Above all, the Thai are known for their cheerful demeanor and joyous celebration of the simple pleasures in life. Beyond the smiles, you’ll also find a proud and cooperative people, always willing to give a stranger a hand.

Thai climate is marked by the monsoons, which cause heavy rains from July to October, which may affect outdoor activities, like kayaking. The months between November and March are ideal for travel, with dry, cooler weather.

Major cities like Bangkok offer bustling energy and a wide array of entertainment options including bars, cabarets, nightclubs, and the wildest of party scenes. For a night off or some local flavor, try a performance of Khon theater or traditional puppetry.

As evidenced in the sharp and varied flavors of its cuisine, Thai culture is a thrilling mix of local ethnic groups and regional influences. In art as in daily life, the tenets of Buddhism are central to Thai culture.

Thai is the official and most widely spoken language in Thailand. In the countryside, you’ll also hear regional languages such as Lao and Khmer. Some English is generally spoken in tourist areas.

Thailand, heir to the long, illustrious history of the Kingdom of Siam, is especially proud of being the one nation in Southeast Asia to have resisted European colonization. Despite recent troubles, Thailand continues to stand by that fierce independence today.