Thailand has some of the most diverse scenery in Southeast Asia, from soaring mountains to tropical islands and steamy rainforests. A holiday in Thailand can see you hopping from tea plantations and hill tribe villages in the north to Asia’s rice bowl in the central plains and the south’s palm-encrusted islands. If you’re planning a Thailand holiday, here are some of the country’s top scenic locations you shouldn’t miss.
Locating the Land of Smiles
Thailand lies at the heart of Southeast Asia and is bordered by Myanmar to the northwest and Laos in the northeast, Cambodia in the east and Malaysia in the south. The country covers an area of 513,000 square kilometres, over twice the size of the UK, and its biodiverse landscapes are protected in 127 national and marine parks. These are filled with rare and endangered wildlife including Asian elephants, tigers, bears and monkeys. Tourists also flock to the Land of Smiles to enjoy paradisical islands and spectacular beaches on both the Gulf and Andaman coasts.
When to visit Thailand
Thailand has a tropical monsoon climate with roughly three main seasons:
• Rainy – from June to October rain typically occurs in short, heavy bursts each day
• Cool – this is the peak tourist season which lasts from November to February. The weather is generally dry and sunny with cooler temperatures, yet the scenery is lush and waterfalls are at their best after the rainy season
• Hot – from March to May it’s very hot and dry, with temperatures reaching over 35 degrees in places with intense humidity