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 traveler.

Of course Thailand, like other Asian countries, has been influenced by contact with foreign cultures. But the never-changing character of Thai culture has remained dominant, even in modern city life. Often depicted as fun-loving, happy-go-lucky folk (which indeed they often are), the Thais are also proud and strong, and have struggled for centuries to preserve their independence of spirit.

Thailand is divided into 5 regions:

• The Central Region is extremely rich in historical sites. These include Nakhon Pathom, Kanchanaburi. Bang Pa-In, Ayutthaya, Saraburi, Lopburi and, most important of all, Bangkok, Thailand s capital and major point-of-entry.
• The East Coast unfolds in a series of bays and beaches to the Thai-Kampuchean border. Many popular resorts, including Pattaya, Asia's premier beach resort, occupy a coast characterized by cliff-hidden bays, palmfringed beaches, fishing communities, lovely islands and largely tranquil Gulf waters.
• The North - Bordered by Burma and Laos, characterized by forested mountains -- lower extremities of Himalayan foothills -- and fertile river valleys, northern Thailand encompasses part of the fabled Golden Triangle and was the cradle of Thai civilization where several centuries ago, small independent kingdoms held sway.
• The Northeast Plateau is a distinctive region thanks to a topography of forested mountains and national parks and rolling farmland: to its colorful inhabitants who speak their own melodious dialect, have a delicious highly spiced cuisine, and a hospitable, vibrant and oftentimes boisterous folk culture: and because of archaeologically significant excavations and shrines -- such as Ban Chiang where the world's oldest Bronze Age civilization flourished some 5,600 years ago: and venerable prasat hin (stone castle) temples, legacy of I-San's former importance to the Angkor-centred Khmer empire.
• The South is characterized by lush tropical islands, dazzling palm-fringed beaches, coral reefs teeming with colorful marine life, picturesque fishing villages with handpainted boats, remote national parks, forested mountains, waterfalls, historic cities, ubiquitous rubber estates, wildlife sanctuaries, and the juxtaposition of temples and mosques.