Thailand

Pattaya is located on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand, about two hours southeast of Bangkok. The journey there is an experience in itself: on both sides of the road, endless rice fields, fruit plantations with pineapples, papayas, and mangoes, as well as small villages stretch out. On the horizon, you can see gentle hills covered by tropical forests. Fresh fruit and coconut water can be bought directly at the roadside along the way. History of Pattaya Pattaya was originally a small fishing village. In the 1960s, it became a recreational spot for American soldiers, and the town quickly transformed into an international resort. Instead of simple fishing huts, hotels emerged – from cozy bungalows amidst tropical gardens to modern hotel complexes. Today, Pattaya welcomes millions of visitors annually and offers accommodation for every budget – from luxurious resorts to family-friendly hotels. Restaurants in Pattaya Pattaya is a paradise for food lovers. There is a large selection of fresh seafood, exotic fruits, and vegetables, which are used to prepare a variety of traditional Thai dishes. In addition to Thai cuisine, you can find restaurants from all over the world: Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Italian, French, Mexican, Indian, American, and more – there is something for every taste. Shopping in Pattaya Shopping life in Pattaya never ends. Many shops, boutiques, and market stalls are open until late at night. The selection includes: Clothing Silk Coral and shell products Paintings Handicrafts and souvenirs Gemstones and jewelry Prices are usually moderate, and bargaining is part of the local tradition. Nightlife in Pattaya (described neutrally) As darkness falls, Pattaya shines in colorful neon light and transforms into a lively entertainment center. Tourists enjoy their evenings in numerous restaurants, cafés, live music bars, traditional shows, and cultural events. Relaxing spa programs, wellness treatments, and traditional Thai massages are also very popular. For sports enthusiasts, there are regular Muay Thai demonstrations where you can experience Thai martial arts up close.

In the capital, which stretches along the banks of the Chao Phraya, over 7 million people live today. The city is among the most dynamically growing in the world and is one of the largest international centers for tourism and business. The royal family resides here, the country's government and regional administration are based here, and the most important industrial, commercial, and financial companies are concentrated here. Over 2 million tourists visit Bangkok annually. Guests have access to more than 200 first-class hotels (including the largest in the world with 3,700 beds) as well as a huge number of restaurants. The names of Bangkok The official name Bangkok means "City of the Wild Plum" in translation from Thai. This was once the name of a small fishing village on the banks of the Chao Phraya, on the site of which the city was later founded. Bangkok received another name during the solemn ceremony of its proclamation as the country's capital. It is the longest city name in the world: Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit– which means: "City of angels, great city, city – eternal treasure, impregnable city of the god Indra, magnificent capital of the world, endowed with nine precious gems, happy city, filled with overflowing wealth, grand royal palace that resembles a divine dwelling where the incarnated (god) reigns, gifted by Indra and built by Vishnukarn." However, the inhabitants of Bangkok simply call their city Krung Thep ("City of Angels"). Districts of Bangkok The historical center of the capital lies on the island of Rattanakosin, which is formed by the Chao Phraya, its tributary, and the adjacent areas. Since the city was built in times of threat from Burmese attacks, safety was the top priority, which is why the first buildings were constructed exactly on the island. Later, when the problem of invasions was solved, Bangkok began to grow (the temples from the mid-19th century, for example, are located outside Rattanakosin). Today, the oldest structures are located on the island itself – the Grand Palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, several other temples, and historical sites. These include remains of the 19th-century city wall and the first residential buildings. The parliament, most government organizations, and ministries are also located in the historical part of the capital. However, there are also buildings from recent decades and modern monuments here, such as the Democracy Monument, which was erected to commemorate the events of 1992. There is a strong Chinese diaspora in Bangkok. Originally, Chinese immigrants (Huaqiao) lived on the island where the Grand Palace is located today. But when the construction of Bangkok began, they were all relocated and allowed to settle three kilometers downstream. This is how Bangkok's Chinatown was formed. In the 19th century, it was the most important commercial center of the country, and the Chinese controlled a large part of the market. Today, Chinatown is less an ethnic district than a historical one – and one of the most respected in the capital. Only a few large temples remain from the time of its prosperity. The Silom district, named after Silom Road (Bangkok's Wall Street), is the modern city center. Most offices of large companies and almost half of all foreign embassies are located here. The tallest buildings and most expensive hotels are also concentrated here. Of course, there are also cheaper hotels in Silom, but budget-conscious tourists prefer to stay in the historical center or in Sukhumvit. In the streets of Siphaya and Surawong in the northern part of Silom, there are numerous market stalls, individual shops, and supermarkets. Further north lies the so-called Siam Square, the city's shopping center. The largest supermarkets are concentrated here – Siam Discovery Center, Colloseum Dep. Store, Tokyo, World Trade Center. There, as well as in the smaller shops, prices are cheaper than in the tourist areas and definitely lower than in Silom. East of the main shopping zone lies the Ploenchit district – the location of the most expensive hotels (e.g., Hilton International) and the remaining part of the embassies (the first, as already mentioned, is in Silom), including those of the USA, Great Britain, and Switzerland. Most popular with tourists is Sukhumvit: most Bangkok visitors stay here. The district is named after its main road, from which the highway begins that leads southeast to the border with Cambodia. The special feature of the district: there are few busy intersections here; the main road is only crossed by small, often dead-end side streets. There is hardly any car traffic there (although the main Sukhumvit road is quite loud and wide), but there are many – if not the majority – of the local go-go bars and pubs. It is no wonder, then, that life pulses here at night. Shopping in Bangkok Shopping is an inseparable part of life in Bangkok. In addition to numerous souvenirs, people often buy jewelry, the world-famous Thai silk, leather goods, custom-made clothing, antiques, as well as products made of teak wood, ceramics, and bronze. Every tourist usually tries to take home living Thai orchids and exotic fruits. Bangkok offers every possibility for shopping: small shops at the large markets in Bo Bae and Pratunam, wholesale warehouses and trading offices for clothing and shoes on the edge of the Mahanak Canal, huge shopping complexes in the area of Ratchada Road. Also worth mentioning are the large supermarkets Yaohan, Robinson, Zen, and Tokyo – they are all located close to each other, unlike other department stores that are scattered throughout the city. Restaurants in Bangkok Bangkok is a true paradise for gourmets. Thai cuisine offers the largest selection of exquisite dishes made from fresh seafood. Fish, crabs, giant lobsters, and tiger prawns can be prepared in the spicy (Thai) version as well as according to European recipes. It is not only the variety of the menus that is impressive, but also that of the restaurants – from simple street stalls to elegant and expensive establishments. For example, the world-famous open-air restaurant Tum Nuk Thai is located on Ratchada Road and is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest restaurant in the world. It covers such a large area that the waiters have to move around on roller skates. Since Tum Nuk Thai can accommodate 1,200 guests at the same time, it is ideal for large parties and tourist groups. There are also several "floating" restaurants in Bangkok – there, an excellent dinner can easily be combined with a river cruise. Nightlife in Bangkok As far as entertainment is concerned, there are no problems in the Thai capital: there are traditional Thai dances, cocktail bars, karaoke, and discos here. However, you only get the real taste of nightlife in Patpong. This district is often referred to as a sexual Disneyland, but one should not view it exclusively as a collection of shady places. There are also good restaurants, a night market, and shops here. Patpong is divided into three zones: Patpong 1 and Patpong 2 are two parallel streets (the larger of which is Soi Superstar); Patpong 3 is also called Silom 4 and is a dead-end street intended for gays. The bars open at different times, usually from 6:00 PM, but there are also those that do not open until 1:00 AM. In Patpong, you meet not only tourists but also locals. However, foreigners are particularly fond of this district: here you can dine, sit in a café until the morning, and enjoy yourself and find entertainment to your taste.

The province of Krabi is located on the coast of the Andaman Sea. It is 814 km from Bangkok to the region's capital. Quiet bays, white beaches, hot springs, and mysterious caves – all this attracts numerous visitors. The landmark of Krabi is the two nearly 100 m high limestone cliffs Khao Khanab Nam, between which the Krabi River flows. From the Chao Fah pier, you can reach them in about 15 minutes by a local boat. It docks at a staircase that leads to stalactite caves. The picturesque limestone formations are particularly impressive – you can often even find remains of prehistoric humans here. It is believed that they once lived on the surrounding hills and perished in a sudden flood. Sights of the Krabi Province The idyllic atmosphere of the southern province is particularly evident in its national parks. – Than Bok Khorani National Park – 121 km² of pure landscape: limestone mountains, mangroves, small islands in unimaginable shapes. – Khao Phanom Bencha National Park – mountainous terrain with dense teak forests, streams, and numerous waterfalls. Many animals here are completely wild and hardly accustomed to humans. – Mu Ko Lanta National Park – located in the southeast of Krabi, with island groups such as Koh Ha, Koh Rok, and Koh Ngai, which are surrounded by coral reefs. The main attraction is Koh Lanta Yai – a mountainous island with beautiful beaches where sand and gravel merge. The Chao Le people, often called "sea gypsies," also live here with centuries-old traditions. The best time to travel to Koh Lanta is from November to the end of April. Diving in Krabi The picturesque bay of Ao Nang with its white beaches and clear water is a dream destination for divers. The surrounding limestone cliffs create a spectacular backdrop. Diving equipment can be bought or rented on-site. You can easily reach the surrounding small islands such as Hat Rai Leh, Da, Tap, or Mo by boat. Beaches of the Krabi Province A unique feature of Krabi is the Shell Fossil Beach (Susan Hoi) – a fossilized shell beach. Thousands of years ago, there was a freshwater lake here. When it dried up, the snails and mussels living in it died, and their shells turned into limestone slabs over time. Also famous is the Phi Phi island group, consisting of seven picturesque islands. Their characteristic feature: steep limestone cliffs, between which small, dreamlike beaches are hidden, surrounded by coral reefs. The best time to visit the Phi Phi Islands is November to April.