Bangkok lies in a vast rice-growing plain in the centre of a country that stretches from equatorial islands to sub-tropical mountains that require flights or sleeper trains and ferries to reach. Within a day or weekend drive or tour of the capital, though, you can trek in the pristine jungles of Khao Yai National Park to the northeast or the wildlife parks in the west around Kanchanaburi – site of the infamous Death Railway. On the way catch the floating market at Damnoen Saduak, near which homestays are possible in canalside stilt houses.

Ply the Chao Phraya river north to the car-free pottery island of Ko Kred, the fantastical summer palace of Bang Pa-in and the ruined ex-capital, Ayutthaya. Another good day out combines the Ancient City historical park (+6623239252) with Samut Prakarn Crocodile Farm (+6623870020), the world’s largest.

Pattaya is a raucous resort not to all tastes, but it has watersports, diving and fine sands at Jomtien. Ko Samet is a trendy island retreat further east, Hua Hin a more genteel royal resort on the western Gulf coast. Golf holidays are popular while gay travellers get specialist guided trips via Utopia Tours (Tarntawan Place Hotel, 119/5-10 Thanon Surawong, +6622383227, www.utopia-tours.com).

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