Thailand has a rich and colourful culture, and many exotic monuments and stunning beaches, which draw millions of visitors each year, ranging from budget-conscious backpackers to those seeking luxurious pampering in a spa.

Where else but Thailand can visitors cruise on a converted rice barge, roar upriver in a long-tail boat and take a white-knuckle ride on a bamboo raft, then stay in jungle tree houses as guests in the homes of hilltribe villagers, or on rafthouses floating on a river? Equally memorable are the trails leading deep into the rainforest past cooling waterfalls, and the simple beauty of the translucent sea lapping onto endless white, soft sand. Not to be missed is dynamic Bangkok, a city that is larger than life, with its futuristic high-rise buildings juxtaposed against the glittering Grand Palace.

Early morning is when the saffron-robed monks leave the sanctuary of their wats (temples) to receive alms from the people, be it in a dusty village or on crowded city streets. Buddhism is a way of life here and with the reverence the people have for the monarchy, a dynasty that has maintained the independence of the country for centuries, the result for the Thais is a blend of tradition with contemporary living.

His Majesty King Bhumibol is the longest reigning monarch in the world, having come to power in 1946. Following the end of absolute monarchy, Thailand moved towards democracy, but this was thwarted by the military, which has often staged coups in protest at government policies. The most recent was in September 2006 when a bloodless coup overthrew Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and replaced him with an interim prime minister until elections could take place, probably in October 2007.

For all this, Thailand has risen above economic collapse in 1997, SARS, avian influenza and the devastating tsunami in December 2004 to become a hugely popular destination on the long-haul tourist trail, possessed as it is of great natural beauty and a very rich cultural heritage.

• Take a day excursion from Bangkok for a train trip across the notorious River Kwai Bridge at Kanchanaburi, which was built by Allied prisoners under the direction of the Japanese during WWII.

• Admire the skills of the kite fighters. Opposing teams fly male Chula and female Pakpao kites in a surrogate battle of the sexes. Do not miss an energetic game of takraw in which a small rattan ball is passed acrobatically around by players standing in a circle and using their feet, knees, thighs, chests and shoulders to endeavour to keep the ball in the air and kick it into a suspended basket.

• Take in a muay thai (Thai kick-boxing) match; this traditional sport can be seen every day of the year at the major stadiums in both Bangkok and the provinces. Thai boxing matches are preceded by elaborate ceremonies and accompanied by lively music.
 
• Cast off all cares through traditional meditation. Thailand has dozens of temples and meditation centres specialising in vipassana (insight) meditation. Attend a class for just one day or a retreat lasting several weeks.

• Join the throngs heading for Surin for the annual elephant round-up in November. The title is misleading as the elephants are not actually rounded up, but there are demonstrations of training techniques and re-enactments of scenes from history.

• Get to know northern Thailand better, particularly the remote provinces of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son by trekking, riding an elephant or rafting through this spectacular region. Check out the Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet.

• Enjoy Thailand's thousands of kilometres of coastline, either above or below the water. Have a go at sea canoeing and kayaking through the spectacular limestone islands in Phang Nga Bay and explore the half-submerged caves and grottoes.

• Learn traditional massage and the healing properties of herbal medicine at ancient Wat Pho.
 
• Try Thai cooking at one of many cookery schools. Learn how to blend the many herbs and spices that provide the unique flavours of Thai food. At some schools students even go to the market to buy the provisions for the meals to be prepared.

• Take a boat trip through Bangkok's Floating Market, or along the klongs, a network of canals leading off the river, and lined with dwellings opening directly on to the water. Life has changed little for those living along the klongs.

• Dive with the sharks in the aquarium at Bangkok's Siam Ocean World, and live to tell the tale.

• Have afternoon tea at the Oriental Hotel in Bangkok, one of the most famous hotels in the world. Once the haunt of the likes of Somerset Maughan and Joseph Conrad, it is now frequented by royalty and celebrities.

• Marvel at Bangkok's glittering Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo, a temple complex housing the Emerald Buddha. Upriver are the Royal Barges. These richly ornamented barges are only used for special processions on the Chao Phraya River.

• Do not miss Wat Pho, the oldest and largest temple in Bangkok and home to the Reclining Buddha. The Buddha's statue is enormous, an amazing 46m (150ft) long and 15m (49ft) high.

• Discover the delightful 81-room Vimanmek Palace, once a royal summer retreat, which was rebuilt in Bangkok in 1900. Be charmed by the former home of the American silk-dealer Jim Thompson.

• Travel north to Chiang Mai, Thailand's second-largest city and a centre for excursions to the region's ancient temples, hill tribes and the Golden Triangle. Climb the 300 or so steps to Doi Suthep temple for sweeping views of the city.

• Visit Kanchanaburi, inextricably linked with the horrors of WWII and the allied forces who were forced to build the Death Railway and the Bridge over the River Kwai. Use the town as a base to explore the area's waterfalls and jungles, and spend the night on a floating raft house.

• Step back in time with a visit to Ayutthaya, once the capital of Thailand. Ramble through the ruined palaces and wats on foot, by bicycle or even on the back of an elephant.
 
• A visit to Ayutthaya should be complemented with a trip to Sukhothai, an ancient capital of Thailand. Inside the old city walls are the ruins of ornate wats, with some beautifully preserved carvings.

• Head to Phang Nga Bay, which is world-famous for its stunning seascape, with its hundreds of limestone islets emerging from a translucent sea. Easily reached from Phuket, many visitors will recognise scenery featured in the James Bond film, The Man with the Golden Gun.

• Take time to explore the little-visited northeastern part of Thailand, especially Phimai, one of the most important Khmer historical sites in Thailand, dating from the 11th century. The intricate structures bear some resemblance to Angkor Wat and many lintels depict scenes from the epic Ramayana.

• Thailand isn't just beaches and temples. Go on an adventure into Khao Sok National Park in southern Thailand. Here dripping rainforest covers majestic limestone formations laced with sparkling streams and waterfalls. Stay in tree houses or on bamboo rafthouses.