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Discover the destination
Embarking on an adventure is even better when you know the customs of the country you are visiting. So, what do you need to know to travel to Thailand with peace of mind? A practical guide for travellers in Southeast Asia.
Best practices
To do When visiting temples, wear appropriate clothes that cover your shoulders and legs. Remove your shoes before entering. When greeting someone, it is important to perform the 'wai', by joining both hands and bowing the head. It is a sign of politeness, as well as respect. To avoid When the national anthem is played (every day at 7am and 6pm), it should not be interrupted. Showing disrespect to members of the royal family or to Buddha will also be seen as an offence.
Essential vocabulary
Hello / good evening: Sawat di khrap Goodbye: Sawat di khrap Welcome: Thi mo som Excuse me / please: Khaw à phai / Kà rú naa Thank you: Kop khun khrap Yes / no: Chaï / May How are you?: Sabai ïdi ru? Very well, thank you, and you: Sabaïdi khrap My name is...: Phom chêu
Gastronomy
Pad Thai is the national dish of Thailand: it can be found in all regions. It consists of stir-fried rice noodles with chicken or prawns (or both), green onions, garlic, scrambled egg, bean sprouts, soy sauce, red chili a nd roasted peanuts. All topped with lime juice at the time of serving.
Myths and legends
Symbol of peace and prosperity, the elephant is a nearly sacred animal in Thailand since the foundation of the Kingdom of Siam in the 14th century. The white elephant was actually the emblem of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya until the 18th century. It symbolised divine royal power. Its prestige among the population is also due to Buddhism: Ganesh is none other than the god of wisdom and knowledge.
In the spotlight
Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun became Rama X in December 2016 when he was enthroned as the King of Thailand, two years after the death of his father, Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX). Crowned in May 2019, he is not universally popular in the country. The reason for this is his many eccentricities. He notably elevated his pet poodle to the rank of Air Chief Marshal, posthumously. On July 28, 2019, Rama X reinstated an old tradition, forgotten for over a century: having an official concubine. Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi, known as Koi, was however, stripped of her title in October 2019 for 'disloyalty'. She was accused of trying to take the queen's place. Rama X has already divorced two of his former wives, who have since never appeared in public again.
Culture
Book 'The Dream Stuffer' by Nikom Rayawa (2007). "It was foggy that morning. Majdane held her basket in one hand and helped the boy down the steps with the other. The stuffed child was bursting with life. They climbed the hill through the damp grass and entered the cool mist. A rainbow shone before them as the sun began to warm the air." This beautiful novel is closely linked to the Siam that became Thailand, whose nature we are proud to restore. But there, not everything is ‘luxury, calm and pleasure’... Thanks to the simplicity of his style, Nikom Rayawa gives his story remarkable authenticity, between violence and tenderness, which demystifies a particularly popular tourist destination. Music French composer and conductor Laurent Couson is no stranger to working with Claude Lelouch. Based in Thailand, he has been conducting the South Asia Symphonic Orchestra and the Bangkok Chamber Orchestra of Thailand since 2015. He brought together no fewer than 65 Thai musicians to create this symphony orchestra, with which he has recorded several albums. Film Adapted from Alex Garland's book by Danny Boyle, ‘The Beach’ stars Leonardo Di Caprio, Guillaume Canet and Virginie Ledoyen as three young backpackers in search of an idyllic beach in an isolated archipelago in Thailand. They find themselves in a New Age community cut off from the world and, for a while, believe they have arrived in a paradise for hippies. Unfortunately, their integration is not without its problems, and this self-sufficient village quickly reveals its limitations, exposing a rigid organisation that leads to heightened violence.
Discover the destination
Ideal for escapism and serenity, a cruise between Thailand and Myanmar offers numerous opportunities for discovery. Between must-see visits and off-the-beaten-path excursions, do not miss any of the wonders of this timeless Asia.
Around 30 kilometres from Ko Lanta, Ko Rok Nok remains a lesser-known, peaceful haven, inhabited only by the rangers of this protected national park. Two stunning beaches stretch out before an endless expanse of turquoise water, perfect for lovers of postcard-worthy landscapes. The island is also rich in vegetation, with tropical forest, mangroves and jungle dominated by towering banyan trees, considered sacred in local tradition. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel like Robinson Crusoe at the edge of the world.
Karst islets that seem to float on the water, ochre-hued rocks set against the shimmering blue sea, and trees clinging to sheer cliffs as if poised to dive into the calm below… Welcome to a breathtaking paradise. The best way to explore the wonders of Phang Nga Bay is by speedboat, allowing for stops at iconic sites like James Bond Island – famous for the final scenes of The Man with the Golden Gun – and Panyi Island, a remarkable floating village built on stilts.
Former capital of Myanmar in the 11th century, Bagan remains one of the most incredible sites in Asia. The 2,000 temples and pagodas that rise towards the sky as far as the eye can see are not unfamiliar to the attraction exerted on visitors. Among them, the Gu Byauk Gyi temple, built in the early 13th century, houses some of the most beautiful frescoes of Bagan, depicting famous Buddhist stories. Bagan is also famous for its craftsmanship, especially the superb lacquerware, renowned throughout the country.
Formerly known as the 'Queen of the East', Yangon has retained its former splendour, notably thanks to exceptional monuments such as the Shwedagon Pagoda. This architectural masterpiece is said to have been built over 2,500 years ago. The exterior of its stupa is covered with over 8,600 gold plates and its tip is encrusted with over 5,400 diamonds and 2,300 rubies, sapphires, and topazes. The reclining Buddha pagoda is also impressive, with its 70-metre-long statue. This spiritual world contrasts with the colonial downtown of the former capital of Myanmar: the wide avenues and imposing buildings reminiscent of the Victorian style testify to the British presence in the country until 1948.
Gem of the Gulf of Thailand, Ko Samui is an island that contributed to the country's fame. The fine sandy beaches lined with palm trees and bordered by crystal-clear water, and the view they offer of the karst islets that shape an enchanting landscape, are a big part of it. Ko Samui is all about the sweetness of life, without worries. The Big Buddha Temple with its 12-metre-high statue, the Plai Leam Temple, and the We Green Farm cultural park, which showcases the island's culture, are among the activities that will divert the curious from relaxing by the sea.
Thailand has fabulous, delicious and refined cuisine that can be enjoyed at any time, in tiny street bistros, markets or food carts. In the Chinatown district of Bangkok, the influences of the Chinese community, settled in Thailand for 200 years, elevate this varied and succulent gastronomy. Sweet and sour, spicy flavours mix with sweet and salty notes, to the delight of food lovers. To be tasted especially in Yaowarat street, the main axis of this colourful district: pad thai, stir-fried noodles, various soups, seafood, curries, fresh fruit juices... Street food at its best!
Some places impose silence and contemplation; Ayutthaya is one of them. Founded in 1350, the city remained the capital of the kingdom until 1767, when it was attacked and destroyed by the Burmese. The scattered remains over an area of just under 15 km2 still reflect the magnificence of the city and the importance given to temples. Wat Chaiwatthanaram with seated Buddhas or Wat Phra Sri Sanphet with bell-shaped chedis are beautiful examples of this. Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991, the site is a must-see in Thailand.
While food markets offering delicious meals on the go are abundant in Thailand, many also sell a wide variety of goods. Some are truly worth a visit – like the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, where traditional boats brimming with colourful, locally grown fruits and vegetables create a vibrant and unforgettable scene. Not far away, the Mae Klong Market offers one of the most astonishing sights in the world: set directly on active railway tracks, the market pauses several times a day as a train approaches. At the sound of the horn, vendors swiftly pull back their goods and retract their awnings, only to resume business as usual once the train has passed.
It is impossible to visit all the temples and monuments of Bangkok in one day. However, some are really worth a visit, such as Wat Taimit temple with its solid gold Buddha. The Grand Palace, built in 1782, houses the Wat Phra Keo temple, a magnificent chapel where the country's most revered Buddha is located: the Emerald Buddha. A stop at the Temple of Dawn, Wat Arun, known for its 78-meter high spire, is also a must.
