These are all signs of politeness, and the Thais deeply appreciate them, so let's keep these happy,

There are two main festivals in Thailand. Songkran anchorage alaska bed and breakfasts and Loi Krathong . Songkran is the traditional Thai new year and it happens in April each year. Now also known as the Water Festival, those taking part in the festival arm themselves with all sizes of water guns and take to the streets (usually between 12 and 6pm but certainly in Bangkok it can continue into the wee small hours!). If you re taking part then prepare to get wet and watch out for buckets of freezing cold water! On the other hand Loi Krathong (which takes place each November) is a much more sedate affair. Thais (and holiday makers) float Krathongs into the river. The Krathong vary in size and beauty. It is a beautiful sight to see thousands of Krathongs floating quietly down the Chao Phraya river.
anchorage alaska bed and breakfasts In general the road system is excellent, especially around the larger cities. There are some things that you should be aware of that will make your driving holiday experience a happier and safer one.
If you are unfortunate enough to have an accident (all cars are fully ensured) then please anchorage alaska bed and breakfasts phone the rental company contact number. You will have to remain at the accident site until an insurance appraiser arrives and makes the decision anchorage alaska bed and breakfasts then you can continue with your journey.
Where you may encounter difficulties is driving through Bangkok, anchorage alaska bed and breakfasts traffic here is chaotic at the best of times, unless you know exactly where you are going, and the best way to get there, so my advice would be to park on the outside of the city, and take a bus, taxi or sky-train to your destination, far less frustrating, and relatively straight forward. If avoidable you should not drive at night on long stretches of highway, as this is when the heavy goods vehicles take over the roads, and any other traffic in their way, most accidents occur during the hours of darkness, and many involve motorcyclists. But as you are here to see the many fine sights of Thailand, this shouldn’t cause a problem.
It is recommended that you obtain an International Driving Permit, before setting off, obtainable from your local R.A.C office, for while your English EU photo ID driving licence is acceptable to your car hire firm, if involved in an accident, anchorage alaska bed and breakfasts the police may want to see your international permit, anchorage alaska bed and breakfasts in Thai. The roads away from the major cities are relatively free flowing, and can be a joy to drive on, just be aware of other road users, especially motorcyclists. Be aware that if driving in urban areas during the local New Year 11th to 13th April the Songkran Festival involves a lot of water being thrown anchorage alaska bed and breakfasts at passing motorists, causing road conditions to become treacherous, best plan is to walk, this wont save you from many soakings, which can be refreshing, but you are less likely to knock over a motorcyclist. Credit cards are widely accepted at inner city petrol stations, however the more out of the way stations may just accept cash, and if travelling on toll motor ways it’s always a good idea to have plenty of small change with you, you could encounter 2 or more toll stations on any one length of motorway, though relatively inexpensive, it does require a lot of change.
The type of vehicle you choose, will depend on how many people are travelling with you, and where your travelling to. First of all full air-conditioning is essential for any vehicle you choose, and is normally provided, the size of the car is determined by the number of passengers, and their size, you may be taking long journeys, so everyone should be comfortable. If it’s your intention to visit the likes of Kabng Krachan National Park, near the Myanmar border in North Thailand you’re going to need a 4 x 4. Your car hire company will be happy to advise you on these matters. The people of Thailand are a happy carefree nation who hate confrontation, so if you should become involved in an altercation, smile a lot, be polite, even to the police, who may have just handed you an on-the-spot fine for speeding, and may, or may not have given you a receipt, this is standard practice, and when in Rome!.
They drive on the left here, and the minimum age for drivers is 18. The roads throughout Thailand are in fairly good condition, and the road-signs are primarily in Thai, with the odd English translation, so a good road map is required. Driving in Bangkok or other major cities at rush hours should be avoided at all costs, so between 7am and 10am, and 4pm to 7pm, try to be somewhere else. All the motorways are toll roads, and you may have to go through anchorage alaska bed and breakfasts several in one stretch, so always keep small notes and coins handy. Speed restrictions are much the same as the UK, though the traffic police tend to be more in evidence, and speeding tickets are handed out on a regular basis, should you be unfortunate to get one, they must be paid at the local police station.
The use of mobile phones whilst driving is prohibited unless using a hands free system, and seat belts are compulsory for all in the front seats of the vehicle, and to date child seats are not a requirement. anchorage alaska bed and breakfasts Always carry your driving licence with you, as well as the vehicle registration documents, and drink driving is a no-no. Don’t do it, you could end up in the infamous Bangkok Hilton. Thailand is a tropical country, so always carry sufficient bottled water with you, especially if there are children with you, even though your hire-car has air-conditioning, you may be travelling great distances and roadside refreshments may not be widely available.
Officially known as the Kingdom anchorage alaska bed and breakfasts of Thailand, is located at the centre of the Indochina peninsular, bordered to the north by Burma (Myanmar) anchorage alaska bed and breakfasts and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, and to the south by Malaysia and the Gulf of Thailand, and to the west by the Andaman Sea and southern Burma.
The country is a constitutional anchorage alaska bed and breakfasts monarchy, ruled by King Rama 1X. Who has reigned since 1946, and is the world’s longest ruling anchorage alaska bed and breakfasts head of state. He bears the titles of Head of State, Head of the Armed Forces, Upholder of the Buddhist Religion, and Defender of all Faiths. The country has a population of 64 million people, inhabiting an area of 198.000 square miles. The currency is the Baht, and the main religion is Buddhist. The main export of Thailand is rice, and the official language is Thai.
Thailand dwells in the tropical region, the hot season being from March- May, Rainy season June-October, and the cool season\ is November-February. However what the Thais call the cool season is way ahead of the British anchorage alaska bed and breakfasts summer as far as temperature goes.
The traveller needs to be aware of the customs and etiquette of the Thai people, for whilst tolerant of the many blunders that the average tourist may make, insults to the Monarchy anchorage alaska bed and breakfasts or to their religious beliefs are deeply hurtful to them and can lead to severe punishment. So when in a cinema or theatre always stand for the national anthem, and never climb on, or pose before a Buddha for a photograph, as all Buddha’s, large or small are considered sacred. anchorage alaska bed and breakfasts Cleanliness is next to godliness to the Thai people, and with the exception of beachwear appropriate dress should be worn at all times, and when visiting temples ladies anchorage alaska bed and breakfasts should wear slacks or full length skirts, and a long sleeved blouse buttoned anchorage alaska bed and breakfasts to the neck. Shorts are not acceptable dress, and should not be worn away from the beach. When entering a temple, or someone’s home or office, it is important that visitors remove their shoes, in fact if you see shoes arranged outside a door, don’t wait to be asked, remove yours. It is never appropriate to touch a Thai’s anchorage alaska bed and breakfasts head, and if you should do so accidently, then an immediate apology is appropriate. The typical Thai greeting is a “wai”. anchorage alaska bed and breakfasts This is a prayer like gesture with the hands held together and a bow of the head, normally this would be done by the younger anchorage alaska bed and breakfasts person, and returned by the elder, however in the major cities anchorage alaska bed and breakfasts the western handshake is becoming more acceptable.
The feet are considered to be the lowest part of the body, both literally and figuratively, so never point at anything or anyone anchorage alaska bed and breakfasts with your foot, and don’t put your feet up on tables or chairs, anchorage alaska bed and breakfasts and if sitting on the floor, try to tuck your feet under you, if unable to do this, make sure your feet aren’t pointing at anyone. Extremes of temperament, whether anger or affection are frowned upon and are considered signs of ill breeding, also you should never throw an object at someone, rather you should carry the object to the person and hand it to them with either the right hand or both hands, anchorage alaska bed and breakfasts never with the left hand alone.
These are all signs of politeness, and the Thais deeply appreciate them, so let’s keep these happy, anchorage alaska bed and breakfasts friendly welcoming people on our side, so that when you return to Thailand, and you will, the welcome you receive will be genuine and heartfelt.
This is probably the hardest question of all to answer, for Thailand has so many unique locations to visit, anchorage alaska bed and breakfasts starting in Bangkok as most travellers to the country do, you will find a bustling centre of commerce and industry, with top rank shopping anchorage alaska bed and breakfasts malls, next to peaceful relaxing parks, with magnificent temples and palaces, around the next corner. You might even be persuaded to spend your whole holiday here, as it would be impossible to witness all the wonders anchorage alaska bed and breakfasts that this magnificent city has to offer in a couple of short weeks. If your hire-car is begging you to get on the road and star exploring beautiful Thailand, you must decide on whether to go north to Chiang Mai, east to Pattaya, or south to Phuket, each has its own brand of culture, and what you miss the first time around, you can make up for when next you come.
People come to Thailand for many reasons, some to learn of its culture, others to see its magnificent temples palaces and archaeological sites, still others who come for the magnificent beaches and islands anchorage alaska bed and breakfasts for scuba diving, even the famous Thai cuisine brings the traveller back time after time. However the one thing that the tourist will always remember, long after the initial feelings of wo