For centuries,Thailand has delighted visitors. "A city with golden spires and more than 2,000 gilt images", reads the journal of an awe-struck 17th-century traveller after seeing Thailand's royal capital of Ayutthaya for the first time. Thailand has seen considerable change since then but its allure is undiminished; it is easily the most popular travel and business destination in Southeast Asia.

The reasons are not hard to find. For one, there is a incredible scenic diversity, from azure seas and golden sand beaches to misty mountain forests. There are constant reminders of the nation’s rich cultural heritage ranging from its glittering temples to its exquisite crafts. There is superb dining, shopping, and entertainment to fill the days and nights. But most of all, there are the Thai people with their unrushed lifestyles who take time to welcome the stranger, especially in the countryside.

The capital, Bangkok, is an amalgam of in the golden Buddhist temples that glitter in the tropical sun. Or encounter the unexpected in a quiet lane, a temple courtyard, a busy wet market, or deep in a canal filled with orchid nurseries. It is fine food, and a generous people for whom hospitality is a natural grace.

This is THAI's Thailand, and we know it inside and out. Which is why we can take you into its vibrant heart on Royal Orchid Holidays to meet its people and experience its beauty and cultural achievements. This section is devoted to the preliminaries of a visit and a general overview of the country. Here and elsewhere, we will show you how to enjoy it to the fullest.