Thailand: Bangkok & Phuket

Thailand's largest island, Phuket, is the jewel of the Andaman Sea and is well known as the site of Patong Beach, a world famous tropical beach resort. For those travelling to Phuket for the first time, it offers plenty of beaches for snorkelling and other water sports. But there are several non-beach activities to be enjoyed here too, including tours of coconut and rubber plantations, waterfalls such as Ton Sai and Bang Pae, elephant riding, spa and wellness treatments - both Eastern and Western, Buddhist temples, batik factories, a cultured-pearl farm, a crocodile farm and the Marine Biological Research Centre. If you're visiting in November-February, you can watch giant sea turtles going ashore the Mai Khao Beach to lay eggs.

More than just the political, commercial, and cultural capital of Thailand, Bangkok's skyline gives you an idea of its unique personality; which is a vibrant conglomeration of chrome and cane. All through the city, flows the beautiful Chao Phraya River, filled with traders and boats. Bangkok's bustling atmosphere, though distinctly modern, has a sense of heritage found within urban tangle, for soaring skyscrapers can be found alongside tranquil temples. However, the sense of order within this chaos is quite evident, and the congestion of people and traffic is alleviated by the slick overland metropolitan railway, cheap river boats and air-conditioned taxis, all of which allow you to see the city as it really is.

Weather:
Spring: March to May 27-34 C
Summer: June to August 26-33 C
Autumn: September to November 25-32 C
Winter: December to February 23-32 C

Shopping:
Shoppers in Bangkok have a wide choice of areas in which to pursue their search for bargains and luxuries, most of them located within walking distance of the major hotels. Souvenir markets, luxury malls, and Thai handicrafts stalls are all jumbled up together, always giving you a variety. For souvenirs, visit the Amulet Market in Ko Ratanakosin, and the Chatuchak Weekend Market at Th Phahonyothin Lat Phrao. Also try the Orient Plaza and the River City Shopping Complex, which are adjacent to the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel, to find antiques and decorative items. Siam Square is home to many malls and antique shops also. The Floating Market is also a must visit. If you are interested in jewellery, visit The Jewel Fest Club, where quality craftsmanship and reasonable price are assured.

Must Do:
There are over 300 Buddhist shrines and temples within the city, and there is no excuse a tourist to Bangkok can have for not visiting some of these beautiful places. The most famous are Wat Benchamabophit (Marble Temple), Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) and Wat Trimit (Temple of the Golden Buddha). You should also try to visit Wat Phra Kaeo, where the Emerald Buddha (made of translucent green jade) resides. Bangkok also offers an assortment of restaurants that is staggering in its variety. In Bangkok, you are never more than a few feet from a restaurant or sidewalk food vendor and each one of them is different. Sukhumvit, Siam Square, Silom, and Bang Rak are the areas where you can find the best Thai cuisine. There is a lot to entertain you in Bangkok, with some of the best nightclubs, bars, cafes and discos in Asia, liberally sprinkled all over the cityscape.

Travel Tools:
ISD Code: +66
Currency: Baht (THB) 1 THB is approximately 1.50 Indian Rupee (INR)
Time Zone: GMT +7 hours. IST +1:30 hours
Voltage: 220V - 240V