Thailand
Top Tips
Snorkelling and diving
Colourful reefs and fish abound in the south, with the Similan
& Surin islands topping the list
Swimming and sunbathing
You're never far from the perfect, palm-fringed, white-sand beach
(but don't ask Alex Garland for directions)
Yoga
Courses & single sessions at many resorts
Massage
A fabulous and inexpensive way to start or end the day; or you can
learn how to do it yourselves
Spa
The latest must-have for every Thai hotel, with herbal baths,
crystal-salt scrubs, spice body-wraps...
Temple-visits
Friendly monks, Buddha statues, Ramayana frescoes, tiled walls and
bizarre burial monuments – but don't overdo the watage
or you may burn out
Shopping
Bangkok and Chiang Mai have some of the the best markets and
boutiques in SE Asia – silk, jewellery, fake-designer-ware,
cd's, watches…
River-cruises
Day- or overnight trips aboard old rice barges, most famously from
Bangkok to the historic capital of Ayutthaya
Trekking
The forested hills of the north conceal costumed tribes, roaring
water-falls, misty peaks and wild orchids
Rafting
Race downstream on a bamboo or inflatable raft; or canoe down the
rivers and lakes of Khao Sok
Sea-kayaking
To remote beaches and islands; or multi-day trips into Ang Thong
Marine Park
Mountain-biking
Even Samui and Phuket have tracks through jungle dense enough to
feel well and truly lost
Bird-watching
Hundreds of exotic species in coastal and riverine rainforest
Elephant rides
Hilariously wobbly and ludicrously high, you've got to try it
once
Monkey circus
Great amusement for the kids (and, let's face it, adults too)