Thailand is a Southeast Asian country. It’s known for tropical beaches, opulent royal palaces, ancient ruins and ornate temples displaying figures of Buddha. In Bangkok, the capital, an ultramodern cityscape rises next to quiet canalside communities and the iconic temples of Wat Arun, Wat Pho and the Emerald Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Kaew). Nearby beach resorts include bustling Pattaya and fashionable Hua Hin.
Hua Hin is a seaside resort on the Gulf of Thailand, in the southern Thai province of Prachuap Khiri Khan. Once a quiet fishing village, it grew into a fashionable escape for residents of Bangkok after the 1920s, when the Thai royal family built summer palaces here. Hua Hin Beach, popular for kite surfing and other water sports, is the main stretch of sand, lined with high-end hotels and seafood shacks.
Thailand has 3 seasons… hot, hotter and hottest! We visited Thailand during the HOTTEST season, in the summer of 2013. Still, we had an amazing time exploring the bustling city of Bangkok and its beautiful Buddhist temples, sights and activities (river sailing, snake farm, dinner cruise, cultural shows, floating market)-and ate lots of yummy food. We also spent a few days relaxing at the beach in Hua Hin. We stayed at the Marriott Executive Apartments in Bangkok, and the Intercontinental in Hua Hin.