The Great Outdoor
On the map, Thailand has the shape of an axe with a long,
narrow handle. From the topmost part to the butt end is a
length of some 1,650 kilometres, roughly the distance between
New York and Miami. Thanks to its extraordinary length, the
country has the most diverse climate in Southeast Asia. In
the mountainous North, wintertime temperatures can drop below
freezing point while in the Peninsula South it stays balmy
all year round. Geographically Thailand is divided into four
regions, and the landscape varies from one to the other. The
Central Plains, which includes the national capital of Bangkok,
is flat and fertile.
The North is marked by forested mountains while the high plateau
of the Northeast is relatively dry. The Southern Peninsula,
flanked by the Gulf of Thailand to the East and the Andaman
Sea to the West, has beaches and wetlands either side of its
lush central mountain range. The country has 2,700 kilometres
of coastline, making it one of the top destinations for beach
and sun lovers.
Thailand's location at the heart of Southeast Asia means the
array of plant and wildlife it supports is very diverse. The
mountains of the North form the southerly tip of the Himalayan
range, making them a natural habitat for high-altitude species
not seen in other parts of the country. The Southern Peninsula,
on the other hand, is home to flora and fauna similar to those
in Malaysia and Indonesia.
If a large part of the country's charm is the work of nature,
the cultural diversity that exists here is responsible for
the rest. Village life varies from one place to another, and
the ethnic tribes and native people of each region have their
own distinct traditions and ways of life. Trips to their homes
will enable you to explore both the beautiful landscape and
the people's amazing customs and lifestyles.
To do all and see all that the country has to offer, you will
need months or even years, but if you are planning an adventure
holiday, you will probably have to choose from the wide range
of choice.
For beach and sun: Pattaya and other beach resorts on the
Eastern Seaboard; Hua Hin Phuket, Phangnga and Krabi in the
South; and Samui, Pangan the islands in the Gulf of Thailand.
For trekking, mountain hiking and hilltribe culture: The mountains
of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son and the forest land
on the Western border with Myanmar, in Tak and Kanchanaburi.
For diving and marine life: Islands in the Gulf of Thailand
and the Andaman Sea especially Koh Tao, Koh Pangan, Koh Phi
Phi and Koh Similan.
For animal spotting and bird watching: Khao Yai to the North
of Bangkok, Doi Inthanon in Chiang Mai and other wildlife
sanctuaries around the country.
Eco-Adventure in Thailand
Western backpackers were the pioneers of eco-adventure in
Thailand back in the 1970s. They were the first to penetrate
the mountain vastness of the North and explore the distinct
culture of the ethnic tribes. Over the years, the local travel
industry has grown to meet international adventure tourism
needs, and tour operators now offer trekking, mountain biking,
rafting, diving, bird watching, animal safaris and just about
any type of adventure imaginable. In recent years, the interest
in a new, more sustainable form of tourism has resulted in
an industry-wide reorientation towards conserving the ecological
system in which tourism takes place. The eco-tourism policy
promoted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) focuses
upon sustainable development, preservation of tourism resources
and participation by the community. A large number of operators
now specialize in ecotourism, offering a combination of nature-based
and cultural tourism in the same package. Among these operators
are Phuket-based Seacanoe (Thailand), which offers an alternative
way of exploring the fascinating sea caves and other natural
marvels of the Andaman, and Khiriwong Village Eco-tourism
Club in Nakhon Si Thammarat, which arranges eco-friendly treks
in nearby mountain areas as well as homestay in the village.
Both are recent winners of the TAT Tourism Awards. National
parks and wildlife sanctuaries have rules for visitors that
are made to ensure environmental protection as well as your
own safety. You can contribute to the preservation of Thailand's
natural heritage by observing the simple rules of leaving
nothing behind, taking nothing with you, and respecting the
residents of the place you visit,human
or otherwise.
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