Posted 05 Feb 2010

Whether they are looking for spiritual enlightenment, a stint of relaxation or a night out in a bustling metropolis, gap year travellers will not be disappointed once their plane touches town in Thailand.

This is the opinion of Joanna Cooke, the UK and Ireland marketing manager for the Tourism Authority of Thailand, who said that the country is almost certain to be on the itineraries of gap year adventurers.

Bangkok has both old and new quarters, with rides along the river available, while the city’s 300 plus temples also offer something different, she highlighted.

Furthermore, the two ancient capitals of Sukhhothai and Ayutthaya, are between two and five hours by train from the capital.

"They’re really easily accessible and they’ve got beautiful ruins and UNESCO World Heritage Sites as well," Ms Cooke explained.

When it comes to festivals, Thailand is also ahead of the rest, with around 1,000 localised ones and 150 major events held every year.

Unofficial figures from the Tourism Authority of Thailand indicate that between January and November 2009, Thailand welcomed over 630,000 Brits to its shores.

Category: Asia