
The country's culture and history are rich, vibrant, and diverse, so there are plenty of things to do and see throughout the country. Here are some of the highlights of Thailand’s rich past and present that you don’t want to miss out on!
Visit Wat Arun, an iconic Buddhist temple which is known to be the most important landmark in Bangkok. Other must-see sites include the Grand Palace, Chinatown, and the Golden Buddha Temple. There are many cultural events throughout the year that offer a chance to experience Thai culture firsthand. The annual Songkran Festival is a celebration of New Year that includes water fights (Thais sprinkle water as a symbol of washing away their sins), ceremonial ball kicking, and much more.
One can also learn about Thai history at museums like the National Museum or visit ancient ruins such as Ayutthaya’s old city or Sukhothai's Old City with its UNESCO World Heritage Site temples like Wat Mahathat. Visitors can also immerse themselves in local culture by joining locals on fishing boats to catch prawns, or visiting markets and being invited into family homes for authentic home-cooked meals. It's worth noting that while it's not always culturally appropriate to eat animal products such as pork sausages on this type of outing, one should politely decline and not offend hosts.
In other parts of Thailand there are diverse ethnic communities representing different Southeast Asian groups including Burmese, Khmers, Laotians and Malaysians among others who have maintained distinctive cultures despite living within larger Thai society. In these areas traditional festivals often involve unique cultural costumes which add interest for visitors who enjoy photography as well.
If you're planning to visit Thailand shortly, you might wonder about your visa options. The fact that there's more than one Visa for Thailand can make it difficult to know exactly which one to apply for, but the good news is that most visitors only need one!