Thailand, a land of smiles? Why is it known as a “land of smiles?” Its people are always ready with a smile even though they may be quite mad at you! Apart from its beautiful people, Thailand has so much to offer a visitor, from the modern city of Bangkok with its endless traffic jams and the many shopping malls that keep springing up at almost every street corner, truly a “Shoppers’ Paradise!”
Honestly, I have been to Thailand so many times that I have lost count. It is indeed my favorite country in Southeast Asia. Since the early 80s until the present time, I have seen Thailand grown economically by leaps and bounds. Those beggars lining the streets of Bangkok seem to have disappeared!! The Maenam Chao Phraya is the major river in Thailand that flows through Bangkok and then into the Gulf of Thailand. This river used to be afloat with a small community, living and hawking their wares on the river. These days, one can hardly see many residences there and there is hardly anyone selling their wares in long shaped boats plying up and down the busy river.
Thailand, officially the Kingdom of Thailand and formerly known as Siam, is a country in Southeast Asia. Located at the center of the Indochinese Peninsula, it is composed of 76 provinces, and covers an area of 513,120 square kilometers (198,120 sq mi), and a population of over 69 million people. Thailand is the world’s 50th largest country by land area and the 22nd most populous country in the world. The capital and largest city is Bangkok, a special administrative area. Thailand is bordered to the north by Myanmar and to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the west by the Andaman Sea and the southern extremity of Myanmar. Its maritime boundaries include Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand to the southeast, and Indonesia, and India on the Andaman Sea to the southwest. Nominally, Thailand is a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy; However, in recent history, its government has experienced multiple coups and periods of military dictatorships. Political situation notwithstanding, Thailand has much to offer visitors from its bustling cities to the mountains up north in Chiangmai and a wonderful gem (to the south) Ranong, 570 km southwest Bangkok, or drive five hours north of Phuket. I discover here a slice of authentic Thailand or, given its ethnic mix, Chinese-Thai land, with around 25,000 citizens. Settled long ago and developed by predominantly Hoklo immigrants from China’s Fujian Province, Ranong’s streets are lined with traditional shophouses that sell everything from computers, fruit, nuts, and bolts to washing machines, motorcycles, and gold. Ranong is an excellent jumping-off point for several nearby Thai islands or the Andaman Sea.
One special visit was to Ko Phayam, on the coast of Thailand, on the Andaman Sea. It is one of the last unspoiled islands without a road. Yes, you read it right! This island has no main roads and if any visitors would like to visit its beautiful beaches, only rental motorbikes, bicycles, or a tractor (indeed, a tractor!) will be available for guests to private secluded beach hotels. Before reaching our private beach hotel, the tractor was driven by the largest landowner of the island’s son in law. He usually will give visitors a once over around the island before depositing us at our private beach hotel.
There are so many possibilities and adventures in Fascinating Thailand, from its cool mountainous region to the north to its beautiful beaches to the south, it’s natural and a man-made lake called Cheow Lan Lake or Rajjaprabha Dam Reservoir which is in Khao Sok National Park in Surat Thani Province and many other cities in between. One of my favorite Southeast Asian Food is Thai cuisine. The latest concept is to dine in the residence of an “Iron Chef” in Bangkok. Hmmm, that is another topic for another day.
I will need a few more pages to write more about Thailand. Come with me on this road to discover more of Thailand’s hidden secrets.
One word of caution: Please bring lots and lots of sunscreen and mosquito repellent cream!!!!
