The land of smiles is one of the most popular destinations because there is so much to do in Thailand. No matter which city you visit, you have a plethora of activities or places to visit that are perfect for holidays or vacations with family and friends.
Whether you have to lay back and sunbathe at the beach, do adventure activities, visit historic and ancient temples, or even seek solitude with monks. This South Asian country is one place that you will want to keep visiting. However, when planning your trip you must create an itinerary so that you make the most of your time in this wonderful nation.
In this article, we will explore some unique things that you can do as tourists in Thailand:
The Reclining Buddha in Wat Pho
When you are exploring this country you will notice several types of Budhha statues all over the land. These versions where the Budhha is shown walking, sitting, standing, and sleeping, represent the different stages of his life.
The Reclining Budhha in Wat Pho is one statue that you must not visit because it is 15 meters high, 46 meters long, made of pure gold, and has 108 bowls around it. It is a sight of wonder! So when visiting make sure that you witness this intrinsic and massively detailed statue.
Elephant Sanctuary
You may have visited many sanctuaries but the elephant sanctuary in Thailand is one opportunity you must not miss. The elephant is considered the national animal of the country and the people of Thailand have created rescue parks, rehabilitation centers, and so on to protect these majestic animals from being held captive.
These parks or reserves create a healthy wild environment where tourists can visit these animals and even spend time feeding, bathing, and playing with them. Keep in mind, visitors need to adjust to the animals so if they don’t feel like interacting during your visit you might want to try again another day.
Songkran Festival
The Songkran festival is one of the most unique experiences that you can ever have when visiting the country. This traditional festival is celebrated in April when people all over the country have one huge water fight to celebrate the Thai New Year.
The locals believe that during this time if you are walking the street you will get soaked in water and there is no escaping. This tradition initially began as a way to wash away sin or any bad luck for the year to come and today the locals welcome tourists too in their tradition and celebrate it together.
Floating Market
There are several water attractions in Thailand but you need to check out waterfalls around Phuket to experience one of the best amongst them.
When you are looking for a one-of-a-kind experience, the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is exactly where you need to go.
It is one of the coolest things you can do, while it gives you a feel of Venice but it is packed with locals in slender boats selling fruits, souvenirs, vegetables, and even cooking street food.
For you to reach this place you need to get hold of a boat or might find private tours that take you to different floating markets in and around Bangkok.
Buddhist Hell Temple
Wat Mae Kaet Noi also known as the Buddhist Hell temple is a unique and one of the most bizarre temples in all the land. If you have been visiting some of the most beautiful and ancient temples, this temple may come as a shock to you.
While the others focus on peace, tranquillity, and happiness, the Buddhist Hell temple shows you the consequences of worldly sin after death. During your visit, you will witness gruesome acts and punishments in life-sized statues all over the temple. So be prepared as you visit this gruesome yet unique temple.
The Golden Triangle
Another great destination lies in the Northern portion of Thailand known as the Golden Triangle. This location is where three countries Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand diverge or meet and was earlier infamously known for growing opium.
However, when you visit this place you will learn about its rich history and when you explore the areas around you will find some beautiful scenic views that can be a great addition to your trip.
Night Markets
We all love shopping during our vacations or holidays because you get to dive into the cultures, food, and so on. After you have explored various places during the day during the night you can experience the night markets of Thailand.
Almost all the cities in the country have these markets that offer different street cuisines, souvenirs, clothes, live music, massages, and so much more. During the weekends these markets are packed with locals and tourists as there are rows of vendors.
Make sure that you carry cash and learn some bargaining tips or else you will get cheated.
Interesting Facts About Thailand
Thailand is renowned for its picture-perfect beaches, magnificent limestone cliffs, hospitable inhabitants, and glittering temples. Beyond its scenic surroundings and popular tourist destinations, the Land of Smiles also has a distinct culture and history, some strange and peculiar. Thailand’s diverse landscapes, culture, natural resources, and history are just a few of the many fascinating facts about this country. These are some interesting facts about Thailand.
1. Thailand was initially known as Siam
Siam was the original name of Thailand since the 12th century. The Siamese was the name given to the inhabitants of the area. It is where the well-known Siamese cats came from. There used to be more than 23 different Siamese cat breeds that existed in this country; however, hunting caused most of the species to go extinct. There are now just six different types of Siamese cats. In Thai culture, Siamese cats are highly regarded. Siamese cats are frequently given to brides during weddings as a sign of good luck.
2. Bangkok’s original name is very long
Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, has one of the world’s longest proper names. Bangkok’s full name is Krungthepmahanakhon Amonrattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilokphop Noppharatratchathaniburirom Udomratchaniwetmahasathan Amonphimanawatansathit Sakkathattiyawitsanukamprasit, composed of Pali and Sanskrit root words. Bangkok is commonly referred to in Thai as “Krung Thep,” which is the abbreviated form of the city’s full name. The name means “City of Angels, Great City of Immortals, Magnificent City of the Nine Gems, Seat of the King, City of Royal Palaces, Home of Gods Incarnate, Erected by Visvakarman at Indra’s Behest.”
3. Thailand is well-known for its monkey buffet
In a community in Lopburi, Thailand, there is a well-known annual festival in honor of the monkeys. Both natives and tourists enjoy these celebrations. The ritual is in front of the Pra Prang Sam Yot temple. A banquet of meat, fresh fruit, salads, and ice cream is available for more than 600 monkeys. The celebration is a show of gratitude by the locals to the monkeys for bringing tourists to the area.
4. Thailand is where you can find the most expensive delicacy made of saliva
One of the most costly, prized, and sought-after delicacies in the world is swiftlet nests with a sea-salt salty flavor from the male swiftlet bird’s saliva strands. These nests, retrieved from Thai caves and cost more than USD 900 per pound, might only be for some. Traditional Chinese medicine claims that these nests offer a long and detailed list of health advantages for those who can afford the salty delicacy. The costly price is because it is dangerous to collect and entails hard, complicated labor to prepare the dish.
5. The most giant solid gold Buddha in the world is in Thailand
Bangkok’s Wat Traimit is the best place to visit if you want to see the most giant solid gold Buddha in the world. One of the most scenic views in Thailand is the Phra Phuttha Maha Suwana Patimakon monument, a 15-foot-tall golden statue. The statue is protected with plaster to prevent burglars from stealing it, as they had done with other temple statues for ages. The figure is worth millions of dollars and weighs 5.5 tons.
6. Respecting the royal family is a significant act in Thailand
Thailand’s populace loves and reveres the royal family dearly, and it is forbidden by law to criticize any monarch. Mother’s and Father’s Day in Thailand are celebrations for the King and queen rather than for one’s mother and father and are celebrated nationwide by the Thai people.
7. Thailand is the home of the largest fish and the smallest animal on the planet
Thailand has both the smallest and the most enormous creatures on the planet. The smallest mammal in the world has the scientific name of Craseonycteris thonglongyai, commonly known as Kitti’s hog-nosed bat or the bumblebee bat; it is about an inch long and weighs about two grams and is found in Thailand. While the whale shark, which can grow to a length of 40 feet and resembles a school bus in size, resides beneath the oceans near the Land of Smiles.
8. Bangkok is considered the world’s hottest city
Bangkok is known as the hottest city in the world. The capital of Thailand, with a median air temperature of 28 °C, was named the world’s hottest city by the International Meteorological Organization. Indeed, there are many desert cities with higher temperatures across the globe. But these cities often grow significantly colder at night or in the winter. Bangkok, on the other hand, is hot all year round and never gets cold.
9. Thailand is the world’s top exporter of orchids
Orchid is not only the national flower of Thailand, but Thailand is also the greatest supplier of this floral gem globally. Thailand exports about 45% of its orchids, with 75% going to locals on the domestic market. It would please flower lovers to know that Thailand’s forests and jungles are home to 1,500 distinct species of orchids. The exotic flower is widely available at markets, shopping malls, temples, and festivals.
10. Stepping on any form of Thai currency is prohibited in Thailand
Stepping on Thai currency is illegal and punishable by law, which can cause imprisonment. Thai currency, including notes and coins, is printed and engraved with the King’s face.
Your Takeaway
These are just some of the unique plans that you can add to your itinerary when visiting this beautiful South Asian Gem!