CEBU, Philippines - I have never been to Thailand, but the things I hear of this amazing kingdom is just simply amazing.
Thailand is one of the places that I want to visit, next perhaps to Cambodia and Vietnam. I would love to smell the streets, taste the food, and just take in the vibrations of most of its sacred temples.
Last February 3, the Tourism Authority of Thailand conducted a product presentation in Cebu, gathering the region’s top players in the travel industry. And mind you, this further whetted my appetite to visit this exotic country and be one of the more than 200,000 Filipinos and over 14 million international visitors to experience what it has to offer. One of these days, hopefully.
This year, TAT is capitalizing on Thailand not just as an amazing destination but one with amazing value.
Value as equated with one’s unique experience and the emotional worth that goes with the visit.
Mr. Pasakorn Supannapan, TAT’s director for ASEAN, South Asia, and South Pacific Market Division, said that the department’s aim is to bring the finest on tourism in Thailand. And with this he highlighted the seven wonders of the country, which for years attracted many tourists.
“(Thailand is a) value for money destination,” he said, adding that this year they are gearing towards making it the top destination of choice for Filipino travelers.
So, what makes Thailand such an exciting destination?
Thai-ness
First is Thai-ness, which simply means enjoying Thailand’s culture, traditions, and people.
By engaging oneself with the Thai people or living in a traditional Thai village, one could experience what it is to be Thai. One could learn how to cook Thai food with villagers, enroll in a Thai boxing class, learn Thai massage, or engage with Thailand’s countryside and its agricultural wonders.
All these experiences could help one gain an insight on Thai culture and “feel the glow of Thai smiles, the openness of Thai hearts, and the warmth of Thai hospitality.”
Treasures
Another wonder of Thailand is its rich cultural and natural treasures. This is manifested by the establishment of wildlife sanctuaries, the declaration of heritage sites, and the archeological discoveries that seems to have no end.
Thailand opened ten historical parks, three of which were declared by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. These parks are Muang Singh, Phanom Rung, Sukhothai, Si Satchanalai, Kamphaeng Phet, Sri Thep, Phimai, Ayutthaya, Phra Nakhon Khiri, and Phu Phra Bat.
Tourists can also check out the more than 30,000 temples across the country. Of this 180 to 200 are under royal patronage, and six are of the highest class. This means that many religious relics of high value can be viewed here. Of the six, four are in Bangkok: Wat Pho, Wat Mahathat, Wat Suthat, and Wat Arun. While two are in the provinces of Nakhon Pathom (Wat Phra Pathom Chedi) and Saraburi (Wat Phra Putthabat).
Beaches
When it comes to tropical leisure, Thailand can boast of beautiful coastlines with pristine white sand beaches. Ocean activities like diving can also be had especially on the east side on the Gulf of Thailand. It is here where the Mu Ko Ang Thong, the biggest marine national park in the region, is located.
Its resorts are also laden with facilities that would keep every visitor occupied with activities like horse riding and picnics. Popular resorts are found in Phuket and Phi Phi in the west coast welcoming the Andaman Sea.
Nature
The beautiful natural wonder of Thailand has made it a top eco-tourism destination. It has successfully tapped the beauty of nature to satisfy its visitors with environmentally-friendly activities.
Visitors can experience a diverse array of adrenaline pumping activities like white water rafting in the mountainous regions of the North and some areas in Central Thailand; canoeing and kayaking with sea-canoe expeditions that run all year round; windsurfing, jet skiing and wakeboarding which can be had in most major beaches of Thailand; rock climbing in the southern provinces; and mountain biking with biking routes mostly in nature parks.
Health and wellness
One of the many assets of Thailand is its medical services which are known throughout. They offer visitors a wide array of medical packages ranging from comprehensive examinations to cosmetic surgery.
The confidence of foreigners on Thailand’s medical industry lies on the fact that many hospitals in Thailand have received accreditation and recognition from international standard accreditation agencies and renowned international hospitals. Their state-of-the-art equipments and facilities have also added a plus in patient confidence.
Aside from Western Medicine, however, Thailand is also known for its rich traditional and alternative healing procedures. And for this, the country has a number of internationally-recognized facilities as well.
Trends
Thailand has also established itself as a trendsetter when it comes to tourist convenience. It has a number of stylish hotels that continues to lead in innovation. And this is not limited to those with the money to spend; even budget travelers and backpackers can experience pampering at a very affordable price.
Festivities
Lastly, Thailand boasts of festivals happening in different places all year round. A famous festival is Songkran which comes on April and is celebrated by splashing water on each other.
And on November, people would gather near waterways like canals, ponds, and rivers, where later in the evening they would launch floats made of banana leaves and adorned with candles, incense sticks and flowers. This is in tribute to the water goddess who is believed to carry their wish for happiness and prosperity. This festival is known as Loi Krathong.
Indeed, Thailand is amazing and many of its tour destinations and tour itineraries focus on giving its visitors an experience of Thai culture, which they can bring and share with their countrymates.