The Ultimate Travel Guide to Thailand: The Most Exotic Destination in South-East Asia

By Stamatis Stamatopoulos

This is a complete and the only travel guide out there with over 200 pictures and maps to prepare and benefit all future travelers to enjoy their traveling experience to this amazing country in South-East Asia.
Readers will feel captivated, intrigued and fully informed about the Thai history, religion, visas, weather, seasons, transportation, Thai people and culture, Thai dishes, Thai fruits, places to eat, scams and problems, things to avoid, things to do, shopping, attractions, entertainment, nightlife, white water rafting, diving destinations, most popular places to visit, accommodation, useful phone numbers, websites, embassies, police, immigration, post offices, hospitals, Thai language, Thai dictionary with over 700 words and phrases.
Please know that I do not get commission from any of the Hotels, Restaurants, etc. I mention in this travel guide, and I guarantee the information I provide in a single copy, won’t be found in any book store or on the internet. Please check my previews version reviews.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stamatis Stamatopoulos
• Release date: Sep 26, 2013
• ISBN: 9781628902839

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THE ULTIMATE TRAVEL GUIDE TO THAILAND

The Most Exotic Destination in South-East Asia

Copyright © 1013 Stamatis Stamatopoulos

All Rights Reserved

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any mean electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from publisher.

First Published: November 1013

Written By

Stamatis Stamatopoulos

Author’s Story

My work takes me all over the world and in my 20 years of personal experience and research, I decided to produce this travel guide that will benefit all future travelers to this amazing country called Thailand.

In 1999, I was first introduced to Thailand by a friend of mine, couple of days later after my arrival in Bangkok I thought, what really am I doing here? The smog, the smell, the unrelenting heat, the incredibly poor to horribly deformed, the corruption.

WOW! I wanted to turn around and go back home. Then my friend who had been there before said to me, give it a chance and don‘t try to compare this country with the west.I guess that is the mistake that most people make and I was one of them, but soon I learned how to appreciate it‘s vitality and excitement.

Contents

Brief History

Visas

Weather

Seasons

Transportation

Thai People

Religion

Thai Calendar

Thai Dishes

Ten of my Favorite Dishes

Thai Fruits

Places to Eat

Scams

Politics

Bangkok

Travel Tips and Cost Of Living

Things to do in Bangkok

Shopping

Entertainment/Nightlife

White Water Rafting

Amazing Thai Elephants

Diving Destinations

East Thailand

Northeastern Region (Isan)

Central-West Thailand

North Thailand

South Thailand

Inside the Gulf of Thailand

Useful Phone Numbers and Websites

Thai Language/Dictionary

Jim Thompson's House

Welcome to the most exotic destination in South-East Asia. From traditional Thai villages to snow white sandy beaches to huge and modern shopping centers. Everything can be found in this amazing country called Thailand, otherwise known as (THE LAND OF FREE).

Thai Flag

Thai Flag

Map of Thailand

Brief History

Prasat Hin Historical Park

Thailand is a unitary state with 76 provinces and one administrative city, the capital of Bangkok. It boasts of rich history and culture. The people of Thailand originally came from the South-western China. They have migrated to the mainland of Southeast Asia after many centuries. They were once called or known as dark brown people. It is believed that their existence is traced back in the 12th century A.D through the inscription at the Khmer Temple and a complex of Angkor Wat in the country of Cambodia.

Thailand (previously known as Siam) has been populated since the dawn of Asia civilization about 4,500-5,000 years ago. There are conflicting opinions that Thais originated from Szechuan in China and split into two main groups, one settled in the North and became the kingdom of Lanna and the other further south, which later defeated by the Khmers and Burmese and became the kingdom of Sukhothai.

There is a controversy over the origin of Thais that shows no sign of definite conclusion and some other even go further to say that Thais were originally of Austronesian rather than Mongoloid.

Modern day Thailand and its people is an ancient of Southeast Asian cultures and over time, various Tai tribes settled in what is now called Burma (Shans), Laos (Lao) and Thailand (Thais) with evidence of bronze tools, pottery manufacture and wet rice cultivation in the northeast dated before 3000BC.

Prior to the development of Thai kingdoms, the region was controlled by other significant civilizations including the Mon Dvaravati Kingdom (6th-11th centuries), Malay Srivijaya Empire (7-13th centuries) and the Khmer Empire (9th-13th centuries) during this period, Hindu beliefs were replaced by Buddhism (via Burma) as the primary religion of the region.

That’s why their flag depicts 3 colors that represent Religion, HM the King, and the Country.

Early Thai Kingdoms, the first major Thai kingdom was established at Sukhothai in 1238 when the Thais, led by King Intharathit, drove out the regional Khmer governors and became autonomous. During the reign of Ramkhamhaeng 1279-98, the Sukhothai kingdom peaked in grandeur and influence but thereafter declined in power until it came under control of Ayutthaya in 1370. King Ramkhamhaeng is traditionally credited with codifying the Thai alphabet based on the Sanskrit derived from the script of the Khmer kingdom.

In 1259 the Lanna Kingdom in the Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai regions of Thailand was founded by King Mengrai. This state remained mostly independent of, though cooperative with, their Sukhothai, Ayutthaya and Burmese neighbors until it was conquered and partitioned by the Burmese in 1560. During the Sukhothai and Lanna kingdoms Theravada Buddhism was also brought to Thailand from Sri Lanka becoming the Buddhist religion in most of Southeast Asia.

Auyutaya 1

The Ayutthaya Period (the city of Gods) was established on the banks of the Chao Phraya River as the capital of Siam in 1350 by King Ramathibodi. In 1378 it annexed the remaining portions of the Sukhothai kingdom and began a period of expansion and wars with its neighbors. At its peak, Ayutthaya had full control over a lost empire that occupied parts of modern day eastern Myanmar, northern parts of Malaysia, most of western Laos and the western half of Cambodia including the Khmer capital of Angkor.

The Portuguese were the first foreigners to establish an embassy there in 1511, followed by the Dutch in 1605, the English in 1612, the Danes in 1621 and finally the French in 1662.

By the end of the 17th century the city itself had grown to more than a million people and was described by some western visitors as the most glorious city on earth. In 1680 Ayutthaya expelled foreigners and sealed itself off from the west for the next 150 years.

In 1767 the city was attacked and razed by the Burmese army who burned the city to the ground and forced the people to flee south settling on the banks of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. The capital was never rebuilt in the same location and remains known today as an extensive archaeological site.

photo

Ancient Siam City is located on the old Sukhumvit Road, about 33 km south-east of central Bangkok.It is the world's largest outdoor museum in the shape of Thailand.

The park of over 200 acres with miniatures of Thailand's historically significant structures of the heritage of Thai wisdom and culture spread around the course. Some of the buildings are actual size replicas of existing, while others are scaled down.

Admission fee for Thais is 350 baht and for foreigners is 700 baht, and after 4 p.m. 50% off the regular price.

The entrance fee includes a free bus ride that leaves every 15 minutes, or free bicycle rental, golf cart rentals are also available at 300 baht per hour and private vehicles allowed in at 400 baht per vehicle.

The park opens at 9:00 a.m. till 7:00 p.m.

Ancient Siam’s Website: http://www.ancientcitygroup.net/ancientsiam/en/

The kings of Thailand have historically served the role as living founding fathers for 800 years pushing the nation forward through difficult transitional period’s politicians were unable or unwilling to navigate the country through them.

This includes the abolition of slavery, a period of technological modernization similar to Japan's Meiji Restoration, and the current king's lifetime of work toward promoting socioeconomic self-sufficiency to combat encroaching globalization and the immense debt and disparity it sows.

Thais are very patriotic and they love their King and you should never joke or make any negative comments.

The King’s birthday (father’s day) it is one of the most important holidays in the Thai calendar, people dress in yellow which is the color of the king, (based on the fact he was born on a Monday).

Thais are very patriotic and they love their King and you should never joke or make any negative comments. The King’s birthday (father’s day) it is one of the most important holidays in the Thai calendar.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej the longest reigning monarch, he was born in December 5, 1927 he is the present King of Thailand and he is the younger brother of King Ananda, who has never set foot outside of Thailand for more than 40 years. Instant he has focused specifically in developing models, techniques, and importing and promoting crops to help Thai farmers avoid debt, diversify their economic activity and avoid exploitation at the hands of middlemen who obstruct farmers from direct access to markets.

Note: Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the beloved king died at 3:52 p.m. in August 13 2016 at age 89 in a peaceful manner, as thousands waited outside Bangkok's Siriraj Hospital dressed predominantly in pink, (an auspicious color believed to restore health) and yellow which is the color of the king, (based on the fact he was born on a Monday) where the king was being treated in nervous anticipation of the news of the revered figure who helped unify the nation in his 70 year reign.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtZnPlnzcgg&sns=em

Rama X

Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn is the king's appointed successor, he was born on 28 July 1952, the first son and second child of Queen Sirikit and King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who 50 days after the death of his father King Bhumibol Adulyadej became the king of Thailand. He is going to be the Rama X of Thailand's Chakri dynasty. The prince requested to delay his official proclamation so he could mourn with the Thai people, and he will not formally be crowned until after his father's cremation which is expected in December 26 2017.

Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn spends most of his time outside of the public eye in southern Germany where he owns property.

He has had three high-profile divorces, while a recent police corruption scandal linked to the family of his previous wife allowed the public a rare glimpse of palace affairs.

List of Monarchs Website: http://www.soravij.com/royalty/overviews/kings.html

Visas

There are several types of visas available to you as a foreigner entering Thailand.

Visas issued upon arrival at all entry points to Thailand for 30 day or a single-entry visa entry can be obtained outside the country.

As of November 13, 2015 Thailand has launched a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) (Double and Triple Entry Tourist Visas no longer available) and valid for up to 180 days and must use all entries within 180 days and each entry valid up to 60 days and must enter the country within 90 days from the day the visa was is issued.

Note: Same-Day Visa processing is also available for pick up after 3:00 p.m. when applying in person.

For Single Entry Tourist Visa (TR)

Required documents:

• The fee is $40 - payable by cashier's check or money order.

• Your actual Passport or Travel Document. (Passport or Travel Document must not expire within 6 months and contain at least ONE completely empty visa page).

• Completed visa application (all sections must be completed including proposed address in Thailand)

• Bank statement (reflect at least $500 per person, $1,000 per family)

• 1 copy of Passport or Travel Document that shows your photo, name, date and place or birth and the expiration date of passport or 1 copy of U.S. green card or U.S. visa which permits applicant to reside legally in the U.S.

• 1 application form (completed and signed by the applicant. (Parents can sign for the minor).

• 2 photos (Passport photo, 2 x 2, color, front-view, taken within 6 months, and write your name and last name on the back of each photo).

• 1 copy of airline ticket (confirmed onward ticket – showing flights into and out of Thailand. Either paper ticket or confirmed e-ticket is acceptable (Itinerary is NOT accepted).

*If the applicant does not have his/her own bank statement, please submit the Affidavit of Support with the bank statement of the person who supports the applicant.

*If using Online Bank Statement, it must show applicant's name and balance.

Tourist Visa (METV)

Required documents:

• Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident for the Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa (METV).

• Your actual passport (must have been valid for at least three months and will not expire within six months from time of travel to and from Thailand and have some blank visa pages) - include a copy of the picture-page of the passport.

• Completed visa application (all sections must be completed including proposed address in Thailand).

• Bank statement showing a minimum of US$7,000.

• Letter from employer verifying employment.

• Copy of airline tickets (e-tickets or itinerary showing confirmed flights) - tickets should show multiple entries.

• Copy of hotel reservation.

• The fee is $200 - payable by cashier's check or money order.

• Your actual Passport or Travel Document. (Passport or Travel Document must not expire within 6 months and contain at least ONE completely empty visa page).

• 1 copy of Passport or Travel Document. (The page(s) shows your photo, name, date and place or birth and the expiration date of passport).

• 1 application form (completed and signed by the applicant. (Parents can sign for the minor).

• 2 photos (Passport photo, 2 x 2, color, front-view, taken within 6 months, and write your name and last name on the back of each photo).

• 1 copy of airline ticket (confirmed onward ticket – showing flights into and out of Thailand. Either paper ticket or confirmed e-ticket is acceptable (Itinerary is NOT accepted).

*If the applicant does not have his/her own bank statement, please submit the Affidavit of Support with the bank statement of the person who supports the applicant.

*If using Online Bank Statement, it must show applicant's name and balance.

Note: While you there you can extend each of your entries for another 37 days without leaving the country.

For the first extension of 30 days, you must apply before the expiration at any local immigration office, and costs 1900 Baht.

For the second extension of 7 days, apply any time before the expiration of the extension and cost 1,900 Baht, after that you must exit the country either by car or by plane and re-enter and that will get you another 60 days and If you wish to stay even longer, you can get the same extension as the single entry visa.

The nearest exit point from Bangkok is Malaysia, Laos, Myanmar or Cambodia and their entry visas are quite expensive. There are travel agents allover town and for 8,000 to 10,000 baht and they will arrange transportation and all the paperwork.

Note: Keep in mind that with a tourist visa, you are not allowed