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Since it is already 2008, or 2551 on the Thai calendar, it is time to take a look at the Thai holidays so that you can plan your trip accordingly. Some people want to be in Thailand when there is a holiday and partake in the celebration and others want to avoid some holidays (i.e. Songkran) like the plague. Traditional New Year has already come and gone (today is January 6, 2008) but there are many other days to celebrate in Thailand. Here are a few words of caution for the unwary traveler. Many of the holidays involve celebrating with large quantities of alcohol and the traffic death toll increases dramatically. This is mainly during the celebrating of the various New Years. Many of the holidays are family-oriented requiring people to return back to the nest to celebrate with the rest of the family. Therefore, traffic on the roads can be horrendous.

The beaches &islands The beaches of Thailand are the main reason many people come. While they all pretty much have white sand, calm seas and warm water, there are also lots of variations to choose from. Which one is the best? Well, it's all really a matter of taste. As beaches go, the north end of Chaweng Beach on Samui is one of our all time favorites. However, Samui is probably one of the most expensive destinations in Thailand, with very little to see and do away from the beach. Phuket is one of Thailand's most developed beach resorts. That means there's a wide range of accommodations in all price categories, as well as a few more distractions once you leave the beach. But, that high level of development is because there are a lot of tourists to serve. Phuket is not the place to "get away from it all." In the end, our personal favorite is the little known provincial town of Songkhla in the deep south. The beach is rather "wild", with the occasional rock outcrop, but it's natural wind-swept beauty is precisely why it appeals. Few tourists frequent this part of Thailand, yet there are many interesting sights around town as well as further afield.               Riding elephant Elephants, hill tribe villages, magnificent scenery and ancient temples are major attractions in northern Thailand. Every day is a festival-day in many of the Thai villages since they simply sell much of their native merchandise in outside markets. Heavy pottery, carved wooden pieces and clothing made of rough, black fabric patterned with colorful strips of brilliant red and yellow are stitched into jackets and trousers-all popular items for visitors. Bargaining with vendors is a must. While making an excursion through the countryside it is not unusual to witness trained elephants working. When tractors were first introduced in Thailand they were aptly named, chang farang (foreign elephants.) Visits to the elephant training camps and treks on elephant back are priority items for first-time Thailand travelers-no visit is complete without this adventure.                    Ayutthaya The vision of Ayutthaya is to develop as a historical site to be internationally famous for its sustainable eco – tourism attractions, cultural center and famous folk wisdom in the central part of Thailand. Also to be a source of nutritious food and green industrial areas, to create jobs and increase income, to provide better lives, to have good environment and safe living, and to be a knowledgeable society without any drugs in order to promote Ayutthaya as cozy and full of nice people. The population’s abilities are developed together with ethics and morals to serve the rapidly changing community by employing 6 administrative principles: justice, morals, transparency, cooperation, responsibility and effectiveness.   Phranakhon – Si – Ayutthaya or Krung – Si – Ayutthaya or Ayutthaya in short , used to be the capital of Thailand for 417 years. The city was founded by King Rama I (King U – Thong) on April 3 , 1350 and ruled by 33 monarchs until 1767. After being destroyed in 1767 , the city of Ayutthaya was in bad disarray. It was so severely burned and unsuitable to be the capital longer. However, Ayutthaya was not abandoned because it was a fertile plain and prosperous for growing rice. Ayutthaya was also the economic and transport center in the region. Around 60 years later, Ayutthaya became a crowded and civilized city. Nowadays, Ayutthaya is the center of the upper - central part of Thailand.              The Damnoen Saduak  Floating Market ;Ratchburi, situated 110 kms west of Bangkok, is a very attractive place for tourists to see the old style and traditional way of selling and buying fruits, vegetables, etc., from small boats. You will also see traditional Thai houses, the way they live and travel by boats. The tour includes a visit to Nakorn Pathom, site of the highest Chedi in Thailand called "Phra Patom Chedi" which is the largest pagoda in Southeast Asia. Well on the tourist trail, a trip to the Damnoen Saduak floating market is still worth doing. Totally chaotic, small 'khlongs' or canals are filled with flat boats piled high with fresh produce, each jockeying for position and paddled by ladies ready to stop and bargain at a moment's notice. It's colourful, noisy, touristy but great fun. During the long-tail boat ride to market, you'll pass orchards, traditional teak houses and local people going about their lives. You'll also visit Nakorn Pathom town, site of the largest pagoda in Southeast Asia.