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TRAVEL TO THAILAND

Friendly, inviting and beautiful, Thailand is a place of a thousand possibilities making it one of the most iconic travel destinations in the world. Sip sunset cocktails on beautiful Railay Beach or hunt for souvenirs at the Chiang Mai night bazaar; hit the Bangkok bars or browse the Floating Market; party until dawn in Pai or Koh Phi Phi or climb Doi Suthep; get spiritual at Wat Arun or explore the ruins of Sukhothai Old City, Thailand's ancient former capital.

FAST FACTS

Language: Thai
Currency: Baht
Electricity: 220v
Visas: Click here to see if you need a visa to enter Thailand.

Dialing Code: +66
Time Zone: (GMT+07:00)

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ABOUT CONTIKI

From quick breaks to epic journeys, Contiki exists to connect young travellers with the time of their lives.

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THINGS TO DO IN THAILAND

Wondering what to do in Thailand? You're not short of options, so check out our top 5 to get you started.

MARVEL AT THE GRAND PALACE IN BANGKOK

Seeing the Grand Palace is one of the most popular things to do in Bangkok. Located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, very close to the Khaosan Road, this sprawling complex of magnificent palace buildings is set around various courtyards and gardens and is home to beautiful Wat Phra Kaeo, Thailand's holiest of Buddhist sites.

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EXPLORE KHAO YAI NATIONAL PARK

This beautiful 2100 square kilometre reserve of mountainous forest and grassland was Thailand's first national park. Located in the Sankamphaeng mountains some 75 miles northeast of Bangkok, it's home to a huge range of creatures including elephants, bears, gibbons and a whopping 392 species of birds. A network of hiking trails allows you to explore the many waterfalls, caves and scenic viewpoints. Bonus!

CHECK OUT THE UNDERWATER WORLD IN KOH TAO

Koh Tao is Thailand's diving Mecca, and arguably the best - and most affordable - place on planet earth to learn to dive. Known as 'Turtle Island', it's famed for its easily accessible dive sites and colourful marine life. Here you'll find a range of dive schools offering everything from snorkelling trips to full-scale PADI certification, as well as pristine white sand beaches perfect for a post-dive beer.

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EXPLORE AYUTTHAYA

Ayutthaya was once the capital of the mighty empire of Siam, full of magnificent palaces, dazzling temples and a population larger than that of 18th century London. Though the city was ravaged in 1767 by the Burmese army, many of the remaining ruins have been restored, and are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as a Thailand travel 2015 must-see.

TAKE A COOKERY COURSE IN CHIANG MAI

Love Thai food? Then learn to make it! Taking a cookery class is easily one of the most popular things to do in Chiang Mai, though they're available throughout the country. Courses usually include a visit to the local market with a detailed guide to the produce on offer, along with a guide to Thai flavours and the preparation and tasting of three or four delicious dishes that'll elevate your status to 'legendary' next time you cook for your mates.

See all trips that visit Chiang Mai

TOP 5 FESTIVALS IN THAILAND

Experience the culture and party on! Here's our top picks of Thailand’s craziest, coolest and most bizarre festivals and gatherings, found all over the country, and graded for your pleasure.

SONGKRAN

Thai New Year celebrations take place from 13th to 15th April each year, and sees the entire country have a huge and gleeful water fight. This is one of the big festival attractions in Thailand - get out your bucket and prepare for the soaking of a lifetime!

For more information on Phuket Vegetarian Festival, click here.

PHUKET VEGETARIAN FESTIVAL

This traditional festival is celebrated annually in October over a 9-day period, and sees some locals purify themselves by sticking to a strictly vegetarian diet along with various other merit-making antics. Expect sacred dances, walking barefoot over hot coals and some fairly intense body piercing. Had your fill of the festivities? Time to check out some of the best Phuket beaches.

For more information on Phuket Vegetarian Festival, click here.

MONKEY BUFFET, LOPBURI

This annual festival was the brainwave of a canny entrepreneur looking to promote tourism in his monkey-infested town. It worked out well for the monkeys too, who are treated to a 4000kg chow-down of fruits, vegetables and other irresistible monkey treats. Come here on the last Sunday in November and watch as over 3000 of the little critters fill their boots.

For more information on Monkey Buffet, click here.

CHIANG MAI FLOWER FESTIVAL

Chiang Mai's unique climate means it's home to many unique tropical flowers. Taking place over the first weekend in February, this festival of flora sees the city in full bloom, with festivities, floats and floral arrangements aplenty.

For more information on Chiang Mai Flower Festival, click here.

HUA HIN JAZZ FESTIVAL

Hua Hin Jazz is one of the most internationally respected Thai music festivals. It's held on Hua Hin beach on the Gulf Of Thailand, and features a mix of Thai and international stars. Niiice.

For more information on Hua Hin Jazz Festival, click here.

TOP 5 MUSEUMS IN THAILAND

From the weird and wonderful to the spiritual to the downright quirky, Thailand's varied crop of museums and galleries caters for all tastes. These are our pick of the best.

NATIONAL MUSEUM, BANGKOK

Spread over several buildings, the National Museum is the largest museum in Southeast Asia. Here you'll find everything from prehistoric artifacts and terracotta statues to Srivijayan art and Sukhothai sculpture.

For more information on the National Museum, click here.

ANCIENT SIAM, BANGKOK

Said to be the world's largest outdoor museum, Ancient Siam is a colossal park in the shape of Thailand, replete with scaled down replicas (and some actual reconstructions!) of over 100 of the country's most famous buildings.

For more information on the Ancient Siam, click here.

MUSEUM OF COUNTERFEIT GOODS, BANGKOK

Thanks to legions of foreigners keen to pick up a hooky Louis Vuitton bag or a pair of Havaianas on the cheap, Thailand's trade in counterfeited goods is booming. This unusual museum is part of a local law firm and exhibits over 4000 such confiscated items, including everything from automotive parts to clothing to electronics.

For more information on the Museum of Counterfeit Goods, click here.

MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART, BANGKOK

This strikingly modern, purpose-built gallery opened in 2012. Though it's a little off the beaten track, spread over its five floors you'll find an incredible collection of Thai sculpture and modern and contemporary art, making it well worth the trek.

For more information on the Museum of Contemporary Art, click here

MUSEUM OF WORLD INSECTS AND NATURAL WONDERS, CHIANG MAI

This wonderfully quirky museum is run by Dr. Rampa Rattanarithikul, a prominent Thai entomologist, and features her own private collection of creepy crawlies. This includes 4668 species of butterflies, moths and insects as well as various other curiosities.

For more information on the Museum of World Insects and Natural Wonders, click here.

FOOD IN THAILAND

From the weird and wonderful to the spiritual to the downright quirky, Thailand's varied crop of museums and galleries caters for all tastes. These are our pick of the best.

PAD THAI

This zesty stir-fried rice noodle dish is a classic Thai street food. A combination of tofu, egg, fish sauce, dried shrimp, tamarind, lime and chilli give its signature flavour, with bean sprouts and roasted peanuts for freshness and crunch.

Best eaten at - The Gallery, 25-27-29 Charoen Raj Road, Chiang Mai

SOM TAM

This fresh and spicy salad contains shredded green papaya pounded up with long beans, tomato and chilli, flavoured with limejuice, fish sauce and palm sugar. Those of goat-like constitution can try it Thai style: with the addition of pungent brined black crab.

Best eaten at - Food stalls, Chatuchak Market, Bangkok

GREEN CURRY

Green chillies give the colour to this spicy and aromatic coconut milk curry. It usually contains long beans and Thai aubergines along with the protein of your choice, and is garnished with holy basil then served with rice.

Best eaten at - Smooth Curry, Witthayu Rd, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok

TOM YAM GOONG

Tangy, spicy and almost unbelievably delicious, this classic Thai soup contains prawns, straw mushrooms, lemongrass and galangal, along with a generous sprinkling of fresh coriander.

Best eaten at - Whole Earth Restaurant, 88 Sri Donchai Rd, Chiang Mai

NAM TOK MU

Sour, salty and spicy, this fresh Isan-style salad is a Thailand travel 2016 must-try! It's made of thin strips of pork with chilli, lime, fish sauce and mint leaves.

Best eaten at - Lert Ros, 126 Wang Sing Kam Road, Tambon Pa Tan, Chiang Mai

WHAT TO PACK

Flip flops - De rigueur footwear in Thailand.

Sunscreen - You'll find it in the ever-present 711 stores, but it can be expensive and often contains a skin-whitening agent.

Insect repellent - Make it tropical strength, and throw in some antihistamine cream for good measure.

A scan of your passport - Either stored on the Cloud or backed up on your phone or USB key, or a photocopy if you're still living in the 20th century.

An extra suitcase - Thai handicrafts are cheap, plentiful and almost irresistible. Make sure you have enough room to cart home your haul!

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