THAILAND – Affectionately Known as The Land of Smiles!
THAILAND – Affectionately Known as The Land of Smiles!
This Southeast Asian country is full of diversity, beauty, culture and very friendly people. Hence, it has earned the nickname ‘the land of smiles’. In Thai culture, smiling is a way of communicating, so even if you don’t speak Thai, you will get the message of a warm welcome. One cannot run out of things to do, see and experience in Thailand – some of which we’ll share with you here.
What is interesting about this ‘land of smiles’ is that their smiling, which is a strong form of communication, can mean more than a warm welcome. Their smiles can communicate joy, easing and yes, even disagreement. There are literally dozens of meanings behind a Thai smile, including also politeness, nervousness, embarrassment, happiness, frustration, indifference, condescension and it can even be a mask to hide their true feelings. Though often it is simply a reflection of their kind nature and love of humour, relaxing way of life and sharing friendship. And we thought the English language was complicated, with a single word having many different and distinct meanings. 😊
Thailand, which was called Siam until 1939, has a lush and green landscape with a tropical climate. Interestingly, it has three distinct seasons: cool (November to January), dry and hot (February to May) and their rainy season is June to October. Remember, Thailand is just north of the equator, so it’s in the Northern Hemisphere. With this tropical climate comes a myriad of plant life, from rainforests, dipterocarp trees, mosses, ferns and heaps of vines. You will also find some very beautiful orchids in Thailand as well. Within this vegetation, you’ll find a range of animal species native to this country, including the binturong, tiger, elephants, Burmese python, leopard cat and more. There is a huge selection of mammals, amphibians, birds and reptiles, as well as insects, butterflies and molluscs.
This is the only Southeast Asian country that has not been taken over by the Europeans. As to the people, over 95% of the people identify as Thai. They are mostly descendants of the Tai people who migrated south from the southern China mountain area more than a thousand years ago, in the 6th and 7th centuries with a large range of ethnicities; including Chinese, Khmer, Lao, Indian and Mon. The majority of the people are Buddhist, although there are a large number of Muslims in the south, near the border of Malaysia. Food in Thailand is a blend of Indian and Chinese, often very fresh, clean and healthy, whilst remaining tasty and delicious. Many of their dishes include a range of herbs and spices, including chili, lemongrass, ginger, basil and coconut milk.
Some interesting and unusual facts about Thailand:
- Well known – elephants are revered in Thailand and are their national animal.
- Bangkok (the capital) has the world Guinness record of the longest name, being Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin, which means “City of Angels.”
- Muah Thai is an ancient form of martial arts, steeped in history and culture.
- Bangkok’s airport is said to be haunted! It was built on a swampland and graveyard.
- It is home to the Bumblebee Bat, about the size of a 20c piece and one of the smallest bats in the world. This bat is also called a Kitti’s hog-nosed bat and is almost extinct.
- The world’s largest gold Buddha is in Thailand at the Phra Phuttha Maha Suwana Patimakon temple. It weighs a whopping 5.5 tonne! My calculator didn’t have enough decimal points to allow for that dollar value calculation, based on AUD$5k per ounce being the price of gold.
- Speaking of dollars, it’s illegal to step on Thai currency.
- Thai’s famous ‘Ladyboys’ are recognised member of society and are not ridiculed or slighted at all.
- Cucumber slices are served with almost every meal; the idea is to cool your mouth if the food is a little too spicy.
Things to do and see in Thailand
As I said above, there is a huge range of things to do and see in Thailand. There are an abundant number of temples and shrines; though please remember to respect these places of worship and dress conservatively, especially removing your shoes before going inside.
The coastline and beaches are spectacular. One of the most famous is Ha Long Bay, with its emerald waters and thousands of limestone islands jutting out … it’s a not-to-miss place to visit. Many communities in this area actually live in houses that float on the water, all interconnected by bridges and planks that connect the floating domiciles. It’s a normal way of life for many. In touristy areas, some are painted in colourful hues that enhance the scene. Naturally, many water sports are offered, from swimming, motorised activities, diving, snorkelling, as well as paddling kayaks. Though snorkelling should be done in less populated and popular areas, as some waterways are so busy that the water has become somewhat polluted and dirty. Having said that, there are some fabulous boat rides, especially the ‘junks’ which are traditional vessels that take people out to the bay, caves and surrounding areas. Often these day-trips include a three-course delectable lunch with like-minded travellers.
If you go a little inland, then many more options abound. You can hike, ride a moped, cycle, partake in some rock climbing or simply take a leisurely walk to take in all the beauty this country has to offer. Binoculars and cameras are a must, as you’ll see so many incredible things, you’ll want to capture them on your camera or phone.
Amid all the nature, there are also many cultural and entertaining activities to witness. There are festivals, shows and events throughout the year. Loy Krathong, a time of reflection, is also known as the Lantern Festival, due to its array of colourfully lit lamps. Thai New Year (called Songkran Festival), which occurs around mid-April, is a time of water fights, where everyone gets involved in the fun. It’s said to be about cleansing and is a national holiday.
Food in Thailand is claimed to be the best in the world, and we think it comes very close. You could literally eat your way across this country, and when buying from street vendors, the cost is equivalent to a $2 gold coin for a meal. Though remember, if you ask for spicy, you will get what you ask for. Mild in their terms is hot in ours. If you’re not on a budget, then fine dining is exquisite and still very reasonable in price. Speaking of, the currency is the Thai Baht, of which about $21 Baht make up an Aussie dollar. Urban, populated and tourist areas commonly accept debit or credit cards, however, cash is preferred in rural and local marketplaces. Whilst the city regions contain many malls, gallerias and shops, in most towns and areas you can find local stalls, shops and marketplaces with local wares, including silks, Thai spices, soap carvings, jewellery, paper umbrellas, Thai tea or coffee, ceramics, figurines, clothing and antiques. Plus, don’t forget to visit a spa or get a Thai massage; you won’t be disappointed.
Thailand boasts so much to offer; this is a large country of many things to see and do. At Luxury Women’s Tours, we bring together the best of the best to provide an exceptional experience, which you can share with friends, or make new friends on the trip. We offer shares and solo accommodation options, and organise almost everything as part of the tour. We won’t pack your bags or buy you a new bikini for the trip; we have to leave the fun activities to you. We will do everything else, including ensuring you stay safe on the tour with one of our experienced guides. Everything is well organised, leaving nothing to chance. Sit back and enjoy!
Check out our Thailand tour HERE
Our guests travel in style, are comfortable and have the joy of experiencing superbly curated locations with other like-minded ladies. Come on – join us. : )
