There’s usually no reason to sell someone on a trip to Thailand—it has a strong tourism industry and a reputation as a gateway to Southeast Asia. And the positive reputation is rightfully earned; Thailand has a beautiful, welcoming culture. And let’s not even get started on the tasty food. That’s not to say that it’s not complex too. It’s the country’s contradictions and accessibility that keeps tourists (myself included) coming back. Thai cultural norms are complex, and with a vastly different language than English, there’s a lot under the surface.
I lived in Thailand for about a year total, and I spent most of that time in the north. Even in that time, there is so much I missed doing, seeing, and learning. It’s one of my favorite spots in the region precisely because of the developed tourism infrastructure, as well as the huge community of expats. There’s also a lot of NGOs at work; there are volunteer and socially responsible travel options. Many travelers use Thailand as a base—or at least a starting point—for Southeast Asia. This works well because it has solid internet, great accommodation, good food, and it’s has well-connected transportation options (flights, buses, and trains) to nearby countries.
Either read on for more things you should know before you go, or jump straight to city and regional guides for Thailand.
Travelers visiting Southeast Asia have a long and complex history to unravel on their trip. The countries of China, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos are not only neighbors, but culturally and politically mixed throughout the centuries. The history of Thailand is long, earliest inhabitants dating back to 3,000 BC. The history pressing on the current Kingdom of Thailand, however, dates back to about the 13th century. In the 13th century, modern-day Thailand established sovereignty from the Khmer Empire, the culture of which is still present in modern-day Cambodia. Over the next few centuries, Thailand would see the rise and fall of several Kingdoms—the remains of this history is still in evidence—including the Kingdoms of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya.
The Burmese destroyed Ayutthaya in the late 1700s, and this is also about the time Europeans began claiming pieces of Southeast Asia. Thailand remains the only Southeast Asian country never colonized, so it’s a distinct and interesting contrast to the French-influenced Laos and the British-influenced Burma. Power changed hands many times over the next few centuries, shifting with military and monarchy influences. In 1946, King Bhumibol—the long-reigning and much beloved king—started his reign. He would remain king for 70 years (making him one of the longest reigning monarchs in history); his passing in late 2016 brought to Thailand a year of mourning and left a bit of uncertainty about the future as his son, King Vajiralongkorn, ascended the throne.
The political situation in Thailand is very complex, and even expats living in the country for years barely understand the nuances that shift and change the political climate every few years. For tourists, it’s best to steer clear of political discussions. Ancient politics are up for study because of the impact on the beautiful archaeological sites, but be wary of offering opinions on any protests, on the monarchy, on the government, or on the political parties.
Read a deeper overview of Thailand’s history, or check out the long-reads below for interesting perspectives on this fascinating country.
I lived in Thailand for about a year total, and I spent most of that time in the north. Even in that time, there is so much I missed doing, seeing, and learning. It’s one of my favorite spots in the region precisely because of the developed tourism infrastructure, as well as the huge community of expats. There’s also a lot of NGOs at work; there are volunteer and socially responsible travel options. Many travelers use Thailand as a base—or at least a starting point—for Southeast Asia. This works well because it has solid internet, great accommodation, good food, and it’s has well-connected transportation options (flights, buses, and trains) to nearby countries.
Either read on for more things you should know before you go, or jump straight to city and regional guides for Thailand.
Travelers visiting Southeast Asia have a long and complex history to unravel on their trip. The countries of China, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos are not only neighbors, but culturally and politically mixed throughout the centuries. The history of Thailand is long, earliest inhabitants dating back to 3,000 BC. The history pressing on the current Kingdom of Thailand, however, dates back to about the 13th century. In the 13th century, modern-day Thailand established sovereignty from the Khmer Empire, the culture of which is still present in modern-day Cambodia. Over the next few centuries, Thailand would see the rise and fall of several Kingdoms—the remains of this history is still in evidence—including the Kingdoms of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya.
The Burmese destroyed Ayutthaya in the late 1700s, and this is also about the time Europeans began claiming pieces of Southeast Asia. Thailand remains the only Southeast Asian country never colonized, so it’s a distinct and interesting contrast to the French-influenced Laos and the British-influenced Burma. Power changed hands many times over the next few centuries, shifting with military and monarchy influences. In 1946, King Bhumibol—the long-reigning and much beloved king—started his reign. He would remain king for 70 years (making him one of the longest reigning monarchs in history); his passing in late 2016 brought to Thailand a year of mourning and left a bit of uncertainty about the future as his son, King Vajiralongkorn, ascended the throne.
The political situation in Thailand is very complex, and even expats living in the country for years barely understand the nuances that shift and change the political climate every few years. For tourists, it’s best to steer clear of political discussions. Ancient politics are up for study because of the impact on the beautiful archaeological sites, but be wary of offering opinions on any protests, on the monarchy, on the government, or on the political parties.
Read a deeper overview of Thailand’s history, or check out the long-reads below for interesting perspectives on this fascinating country.
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