THE FOUR South East Asian countries of Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar (formerly Burma) make up our favourite holiday destination.
Buddhism rules this part of the world and charming, smiling people conduct a leisurely way of life underpinned by their strong traditional Buddhist beliefs. Visitors will enjoy fantastic personal service in hotels and restaurants and if they are prepared to go a little off the beaten tourist tracks, they will learn something more of the history and culture of these fascinating nations.
Cheap direct 12-hour flights can be obtained from most European capitals to Bangkok, the usual entry point, and an excellent hub from where you can fly quickly to other major cities in the region. The climate is tropical so the best time to visit is during the cooler dry season in January and February. Malaria and other tropical diseases can be a problem, particularly in the border areas around the Mekong
 Nigel Wright during elephant mahout training. |
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River, so take advice from your doctor before you go with regard to vaccinations and malaria prevention.
You do not need a visa for a tourist visit to Thailand, but do for the other three countries. Travel agents can provide the appropriate information and we have never had any problems. In all cases we have managed to organise visas on arrival at the relevant airport.
Bangkok is definitely worth a few days stopover to get over jet lag and enjoy some of the city’s fantastic tourist sites. The hotels can organise trips to see the amazing Temple of the Emerald Buddha and Royal Palace. Go early, to avoid the crowds! Try taking one of the frequent river taxis (the cheapest and fastest way around the city) and across the river from the Royal Palace you will find the wonderful Wat Arun – in our view, the city’s finest temple.
Jungle animals
Northern Thailand has countless wonderful tourist sites. We have discovered that the best approach is by river from Bangkok on a converted rice barge, which travels through picturesque countryside to the ancient city of Ayuthaya and the King’s summer palace. Near here is the beautiful Khao Yai National Park where you can trek and see a whole range of jungle animals at close quarters – but you’ll be lucky to see a tiger!
Further north, Chiang Mai is a justly popular tourist destination, set in beautiful countryside and famous for its night market. You can travel west by road from here to the completely unspoiled mountainous region on the Myanmar border around Mae Hong Son. This little town is a gem and a popular hiking destination for young people. Our favourite area is perhaps the Golden Triangle – so-called as this is where the countries of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet at the Mekong River. This region was once infamous for its association with opium poppies but all three countries are now taking significant steps to reduce the problem.
At the Anantara Resort, in the heart of the Golden Triangle, we spent one of the most memorable days of our lives, training to be elephant mahouts. The hotel has a small elephant camp where a group of these wonderful intelligent animals and their mahouts live permanently. You can spend a day with your lady elephant, learning how to give her breakfast, bath and scrub her in the river, mount and dismount, and straddled across her ample neck, ride her, giving appropriate instructions to stop, start and turn corners. Warning – take old clothes, working with elephants is very messy and wet!
Next week: Nigel Wright continues his travels to Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar.
