There is a lot to do in Phuket gulf if you can force yourself away from the marine realm: Wat Chalong Temple is one of the 29 Buddhist monasteries on the island but by far the most important, Thalang National Museum contains ancient artefacts and exhibits on the famous Battle of Thaland, the Phuket Aquarium on Cape Panwa is nice to visit and of course there is always Phuket town, a retail therapy haven. There is also a rainforest in the north of Phuket at Khao Sok National Park with animal conservation projects, canoeing and elephant treks. You can also visit Koh Tapu, known as the James Bond Island, or Krabi Town which as good shops and from were you can easily reach the Tiger Cave Temple. In the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Samui has some interesting cultural sites. Wat Phra Yai is known as Big Buddha Temple, you can also do kickboxing and visit Samui’s main town: Nathon. Also, the attractions around Koh Tao tend to be nature orientated- hiking, kayaking, waterfalls, idyllic beaches etc. In Bangkok, you can start by taking a three-wheeled tuk-tuk ride to the Grand Palace, an example of traditional architecture. Inside the complex is Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emeral Buddha. You can also visit the Royal Barges Museum in Tha Chang Pier, do some river boat to Wat Arun, go to the museum at Jim Thompson’s house full of interesting exhibits. There is also the ancient Siamese capital of Ayatthuya to visit which is a World Heritage site and if you are interested in war history you should go to the River Kwai.

Accommodation styles cover every range, from high-end luxury boutiques to fantastic options for the budget traveller. There is cheap accommodation throughout Bangkok but Banglamphu is the main area for budget accommodation. Hotels outside the capital and developed tourist areas are less lavish but are extremely economical and comfortable. You can also find guest rooms or do self catering…

Thailand is rightly famous for its nightlife. The kingdom has some of the best clubs playing the latest music, and not all of them in the capital - Thailand’s islands host world-class music venues and events (like “Full Moon Parties”) as do some of the regional capitals such as Chiang Mai. The kingdom also represents excellent value for film. The country also has world-class shows (cabaret, etc.) and the world’s top performing artists grace.