The Kingdom of Thailand draws more visitors than any other country in southeast Asia with its irresistible combination of breathtaking natural beauty, inspiring temples, renowned hospitality, robust cuisine and ruins of fabulous ancient kingdoms.

From the stupa-studded mountains of Mae Hong Son and the verdant limestone islands of the Andaman Sea, to the pulse-pounding dance clubs of Bangkok and the tranquil villages moored along the Mekong River, Thailand offers something for every type of traveller.

Practical Info

Climate: Thailand's climate is tropical, high both in temperature and humidity, and dominated by monsoons. April and May are the hottest months of the year, when even the locals are moved to complain about the heat. June sees the beginning of the South West Monsoon, and brings with it the rainy season, which continues intermittently until the end of October.
From November to the end of February the climate is much less trying with a cooling North East breeze and a reduction in the humidity level. This is also the main tourist season, and the best time to visit Thailand.
The north and north-east are generally cooler than Bangkok in winter, and hotter in summer. In the far north, around Mae Hong Son temperatures can occasionally drop as low as 2 Degree Celcius.

Events Overview: Many festivals are linked to Buddhist or Brahman rituals and follow a lunar calendar. New Year/Songkran, is celebrated in mid-April by 'bathing' Buddha images, paying respects to monks and elders by sprinkling water over their hands, and generally tossing a lot of water in the air for fun. Expect to get soaked, unless you'd prefer to skulk in your room. The sowing and harvesting of rice has given rise to a cycle of festivals. To kick off the official rice-planting season in May, the king participates in an ancient Brahman ritual in a large field (Sanam Luang)in central Bangkok; a Rocket Festival is held in May in the country's northeast, using a volatile mixture of bamboo and gunpowder to convince the sky to send rain for the new rice season; and the rice harvest from September through to May leads to joyous local celebrations throughout Thailand.

The Vegetarian Festival in Phuket and Trang, during which devout Chinese Buddhists eat only vegetarian food, runs for nine days from late September to early October. Merit-making processions are the most visible expression of this festival, but there are also ceremonies at Chinese temples. The Elephant Roundup in Surin in November is a festival popular with the kind of people who enjoy watching pachyderms play soccer. During the Loi Krathong Festival, held after the rainy season (usually in November), candle-lit floats are cast into waterways to bring good fortune for the coming year.

• January 01, New Year's Day
• January 02 - 03, Substitute for New Year's Day
• February 13, Makha Bucha Day
• April 06, Chakri Day
• April 13 - 15, Songkran Days
• May 01, National Labour Day
• May 05, Coronation Day
• May 12,  Visakha Bucha Day
• July 11,   Buddhist Lent Day 
• August 12, H.M. The Queen's Birthday
• August 14, Substitute for H.M. The Queen's Birthday
• October 23, Chulalongkorn Memorial Day
• December 05, H.M. The King's Birthday
• December 11, Substitute for Constitution Day
• December 31,  New Year's Eve

What documentations do I need in order to Travel to Thailand?
VISAS: Required by all except the following nationals for stays of up to 30 days, provided they are bona fide tourists with valid passports, hold a confirmed date return ticket and are entering by air, sea or by any other means of transport via the Thai/Malaysian border:
(a) nationals of the countries referred to in the chart above;
(b) nationals of Bahrain, Brazil, Brunei, Hong Kong (SAR), Indonesia, Israel, Korea (Rep.), Kuwait, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, The Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Vietnam;
Note: nationals of Brazil, Korea (Rep.) and Peru can stay up to 90 days for touristic or temporary business purposes only.
(c) transit passengers continuing their journey within 12 hours, provided holding confirmed tickets and other documents for an onward journey and they do not leave the transit lounge.

Note: (a) The following nationals can obtain an entry visa on arrival at the immigration checkpoints at Chiangmai, Don Muang (Bangkok), Hatyai, Phuket, Samui, Sukhothai and U-Taphao airports, provided holding a confirmed ticket to leave within 15 days, a valid passport and that their visit is for tourist purposes only: Bhutan, China (PR), Cyprus, Czech Republic, Hungary, India, Kazakhstan, Maldives, Mauritius, Oman, Poland, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia and Ukraine.
The fee for this service is approximately £30, which has to be paid in US Dollars or the Thai Baht equivalent; note this is subject to frequent change. Travellers should also note that there are normally long queues at the immigration checkpoints. (b) Anyone intending to stay longer than 30 days must obtain a visa prior to arrival.

Chonburi
Golf, Scuba & Nightlife in Pattaya - Pattaya Beach, in Chonburi province on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, is the most famous of the beach destinations in Thailand. The partying gets intense after the sun goes down, and the range of diversions appeals to every taste, interest and preference. You can find whatever you want in this cosmopolitan city dedicated to extravagant indulgence and the pursuit of pleasure.

A little over two hours from Bangkok by comfortable, air-conditioned bus, Pattaya is within easy reach of a dozen excellent, affordable golf courses which have spectacular views and all the amenities. It is also home to numerous fully equipped businesses which offer scuba adventures at one of the nearby islands. The beach on Pattaya bay itself is not ideal for watersports, but nearby Jomtien and Naklua beaches provide cleaner, less crowded venues for swimming, windsurfing, boating, and other kinds of sun-drenched fun in the warm, turquoise waters of the Gulf.