After my visit there I had the feeling that these words don’t exist in their dictionary. The Thais are always smiling and laughing and they seem to be a good example of people who know how to enjoy life.

On this note, if you ever feel in a bad mood you can plan a trip to Thailand and I’m sure you will come back with a different outlook of life. Beyond this positive vibration and all the beautiful Thai tourist attractions, this land is blessed with some idyllic beaches which are real oases of relaxation.

A proper example would be Ao Wai Beach which is a white sandy beach with crystal blue water surrounded by wild forests made up of coconut trees, mango trees and palms. Situated on Koh Samet Island, in Rayong province this corner of heaven is the perfect place in case you want to relax, spend a good time or even find yourself.

I must confess that from all the beaches I’ve seen in Thailand, Ao Wai is my favorite one. If you are still wondering why, you should take a look at the following pictures and maybe you will give it a try.

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Elephants give you the impression of imposing animals but this is actually a matter of perception because they are lovely, friendly, fragile and sensitive animals.

In Thai culture the elephant is worshiped due to its spiritual significance, being associated with Buddhist and Hindu beliefs.The Buddhist legend talks about a connection between a white elephant and Buddha’s birth. It is said that Buddha’s mother, Queen Maya, was able to conceive only after she had a dream about a white elephant.

This is the reason why the white elephant was glorified and earned his royal status. The elephant has also an important significance in Hindu culture and many deities and famous Hindu figures are associated with this animal.For example Ganesh is a Hindu elephant-headed god or Erawan is the three-headed elephant of Indra.Elephants were indeed very present and active in Thai history and culture and they are still an important symbol in Thailand. However, things are a little different nowadays because elephants have become an important aspect of Thai tourism.

The elephant that was once worshiped is nowadays a very profitable tourist attraction and also a very controversial one. For most tourists the elephant means a memorable experience. It will be amazing to visit the parks where these creatures live, to watch the elephant shows, to admire all their lovely stunts, to ride them and to take a lot of funny pictures with them.

They are trained to do a lot of things: play football, basketball, volleyball, ride a bike, paint, dance, sit on a chair and so on. They are lovely when they do all these things, but nobody thinks about the price they have to pay. This is the point when things take a different turn. How much hard work and torment is there behind all these shows?

This is a question that we should ask ourselves when we watch these shows. I can honestly say that elephants were a memorable aspect of my experience in Thailand. The ugly truth is that there are about 5000 elephants left in Thailand and more than half live in captivity.

As a tourist I can confirm that all these shows are amazing, entertaining and impressive, but when I take into account everything these elephants go through in captivity, I believe that these animals should not be treated as performers. According to A. Douglas Williams” Man is not the only animal that seeks freedom and space”. To sum up we should respect animals more and grant them their native freedom.

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Situated in Ratchaburi Province, at about 100 kilometers west of Bangkok, this amazing place is a fascinating way to discover the Thai culture. Thailand’s most famous floating market is almost 100 years old. Its name, Damnoen Saduak, is also the name of the canal that connects the Taachin River (Samutsakorn Province) with the Maeklong River (Samutsongkram Province).

Even if it seems overcrowded, sultry and chaotic this place is more than meets the eye. You will be delighted by the multitude of boats crammed on the narrow river and filled with different local products. The trade takes place on water, but also on the banks of the river.

You can find almost everything there from fresh fruit and vegetables, flowers and food to clothes, electronics and souvenirs. In my opinion an absolutely fascinating thing is the image of the Thai food sellers who sell their local delicious food in their primitive boats. This image perfectly outlines the Thai culture, traditions and customs.

One of the things that impressed me was the atmosphere and the energy of the whole place. The combination between the tourists’ desire to visit the market and the pleasure of buying quality things makes this place so lively.

However the prices are not very good, even if you are a good negotiator. The fact that Damnoen Saduak is very popular among tourists makes the prices match the demand. In my opinion the best way to visit this place is to hire a boat or take an organized boat tour.

No matter what you choose, this will be a good opportunity to explore the amazing nearby canals. You will surely love the small floating wooden houses that perfectly fit into the setting. Even if Damnoen Saduak is open all day, you should take this trip very early in the morning before the merchants arrive, in order to avoid the crowds and peacefully admire the beauty of this place.

Damnoen Saduak is indeed a must-see. You should definitely not leave Bangkok’s area without visiting this amazing floating market and taking a lot of pictures there.

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The land of smiles, as it is called, is an exotic, chaotic and vibrant country. You will be delighted by the beauty of its sights, by its interesting culture and history, its deep religious side, its wonderful customs or traditions and by its overwhelming optimism. There are so many things that can be said about this country, but in my opinion words cannot fully capture the essence and the beauty of Thailand. This is the reason why I made a selection of the most relevant pictures I have taken in Thailand, pictures which perfectly show what this country means. Take a look at them and get ready to be impressed by the wonders of Thailand.

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Bangkok, also known as the City of Angels, is the capital and the most populous city of Thailand. Bangkok is the type of city that perfectly represents the Asian culture, the place where you will have the opportunity to visit and admire so many beautiful sights and attractions and try so many interesting and different things.

In my opinion what really makes Bangkok a very fascinating city is the contrast between traditional and modern, between poverty and wealth, between conventional and unconventional. If you ever get to Bangkok I advise you to take your time and explore this amazing city. You should spend at least a few days here because there are a lot of things to see and do in Bangkok. I made a list with the most representative things about this city which in my opinion perfectly capture the essence of Bangkok.

1. The iconic image of Bangkok is its collection of palaces, temples and shrines. The city is embellished with a lot of beautiful places which perfectly display the blend between religion, history and culture. No matter what you choose to visit from this impressive collection, there are some edifices that you should definitely add on your list such as: the Grand Palace, the Temple of Lounged Buddha, the Temple of Emerald Buddha, the Temple of Buddha Meditating and the highest Buddhist temple in the world Phra Pathom Chedi .All these places are a real measure of the Asian culture.

2. The canals and the floating market are amazing. Bangkok is also known as the Venice of the East due to the beauty of its canals, its unique sights and of its riverside dwellings. You cannot leave Bangkok without doing a boat tour to the floating market. It will be a unique experience which will give you the opportunity to buy a lot of interesting things and eat tasty traditional food.

3. The Rose Garden is a sort of botanical garden where you can admire a beautiful scenery with a variety of plants and trees. The fact that you can take part in Thai shows is what really makes this place interesting. These shows are a combination of traditional dances, sketches about their habits and animal performances. The elephant shows are in my opinion the most interesting and entertaining.

4. A cruise on the Chao Phraya River will be an unforgettable experience. You can go on a cruise on the River of Kings either during the day or at night. My advice is to go on this cruise at night because the show of lights will be spectacular. This is a great opportunity to admire the multitude of lights that embellish Bangkok.

5. Chinatown in Bangkok is also an interesting place you should add on your list. This neighborhood is the best way to discover and understand the Asian lifestyle. It is about lights, fuss, energy and good humor. My advice is to visit this place at night because this is the perfect time when you can experience the Asian atmosphere.

6. In case you want to have an amazing view of the city from your window you should book a room in one of the tall hotels in Bangkok. This will give you the opportunity to relax in one of the pools situated on the upper floors. It will feel amazing to swim in a pool surrounded by skyscrapers, especially at night when all the lights are on in the city.

7. Going shopping in Bangkok is an entertaining experience. There are a lot of markets where you can buy interesting things at very good prices. No matter what you choose to buy don’t forget to bargain. It is said that if you are a good negotiator you can buy everything you want at half the price. One of the most interesting markets that I recommend is the Flower Market.

8. It is said that Bangkok has the best street food in the world. There is a variety of tasty traditional food you can choose from, in case you are not particular about the food. The food is often very good and fresh, but if you have doubts about it, you can also try Thai traditional food in Thai restaurants.

9. Walking down the streets of Bangkok is the best way to admire the contrasts and the interesting architecture of the city. It is in my opinion the best way to feel the spirit of Bangkok, to discover the atmosphere of the city and to plunge into the Asian culture and lifestyle.

10. It is said that you won’t have a complete experience in Bangkok if you don’t try a Thai massage and a Thai erotic show. The Thai massage is a source of energy and relaxation for both your body and mind. The erotic show or the ping pong show is a taboo subject, officially prohibited under the Thai law, but one of a kind experience for thrill seekers.

All things considered, Bangkok is an amazing destination that it will definitely impress you with its variety of sights, attractions and interesting shows. These are a few of the reasons why you should visit the City of Angels and discover its beauty and complexity.

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1. Bangkok is one of the world’s most visited cities. If you are not familiarized with the Asian culture, this spectacular city will charm you with his various tourist attractions. The capital of Thailand has a lot of beautiful things to show.

If you don’t have enough time to spend here, I advise you not to miss some very important and beautiful places: the floating market, the highest Buddhist temple in the world Phra Pathom Chedi, the Rose Garden, the Grand Palace, the Temple of Lounged Buddha, the Temple of Emerald Buddha and the Temple of Buddha Meditating.

The Chao Phraya River is another attraction in Bangkok. A cruise on the River of Kings will perfectly complete the fascinating atmosphere that this city creates. Go on this cruise at night for an authentic show, because the blend of lights is great. Choose one of the tall hotels in Bangkok if you are looking for special accommodation conditions, because most of them have pools on the upper floors and this will give you a special view over the city, especially during the night.

It is a great feeling to see all those lights while you are swimming in a pool surrounded by skyscrapers. Don’t miss the opportunity to go shopping in Bangkok, because there are a lot of markets and malls where you can find a lot of interesting things at good prices if you know how to bargain.

2. Ayutthaya, the city of Gorgeousness, is one of Thailand’s  major tourist attractions. This ancient city hides magnificent ruins which give you an idea about the splendor of its past. There is an impressive complex of old temples and monasteries.

You should spend there at least two or three days in order to have time to visit all those beautiful constructions, but if you don’t have enough time, there are some places that you should not miss: the Royal Summer Palace Bang Pa Inn, the temple Wat Maha That, the temple Wat Yai Chaimongkhon and the temple Wat Phanan Choeng.

It is important to respect their culture and their temples and to be appropriately dressed in order to avoid unpleasant situations. After you had seen the ruins you should spend some time in Ayutthaya Elephant Village, because it will be an amazing experience. They respect the elephant very much because it represents a symbol in their culture and they organize a lot of entertaining shows and lovely elephant rides.

You will be delighted by the presence of these lovely animals, because they are happy and funny and you will spend unforgettable moments with them. You can see the elephants playing football, bowling, basketball, dancing, sitting on chairs, painting, riding bikes or doing a lot of other interesting activities. You can also take funny pictures with them.

3. Koh Samet is a part of Rayong Province and it is heaven on earth. This special island hides breathtaking views .On this island you will feel like in a story, a beautiful story told in a lovely scenery where the jungle and the see are so close to each other. Koh Samet is a friendly island with a lot of wild landscapes that will delight you with its 15 white sandy beaches and with its exotic coral and crystal clear waters.

This is definitely a place you should not miss especially that it is very easy to get here from Bangkok or Pattaya. You can travel by car and then by ferry from the harbor. You should also take a ride with the off-road car in case you want to get from the harbor to the beach through the jungle. This will be a very special experience. Very close to the beach you will discover a complex of bungalows, where you can spend the night.

What can be more amazing than to wake up in the morning in a bungalow on the beach with the sun caressing your face? As I have already told you, everything seems to be cut from a story and in fact it is believed that once the island was the pirates’ home  and for this reason there might be a lot of treasures hidden on the island. If you intend to visit Thailand, choose to spend at least a few days on this beautiful island which will offer you quite a few leisure activities on the beach: scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming.

4. The largest crocodile farm in the world, Samutprakarn Crocodile Farm and Zoo, is an interesting place that you should not miss. It is easy to get there because the place is close to Bangkok. On this farm you can see a variety of animals such as: crocodiles, monkeys, elephants, lions, tigers, horses, hippos and a variety of birds too, the parrots being the funniest.

Crocodiles are the most important animals here and you will have the chance to see a lot of pools filled with crocodiles of all sizes. Other interesting things you can see on this farm are the crocodile and elephant shows. The performers are very well-prepared and most of the times they do dangerous tricks such as putting their head and arms in the crocodiles’ mouth or lying down while the elephants walk over them. The shows are very well organized and you will live funny moments during them. You can also take pictures with the elephants and the crocodiles. An unusual thing is that you can taste crocodile soup or other crocodile meat dishes.

5. Nong Nooch Village is a lovely botanical garden which hides amazing landscapes, a variety of tropical flowers and plants and exotic animals. It is very easy to get to this place from Pattaya. Everything is well preserved here and there are a lot of elements belonging to Thai culture.

You should spend at least one day in this garden because it is a place where you can see and do many interesting things. Among the things that you can do here are: Thai cultural shows, elephant shows, elephant riding, boating, bike rides or simply admire the colorful landscapes.

6. Koh Larn Coral Island is a beautiful island very close to Pattaya, where you can spend unforgettable moments. There you can choose from some activities such as: diving, snorkeling, glass-bottom boat tour, sea-kayaking, banana boat, parasailing, windsurfing and water skiing.You can also relax on one of the sandy beaches with clear waters.

As the name suggests, there are breathtaking coral reefs and for this reason big boats are not allowed to anchor near the beach. You will certainly live a very relaxing experience on this little island, away from the fuss of the city.

7. Thai traditional food is definitely a thing you should try, because it is delicious and also a very important part of their culture. It is said that in Thailand, in fact in all Asian countries, life expectancy is very high because of their healthy lifestyle. Their cuisine is based on vegetables, fruit, cereals, fish, seafood and chicken. The special flavor of the food is given by Thai sauces, herbs and spices. Thai people love the combination between spicy and sweet.

Rice is the most important dish in Thailand and there is “no meal without rice” as they say. A funny thing is that you can find rice even in McDonald’s. You can taste a lot of dishes there, but you should definitely try Massaman Curry and Tom Yum Kung. Massaman Curry is the king of curries, a combination between spicy and coconutty, both sweet and savory. Tom Yum Kung is a spicy clear soup with prawns made from a combination of special herbs and ingredients such as: chili peppers, lime juice, lemongrass, galangal and kaffir lime.

8. Thai shows are essential for understanding and feeling Thai culture. These shows are a combination of historical sketches, traditional dances, animal performances and sketches about their habits. The setting is very beautiful and flaming with important traceries from Thai culture. It is an amazing experience and if you have the chance, you should go several times to such performances because, although the idea is the same, every show is unique. I suggest that you should see a show like this in a restaurant, too. They accustom to organize different shows in restaurants, especially for tourists.

9. Thai massage is a type of massage, developed in Thailand, which combines both the physical and the energetic aspect. This art is considered to be the stimulation of the five layers of the body: skin, tissue, veins, organs and bones. It has its roots in traditional medicine systems and it is focused on the energy lines of the body, in order to stimulate the blood flow throughout the body. You should not miss this experience because it is a source of energy and relaxation for both your body and mind.

10. Erotic shows or ping pong shows are a taboo subject, but it is said that you will not have a complete experience in Thailand, if you don’t watch such a show. Although it is officially prohibited under the Thai law, there is a high demand for these shows. If you want to see this type of show you should carefully choose the strip club you go to. It is important that it should be located in a good area, even if it might be more expensive.
All things considered, Thailand is really amazing and I am sure you will think the same after your own experience there.

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This amazing beach, located on Koh Samet Island in Rayong Province, is also a famous national park in Thailand. You will be fascinated by the perfect scenery created by the amazing crystal clear water, the shiny white sand and the wild forest. Ao Wai Beach is the place where you will experience a variety of emotions and feelings: relaxation, peace, happiness, optimism and joy.

You can start your adventure by taking the ferry and admiring the beautiful landscapes. Once you get to the island, you should take an off-road car from the harbor to the beach. The ride through the jungle in the off-road car, which is a sort of local taxi, will be a unique experience. You should stay overnight in this complex of bungalows situated close to the beach because waking up in this corner of heaven will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Ao Wai is the perfect place where you can spend incredible moments with your partner, your family or your friends. This place will give you the possibility to try snorkeling, scuba diving and other beachside activities. It is also a romantic and quiet place where you can escape the hustle and bustle of cities.

After spending a few days on Ao Wai Beach you will definitely feel like a new person. I thought I died and went to heaven! Yes, this is honestly the feeling I experienced on this little island. In conclusion, if you decide to visit this corner of heaven, you will experience the same feeling.

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