Having lived in Thailand for the past four months, I’m telling just about anyone and everyone why they should add this beautiful country to the top of their must-travel lists.
 
I’ve travelled everywhere from the very northern reaches of Chiang Mai and the bustling mega-city of Bangkok to the party streets of Phuket and the idyllic paradise islands of Koh Lanta, Koh Samui, and Koh Tao. If you’ve never visited Thailand before or haven’t heard much about it, here are some of the top reasons you should visit…

Food

Without a doubt, if you visit Thailand for one reason it should be for the food! There’s something to please everybody in Thai cuisine, from creamy coconut curries and sticky mango rice to spicy tom yum soup and nutty pad Thai. If you’re visiting Bangkok on a luxury cruise, take the opportunity to head to Chinatown, where you will find a wonderful mix of Chinese and Thai dishes from stalls and restaurants lining the streets. Food is a big deal in Thailand (as in many Asian nations) and you will find the most incredible dishes at the most unlikely places on street corners - some of which even have Michelin stars for their culinary skills!

Culture

Thailand is full of fascinating cultural and religious sites which allow tourists to really get a glimpse into everyday life. As a Buddhist country, spirituality and religion plays a very important part of daily life and you will often see locals taking the time to worship at both tiny streetside shrines and vast golden temples. If you’re an early riser, you might even see the monks making their way to temples in the morning, dressed beautifully in their bright orange robes and commanding respect from every passer-by.
 
It’s possible to get a bit ‘templed out’ if you’re not careful, so it’s worth researching each destination and what the main temple sites are. In Bangkok, make sure to visit the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, and Wat Pho. In Phuket, the great golden Buddha (one of the biggest in the country) sits atop a hill and is a majestic sight to see.

Nature

Thailand is an incredibly diverse country when it comes to landscapes. Within an hour or two you can escape from a buzzing metropolis and end up surrounded by stunning beaches, lush forests and rolling hills. On a luxury cruise you will tend to sail the Gulf of Thailand or the Andaman Sea on the east and west of the country respectively. In the Gulf, you will find the cities of Bangkok and Pattaya contrast with island paradises such as Koh Chang and Koh Kood.

To the west, you will get the chance to explore the rolling hills of Phuket (home to the marvellous Elephant Jungle Sanctuary!), the craggy mountains of Krabi and Phang Nga Bay, and the crystal clear waters of the Phi Phi Islands. Extend your stay in Thailand and visit the north, where you will find lush forest landscapes around Chiang Mai and Pai, as well as Thailand’s tallest mountain in Doi Inthanon National Park.

People

Perhaps something you’d not expect to be a reason to visit a country, but in Thailand’s case the people are simply delightful. Known as the ‘land of smiles’, that is exactly what you will find everywhere you visit. People cannot do enough to help you, are gracious and polite, and love having tourists in their town or city. Some helpful phrases to learn which are guaranteed to put a smile on Thai people’s faces are ‘Sawasdee-ka’ (meaning hello) and ‘Kap-kun-ka’ (meaning thank you)!
 
Not only has the last few months of travel convinced me that Thailand is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, it has shown me that there are so many brilliant ways of travelling around the country.
 
While I have mainly been travelling by train, bus and ferry, there are some truly unique cruise itineraries which visit some of the most popular islands and cities in Thailand. I was lucky enough to spend two weeks on a Southeast Asia cruise with Seabourn, which included two days in Laem Chabang (access to both Bangkok and Pattaya) and Koh Kood. You can read all about my cruise experience with Seabourn as well as the Koh Kood island event.

Check out all Thailand voyages here, most of which take in other beautiful sights in Southeast Asia! Here's a pick of some of our favourite Thailand voyages...

• Overnights & Asian Wonders with Regent Seven Seas
• 14-Day Thailand, Vietnam & Malaysia Holiday with Seabourn
• Asian Gulfs & Deltas with Oceania Cruises
• Secret Islands and Mythical Cities of South-East Asia with Ponant 

Call a luxury cruise connoisseur on 0161 516 7141 to find out more!