Discover everything you need to know before visiting the country of smiles and 5 tourist places you must see to enjoy an authentic Thai experience.
The country of smiles why?
If you travel to Thailand you will realize that smiling is common in everyday life. Even in the face of bad manners, Thais respond with a slight expression of kindness. But this doesn’t just happen out of sheer empathy. This country has deeply ingrained the imprint of the sanuk, a traditional way of life of Thailand that for most tourists is an almost immediate culture shock. This very different way of responding in a society can make us a bit uncomfortable. But there is nothing to fear. Sanuk, means “to have fun”, “to have fun”, “to enjoy” but it is much more than those words can describe.
Travel guides will explain that this word means to have fun at all costs, but it is not. The real key to the philosophy that guides the lives of all Thais is the desire to find joy in everything they do, but not in a banal way. “Even if you are doing something that you do not want to do, find the reason that makes it satisfactory”, it is a positive way of life that will make all the bad moments bearable. In addition, the sanuk brings out the best in people and makes the country especially welcoming to visiting tourists. There will always be a person willing to help you and make your stay in Thailand unforgettable.
Before we go on a trip…
Thailand – officially called the “Kingdom of Thailand” – is a constitutional monarchy located in the Southeast Asian region. This country, in a privileged position, borders 4 other countries. To the southeast is Cambodia, to the east is Laos, to the west it borders Burma and to the south with Malaysia. The coexistence with these border countries has tremendously influenced its cultural and political development over the centuries, which has made Thailand a country with influences from both Chinese traditions, Hindu culture and that of its indigenous tribes.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Thailand was known as the Kingdom of Siam. Don’t forget to subscribe to our Newsletter to learn more about the exciting history and culture of Siam. It was not until 1939 that the name of this welcoming country was first changed to Prathet Thai. Prathet Thai literally means “country of free people.” Its name in Spanish “Thailand” and in English “Thailand” however, mean “Land of the Thai”.
The currency that will accompany the entire trip is the Baht. At the time of publication of this article, one euro equals 39 bahts and one dollar equals 33 bahts. To give you an idea of the price, the entrance to a temple – if it is not free – is usually around 20 baht, and the menu at a street food stall will cost you 40, it is a very affordable country!
The weather
As for the time of year to travel, all opinions agree: the best time of year to visit the country and enjoy its warm climate begins after the monsoon season, in November. The summer monsoon is a wind that is created by the geographical conditions of the tropical lands and brings with it a lot of wind and a lot of rain. Therefore, the best months to travel are from November to March in the dry season. Traveling on these dates has the advantage that it is low season and there will be relatively few tourists and that temperatures at that time do not usually exceed 30ºC. It is the perfect time to see Thailand.
Regarding the documentation to prepare before the trip to Thailand, Spanish citizens do not need to request a visa to visit the country if our tourist stay is going to last less than 45 days, quarantine included.
Now, we present you 5 tourist places that you must visit so that your stay in the Thai country is varied and culturally enriching.
What to see in Thailand?
Ayutthaya was the capital of the kingdom of Siam until it was sacked by the Burmese in the 18th century. Although today the remaining temples are practically ruins, they are of incalculable historical value. The ancient city is located 80 kilometers north of Bangkok in a journey of 1 hour and a half by train, recommended transport to get there. However, in the settlement it is recommended to use the tuk tuk, a typical means of transport in the country that is also very economical.
There you can enjoy the spectacular nature of Wat Mahathat, which was the most important sacred temple in its historical period and became the home of the Supreme Patriarch of the Buddhist monks of the kingdom. Legend has it that a thief forgot the head of a Buddha that he had stolen and a tree grew out of it. The head is still open to visitors and the point of interest of the temple that everyone is dying to photograph.
Muay Thai on The Stage
If you want to enjoy Thai culture in full, it is not enough to see temples and countless replicas of the Buddha. Muay Thai is the famous martial art of this country and it is a show worth enjoying. A great way to do this is by visiting The Stage at the ASIATIQUE outdoor mall in Bangkok. This exhibition of Thai performance boxing will give you a new and original perspective on the land of smiles. Not suitable for sensitive people.
Koh Lanta
If your intention after visiting the most important tourist spots in Thailand is to rest on the beach sunbathing on the sand, the country has countless islands that you can visit. The quietest of them all is Koh Lanta, an idyllic setting with crystal clear waters. The island is 25 km long and is located on the Andaman coast. An ideal space to enjoy with the family, which allows you to enjoy water activities such as scuba diving.
Wat Pho Temple
The Wat Pho temple is in the heart of Bangkok. It is a Buddhist temple of 8000 square meters, erected in the seventeenth century by King Rama I in which all the treasures that the Burmese could not loot from Ayutthaya, when this was the capital of the Kingdom of Siam, were arranged. Today and since the 1950s, the temple of Wat Pho has served as the epicenter of the teaching of Traditional Thai Medicine and Massages. It is also the first official school of traditional Thai medicine approved by the Ministry of Education. Inside is a giant statue of the reclining Buddha, the largest in the country at 46 meters long and 15 meters high.
As a curiosity, Wat Pho means Bodhi Tree, the tree under which Shiddarta Gautama reached enlightenment. Without a doubt one of the most beautiful places in Thailand.
Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai province is located in the north of Thailand. It is an extremely rich region in its traditions and with countless Buddhist temples but, without a doubt, the one that stands out the most among them was built in 1997. The White Temple, officially called Wat Rong Khun, was designed by the local artist Chalermchai Kositpipat . The bright white color of its aesthetics annually attracts more than 1 million tourists who wish to immortalize themselves in this temple, worthy of a utopian world.
Inside the sanctuary, in addition to the traditional Buddhist imagery, there are nods to popular movies such as Matrix, Kung Fu Panda, Harry Potter, Superman or Hello Kitty, could you find them all?
Also in the Chiang Rai region is the Golden Triangle, a key point where the borders of Burma, Laos and Thailand meet.
From Thai Spa Massage we are happy to share our culture with you, that is why we have created a Thai sanctuary in the heart of Barcelona. Visit and feel Thailand through the five senses with us.
