IF travelling has seven advantages, then visiting the Kingdom of Thailand has more than 20. And the recent bloody turmoil should not dent the country's claim to fame as a tourist haven. Despite everything, Thailand remains an irresistible attraction in many ways as I discovered during a recent trip. The biggest benefit is that Thailand is the cheapest country in Asia. Its capital, Bangkok, has become very popular with Egyptian newlyweds, who prefer to honeymoon in Thailand rather than any other Asian or European country. In Thailand, which welcomes hundreds of thousands of Arab tourists every year, you find old and new, East and West, traditional and fashionable, harmoniously blended together. This Asian country, which I have visited recently, has countless tourist attractions such as old markets, canals, on the banks of which many of the indigenous people live, and breathtaking beaches. It is the perfect place for tourists who want to experience the local lifestyle. It is lamentable that many attractive sites in Egypt, such as Siwa Oasis and Mersa Matrouh, are not better exploited for tourism, like what happens in Thailand. You have to admire the Thai people and government for working so hard to attract tourists and serve them graciously, from the minute they land at Bangkok Airport till they return to their respective countries. Skilled tailor Another good thing about Thailand is that you can get very good suits made, relatively cheaply, in just three days by a skilled tailor. The Thai government and tourist authorities provide visitors with excellent bilingual guides, who know all about the history of their country, giving precise information to visitors. Mr Alex, who was escorting the Egyptian press team, was an indefatigable and competent guide, always smiling and polite. He had an encyclopaedic knowledge of almost everything. Bangkok's Khan el-Khalili In Bangkok, tourists can visit historical quarters, especially Chinatown, where you imagine you're in Beijing or Shanghai. Each Sunday, an outdoor market is held in Chinatown, where you can buy everything from sophisticated electronic gadgets to pets and furniture, and it's all very cheap. Another famous attraction is the Suam Lum Bazaar, similar to Khan el- Khalili in Islamic Cairo. The fine weather, the mountainous scenery, the exquisite handicrafts and the rich northern Thai culture are some of the charms a visitor can enjoy on Phuket Island, which has a large Muslim community and a big mosque. Fruitful links The island is famous for its scenic views and the presence of many Middle Easterners, who have brought their culture with them to Thailand. Adel, Mohamed and Medhat are the only three Egyptians living on Phuket Island, where they own a café and restaurant, offering visitors a variety of genuine Egyptian meals and drinks, while they enjoy the magnificent seascape and beautiful limestone caves. “Egypt and Thailand have enjoyed strong trade and cultural relations for a long time,” Cairo's Ambassador to Bangkok Ashraf el-Kholi says, describing Egyptian-Thai relations as 'fruitful', as they focus on bilateral tourism co-operation. “It's high time Egypt and Thailand worked on promoting their relations, especially their trade ties,” he stresses. For Thailand, Egypt is the gate to the Middle East region, as well as Europe and the US.
