Thailand

The Gulf Islands of Ko Samui, Ko Pha-Ngan and Ko Tao funnel in swarms of sunseekers, bungalow-dwellers, hammock enthusiasts, swimmers, snorkellers, divers, trekkers and would-be castaways to their satin shores. Peak season is a bit of a carnival, but come the slower season prices drop and elbow room grows. But whatever time you go, do a bit of travelling away from the main hubs and space will open before you, as secluded beaches drift into view alongside a sparkling sea.

Enigmatic temple ruins are strewn across the modern city of Ayuthaya (อยุธยา), whispering of its heyday as one of the world’s wealthiest and most cosmopolitan cities. Once replete with gilded temples and treasure-laden palaces, this island capital of Siam was brutally sacked by the Burmese in 1767. Today, dozens of ruins remain from this period of thriving trade and art and offer a tantalizing glimpse into its glorious past. Standing among towering stupas, it's easy to imagine how international merchants visiting from around the globe were left in awe.

Welcome to the urban hub of southern Thailand where shopping malls mingle with wafts of Cantonese street eats and curry from the eclectic range of busy street-food stalls, as old Chinese men sit and watch the world go by on rickety chairs outside junk shops. It's a mix of busy city and laid-back tropics and the town's tourism scene is still predominantly Malaysian mixed with a few Western expats. Come evenings, Hat Yai's cosy pubs and bouncing clubs come into their own.

Favoritdestinationen består – det är Spanien vi svenskar helst reser till. I alla fall enligt statistik från resebyrån Ving.

Little-visited Ubon Ratchathani is one of Thailand's most interesting provinces. The capital city has plenty of history and charm, as does the laid-back riverside village of Khong Jiam and the fascinating national parks that surround it. The scenery along the Mekong River is often as bizarre as it is gorgeous and Pha Taem National Park has so much to see that it warrants a couple of days. Even more remote is the jungle-clad intersection of Thailand, Laos and Cambodia, now known as the 'Emerald Triangle' (inspired by northern Thailand's 'Golden Triangle') due to the magnificent jungle landscape of Phu Chong Nayoi National Park.

I princip alla andra färdsätt går fortare. Som helhetsupplevelse är det ändå oslagbart. Färdas med tåg i Thailand och du reser på riktigt.

Few cities in Isan reward aimless wandering as richly as Ubon Ratchathani (อุบลราชธานี). Survive the usual knot of choked access roads, and the 'Royal City of the Lotus' will reveal an altogether more attractive face. Racked up against Mae Nam Mun, Thailand's second-longest river, the historic heart of the city, south of Th Kheuan Thani, has a sluggish character rarely found in the region's big conurbations. And throughout the city there are many interesting temples beckoning culture-loving travelers.

Ja, förutom stranden, solen och människorna då.

The northeast is Thailand’s forgotten backyard. Isan (ee·săhn), as it’s usually called, offers a glimpse of the Thailand of old: rice fields run to the horizon, water buffalo wade in muddy ponds, silk weavers work looms under their homes, and pedal-rickshaw riders pull passengers down city streets.

Once ringed by rice fields, modern Bangkok has since expanded in every possible direction with few concessions to agriculture or charm. In Bangkok's northern areas, other than some of the city's best markets, sights are relatively few and far between, but the upside is that the area is a good place to get a taste of provincial Thailand if you don't have the time to go upcountry.