Credit Crunch? Then Holiday in Thailand
Looking for the Best Value Winter Sunshine? Thailand is the Tops
Oct 21, 2008
Thailand, it is generally agreed, offers the tourist the best value for money in Asia. The five-star hotels are much less expensive than in other countries and, as a bonus, the tourist is treated as an honoured guest. At the other end of the scale, the budget accommodation is really cheap – especially if on a beach – but the tourist gets the same smiles and same attention.
Beaches, Cities and Marine National Parks in Thailand
The choice then comes down to
- a) a relaxing beach holiday spread over one or two resorts,
- b) a touring holiday taking in the Northern States with visits to the Hill Tribes and elephant trekking,
- c) a few days in Bangkok combined with the some of the above, or
- d) spending time diving and snorkelling around one of the magnificent marine national parks.
Beach Holidays in Thailand
If it’s a beach holiday, then the choice lies between one of the fabulous islands or a mainland resort. Of the many popular islands, Phuket, Samui, or Koh Chang, Phuket is the most developed but still offers hidden corners that delight the seeker after solitude.
If a mainland resort holiday is called for, then the top two resorts are Pattaya and Hua Hin, two very different towns that lie on opposite sides of the Gulf of Thailand, Pattaya being brassy, racy, full of sexy gogo bars and nightlife, Hua Hin with a calm and relaxing pace of life, but with its share of bars and restaurants. Pattaya has good beaches but Hua Hin’s sands stretch right along the Gulf taking in Takiab Bay, Suan Son Beach and Khao Tao beach, endless miles of fine powdery white sand.
Both resorts offer golf, Hua Hin having seven magnificent courses, including the original early 19th century course, The Royal Hua Hin. It is said that a tiger once walked across the green in the early morning!
Northern Thailand, Hill Tribes and Elephant Trekking
The most popular places to visit in the Northern States are Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai, but adventurous tourists are now discovering the charms of Isaarn Province where many insist the best Thai food is found - albeit very spicey.
Mae Hong Son is on the border with Burma (Myanmar) and it is possible to cross the border at MHS for a few hours (after depositing a Passport). Up until about fifty years ago the town was only accessible by elephant as it was cut off from the rest of the country by dense jungle. Now it can be reached by a short flight from Bangkok or by a winding mountainous road.
Chiang Mai is almost a city and resembles Bangkok in that it is noisy, vibrant, full of taxis, tuk-tuks, and tailors. Shopping here is a dream. Some of the goods will not be found elsewhere, silks and Thai umbrellas being popular buys.
It is possible to hire a raft and float downriver from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai – a relaxing journey of two to three days. Cover from the sun is provided by bamboo huts perched on the rafts. Chiang Rai is a quieter, less frenetic, town than Chiang Mai, – in fact a bit like the contrast between Pattaya and Hua Hin.
Similan Marine National Park for Snorkelling and Diving
The Surin and Similan Islands Marine National Park can be reached from any of the Islands for a day trip, or special arrangements can be made to sleep on one of the designated islands allowed for tourism. The Marine Parks have the best diving in Thailand, the waters are crystal clear and full of the colourful fish for which the Andaman Sea is famous.
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