Destination Thailand, where to go to discover the land of smiles
Updated: Jan 29
Everything you need to know before landing in Thailand: a journey through the wonders of the western coast overlooking the Andaman Sea

From the heavenly beaches of the Andaman Sea to the skyscrapers and bright lights of Bangkok , Thailand is a journey that leaves its mark. Here, contrasts do not clash, they blend perfectly into nature: the crystalline water of the islands and the majestic green mountains . But the true heart of the country? Its people. Sincere smiles, warm welcome and a kindness that always makes you feel welcome. It is no coincidence that they call it the Land of Smiles: a title that is not just a cliché, but a promise kept.
In my column "A Portata di Manu" I propose ideas, experiences and itineraries. Advice and suggestions to ensure a truly unique tour as well as some tips that could be useful to you as soon as you land in this land

If it's your first time in Asia, some of the things you'll read may seem obvious, but approaching them with the right spirit will help you avoid those little hitches that are sometimes part of traveling. In this part of the world, the unexpected is the order of the day, and the ability to "stay zen" will allow you to enjoy every single moment.
Let's start with the basics: when talking about Thai islands, the term “ Ko/Koh” (เกาะ in Thai script) always precedes the name of the island. This simply means “island.” Thailand is a true coastal paradise, with over 3,200 kilometers of beaches and 1,430 islands decorating its vast coastline. From the crystalline waters of the Andaman Sea in the west, where Phuket stands out, to the Gulf of Thailand in the east, the country is a tangle of various archipelagos. Some areas, such as Phang Nga Bay with its 67 islands , Mu Ko Chang National Park (52 islands) and Tarutao National Park (51 islands), offer spectacular scenery and biodiversity that is a sight to behold alone. In the past, many of these islands were deserted, but today they are among the most sought-after destinations for tourists.
WHERE IS THAILAND AND HOW TO GET THERE

In the heart of Southeast Asia, it is a land of contrasts and natural wonders. This fascinating country, which extends over a surface area that is more than one and a half times larger than Italy. Bordering Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Malaysia , it contains vast mountainous areas in the north, as well as coastal plains along the coast. The country boasts a long coastline and numerous marine islands. The country's tropical climate, soaked in ocean humidity, offers an eternal summer with temperatures ranging from constant heat to heavy seasonal rains. The airlines that fly to Bangkok from Rome with a stopover are Oman Air, Emirates, Eithad, Thai Airways, Turkish Airline. EgyptAir with a stopover in Cairo. While ITA Airway offers a direct flight.
TIME ZONE, CURRENCY, E-SIM
+6h compared to Italy; +5h when daylight saving time is in effect in Italy. The international prefix for calling Thai numbers is +66 (or 0066);
To be connected throughout your holiday I suggest you the esim HOLAFLY unlimited data with just over 30 euros for 13 days you have infinite dates and calls (obviously the costs are reduced if you take out more subscriptions)
PAYMENT METHODS IN THAILAND

The currency in Thailand is the baht (THB), with an exchange rate of between 35 and 39 baht for 1 euro .
If you can avoid it, do not change money in Italy, the exchange rates are not favorable. Upon arrival in Thailand, you will immediately find several exchange offices at the airport, but be careful: the rates here are generally worse than those you might find in the city.
To get the best rate , it is best to exchange cash withdrawn in Italy directly at one of the exchange offices that are easily found in the city or in shopping centers in the main cities.
Another option is to withdraw cash directly from local ATMs. (Exchange) In major cities, such as Bangkok, you will have no trouble finding ATMs. However, keep in mind that each withdrawal will cost you a flat fee of 220 baht , and the maximum withdrawal limit is between 20,000 and 30,000 baht, regardless of your bank's limit. Also, some banks may charge an extra fee, so it is best to check beforehand. When withdrawing, make sure to select baht as the currency and not convert to euros. And don't forget to enable your card for withdrawals abroad! Hotels, larger restaurants and shopping centres readily accept credit cards (some charge up to 5%), In many other places or on the islands you may need to have cash . This is especially true for family-run establishments, street food stalls and some local transport, such as tuk tuks.
CURIOSITIES AND ODDITIES OUT OF THE ORDINARY
Everything you need to know before landing in Thailand. These are just some of the curiosities you will encounter during your holiday.

Bathrooms in Thailand instructions for use:
In the south of the country you won't have any problems: the bathrooms are very clean and "Western-style".
In the north, the toilets are often Turkish style.
Toilet paper is prohibited in the bathrooms!
And if you find it, you will have to use it as a towel after using the bidet shower. Once used, remember to throw it in the bin, not in the toilet!

Attend a Ping Pong Show
It is a type of sex show (tragi comic) in which women use their pelvic muscles to hold, expel, or blow objects from their vaginal cavity. Ping pong balls are the most iconic objects used. And the audience is provided with Ping Pong paddles to play. The show has been popular in Southeast Asia (especially Bangkok, Thailand) for several decades since the 1970s and is performed mainly for foreign tourists. In many cases the show is associated with sex tourism and concerns have been raised about the human rights of the performers.
You will never find a knife on the table of a Thai restaurant ,
If you are a fan of Thai cuisine, you will have noticed that in Thailand restaurants do not have chopsticks and, in general, knives (unless it is a steakhouse or a tourist place, where you may be given one). Thai tradition is to eat without knives, using a spoon and fork. However, if you like chopsticks, in many restaurants you can still ask for and use them.
North Pole Air Conditioning
It is necessary to always carry something to cover your shoulders in your backpack, because every time you enter a shop, supermarket, taxi, and so on, you will feel like you are experiencing the onset of freezing! Thais like to keep the air conditioning at polar levels, and if you are not used to it, you could risk catching a cold.
Ice is like the glass of water that accompanies the coffee at the bar (in Puglia)
Ice is a ubiquitous element in Thailand: even if you don't ask for it, you will find it practically everywhere, even in beer! If you don't want it, be sure to say so in advance,
Eating insects

In Thailand, insects are considered a rather delicious dish and can be found quite easily as street food.
Getting on a Tuk Tuk
Riding a tuk tuk in Thailand is an act of courage that mixes adrenaline and picturesque charm, an experience that must be lived at least once in a lifetime. These three-wheeled vehicles, similar to the Italian Ape cars, are an iconic means of transport throughout Asia, with local variants found from India to the Philippines, from Sri Lanka to China. Fast, lively and a little chaotic, tuk tuks are the beating heart of Thai roads.
STREET FOOD TO SCREAM
Bangkok is like an open-air kitchen that never sleeps. A place where food is not just a pleasure, but a real life experience. Street food is one of the top reasons to put Thailand on your bucket list. While it is easy to get lost in the lively streets of Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket, it is very easy to be captivated by an explosion of smells, colors and flavors. Food is everywhere, always. People often eat standing up. Streets bustling with chefs, steaming pots and improvised tables: from breakfast before dawn to midnight snacks, people cook and eat non-stop. Pad Thai is the iconic dish of Thailand. It consists of stir-fried rice noodles with eggs, shrimp or chicken, bean sprouts and chopped peanuts, all seasoned with lime and chili pepper. Also unmissable is Khao Pad , a dish of stir-fried rice with vegetables, chicken, shrimp or pork, and often served with an egg on top. It is seasoned with lime and soy sauce, Isaan sausage . The roadside meat barbecues,
LANDING IN BANGKOK

Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport is the main airport in Thailand and one of the most significant hubs in Southeast Asia , along with Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. To reach the city center from Bangkok International Airport, simply board the elevated high-speed train line, inaugurated in August 2010, or take one of the Airport Express, a series of buses that allow you to reach many areas of the city. Finally, you can board the free shuttle buses that take you to the bus station, where buses depart for the rest of the country. As soon as you land in Bangkok, that humid heat overwhelms you. You feel it on your skin, intense and enveloping. It was my first trip to Asia, and that's how it all started, with the vibrant air of an unforgettable metropolis and the fascinating chaos of a country with a thousand contradictions.
I left as a participant of Viaggi Avventure del mondo, in the THAI SOLE DISCOVERY tour 16 participants plus the coordinator Giulio Castiglioni. A group of new friends animated by the passion for the destination and with the same departure needs. In short, united by the values of V iaggi Avventure nel mondo.
And then there is Bangkok by night, the one that never sleeps and pushes you to discover its liveliest and most unpredictable side. You can eat a bit of everything, at all hours . You try new things and let yourself go among lights and sounds: from clubs with music that invades the streets to sports halls where every evening you can watch muay thai matches. There are coffee shops (yes, in Thailand cannabis is legal, even if the issue is still much debated) and massage centers, where the traditional nuad phaen borarn – which means “touch to heal” – puts you back on your feet with just a few baht, starting from the tip of your toes up to your head.
The neon signs overlap, creating a chaos of colors that slowly gives way to the light of dawn. And that's when Bangkok changes pace: the spotlight moves to the frenetic markets , the endless lines of cars and the ornate details of the temples. It's a city that never ceases to amaze you, at any time.
ITINERARY: Destination Thailand, where to go to discover the land of smiles (Read Special Islands)

After breathing in the scents and colors of Bangkok , I set sail for the islands. Postcard beaches, crystal clear sea, just like in the photos I had looked at dreamily on the internet. This is why this destination is so loved, especially by us Italians. The climate? Perfect. Sunny days, low humidity and rare rains. During the winter, the coast overlooking the Andaman Sea is a dream: here are some of the most beautiful islands, such as the Similan, Khao Lak, Phi Phi Island and the Surin nature reserve . An unmissable destination that conquers at first sight. Take a look at my itinerary that will take you to experience unexplored and lesser-known landscapes, enchanting beaches and timeless traditions. I discovered Thailand almost by chance and was immediately fascinated by it. It is a country that deserves to be visited several times to be able to appreciate it in its total entirety and beauty. The ideal months to go to this area of the islands overlooking the Andaman Sea are mainly the winter months, those from November to March. I was there in December , the high season, spending New Year's Eve in Bangkok. (Read special Islands)

The attractions and monuments you have discovered in this blog are only a small part of what Thailand has to offer. Each of these itineraries are unique, driven by your curiosity and desire to learn about a place through its history and people.
Travelling means opening yourself up to new experiences, being surprised by what you did not expect to find, and learning to see the world through different eyes. Sometimes, all it takes is an unexpected meet, a little-traveled road or an unexpected detail or simply a perfume to make the journey even more special.
And with this in mind, I want to leave you with a quote that I keep in my heart:
Traveling is to be unfaithful. Be ruthless about it. Abandon your friends for strangers
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