Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, is a city of striking contrasts where gilded temples stand beside sleek skyscrapers and centuries-old traditions thrive amid modern life. At its heart is the Grand Palace, a dazzling complex that once housed the Thai kings, along with Wat Phra Kaew, the revered Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

Phuket, Thailand’s largest island, has long served as a cultural and trade crossroads in the Andaman Sea. Centuries ago, it was a stopover for merchants trading tin, spices, and textiles, with influences from Chinese, Portuguese, Indian, and Malay travelers still reflected in the island’s architecture and cuisine. Inland, the Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Sanctuary protects rainforest habitat home to gibbons, civets, and exotic birds.