Formerly known as Siam, Thailand has an irresistible combination of breathtaking natural beauty, inspiring temples, renowned hospitality, robust cuisine and ruins of fabulous ancient kingdoms. Few countries have so much to offer the visitor. Where else can you take a thrill-seeking ride on a bamboo raft, cruise on a converted rice barge or roar upriver James Bond-style in a long-tail boat, then go for an elephant ride through the jungle and stay in tree houses as guests of hill tribe villagers. The “Land of Smiles” is the often quoted epithet of Thailand and it couldn’t be more true!