Is Thailand safe for travel?

Thailand is one of the most beautiful countries and is known as the 'land of smiles' world widely. The country has diverse natural landscapes, rich history, mostly Buddhists culture, inspiring buildings of both ancient and modern, warm hospitable people, and world famous cuisine that makes Thailand one of the most popular and most beautiful destinations for the visitors all over the world.

It has covered a total area of 514,000 square kilometer with the total population 64,631,595. The capital city of Thailand is Bangkok which is locally known as the city of angels. Its currency is Thai baht and its time zone is 7 hours ahead of GMT. It has all types of facilities all over and in every corner of the country. It is a country for most probably tourism attraction. If any visitors are planning for visiting Thailand they should know what is happening there and if it is safe to travel or not. So here is some of the information regarding if it is safe for travel or not in some points below:

First, is Thailand safe?   - One of the most popular and beautiful destination for travel to the visitors is in Southeast Asia. It attracts around 20 million people around the world. But the last year's double murder of British backpackers David Miller and Hannah With ridge, for which 2 Burmese workers have now been sentenced to death. This may make the visitors whether to travel or not. The foreign office does not currently advice against travel to the country with the exception of the provinces Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, and Songkhla on the Thai Malaysia border and says that most British visitors pass without incident.

However, it warns that westerners and British nationals have been the victims of crimes including robbery, sexual assault and frauds, date rapes, etc so all the visitors are advised to take particular cautions. Wherever the visitors go and always should be aware while drinking from the strange people in the pubs, hotel and restaurants because they may contain drugs and other harmful substances mixed in it. And as well as while boating, diving there may cause any problem so should be careful in everything the visitors do.  

Has there been any other recent incident?   - Aside from the terrible murder on Koh Tao in April last year a ferry travelling between Krabi and Phuket in southern Thailand caught fire and sand resulting of 1 death. In 2013 one British tourist was killed, bomb attack in central Bangkok, bomb went near the Erawan Shrine and a British national was killed, explosion near sky train stations, bomb in a car park, and many other small incidents. So the foreign office recommends staying abreast of local news and being observant about safety.

Who should the visitors contact in emergency?   - Thailand's foreign tourism authorities provide a list of phone numbers for all the travelers in need of help. Travelers in Thailand incase of need of urgent help just as incase of attack, in case of arrest or incase of death should ring +66(0)2 305 8333.

Can the visitors cancel the holiday if they no longer want to visit?  - Unless and until the foreign office changes its advice to warn against travel to a destination the holiday companies are not compelled to give the visitors, refund if they change their mind once after booking. The visitors will not get the money back after booking if they canceled it. As for independent travelers, travelers may be able to get away with canceling their trip and don’t have to lose any money but only in some conditions. Reservation of accommodations which is done through mailing can be easily canceled without any charges if it is done far enough in advance.  For air fares, if visitors have booked in less expensive airlines, then the visitors would not get the money back but if visitors had not booked yet and the mind have changed to visit then we suggest to book in an expensive airlines because the airlines return the money back, may be not all but somewhat more.

Thus, these are some of the points that the visitors and travelers should know before planning to go for visit to Thailand. Beside this all problems and recent incident, if the visitors be conscious and travel, they will enjoy the beauties of the world's most popular and beautiful places of Thailand.

Thailand Phuket is good tourism attraction

Phuket is the Thailand's biggest and the most famous Island which is an incredible combination of golden beaches, green hills, rain forest, turquoise seas and mangroves. Phuket lies in the Andaman Sea which is surrounded by the beautiful islets and to the northeast, the amazing limestone outcrops of Phang Nga Bay. Add to this the place consists of friendly people, varied cuisine, tropical climate and range of amenities. This is a perfect place for the visitors and is a good tourism attraction.

Phuket has an excellent infrastructure with good road, electricity, telephone network, shopping malls, and cinemas. There are many up-marketed hotels and every major beach is developed. Blue waters, sandy beaches, great food and diving are the all part of the attraction. The authorities of this country have taken some actions to protect the natural beauty of Phuket. They have introduced the laws strictly prohibiting buildings and houses above 80 meters sea level and introduced height restrictions on buildings near the beach. There are also 2 national parks on the island protected by the developers. Despite of all the development and the huge number of visitors Phuket Island still maintains its charm with something for everyone. The Phuket town is the capital of the island where the tourist can go shopping, view the Sino-Portuguese architecture from the old tin mining days and also get more authentic experience of a Thai town.

Phuket has the following places for the most tourism attraction:

Patong Beach: Patong beach is one of the largest and beautiful beaches among other in Phuket. It is a most tourist attracted place, and is a great place for watching as a part of fun of Thailand. You may not be able to find the quiet spot to read and contemplate life on Patong but, you will find a lot of shopping and activity to keep you entertained.

Phuket town: Phuket town lies in the southeastern coast of the island on picturesque bay. The architecture of this town reflects the influence of Chinese immigrants and a Portuguese aesthetic which provides a nice contrast to the more traditional Thai styles. This island city consists of the hotels, restaurants, massage parlors and other attraction places that have highly attracted the tourists.

Rawai village: venture out to this small Rawai village to get a sight of the lifestyle of Moken, a tribe of 'sea gypsies'. They have roots in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and have remained persistently committed to their own beliefs and customs. The men of this village work as a fishermen and sometimes also guides as a sea trips. The tourists love to see this village and the life style of the people living here have mostly attracted the tourists. Rawai itself has a fishing harbor and a beach covered with coconut palms and swamp oaks. The boats can be rented here to sail offshore islands for the tourists. The beaches of Nai harn, Kata Noi, Kata, Karon, Karon Noi and lastly the main beach, Patong Beach which lies in Rawai Beach near the Rawai village and further north along the west coast.

Phuket Aquarium: The Phuket aquarium consists of the exotic and rare sea species of fish, sea turtles, crabs, starfishes and many more. This is also a tourism attraction point where if the tourist cannot go for diving, they enjoys and entertain themselves through this phuket aquarium. To look for advance they also travel to the marine biology research center.

Hat Nai Yang National Park: This Park is located in the northwestern end of Phuket, where different rare sea species and other rare animals can be seen. This place has been most tourists attracted.

Diving: The Similan Islands National Park comprised of uninhabited islands, this small chain tends to attract diving enthusiasts for the tourists.

Three beaches view: This aptly named gives the visitors a lovely view of 3 of Phukets most beautiful beaches. When it is viewed from above the beaches do seem to resemble the number 3. So it is named as 3 beaches. The visitors see this beautiful scene travelling to the view point along the branch road in front of Kata Noi beach in southwestern direction toward the southern of the island.

Thus, these are the places which are mostly liked by the tourists and have been the most tourism attraction from all over the world.

What are most visited places in the world?

There are a number of places which are the most visited places, cities, countries or the continent all over the world. Among them all, some of the places which are most visited places in the world are as follows:

1.    London, United Kingdom: London is forecasted to get almost 19 million foreign tourists in 2015, as the most visited place in the world. The U.K.’s capital ranks among its European equivalent, like Paris and Rome, bragging the numbers of iconic monuments, landmarks and presenter of other tourist attractions. This city has numbers of museums and a strong arts scene, as well as a world known shopping district and the fashion industry, which includes the twice annual London Fashion Show. The remarkable sites include Buckingham Palace, Tower of London and the Tower bridges, the Shard, Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster. The city also has a large theater district in the West End, with more than other 40 theaters. The Tate Museum, the British Museum, and the National Gallery were the top three attractions in 2010. The London Underground is the oldest underground railway in the world even the transit system is iconic.

2.    Bangkok, Thailand: Thailand’s capital city predicted to receive more than 18 million foreign visitors in only 2015, making it the second most visited places in the world. With world class shopping and dining and an aggressive nightlife, Bangkok offers something for everyone to see and to do. The visitors are attracted by the city’s mix with historical buildings, showcasing a variety of consequences and cultures. Remarkable sites are Wat Phra Kaew, a Buddhist temple located in the Grand Palace, and Jim Thompson House which is considered as an outstanding art of Thai architecture. As the seat of the Thai government and the royal family, Bangkok is also a hub for major cultural events, like religious celebrations and festivals.

3.    Paris, France: Paris is renowned as the iconic city of love with its bombastic Eiffel Tower ranked 3rd on this list. Being the 3rd most visited place or city in the world says something about how many people travel each year. Paris attracted over 16 million foreign tourists in only 2015, and is well behind the first and second place cities. However, Paris remains as a top category of destination for many travelers, often considered a must take trip or a bucket list destination. The capital of France is remarked for its fare, including its many restaurants and cafes, along with many 3 star restaurants. The Palace of Versailles, the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, and the Notre Dame Cathedral are all the popular tourist attraction places of Paris. It is also known as a center of fashion, hosting the twice annual Paris Fashion Week. The city is also comprises several important sporting events, including the Paris Grand Slam tennis tournament and finish of the Tour de France.

4.    Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Dubai is the most popular city in the United Arab Emirates and has recently emerged onto the global stage through its ingenious architecture, such as the world’s tallest skyscraper and its history of presenting major sporting events. A center of world banking, city Dubai has earned fame for being both expensive and luxurious as a vacation of destination. It is often admired as a sort of playground for the rich and famous. Its skyline is dominated by the Burj Khalifa, currently the world’s tallest building which is at 828 meters. The Burj al Arab is another iconic structure. The Dubai Miracle Garden, opened recently in 2013, is the world’s largest flower garden and the Dubai Mall is the largest mall in the world, are the most visitors attracted places. More than 14 million people are expected to visit Dubai from other countries only in 2015 as tourism continues to grow.

5.    Istanbul, Turkey: With over 12.5 million foreign visitors estimated to visit in 2015, Istanbul is both the fastest growing destination in Europe and the 5th most visited place in the world. Since, the time of the ancient Greek it is located along the Bosphorus. This city has been an important center of European civilization which is situated at the heart of two historically empires. It has a long and eminent heritage. It is easily one of Europe’s most multi-cultural cities. The city self-praise mosques and churches, malls and bazaar and the treasure trove of other attractions. Traditional Turkish fare, such as kebabs, is popular and the city is also well-known for a many different entertainment industry and nightlife. Its historic center, a partial UNESCO World Heritage site, remains as the most popular tourist attraction.

Colossus of Rhodes

The Colossus of Rhodes was a statue of the Greek titan-god of the son Helios which was erected in the city of Rhodes, on Greek island of the same name, by Chares of Lindos in 280 BC. One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, it was built to celebrate Rhodes' victory over the ruler of Cyprus, Antigonus Monophthalmus, whose son unsuccessfully blockade Rhodes in 305 BC. Before its destruction in the earthquake of 226 BC, the Colossus of Rhodes stood over 30 meters high and makes it one of the tallest statues of the ancient world.

Construction:

Construction of Colossus of Rhodes was started in 292 BC. According to Ancient accounts, which differ to some degree, explain the structure as being built with iron tie bars to which brass plates were fixed to form the skin of the statue. The interior of the structure, which stood on 15 meter high white marble pedestal near the Mandraki harbor entrance, was then filled with stone blocks as advanced construction. The other sources place the Colossus on a breakwater in the harbor. Statue itself was over 30 meters tall. Most of the iron and bronze was reformed from the various weapons. The Demetrius army left behind, and the deserted 2nd blockade tower may have been used for frame around the lower levels during construction. With the use of a large earthen ramp, upper portions were built. The workers would pile barrow of earth on the sides of the colossus. On the completion all of the earth was removed and the colossus was left to stand alone during the construction. After 12 years in 280 BC, the statue was completed. It was preserved in Greek anthologies of poetry is what it is believed to be the absolute dedication text for the Colossus.

The base pedestal was at least 60 feet in diameter. The feet of the statue were carved in stone and covered with thin bronze plates fixed with together. Eight counterfeit iron bars set in a radiating horizontal position formed the ankles and turned up to follow the lines of both the legs while becoming permanently smaller. One by one cast curved bronze plates 60 inches with turned in edges were joined together by fixer through holes formed during casting to form a series of rings. The lower plates which were 1 inch in thickness to the knee and 3/4 inch thick from knee to abdomen, while the upper plates were 1/4 - 1/2 inch thick except where the strength was required at joints such as the shoulder, neck, etc.

Position:

The harbor overlooked Colossus was a production of early imaginations based on the dedication text's which was mention on 'over land and sea', twice and the writings of an Italian visitor in 1395 and noted that local tradition held that the right foot had stood, in where the church of St John of the Colossus was located. Many later the example shows that the statue with one foot on either side of the harbor mouth with ships passing under it. With references to this conception are also found in literary works.

Destruction:

The statue stood for 54 years until the Rhodes was affected by the 226 BC of earthquake, when the significant damages was also done to large parts of the city, including with harbor and commercial buildings were destroyed.  The statue snapped at the knees and it fell over onto the land. Ptolemy III offered to pay for the re-built of the statue, but the oracle made the Rhodians afraid that they had afflicted Helios, and they refused to re-construct.

Lighthouse of Alexandria

Lighthouse of Alexandria, also called as the Pharos of Alexandria was a lighthouse built by Ptolemaic from 280 to 247 BC which was up to 120 to 137 meter tall. One of the 7th wonders of the ancient world, it was also one of the tallest artificial structure in the world for many centuries. It was badly damaged by three earthquakes between 956 and 1323 AD. It was the third longest surviving ancient wonder until 1480, when the last of its particle stones were used to build the Citadel of Qaitbay on the site. In 1994, French archaeologists discovered some antiquities of the lighthouse on the floor of Alexandria's Eastern safe haven. As of late 2015, the ministry of state of Antiquities in Egypt has planned, to turn submerged destruction of ancient Alexandria, including those of the Pharos, into an underwater museum.

Construction of lighthouse Alexandria: The lighthouse of Alexandria was constructed in the 3rd century BC after Alexander death due to fever, at his age of 32. The first Ptolemy announced himself king in 305 BC, and commissioned its construction shortly later on. The building was finished during the sovereignty of his son, the second Ptolemy. It took twelve years to complete the construction, at a total cost of 800 talents, and served as a template for all other lighthouses built later in the world. The light was produced by a heater at the top, and the tower was ordered to have been built it mostly with the solid blocks of limestone. Starbo reported that Sostratus had a devotion engraved in metal letters to the 'Saviour Gods'. Late on Pliny the elder wrote that Sostratus was the architect, which is challenged.  In the 2nd century AD the satirist Lucian wrote that Sostratus engraved his name under plaster bearing the name of Ptolemy. It was so that when the plaster with Ptolemy's name fell off, Sostratus's name would be visible in the stone.

Destruction: The lighthouse of Alexandria was badly damaged due to the earthquake of 956 AD, and then again in 1303 and 1323 AD. Finally the stocky residue disappeared in 1480, when the then Sultan of Egypt, Qaitbay, built a Medieval castle on the larger platform of the lighthouse area using some of the fallen stone. After the destruction it was several times built and reconstructed.

Height and description: Judith McKenzie writes that the Arab description of the lighthouse is exceptionally dependable, although it was repaired several times especially after earthquake destruction. The height they give varies only fifteen per cent from 338 to 387 ft on a base 98 by 98 square ft. The Arab authors indicate a tower with three tapering tiers, which they described as square, octagonal and the circular, with a substantial ramp.

The detail description of the lighthouse comes from Arab traveler Abou Haggag Youssef Ibn Mohammed el-Balawi el-Andaloussi, who visited Alexandria in 1166 AD.

It was constructed from the large blocks of light-colored stones, and was made up of three stages: a lower square section with a central core, a middle part with octagonal section and a circular section at the top. At its apex was positioned a mirror which helped in reflecting sunlight during the day. A fire was lit at night. A statue of Poseidon or Zeus stood at top of the lighthouse. The Pharos's masonry blocks were engaged and locked together using molten lead to resist the pounding of the waves.

The lighthouse remains the civic symbol of the city and government of Alexandria with which the city is more or the less adjacent. The special kind of representation of the light house appears in the flag, in the seal of many public services offices and banks, government and in the seal of Alexandria University also.

Mausoleum of Halicarnassus

The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus  (Tomb of Mausolus) was a tomb built between 353-350 BC at Halicarnassus for Mausolus, in the Persian Empire a satraps, and his sister wife Artemisia II of Caria. The structure was designed by the Greek architects Pythius of Priene and Satyros.

The Mausoleum was nearly 148 ft in height, and the 4 sides were decorate with sculptural reliefs, each created by one of four Greek sculptors- Leochares, Bryaxis, Scopas of Paros and Timotheus. The mausoleum's finished structure was considered to be such a decorative victory that assumer of Sidon identified it as one of his 7 Wonders of the Ancient World. It was destroyed by consecutive earthquakes from the 12th-15th century.

Construction: Artemisia spared no expense in building the tomb and sent messengers to Greece to find the most talented artists of that time which included Scopas, the man who had supervised the rebuilding of the Temple of Artemis which is at Ephesus. Leochares, Bryaxis, Scopas and Timotheus were the famous sculptors, as well as hundreds of other craftsmen.

The tomb was boosted on a hill overlooking the city. The whole structure sat in an enclosed lawn. At the center of the lawn was a stone platform on which the tomb sat. A staircase belted by stone lions led to the top of the platform that bore along with its outer walls many statues of gods and goddesses. At each corner, stone warriors seated on the horseback guarded the tomb. At the center of the platform, the marble tomb rose as a square tapering block to the one-third of the Mausoleum's 148ft height and this section was covered with bas-reliefs showing the action scenes, including the battle of the beast with the lapiths and Greeks in combat with the Amazons, a race of warrior women.

History: The Modern historians have pointed out that the two years would not be enough time to decorate and build such an absurd building. The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus featured a temple and the way to tell that the difference was a slightly higher outer walls. It was in the Greek-dominated-area of Halicarnassus, which in 353 BC was controlled by the Achaemenid Empire. It was built by Satyros and Pytheus who wrote a commentary about it which is now lost, according to the Roman architect Vitruvius. Pausanias adds that the Romans considered the Mausoleum as one of the great wonders of the world and it was for that reason that they called all their elegant tombs mausolea, after it.

This monument was ranked the 7th wonder of the world by the ancients, not because of the size or its strength but because of the beauty of its design and how it was designed with sculpture or ornaments.

Discovery and Removal: In the 19th century a British envoy obtained several of the statues from the Bodrum Castle; these now found in the British Museum. In 1852 the British Museum sent the archaeologist Charles Thomas Newton to research for more remaining of the Mausoleum. He had a difficult job and didn't know the exact location of the tomb, and price of buying all the small parcels of land in the areas to look for it would have been astronomical. Digging down, Newton analyzed the surrounding area through tunnels. He was able to locate some walls, staircases, and finally 3 of the corners of the foundation. This knowledge helped him to determine which plots of land he needed to buy.

Newton then scrapes the site and found sections of the reliefs that designed the wall of the building and portions of the stepped roof. Also discovered was a broken stone automobile wheel some 6 ft 7 inches in diameter, which came from the sculpture on the Mausoleum's roof. Lastly, he found the statues of Mausolus and the statue of Artemisia that had stood at the apex of the building. In October 1857 Newton carried blocks of the marble from the site by HMS Supply and landed them in Malta. The blocks were used for the construction of a new dock in Malta for the Royal Navy. Today this dock is known as Dock No. 1 in Cospicua, but the building blocks are hidden from the view and was submerged in Dockyard Creek in the Grand Harbour.