Thai traditional dance is once of the most graceful aspects of Thailand and it is also quite symbolic of the Thai character itself. Ladies are dressed in beautiful costumes and the men paitiently miming the acient stories. These stories were originally developed and performed as entertainment for the royal court. Complex and beautifully executed finger and hand movements is of great importance.The Six inch, specially designed,fingernails are added to complement the ornate costumes.

A traditional orchestra consist of unique instruments such as the ranad (a wooden, floor level xylophone), sa-law (a bow-shaped instrument played with a violin-like bow), and two bamboo flutes, the phin pia and the khlui. The "pii-phaat" ensemble consists of between five and seven instruments and produces a pleasant mid-tempo melody to a steady metronomic rhythm. It features a slightly aggressive "nasal sounding" flute, rather like an Indian snake charmer.

The Thai are gifted singers and modern Thailand boasts a very active music industry which has produced many pop stars over the years.

Also know as Muay Thai, a hard martial art which is similar to other Indochinese styles of kickboxing.

Muay Thai is referred to as the "Art of Eight Limbs" because it makes use of punches, kicks, elbows and knee strikes, thus using eight "points of contact", as opposed to "two points" (fists) in Western boxing and "four points" (hands and feet) used in sport-oriented martial arts. A practitioner of Muay Thai is known as a nak muay.

Culture

The Thai culture is predominated by Buddhism and respecting the elders is very important. Elders are respected immensely and are considered to be the most important in the family and generally as well.

Traditional Thai houses located at Chiang Mai are constructed of wood and are on stilts. There is less emphasis on beating the heat, due to the milder climate. It's design is simple but has effective design and exquisitefinish. Many have been turned into guesthouses complete with traditional wooden and rattan furniture. All can be distinguished by the decorative 'galares' (cross-sword displays) that sits on the apex of the roof - forming an archetypical Northern Thai symbol.

Heritage

Bang kok- Jim Thompson's House and Museum

Jim Thompson and the Thai Silk Company he established, saved a dying craft and transformed it into a world-class designer brand

Thai Silk, a hand-woven fabric, is noted for its exceptional luster, texture and its striking complement of contrasting colors -- such as emerald green and magenta, or deep blue and shocking pink -- coexisting in perfect harmony

Phuket - Phuket Fanta Sea

A cultural show which includes, elephants, traditional Thai dances, magical illusions, acrobatics, indoor pyrotechnics which features the Thai culture and tradition. It would be a great evening out for the whole family.

Chiang Mai – Wat Prathat Doi Suthep

Capital of the old Lanna Kingdom has many well preserved temples in the city centre, dating back to the 13th Century. The city is also famous for its handicrafts, especially in wood and silver, a legacy from the hilltribes who settled in the northern foothills, bringing their own tribal influences and animistic beliefs into the culture.

Wat Prathat Doi Suthep the city’s most famous and important temple. Built in 1383, 15 kms from town on the top of a mountain, this location offers spectacular views over Chiang Mai and the surrounding area.