The moment I stepped into this region I felt a warmth , a certain familiarity which one experiences when one visits a close friend. The residents greet you with a smile and speak in a most polite voice. ’’Sawasdee, ’’ they exclaim. It is the word the Thai people use to greet each other. That very word gives you the indication of a warm welcome. There is no doubt that the Thai people are one of the most congenial race in the world. Thailand boasts of a region rich in culture and traditions, which is why when Indians visit this like-minded country they feel they’ve come to their neighbour’s home. The way of life in Thailand is very much influenced by its predominant religion, Buddhism, which teaches forgiveness, humility and respect.
For first time visitors to get a feel of the place, it would be ideal to start with the capital city of Bangkok. It wouldn’t be wrong to further state that if you’ve seen Bangkok you’ve seen Thailand. Situated in the very heart of Thailand, Bangkok is the richest and most advanced town of the Thai Kingdom. The Orient’s most cosmopolitan city, it has attractions to stimulate even the most jaded travellers.
You’ll find the ’’City of Angels’’ truly a magical place, one that captivates the imagination. More than anywhere else in the country, Bangkok expresses Thailand’s uncanny ability to blend the old with the new. This lends a thrilling sense of discovery to one’s sightseeing and adds an element of surprise when exploring what is the Orient’s most fabled city. Joyfully exuberant, it has beautifully retained its traditional charm with a blend of old cultural heritage and modern development presenting an initial picture of thrusting office towers; of world-class hotels offering deluxe comforts; of glittering shopping plazas packed with treasures of the East such as silks and gemstones; of restaurants serving Thailand’s acclaimed spicy specialties and virtually every other national cuisine worthy of the name; of neon-lit entertainment spots where the fare ranges from classical dance to laser disco. Incredibly amidst this westernised world, Bangkok manages to preserve its cultural heritage to an amazing degree. In the rich splendour of the Grand Palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the Temple of the Dawn and other historic shrines, you see images of medieval Oriental wonder, the very stuff of Eastern fairy tales.
You have not really lived in Thailand if you’ve missed its authentic Thai food and viewed the graceful Thai traditional dance. Dinner at a Thai restaurant is a must. While you enjoy the delicious cuisine , you will be entertained to soulful traditional Thai music. Especially popular are the cultural shows staged by various Thai restaurants. Here you’ll find the perfect introduction to Thailand’s highly stylized classical dance, accompanied by music played on traditional instruments. Dressed in gorgeous costumes, dancers perform the slow, graceful movements that make up the intricate language of classical Thai dance drama enacting scenes from the Ramayana which the Thai refer to as the ’’Ramakein’’. Visually stunning, these shows are a must and a fitting grand finale to your visit.