Thailand has gotten talked about so much in the travel media in recent years that its tempting to think that it has gotten too popular for its own good. While this may be true in isolated pockets of the nation, the elements that made this destination popular in the first place are still there. Why is this country so essential for travelers to SE Asia? The following three aspects make Thailand an unbeatable spot for a holiday…

Thailand will turn you into a beach snob

It’s not an exaggeration that this nation has many of the best beaches in the world. While many destinations worldwide boast idyllic coastal settings, Thailand takes every desirable quality that travelers seek in a beach and ranks highly in all of them.

Virtually all of them have visually stunning surroundings, from the massive karst cliffs of Railay to the sand bar bridge that links together the twin peaks of Koh Nang Yuan. Others have a party scene that put them on the radar of rowdy travelers worldwide, like Koh Phangan. Those that instead seek out peace and serenity are also well catered for, as Koh Maak, and numerous islands along Thailand’s Andaman Coast (like Ko Tarutao).

Most offer blinding white sand underfoot, with beer, soda, water, and other refreshment never far away. Your favorite seaside haunts back home will never feel the same way again after your enviable beach holiday in Thailand.

Fully modern metropolises meet the traditions of the past

Love everything modern, but your friend/significant other wants to temple tramp until they drop? You won’t need to sacrifice or compromise with each other while in Thailand, as Bangkok and Chiang Mai offer both types of people all the attractions that they would ever want, plus numerous others that they would have no chance of knowing about until they get there.

Endless shopping opportunities await in places like Siam Paragon and Chatuchak Market in Bangkok, and at the Sunday Night Walking Market and Maya Lifestyle Mall in Chiang Mai. Trendy dining in BKK can be found along Sukhumvit Road, while similar finds can be discovered along Nimmanhaemin Road in the Rose of the North.

When the time to explore Thai culture comes along, slowly take in the grandeur of the Grand Palace and Wat Pho in Bangkok, then check out Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, as well as its superior views when you get to Chiang Mai. In both cities, signs of artistic expression can be found everywhere as well, which will make it tough to leave either place when the time comes, as the highlights of Thailand here are truly endless.

Chill out and relax in the mountains of the north

You will want to leave the cities to spend some time in the mountains of the north though, as they are high enough to grant a refreshing break from the heat of the lowlands, while not getting too cold for those from more northerly climate.

Hill tribe villages will open a window into a simpler way of life, while the alternative lifestyles nurtured by small towns like Pai will challenge your views and expose you to new perspectives.