Phanom Rung - Thailand

Thailand, formerly known as Siam,  is an independent kingdom located in the south-eastern part of Asia which borders Burma, Laos, Cambodia, Gulf of Thailand, Malaysia and the Andaman Sea. The name Thailand does not come from the word “tai” meaning freedom but from an ethnic group, the Thai people from the central plains. The Thai people are very proud to call their country “land of the free” to celebrate the fact that they have never been colonized by the Europeans. The current king has held reign since 1946 and is the longest reigning monarch in Thai history. The Thai people practice Buddhism, a compassionate and peaceful religion, however on the other hand they are politically active and place high value on their arguably fragile democracy.

Thailand has many well-known tourist destinations like Koh Samui, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Krabi and Bangkok and while the there are three seasons, rainy, hot and cool the climate is favorable all year round and is a big draw card for tourists. In addition the decorative traditional monuments, warm hospitality, white sandy beaches, and picturesque islands or the fertile rice fields of the central plains make for a memorable holiday.  Thanks to a long and rich history, Thailand is an amazing place where modern life style mixes with tradition and unspoiled nature. The capital Bangkok is a thriving contemporary behemoth of chaotic traffic and towering shopping centers where you will find modern lifestyle mixing with devout Buddhist temples which are the heart of social and religious life. The most recognizable monuments of Thailand’s architecture are the Grand Palace in Bangkok built in 1782, which is also the official residence of the king. The Wat Arun in Bangkok with a characteristic central prang (tower) and The Wat Phra Singh in Northern Thailand who’s entry is guarded by two Singhs (lions), representing typical Buddhist temples. The city’s name in short in Thai, Krung Maha Nakon, means “city of angels” but the full name of the city is listed as the world’s longest name and contains number of words that describe the variety of the country. The city is not only the political center of the recently quickly developing country, but it also the country’s entertainment center where even the most demanding will find something of interest. Thailand is also host to number of traditional festivals that celebrate the Buddhist holidays where you can experience for yourself the tranquility of the Thai’s daily rhythm and indulge in the cuisine that is uniquely Thai.

Gallery - Monuments of Thailand