Thailand Thailand

From trekking in the beautiful mountains of the north to enjoying the glorious beaches in the south and experiencing the hustle and bustle of the metropolis that is Bangkok, Thailand is certainly is not a country that lacks variety.

Whilst it really is at the heart of Southeast Asia, bordered by Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia, its cultural identity remains very unique. As the only country in Southeast Asia to avoid European powers, the Thai are proud to refer to themselves as ‘The Land of the Free’ and many tourists might also know it as ‘The Land of Smiles’ due to its friendly people.

Thailand has a constitutional monarchy currently headed by King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Rama IX and governed by a military junta (National Council for Peace and Order). The Thai monarchy – especially the King – remains an incredibly important part of Thai culture and is held in the highest respect.

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Sports Management Internship in Thailand, Hua Hin

Sports are a fantastic way to create opportunities for children to develop socially, physically, mentally and academically in underprivileged environments. Get involved and build on your ...
from
£1200
/ person
durations start from
28 days
Featured
Tailor Made

Thailand Honeymoon

Take a break from daily routine with this honeymoon getaway package to romantic destination in Thailand. Carefully selected resorts are featured to ensure an indulging stay ...
from
£1150
/ person
duration
10 days
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Thai Buddhism Program in Thailand, Hua Hin

Take part in our sought after Thai Buddhism programme in the beautiful Hua Hin region of Thailand. Immerse yourself in Buddhist culture and experience a unique ...
from
£300 £275
/ person
durations start from
7 days
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Cultural Immersion Week in Thailand, Hua Hin

Based in the seaside town of Hua Hin, our program offers the opportunity to immerse yourself in Thai culture through a variety of different cultural activities ...
from
£350 £325
/ person
duration
7 days
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Best of Thailand Road Trip (4 weeks)

From central Thailand to the north, and from the east to the south. This unique road trip will show the highlights of the ‘land of smiles’. ...
from
£2300 £2200
/ person
duration
28 days
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Community Renovation Project in Thailand, Hua Hin

Take part in our community construction and renovation project in the Hua Hin region of Thailand. Help provide communities in need with basic infrastructure in order ...
from
£350 £325
/ person
durations start from
7 days
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Multi-Sports Coaching Volunteer Project in Thailand, Hua Hin

Be part of an exciting sports coaching project in Thailand, introducing new sports to schools and working with kids in our after school programme....
from
£300
/ person
durations start from
7 days
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Kindergarten Child Care & Teaching Volunteer Project in Thailand, Hua Hin

Take part in our amazing Kindergarten Teaching Volunteer Project in the Hua Hin region of Thailand. Gain first hand teaching experience and help deliver vital education ...
from
£300 £275
/ person
durations start from
7 days
Featured
Tailor Made

Thailand Family Adventure

Thailand is a phenomenal destination for a family holiday that will provide formative experiences for all family members, as well as the opportunity to witness unmatched ...
from
£1720
/ person
duration
10 days
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Adventure Through Pure Thailand

Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime chance to journey ‘off the beaten track’, as you trek, cycle and drive through the mystical and unique regions ...
from
£2445
/ person
duration
15 days
Featured
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Couples Adventure Thailand

As one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, Thailand has something for everyone with its rich culture and exotic adventures. Whether you are ...
from
£970
/ person
duration
10 days
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Muay Thai Boxing Coaching and Training in Thailand, Hua Hin

Enter the land of the Muay Thai boxer and learn the tricks of the trade from some highly experienced and passionate trainers on this high intensity ...
from
£300
/ person
durations start from
7 days
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Thailand Encompassed

For this 15 Day journey, you’ll travel through many of Thailand’s most famous attractions, from the hustle and bustle of cities to ...
from
£1800
/ person
duration
15 days
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Tailor Made

Explore Pure Thailand

Enjoy a 13 day journey through a colourful and stunning setting that spans cities to mountain ranges and dense jungle before ending your trip at a ...
from
£2420 £2335
/ person
duration
13 days

Accommodation Examples

Quick Facts

Name

Kingdom of Thailand

Population

67 million

Capital

Bangkok

Language

Thai

Currency

Baht (THB)

Time Zone

ICT (UTC +7)

Flag Thailand

Climate

The majority of the country is home to a tropical savanna climate which consists of wet and dry seasons of a roughly equal length. The climate can be divided into three distinct seasons:

Dry season: November – end of February. During this period, precipitation is at its lowest but so are the temperatures. This said, ‘low temperatures’ are of course relative and the difference is not in fact very different at all in the South. It is only if you will be visiting the northern mountains that you might need to bring some warmer clothes as temperatures can fall as low as 5°C. This period is, not surprisingly, the most popular time to visit Thailand and tourism peaks around Christmas and New Year as well as Chinese New year. Flights and accommodation at this time can be more expensive.

Hot: March to June. During this time Thailand reaches its hottest temperatures (as high as 40°C).

Rainy: July – October. This is when the tropical monsoons begin to arrive, peaking in September. Although this is indeed rainy season, it doesn’t mean that it rains non-stop. Storms can clear up very quickly but when it does rain, heavily flooding is not rare.

Culture

A significant feature of Thai culture is its primary religion: Buddhism. Theravada Buddhism is supported by the government and practiced by an estimated 95% of its population. Thailand not only boasts tenths of thousands of beautiful temples, but you will notice that a lot of Thai people have miniature Spirit Houses on their front yards because they believe that the household spirits live in them and they make offerings to them to keep the spirits happy.

Another feature of Thai culture is the wai greeting, which is essentially a slight bow with palms pressed together in a prayer-like manner to show respect. This can be compared to the Indian namasté. Things to know about this:

-The higher the hands in relation to the face and the deeper the bow, the more respect is shown.
-It is made before formally entering/leaving a house
-It can also be made as a sign of gratitude or apology
-You do not make the greeting to those who are younger than you unless you are returning the wai.
-The gesture is normally accompanied with the phrase “sawadee (krap/ka)” (“krap” if you are male and “ka” if you are female)
-A corporate wai (made by cashiers etc) can be returned with a smile or a nod

The major festival in Thailand is Thai New Year, known as Songkran. It is celebrated on the 13th-14th April of every year. It is a festival that concludes the dry season and involves a lot of water throwing!

Gastronomy

Thai cuisine is very nutritious and alongside its plentiful use of rice, it generally contains fresh vegetables and white meats like chicken and fish. Thai people love spicy food but do not fear if you do not, just say ‘mai pet’ when you order. However, flavors are not only about the spice as many people believe, Thai food can be slightly salty, sour or sweet and so there really is something to suit everybody’s pallet.

Transportation

Transport in Thailand is very varied and there isn’t one ‘main way’ to travel. Buses dominate long distance journeys. Travel in thailand is cheap and even domestic flights are a worthwhile consideration for long distance journeys, especially with the expansion of low-cost airlines.

Taxis, tuk-tuks and vans are also common modes of transports but tourists must be wary about being overcharged. If in doubt, always ask that the taximeter be switched on to avoid overcharging.

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