bright and sunny for the rest of the year. The capital, Bangkok, is a fascinating,frenetic place where life slows in tranquiltemples, quiet canals and on the river thatflows through its heart. In the north, hill-tribe communities live in small woodenvillages, hanging on to a culture andtraditions that date back centuries. Ancientcities, deserted and crumbling, date back toSiamese civilisations, national parks are rich with tropical flora and fauna andbright with birds, and in small provincialtowns you still find gentle Buddhist templeshazed with incense smoke and marketsbuzzing with local colour and life. To travelto Thailand and see only the beaches is tomiss a magical and enthralling experience:Southeast Asia's spiritual giant.Thailand is known as the land of smiles,and with good reason. The people ofthis beautiful country offer a warm welcomeand have an exquisite sense of hospitality.Many visitors come here for the beaches, and they don't disappoint. The islands of the south epitomise palm-fringed beauty,with the Andaman Sea at its best throughthe UK winter and the Gulf of Thailand50Thailand

Audley in ThailandThailand features in the brochures of mostmainstream tour operators, usually as asimple 'off the shelf' package combining a few nights in Bangkok with some time onone of the more developed beaches.However, in Thailand as elsewhere, we startfrom scratch and assess what the country has to offer to suit each individual traveller.With national parks rich in flora and fauna,mountain ranges with their resident hill-tribes,and pristine beaches where local fishermenbring the catch in each day, many parts ofthe country can still be enjoyed in unspoilttranquillity. Whether you are looking foradventure, culture or beaches we can tailoran itinerary, combining well-known highlightswith hidden gems.AccommodationThailand boasts a wealth of accommodationfrom city hotels with unrivalled service torustic lodges or homestay experiences, luxurybeach resorts from some of the world's mostprestigious hotel groups to small, family-runboutique properties. Some parts of Thailandwhich have remained off the tourist trail,such as Nan and provincial towns in the Isaan region, have comfortable hotels butthese sometimes lack character. However, on many occasions we stumble across littlegems quite unexpectedly on our researchtrips which further enhance the possibilitiesand experiences for the traveller. In short,there are options to suit all budgets, tastesand requirements.Find out more For suggested itineraries and practicalinformation about travel in Thailand, pleasesee pages 68-69.www.audleytravel.comInteractive maps and features, further suggested itineraries,accommodation, climate informationand articles written by our specialists.Discuss your plans with our Thailandspecialists 01993 838 115?BangkokOne of the most vibrant citiesin the world, Bangkok willassault your senses at everyturn. Dig a bit deeper todiscover a melting pot ofcultures and communities.AyuthayaStay in a wonderful boutiquehotel overlooking theatmospheric ruins of the former Siamese capital, now aUNESCO World Heritage Site.21Floating marketsColourful, floating markets canbe found on the doorstep ofthe capital, where traders useboats to peddle their waresthrough the labyrinthinenetwork of klongs (canals).KanchanaburiWith the Bridge on the RiverKwai as an iconic landmark, thisis a region steeped in modernhistory set against a backdrop of beautiful parkland and lush,verdant scenery.34Isaan regionThe agricultural heartland ofThailand and home toimpressive Khmer era templesand the fiery but delicious som tam (papaya salad).Chiang MaiDiscover markets, quiet wats,and great cuisine in thisintriguing walled city.Golden TriangleImmerse yourself in the stunningscenery at the confluence ofLaos, Burma and Thailand. Anideal base for exploring thefoothills, once the haunt ofopium traders and now hometo one of Southeast Asia's bestelephant conservation centres.Khao Yai National ParkA haven for nature enthusiastsand the active. Camp under thestars for an encounter withThailand's oldest national park.Koh SametA tropical island within easyreach of Bangkok. The sandsqueaks underfoot and the palmtrees sway in the breeze.Krabi provinceLimestone karsts erupt from the ocean creating a dramaticbackdrop to the colourful fishing boats.1098756Thailand5112345678910Wat Pho, Bangkok