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Thailand The Land of Smiles The modern-day kingdom of Thailand is a fascinating place to explore. In the South are teeming reefs, clean white crescents of sand, and small offshore islands. In the North sit the lush forests and rice fields surrounding "the flower of the North," Chiang Mai, a traveler's Mecca famed for its beauty and charm. In the capital of Bangkok, a sprawling, frenetic Asian metropolis set along the banks of the Chao Phraya River, the omnipresent orange robes of Buddhist monks mingle with the three-piece suits sported by the city's wheelers and dealers, and travelers have some of Asia's best hotels and restaurants to enjoy. Enchantments abound in Thailand: The gracious people, known for their friendliness and elegance.
The luscious food, so good it has become an international phenomenon and has led to the availability of lemon grass and coconut milk worldwide. The diverse wildlife, including elephants, tigers, leopards, black bears, and over 850 species of birds. The ornate temples, with gilded exteriors and halls filled with gold and marble Buddhas. The extravagant heat, broken by cool breezes and monsoon downpours.
The wonderful shopping, for the world's finest silks, masterfully carved sculptures, and charming jewelry. There is something new to experience everywhere you turn, and to visitors from the West, Thailand is truly an exotic wonderland. Though its fabled name is no longer in place, the spirit of Siam lives on. |
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