Thailand

The Kingdom of Thailand sits at the heart of South-East Asia, between India and China, bordered by Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia. It is a Buddhist country with a deep tradition of hospitality, the art of Thai massage, one of the world’s great cuisines, and a capital, Bangkok, that is all temples, river canals, food and shopping.

The finest beach resorts are on the islands of Phuket and Koh Samui, an hour’s flight from the capital, and in Krabi province, where limestone cliffs rise from the Andaman Sea. Hua Hin’s coast lies three hours’ drive from Bangkok, while the north — Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in the Golden Triangle — opens up jungle, mountains and the culture of ancient kingdoms.

The climate is tropical, with average temperatures of 28–30 °C. The best time to travel is November to February; the rains fall on Phuket from September to November and on Koh Samui from November to February, so one coast or another is in season for most of the year. Thailand suits couples and honeymooners, families, lovers of spa and wellness, and travellers who like to combine the beach with discovery.