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Bangkok

Thailand's capital and gateway city is Bangkok which was founded in 1782 by King Rama I (Phra Buddha Yofa Chulaloke). The capital is located at the geographic center of the country and on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, "River of Kings", which rises in the hills of the North and flows through the flat central plains on its way to the sea in the gulf of Thailand.

Thai Spa

The Thai spa experience brings together a range of indigenous resources, folk wisdom and traditions that have been handed down through the centuries. It captures the very essence of traditional Thai living. Spa operators delve into this ancient treasure trove to create exceptional spa products so that alluring dimensions of this tropical paradise enrich the spa experience. Gracious hospitality and service is complemented by the friendly and caring nature and gentle ways of the Thai people, adding a uniquely Thai touch to world-class service and hospitality. Kindness, compassion and the act of comforting and caring for others, as advocated by the Theravada Buddhist tradition, is very much part of everyday life. The gesture is instinctive and genuine.

Spa web links

Diving and Snorkeling Tips

A great diversity of the coral reefs and outcrops of all shapes, sizes and colors extend over the large offshore areas in the seasonally calm and clear Thai seas. Some grow to very impressive sizes, such as the spectacular giant sea-fans. Visibility at many diving spots is also second to none. The underwater horizontal views can be penetrated as far as the eye can see, particularly in the Andaman Sea, on the left side of Thailand.

Diving web links

Statistical Superlatives of Thailand

Most people are eager to know the record holders in the fields of their interest. Some are even keen to establish one. That is why Guinness Book of World Records has been a best sellers for many years. Thailand is not a large country, nor does it have a long history. Still, it has its own superlatives. Since you are reading a book about Thailand, it may be of interest to you to know some of these records, including several world records that are not found in the Guinness book.

13-15 April 2008, Thai New Year

Thailand is well-known for the festivals which take place all the year round. Most of these festival sare influenced by Buddhist and Brahminical religions. However, with the passage of time a number of the have been adopted in deference to the international practice.

Actually, the official New Year's Day of Thailand has undergone several changes. Once it used to fall at the end of November. Later, during he reign of King Rama V (1868-1910) it was moved to a date round about April and then New Year's Day was changed to April the first. The universal practice of celebrating the New Year on January 1 was adopted in 1941 in deference to the western calendar and this is one of a number of changes aimed at modernising the country.

Thai Boxing

The unique martial art of Thailand is the well-known as Thai boxing or Muay Thai. It is an art of self-defence developed during the Ayutthaya period. In fact, Thai boxing is considered as a sport and a means of self defence. The contestants are allowed to use almost any part of their body. However, Thai boxing forbids biting, spitting or wrestling. They may punch, kick and shove and use bare feet, legs, knees, elbows, shoulders and fists to overcome their opponents. A vicious kick in the throat, an elbow smash to the eyes or knee into the stomach can immediately floor the toughest opponent.

The Death Railway Bridge

The world-famous railway bridge over the River Kwae is in Kanchanaburi Province about 130 kms west of Bangkok. The bridge is well-known all over the world because almost half a century ago about 16,000 Allied prisoners of war (POWs) died while building the "Death Railway" to Burma. The prisoners were forced by the Imperial Japanese Army in the World War II to build a strategic railway through the disease ridden jungle and treacherous rivers of the province.

Severity Warning Alert: Surge in dengue fever in Thailand

Health: Dengue outbreaks in central provinces of Thailand kill four in early 2008. Avoid exposure to mosquitoes.

Current Situation
Thai health authorities reported that more than 2,800 people fell ill with dengue in the first six
weeks of 2008 and four died. Approximately 70 percent of dengue infections have occurred in
central provinces. This year's figures are nearly 70 percent higher than those for the same period of 2007, when approximately 40,000 people fell ill with dengue fever in the first nine months of the year.

The Emeral Buddha

A city of Bangkok (or Ratanakosin) was established by King Rama I as his capital in 1782. Being determined to observe the tradition of constructing a Buddhist temple in the compound of the Royal Palace which has been practised since the Sukhothai Period, King Rama I (Phra Buddha Yod fa Chulaloke) had the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (or Wat Phra Kaew) constructed in order to install the Emerald Buddha which he had taken from Vientiane in Laos. The construction took two years to complete and the famous image was then moved from the Thonburi Capital to the present location in 1784.

6th April 2008, Chakri Day

April 6 marks the anniversary of the founding of the present Chakri Dynasty of which the present ruling monarch, King Bhumibol the Great, is the ninth king.