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Search - The Rough Guide to Thailand's Beaches Islands 2 (Rough Guide Travel Guides)

The Rough Guide to Thailand's Beaches Islands 2 - Rough Guide Travel Guides
Author: Paul Gray, Lucy Ridout

INTRODUCTION Despite myriad cultural attractions, sand and sea are what most Thailand holidays are about, and with over three thousand kilometres of tropical coastline there are plenty of stunning white-sand beaches to choose from. In addition, the peculiar shape of the country – which is popularly considered to be reminiscent of an elepha... more »nt’s head, with Bangkok as the eye, the East Coast as the chin, and the peninsular Andaman and Gulf coasts forming the trunk – means you can dive, swim and sunbathe all year round, for when the monsoon rains are battering one coast you merely have to cross to the other to escape them. Geographical differences have given distinctive character to each of the coasts. The Andaman Coast is the most dramatic, edged by sheer limestone cliffs carved by wind and water into strange silhouettes, and interleaved with thick bands of mangrove forest. The Gulf Coast begins and ends quietly with relatively flat, featureless stretches to the south of Bangkok and down towards the Malaysian border, but peaks at its midpoint, where the peninsular mountains march into the sea to form the wildly varied landscapes of the Samui archipelago and the Ang Thong National Marine Park. A fair chunk of the East Coast is dominated by the rigs of offshore oil and gas exploration, but the islands that lie further out have forested spines and gorgeous strands. In short, you’ll find great beaches on all three coasts: idyllic confections of clear turquoise waters at invitingly balmy temperatures, sand so soft that it squeaks underfoot, and palm trees laden with coconuts. The Thai royal family started the craze for seaside holidays by making regular trips to Hua Hin in the early 1900s, and the subsequent construction of the Southern Railway Line soon opened up the region to the rest of the population. Inspired by American GIs who’d discovered Thailand’s attractions during their R&R breaks from Vietnam, it wasn’t long before foreign holidaymakers followed suit, and these days tourism is the main industry in nearly all Thailand’s coastal areas. Many of the most beautiful spots have been well and truly discovered, and a number have developed into full-blown high-rise resorts which seem to have more in common with the Costa del Sol than the rest of Southeast Asia. But you need only venture a few kilometres from such anomalies to encounter a more traditional scene of fishing communities, rubber plantations and Buddhist temples. Over ninety percent of Thais are Theravada Buddhists, and their faith colours all aspects of daily life, from the tiered temple rooftops that dominate the skyline, to the omnipresent saffron-robed monks and the packed calendar of festivals.

ISBN-13: 9781843532743
ISBN-10: 1843532743
Publication Date: 11/29/2004
Pages: 512
Rating:

0 stars, based on 0 rating

Publisher: Rough Guides
Book Type: Paperback
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

Genres:

Travel >> Asia >> Thailand >> General
Travel >> Guidebook Series >> Rough Guide

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