Exploring Unknown Thailand - a different Thai experience!

Thailand may be a highly visited travel destination, but it has its secrets!
Thumb through any glossy travel agent brochure on the kingdom, and it will more often than not focus on the same old places: Bangkok, Phuket, Koh Samui, Chiang Mai and Pattaya. Lately, Krabi and even Pai have been added to the list.  Newcomers tend only to get listed where a destination has snowballed - and gained the critical mass that is required to sell thousands of revered "room nights" to visitors from around the globe.
Yet both the web and the growth of social media have changed the game. Enterprising web surfers prepared to devote just a modicum of time to ferreting out something new and unusual will find many exciting alternatives, with recommendations of Bangkok hotels with under ten rooms, to superb restaurants to which the local throng in droves and where there is no tour bus in sight, and to off the beaten path accommodation offering the visitor the opportunity to go beyond the commercial veneer of the kingdom and venture into its heartlands. This new model permits small players to offer aggressively priced alternatives, allows visitors to Thailand to take back control of their holiday and, when coupled with travel giants such as Expedia, permits the end-user to book both flights and accommodation online from their own office or living room.
Most international arrivals to Thailand are made through Bangkok's gleaming new airport, Suwannabhumi (pronounced Sue-wanna phoom). Whilst some travelers will skip the capital with its gridlock and pollution altogether and simply take a communicating flight to their final destination, others will nevertheless brave the traffic to explore this fascinating metropolis for a few days, with its love of food, fun, historical sites, value-for-money shopping and boisterous nightlife.
Where to Stay in Bangkok
Stand out from the crowd! Dig around on the internet and book a room at the tiny Ibrik resort on the river - a hotel with only three rooms located directly on the Chaophraya River overlooking the Royal Palace. The property is perfectly situated close to many historic areas and is within walking distance of Wat Arun (the Temple of Dawn).
Where to Go Upcountry
Isan, or the Northeastern provinces of the kingdom, form Thailand's "Rice Bowl". Those who visit the region are often thankful that this part of Thailand has escaped the rush to develop mass tourism, and discover a tranquil, welcoming and traditional way of life in its rural areas. The major towns and cities here are predominantly centred on agricultural trade, so it is the little villages in the countryside that have so much to offer. With a recent focus on sustainable travel in the region, stays can now be made in great comfort in private pool villas, with the added bonuses of a direct interaction with the indigenous villagers and excellent Isan and Thai food. The new  Rice Paddy Villa  proposes entertaining or relaxing stays for those seeking either to simply unwind, or to delve into the region's culture and ways of life. It offers fully catered stays of two nights or more and a private swimming pool with sweeping views of the countryside - a unique base for couples, honeymooners and families seeking a genuinely Thai experience.
Domestic Flights in Thailand
If you're taking a domestic flight, again, check out the locals. Whilst Thai is the national carrier and serves most destinations, other airlines based in Thailand, such as Nok Air, or regional players such as Air Asia, serve many of the same destinations at much lower prices, and have luckily (for the most part) foregone the Ryanair business model and customer service structures. Nok allows seats to be booked in advance, and even has its own frequent flyer programme. Thai Airways have also just announced the launch of a third budget airline in the country, Thai Tiger, in association with Tiger Air of Singapore (in which Thai's rival, Singapore Airlines, is a shareholder.) The stepping up of competition can only be good for the visitor to Thailand!
If you are planning to travel to Thailand and would like to see more of the country at attractive rates, let your fingers do the walking - click around the internet for interesting offers and book somewhere unusual to enjoy a more unique experience!