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 Trekking
A large number of specialised companies operate in Chiang
Rai and Chiang Mai, where trekking has become increasingly
popular, but there are several other areas that are worth
a visit by the ardent trekker.
Sports
Water sports, such as scuba diving, windsurfing, sailing,
parasailing, deep sea fishing, and sea canoeing are available
off many of the main beach resorts. There are now over 160
top golf courses around the country. Thai Boxing can be seen
at Bangkok's Ratchadamnoen and Lumpini Stadiums and there
are many gyms available to study the art. Tennis, horseriding,
archery, shooting, snooker, badminton, bowling, and go-carting
are just a few of the options also available.
Wildlife
Several companies in Thailand, a country that is home to a
large if diminishing variety of native species, promote specialist
wildlife and bird-watching tours.
Eating
Among the finest in the world, Thai cuisine offers a tantalising
range of delicate flavours, enhanced by herbs and spices -
especially chili. A typical meal will include a variety of
beef, pork, chicken or fish dishes, together with noodles,
salads, and vegetables, upon a base of boiled or fried rice.
Different sauces accompany certain dishes, and a standard
condiment is Nam Pla (fish sauce) spiced with chopped
chilies. Perennial favourites include Tom Yaam Kung (prawn
soup with chili and lemongrass) or Tom Kha Gai (chicken
with coconut cream and lime juice)
Drinking
Thailand offers a remarkable range of soft drinks, fresh juices,
and imported and local mineral waters. Singha (pronounced
Sing) and Chang beers are the standard brews of consumption
among Thais, while Kloster, Carlsberg, Heineken and other
international brand name beers are now brewed in Thailand.
There are several strong rice-based spirits and locally brewed
whiskeys on the market that are increasingly popular among
the Thais. In recent years, Thailand has begun production
of a moderately palatable red and white wine called Chateau
de Loei, from grapes grown in the Isaan province of Loei.
 Traditional
Entertainment
Thai Classical Dances are featured by a number of venues and
hotels around the country, and usually includes dinner. A
pleasant introduction to Thai music and musical instruments,
it also helps to explain some of the intricacies of classical
dance. An evening of traditional entertainment will often
include a few short scenes from the Khon masked drama
taken from the Ramakien, the Thai version of the Ramayana.
Classical dancing is also performed daily at the National
Theatre.
Among the numerous other drama forms available is Likai
- a riotous blend of comedy, melodrama, and slapstick, performed
by extrovert performers in very colourful costumes - Nang
shadow puppet theatre, and Lakhon Lek marionette theatre,
the latter using metre high puppets to depict Thai folk tales.
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