Thailand: Gateway to Asia

Thailand enjoys a strategic area at the heart of Asia, the fastest growing economic market today. From Thailand, touring to China, India and the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with a population of 500 million is painless and speedy.

The passage grid linking Thailand to the region has been made even more correct with the opening of Suvarnabhumi, the country’s new worldwide airport in September, 2006. One of the most contemporary airports in the world, it is designed to serve 45 million passengers a year, a capacity that will rise to 60 million passengers in three years. The opening of Suvarnabhumi provides superb opportunities for Thailand and its tourism industry to progress.

On land, the opening of the Second Mekong International Bridge in December, 2006 links Mukdahan Province in Thailand and Savannakhet Province in Laos, supplying immense office opportunities between Thailand and its nearby countries. Crossing the bridge from Mukdahan to Savannakhet, jet-setters can continue their tour along Route 9 to principal cities in central Vietnam such as Quang Tri, Hue and Danang.

The bridge forms an integral part in the East- West Economic Corridor designed to bring financial benefits to the countries in the Greater Mekong Sub-region. With Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, these countries are Cambodia, Myanmar, and China. The East-West Corridor will be an extraordinary project link between South Asia and Southeast Asia.

From Danang to Savannakhet and Mukdahan across the Second Mekong International Bridge, travelers will have direct access to the Thai provinces of Kalasin, Khon Kaen, Phetchabun, Phitsanulok, Sukhothai and Tak, at the end of the day reaching Myawaddy in Myanmar before entering the capital, Yangon. From Yangon, the road is open to India.

With these current developments and Suvarnabhumi as a hub of Asian transport, Thailand’s role as a gateway to Asia is confirmed. For jet-setters and locals, Thailand provides the only direction by which to encounter, or at least to check out the multi-cultural kaleidoscope of Asia.

The Kingdom of Thailand is accepted to be one of the most enjoyable countries in the world in which to spend a vacation. It is a reasonably large country, about the size of France, whose people are predominantly Buddhist. Its topographical variations and provincial distinctions are various, and yet there is nowhere that is hard to access or lacking in facilities for the explorers.

Within its area of 513,115 square kilometers, the country is comprised of four different geographical regions, each with its own character: the mountainous North, with its abundance of multicolored orchids, colorful native handicrafts and winter temperatures cool enough to plant temperate fruit and vegetables; the high Northeast Plateau with its striking archaeological and anthropological sites; the Central Plains, the nation’s rice bowl with Bangkok at its southern limit, watered by the Chao Phraya River.

The South is different again: a narrow peninsula with the Andaman Sea on its western side and the Gulf of Thailand to the east. Both coasts are lined with white sandy beaches and many offshore islands.

The country is blessed with a tropical climate that is neither too hot, too dry, nor too wet in the monsoon season, and travel in Thailand is comfortable at any time of the year.

Getting to Thailand could not be simpler or more convenient. Suvarnabhumi Airport is served by virtually all of the world’s major airlines and provides air links to Asia and beyond to all parts of the globe. Once here, the quickest means of transport to any part of the country is the domestic network operated by Thai Airways International (THAI). There are also many private carriers and budget airlines.

The national road network is comprehensive, well planned and well marked in English as well as Thai. Rail travel is the third transport option, with convenient routes on the main northern and southern lines and to the Northeast.

Air-conditioned first-class  sleepers are ideal for long journeys, while for luxury travel, the Eastern & Oriental service runs from Bangkok the southern peninsula and on to Malaysia and Singapore.

Transport within cities and towns offers many convenient choices. In addition to local bus services, air-conditioned, metered taxis are plentiful and very inexpensive compared to other countries. Bangkok and some other towns also have that unique Thai taxi, the samlor or tuk tuk, a three-wheeled vehicle taking two passengers, or three or four at a squeeze. They are rather noisy but extremely popular with visitors who find them fun as well as practical.

Another popular form of transport is the motorcycle taxi. Clusters of motorcyclists in official jackets are based at appointed street corners. They can speed you to your destination faster than any other means of transport — but this way is not for the faint-hearted.
The experience of generations of tourists and travelers confirms Thailand as one of the world’s most visitor friendly travel destinations: a safe and welcoming environment where the legendary smile is no legend, but one of the pleasant realities of life.
Even in the busy metropolis Bangkok, the Thai characteristics shine through the international bravura: the uniqueness of the food, the social customs, the temples and the Buddhist aura. Away from Bangkok, on white sandy southern beaches by emerald seas or in green mountain forests of the North, visitors can feel that they are among friends.

The Kingdom of Thailand has never been the colony of another power and so the Thai individuality has always been allowed to flower freely. Travelers to this Land of Smiles, once their journey is over, are possessed with the desire to return. The sights, sounds and memories of the land and its people remain in their thoughts, for Thailand is like an enthralling dream. But they know it is a dream that they will one day recapture.

About the Author

admin Larry Westfall is a retired expat living the good life in Khon Kaen Thailand.