These are the reasons that have made Thailand the fashionable destination

Dreamlike beaches, exquisite gastronomy and charming people. When you think of the ancient 'kingdom of Siam', these are some of the first definitions that come to mind. However, travel to Thailand is much more than that, and on its grounds you can enjoy unique experiences that do not take place in any other country. As you enter the borders of this destination that never goes out of style, you are going to discover an impressive 'treasure', literally speaking. There is the largest solid gold statue in the world: no less than 5.5 tons of this precious metal make up the famous three-meter Buddha of the Wat Traimit temple in Bangkok.

The Buddha will seem to invite you to continue your adventure through Thailand with his spectacular brilliance and radiance. It will be just one of the attractions that you will discover during your route through this country in the shape of an elephant's head. This nation, founded in the 13th century, welcomes anyone who wants to walk through lands that were never colonized by Europeans, and whose history and traditions have been preserved over the years.

You will notice the friendly character of its people as soon as you get off the plane. Upon arrival in Thailand you may be greeted with folded hands in front of your chest. As the PANGEA travel agency reminds us, this greeting known as 'wai' is usually accompanied by a nod of the head: the higher the hands are, the more respect will be shown. The Thais are a tremendously courteous people, so much so that they don't step on money because it shows the face of the king.

Thailand also has very respectful religious traditions: you must always take off your shoes before entering the temples and you can never point your feet at Buddha images. Keep in mind that, although the predominant faith is 'Theravāda' Buddhist –established at the same time that the 'Thai' alphabet was introduced–, the king is highly respected. It is advisable not to forget these tips when you arrive in Bangkok, the largest and most populous city in Thailand. There, among its bustling streets, many of the country's most important temples are concentrated, especially on the banks of the river that runs through your map, the Chao Phraya.

Within the grounds of the Grand Royal Palace, which until the 20th century was the residence of 'blue bloods' and which was built to commemorate the founding of the city, is the famous temple of the Emerald Buddha: despite being a jade carving of no more than 45 centimeters, is the most revered in the country. Next to the Grand Royal Palace is another of the jewels that you cannot miss in Thailand: the Wat Pho temple where a 43-meter-long reclining Buddha rests. In addition, in Wat Pho is the country's traditional medicine school and one of the best places to enjoy an authentic Thai massage.

The 'red light districts' of Bangkok

Although the red light district of Amsterdam is perhaps one of the best known in the world (besides Paris), in Thailand the areas of Soi Cowboy and Nana Plaza are very popular. The latter is where the 'ladyboys' and 'tomboys' can be found when walking through its streets or from the heights of a skyscraper. Bangkok is a city that never sleeps and, also at night, it is a good option to go up to its tall buildings to contemplate its environment from a bird's eye view. The Siroco is one of the spaces in the heights most frequented by tourists due to its appearance in the film 'The Hangover', although, as far as spectacularity is concerned, Vertigo rivals it.

If you need to recharge your batteries during your tour of the Thai capital, let yourself be carried away by the local customs and buy some fruit in markets such as the open-air Chatuchak, although to satisfy your appetite in this place, known as JJ Market, you will have to Whether it's Saturday or Sunday: its more than 15,000 stalls (including that of a Spanish chef who prepares delicious paellas) are only open on weekends. The cultural contrast can be seen in any corner of the city. Suddenly you can find yourself in front of the MBK or Siam Paragon, a luxury and glamor shopping center, when you have just left the Tomburi neighborhood behind where the Wat Arun of fantastic blue ceramics and porcelain pieces is located.

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A place bordering three countries

To get to the northern city of Chiang Rai you will have to take the plane or the train. There the meeting between three countries takes place –Thailand, Myanmar and Laos– but, in addition to being the region where this confluence appears, the popular and striking White Temple also arises in its domains. Started in 1997, the Wat Rong Khun is the most impressive contemporary temple in the country: it still remains unfinished, but its author continually adds figures as extravagant as hands that seem to come out of the underworld or colorful paintings that allude to the world of comics.

Changing just one letter in the name of the city will take you to Chiang Mai, one of the northernmost towns in Thailand, where its wall in the shape of a perfect square is striking. Inside you can breathe a peaceful atmosphere full of monks strolling, markets full of life and massage centers in the purest 'Thai' style. Do not miss the opportunity to visit Wat Doi Suthep, on the outskirts of Chiang Mai, a temple located on top of the hill that gives its name to its construction.

The northern part of the country is very mountainous and is home to some of its highest peaks, so it is a good idea to carry your camera close at hand so as not to miss a single one of the landscapes or temples that are located there. For example, Wat Chadi Luang, the tallest in the city until an earthquake took that honor away from it at 100 meters. In the surroundings of this construction, where the Emerald Buddha was protected in the past, monks who love to strike up a conversation with tourists on any subject walk.

A massage given by inmates

Chiang Mai is also a good city to get a massage and forget about stress. Tourists are struck by the fact that the most famous place for this is a women's correctional facility located in the center of their map. There, it is the prisoners themselves who, with their hands, make the muscles forget the stress while they learn a trade that is part of their reintegration program.

With the body ready, it is a good time to go down to the south and discover the beaches of Thailand. During the European summer months, the region with the best weather is the Gulf of Thailand: Spanish tourists see a certain resemblance to Marbella in Malaga on the island of Koh Samui. From its shores you can reach the islands of Koh Pha Nga, birthplace of the well-known Full Moon party, and Koh Thao, the cradle of diving in the country. In Koh Nang Yuan a natural spectacle of impressive beauty appears, since the island is united by a tongue of sand that crosses the sea water.

If the Gulf of Thailand had seemed beautiful to you, wait until you see the Andaman Sea area. Its multiple islands are so impressive that they have been the scene of international films. This is the case of Phuket, which 'lent' its Koh Tapu to James Bond in the film 'The Man with the Golden Gun'; or Phi Phi Lee, who conquered Leonardo DiCaprio with his emerald-colored saltwater lake on the set of 'The Beach'. The coast of Krabi, with its characteristic karstic formations and its beautiful Railay Beach, which is only accessible by sea, cannot be missed.

The exquisite Thai cuisine

Prepare your palate for a harmonious compendium between sweet, bitter, salty and, of course, spicy ('pet', in Thai). Thailand's gastronomy is so exquisite that it has been able to conquer the stomachs of all those who have been lucky enough to try it. Take advantage of your trip to appreciate the nuances of its dishes, in which rice is such an essential staple that even the word 'eat' is said 'kin kao', whose literal translation would be 'eat rice'. Culinary art is always present in the country and, as an example of this, it is enough to mention that if they want to know how you are out of courtesy, they will do so using the same terms as to ask if you have eaten [rice] yet.

In Thailand there are no prohibited foods, although beef is rare, perhaps due to the influence of Hinduism in the country. It is very typical to eat at street stalls or in markets, where you can taste traditional dishes such as 'pad thai', a preparation of fried 'noodles' with prawns and vegetables. You must try the rich meat skewers known as 'satay' and a spicy green papaya and chili salad called 'som tam'. Pay attention when you order your menu because, if you are not a fan of spicy foods, you should notify it in advance.

You can also quench your thirst with one of the delicious and cheap juices prepared in Thailand made with seasonal fruits such as mangosteen or durian. The latter is a fruit that is delicious despite giving off such a nauseating smell that its incursion into hotels, airports or taxis is prohibited.