be, by the 13th century the Thais had already
settled down within the southeast Asia.
Bangkok
Bangkok, located on the banks of the Chao Phraya
River, is the dynamic capital of Thailand. It is
also the largest city in the country with about 7,000,000
inhabitants. This wealthy city, which is the 22nd
most populated city in the world, receives about 15
million visitors annually.
Bangkok is characterised by a tropical climate which
remains humid for a major part of the year. The city
experiences alternate periods of dry and wet seasons. Dry
seasons are warm with high humidity levels while it gets
pleasant in the nights.
Historically, the city of Bangkok was a small trading centre
which has now developed into an important economic and
financial hub in Southeast Asia. Interestingly, the full
name of the city is listed as the world’s longest name of
a place in the Guinness Book of Records.
Pattaya
An internationally well-known seaside resort, Pattaya is
located approximately 170 km southeast of Bangkok on the
east coast off the Gulf of Thailand.
The town stretches over 15 kilometres along the coast. With
a population of more than 96,000, it is a melting pot of
different nationalities. Every year it welcomes more than 5
million visitors.
The best period to visit is November to February, when the
weather is nicely warm - 20° to 30° - and dry. February to
May is the hot, dry season with occasional rain and
spectacular thunder storms. The monsoon season is June to
October, with heavy rain, 90% humidity and temperatures 25°
to 35°.
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is the second largest and one of the most
significant cities in Thailand. Located on the Ping River,
it is also the capital of the Chiang Mai Province.
Home to a population of about 170,000 inhabitants,
Chiang Mai is regarded as one of the premiere destinations
in Asia owing to its mix of modern and traditional charm.
The climate in Chiang Mai is equatorial in nature
with hot, humid summers and pleasant, cool winters.
During July to October, monsoon rains bring forth the lush
greenery. Winters are the best time to visit
as this is when the climate is mild with bright sunshine and
blooming flowers.
Chiang Mai was founded in 1296 and was a significant centre
for pottery, carving and other arts. The city has still
retained its glory in the various art and crafts shops.
Today, it is a rapidly developing city in Thailand.
Phuket
Phuket is a city situated in Phuket Islands,
Thailand. It is a small town with an active economic
centre, appealing colonial architecture and riveting
beaches. Phuket was incorporated as a city in 2004 and is
home to a populace of about 60,000 people.
The city is characterised by a tropical monsoon climate
with year-round warm temperatures. Phuket possesses two main
seasons, dry and wet, owing to the monsoon winds. April to
May is the hottest period, while October and November are
the coolest months.
The name ‘Phuket’ originates from the word ‘bukit’ which
means a hill. Phuket city is an interesting blend of
traditionalism and modernism. Its growth-oriented economy
consists of tin mining, agriculture and marine products.
Ayutthaya
The historic city of Ayutthaya is an ancient, yet
modern, city on an island in the Central Plains of
Thailand. It is the capital city of the Ayutthaya
province and is around 90 km from Bangkok. It
lies at the junction of the Chao Phraya, Lopburi and
Pa Sak Rivers.
With a population of more than 75,000 people, the
city experiences temperatures ranging from approximately
20°C–37°C; November–February is considered as the best
time to visit.
Ayutthaya was destroyed in 1767 by the Burmese army, but its
ruins still remain at the Ayutthaya Historical Park,
with the modern town being set among the ruins. The city was
declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.
The cheapest and most scenic way to get to Ayutthaya is by
train. However, minibuses and regular coaches from
Bangkok are also available.
Koh Samui
Koh Samui is the third largest island in the
Kingdom of Thailand. It is located in the Surat Thani
province and lies more than 500 km south of Bangkok. The
tropical island, roughly circular in shape, is situated in
the Gulf of Thailand.
Koh Samui has an airport with daily flights to Bangkok, but
many tourists prefer using the night train, buses and
ferries to avail of cheaper options to reach the island.
The island has a temperate climate with warm sunny
temperatures that usually stay above 25°C. February to May
is considered the hottest time of the year, and October to
December generally isn’t advisable for a visit owing to the
heavy monsoon.
Koh Samui has a population of nearly 50,000 people.
It is surrounded by at least 60 sister islands which
constitute the Ang Thong National Marine Park.
| 
