Thailand’s premiere tourist spot is the southwestern island of Phuket. Connected to the mainland by both Phuket International Airport and the Sarasin bridge, Phuket is easy to reach and attracts some 5 million visitors every year. The island is Thailand’s premiere setting for some of the world’s best resorts, and is an amazing blend of wildlife & rain forest ringed by white sand beaches. Its size allows visitors to escape from the crowds and there are numerous cozy, boutique beaches with clear water and glorious sunsets.

Phuket is amazingly diverse, with both stone-lined and sandy beaches, sheer cliffs, rain forests, waterfalls and Wats (Temples). Phuket offers something for all, with backpacker’s hostels as well as ultra-modern luxury hotels. There is much to do on the island, no matter your budget.

Certainly, Phuket’s stunning terrain and palm-fringed sandy beaches are its most-seen features. Each of Phuket’s several beaches has a unique atmosphere & feel, and each is separated from neighboring beaches by scenic headlands. From high-energy beaches with lots to see and do, to hidden bays of fine white sand, there is surely a beach to suit the wants and needs of each visitor to the island.

Phuket also has a rich heritage of culture resulting from its ongoing role as a trading crossroads for southeast Asia. A unique mix of people coming not only from Southern Thailand, but also Thailand’s northern provinces, neighboring countries, and travelers from overseas who have remained in Phuket over the years.

Walking through a bustling fresh market, usually held in the evenings, is a feast for the senses. They are laden with today’s seafood catch, delicious fruits and vegetables and all manner of tasty hand-made treats which are available for sampling. Visiting some of Phuket’s classy boutiques or antique stores situated in restored Chinese shops is a trip through time. Mornings on the beach, afternoons on an elephant jungle safari, evenings being pampered at a world-class spa and nights tasting the frenzy of Bangla road in Patong – all available, as Phuket’s charms are endless. Whether you are a fan of doing everything or almost nothing – Phuket is ready and waiting.

First, visitors are wowed by the “Land of 1000 Smiles.” The Thai culture is soaked in a mai bpen rai attitude – what’s that? Like the Australian “No Worries,” the Thai have a laid back sensibility that allows them to let go of little problems and to face greater challenges with ease.

Then there is the history, terrain and culture. Thailand is sprinkled with architectural wonders, amazing shopping malls, sun-drenched beaches and secluded islands, delectable food and drink, quaint hill villages and the magnificence of ancient ruins.

She offers white, sandy beaches and gentle, clear seas of the island speckled south and gorgeous, mountain scenery and timeless way of life found among hill tribes in the north. Given this contrast with the energy and activity of the capital, Bangkok, with it’s renowned nightlife and modernity, a traveler is certain to discover a place offering what they seek.

Catering to the outdoorsy and active types, a cornucopia of activities including premier scuba diving among pristine coral reefs, trekking in the north hills, climbing among natural limestone sculpture, or quiet paddling on rivers and seas.

Standing alongside the superb natural beauty is the beauty of an ancient Buddhist culture with its wats (temples), palaces and archaeological treasures. The powerful juxtaposition of this ancient culture with a fully modern society makes Thailand a must-see destination for world travelers. Thailand is “the land of the free” – true in that Thailand has never been conquered or colonized by other countries in its 800 year history.

To see a native Thai in traditional dress puttering along on a motorbike, likely on the way to the temple is a perfect example of the adaptability of Thailand’s people. They have a gift for taking the best of foreign culture and advances while maintaining a sense of their own unique identities. Their arts are admired by people across the world. The cuisine is also a world favorite with its blend of freshness and spices.

There seems to be an almost total lack of ill-will or expression of bad feelings and this singular feature of the Thai people is their unique qualification as hospitality ambassadors to the world. This is perhaps due to their long tradition of belief in Buddhism and its tenets of peacefulness, forgiveness and compassion.

As a cultural mecca and an antidote for a harried western lifestyle, Thailand’s culture, people and places stand without peer for their sheer ability to delight. What better place could you find to enjoy yourself as you train to be an English teacher in Asia through a certified TEFL program?