Page 14 - Martin Downs Bulletin - March '20

Page 14, Martin Downs

travel

Thailand, Land Of Many themselves; an easygoing
nature and ready smiles never
Splendors fail to enchant visitors. No
wonder the Thai people are
By Don Kiselewski, MCC, often said to be the country’s
D.S., Palm Beach Gardens greatest asset.
Travel Leaders Thailand is also blessed
Thailand is without a with many natural assets. Its
doubt one of the world’s most long coastline boasts some of
stimulating and rewarding the finest beaches and tropical
travel experiences. A proud isles in Asia. The deeply
and ancient kingdom, it forested hills to the south and
is located at the heart of north are simply magnificent,
Southeast Asia. Thailand, as are the national parks
or Siam as it was called scattered across the land.
for many centuries (and The north is a mountainous Maya Bay
sometimes called today), has a unique, astonishing and area whose jungle spills over
colorful culture, set apart from all other nations. in Laos, Myanmar and beyond into China. This
This uniqueness is greatly due to Thailand’s location, at part of the country enjoys temperatures that
the crossroads of Asia. In former times, merchants, wayfarers are much cooler than the rest of Thailand. The
and adventurers from all corners of the globe would come land and temperature mix produces apples,
here in search of their fortunes. As a result, this green and strawberries and peaches as well as vegetables
pleasant land came to inherit the best of untold influences normally seen in western markets. The folks from
and absorbed them in a culture and way of life that today are the north are renowned for their hospitality, and
distinctly and unmistakable Thai. have great local pride because their area was once
Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never to home to the Kingdom of Lanna. This area has
have been colonized, leading to a rich culture. There is very many cottage industries specializing in silverware,
little of Europe in this exotic land that acts as the backdrop wood, silk and clothing. The forests of the area
for the American musical, The King and I. are ideal for trekking, particularly in search of
There is an overwhelming influence of Buddhism, the hilltop villages, and visitors enjoy rafting the
visible in the many thousands of ornate temples which region’s many rivers. Here you will also find the
dot the land; in the ever-present sight of saffron clad camps where the young elephants are trained to
monks leaving their ascetic lives in the midst of a bustling work in the jungles.
21 century; and in the gentle attitude of a people who Isan, the region to the northeast, is a vast
st
have internalized the teachings of their religion, making sprawling plateau of some 20 million habitants,
Buddhism a part of daily life. most of whom work on the land in some way
Located 9,600 miles from Palm Beach going almost or another. The area is relatively inaccessible
directly over the North Pole, Thailand has an area of 513,000 from the rest of Thailand and as a result, has
square miles, making it about the same size as France. It developed its own culture. The people of Isan
adjoins Laos and Cambodia (formerly known as Kampuchea) are friendly, easygoing and always ready to party.
to the east, Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) to the north The northeast is also rich in Khmer temples and
and Malaysia to the south. ruins, evidence of the influence that Kampuchea
The country does not have the multiplicity of languages once exerted on this area.
found in Indonesia and the Philippines nor one as complex Referred to as the Eastern Seaboard, the
an ethnic mixture as Malaysia. Thai is the first language of east coast is known for its long shoreline. On
at least 85 percent of Thailand’s population of 60 million a two-hour drive south from Bangkok, one
and is understood by almost everyone. Thai is one of a large can find some of the most beautiful beaches
cluster of languages in all bordering countries as well as in in the world. Oil, natural gas and their related
Southern China and Northern Vietnam. Unlike Malay, their industries are developing around a deep-water
languages are non-syllabic and tonal. seaport in this area.
The country’s unique character can also be seen in The south of Thailand is completely different Sanphet Prasat Palace
the numerous festivals held throughout the year. Always from the rest of the country. It is thick with
colorful and joyous affairs, Thai festivals are a celebration jungles, spectacular mountains and numerous it is known as the “rice bowl” of Asia.
of life itself. But then, the Thais are incredibly happy people offshore islands. The south finds itself economically, Thailand’s beauty lies in its architecture, its land and its
ethnically and politically apart from the rest of Thailand. Its people, and offers the traveler a unique experience never to
wealth comes from traditional industries such as rubber and be forgotten.
tin, while tourism has injected considerable money into the Don Kiselewski writes from his personal experiences,
BOOKFAIRS Scenically, the south region ranks as one of the most having traveled in 122 countries and cruised the oceans,
local coffers in recent years.
seas and rivers of the world. Palm Beach Gardens Travel
spectacular in Asia. The province of Phang Nga, with its
Leaders, his family owned and operated agency, is located
supporting strange shaped limestone mountains jutting out of a placid at Mirasol Town Square, 11360 North Jog Road, Building
A, Suite 102-6, Palm Beach Gardens. The agency has been
sea, is simply breathtaking. So too are the islands, Phuket
and Samui, located on either side of the Thai peninsula. serving the travel needs of the South Florida area for over
The central plain is the heartland of the nation – the Thai a quarter of a century. Contact him at (561) 694-9696 or
settled in this area due to the rich fertile land located here Aussie@PBGTravel.com.
beside the Chao Phraya River and its tributaries. Even today, Photos by Don Kiselewski

March 21, 2020 - April 4, 2020
3001 NW Federal Highway, Jensen Beach

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