NEW YORK (CNNfn) - It's got temples, beaches and plenty of friendly people. What more could you ask from a country?
The Kingdom of Thailand has been a high point for travelers heading to Southeast Asia for years. From the confounding congestion of Bangkok to the stunning beaches of the south and the hill country up north, Thailand offers visitors a variety of things to do—or not do—at prices only a Westerner's wallet could love.
"Simply put, I can't think of too many places more beautiful," states Lara Wozniak, a writer for Fodor's Travel Publications and senior features writer for Hong Kong iMail. "Thailand is a dream vacation land. Many backpackers come here for a month and stay the rest of their lives."
Visit a Buddhist temple, take in a Thai boxing match or check out a game of elephant soccer. Hit the nightlife or crash on the beach for some extreme tanning and then dig into some of the famous cuisine.
"Tourism has been a very big business in Thailand," said travel writer Edward Hasbrouck. "There are very few Third World countries where things are so affordable, but so organized to make it so effortless for you to do what you want to do."
While Thailand has been viewed by some as either a refuge for the backpacker types or a haven for the super-rich, Hasbrouck said the country has a lot to offer the middle-class traveler, too.
"I think Thailand offers great value for mid-range people who may think the country is too far away and expensive," he said.
Siam what I am
Experts say the best time to visit Thailand is between November and February, when the temperatures are manageable and the rainfall is light. One U.S. dollar converts to about 42.32 Thai baht, so a hotel charging 1,600 baht per night will cost you about $38 in greenbacks.
Bangkok, one of Asia's major transport hubs, is the capital city of Thailand. Ten million people call this sprawling place home, and first time visitors may be overwhelmed by the traffic, noise, pollution and streets that go off in all directions. 
Traffic moves on the left in Thailand and U.S. government officials say accidents are common in a place where cars, trucks and three-wheeled tuk-tuks fight for a piece of the road.
For all its craziness, however, Bangkok has places to see. The Tourism Authority of Thailand suggests spending three to five days in the city to see such sites as the Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Vimanmek Mansion, and the temple-monasteries Wat Arun and Wat Pho.
You can also take a trip along the Chao Phraya River or do some shopping at Chatuchak Weekend Market. The market is open Saturday and Sunday from dawn to dusk.
Martial arts fans will want to take in the Muay Thai or Thai kick-boxing matches at the city's two major stadiums—Lumphini and Ratchadamnoen.
For eats, travel writer Joe Cummings, who wrote a book on Thailand for Lonely Planet, said Convent Road in Bangkok is lined with fabulous restaurants and Nai Lert Market in the Pratunam district is also very good for authentic Thai cooking, especially seafood.
The nightclub scene in Bangkok is said to be nothing short of legendary and some of the popular spots include the Phatphong area, between Silom and Surawong roads and the Soi Nana and Soi Cowboy areas on Sukhumvit Road.
Travel Bug is a new column that runs every Wednesday on CNNfn's Life Page.
North and South
After Bangkok, travelers can head north to Chiang Mai, Thailand's second-largest city and gateway to the northern region and the Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet.
The people in Chiang Mai are largely farmers and artisans and the city has several wats, or temple enclosures, that are worth seeing. About 12 miles northwest of the city, you'll find the Elephant Training Centre, where the elephants put on a show for the tourists. Take a ride around camp or go for a one-hour trip through forest.
Wozniak said the elephant rides are unforgettable, particularly if you ride up on the animal's neck, rather than taking the seat on the pachyderm's back.
"Little compares to the experience," she said. "When [the elephants] step down a steep incline, or climb rough terrain, they clamp their ears down tight around your legs. It's like a seatbelt."
If sand and sun are more your style, head south. Cummings recommends the beaches along the Andaman Sea. Wozniak has some favorite locations, including Koh Chang, which, she said, offers "bare-bones infrastructure but lovely surroundings." 
Pattaya, probably the best-known beach, she said, has been diminished by the unbridled sex trade, crowds and water pollution. Phuket, once an idyllic spot, Wozniak said, is seeing overbuilding and prices going up, while Phang Nga, with its little islands, is worth a visit.
If you're looking to go to Thailand, you can go on your own or choose from numerous package deals. A quick Internet search, for example, turned up these deals:
- Pacific Holidays in New York has a 12-day tour called "Thailand Delights" for about $2,195, depending on the time of year, that includes airfare. The tour takes visitors from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and Phuket.
- Asia Ways, based in Thailand, offers several vacation packages. The eight-day Bangkok-Pattaya includes a boat trip along the Chao Phraya River and the klong or canals of Thonburi. On the way to Pattaya, travelers will stop to see a crocodile farm that has over 60,000 of the beasts. The trip costs $395 per couple or $506 per person, not including airfare.
- Worldwide Escapes in San Francisco offers The Thai Cooking Getaway, a weekend excursion that takes travelers to Chiang Mai for an elephant ride and a full-day class in Thai cooking. The trip costs $849 per person including airfare from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.
Keep in mind
While Thailand has beautiful scenery, travelers, as always, should be aware of their surroundings. The U.S. State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs warns tourists to be cautious in all border areas.
In 1998, Western tourists who strayed across the border into neighboring Myanmar, formerly Burma, were held captive by the local military for several days. Also pirates, bandits and drug traffickers operate in border areas. Pickpockets, purse-snatchers and other petty criminals are common in tourist areas.
"In Bangkok, steer clear of any friendly strangers who talk about gems," Cummings warns. "There's a real problem with gem shops cheating  tourists—by and large this happens only in shops that 'friendly strangers' take you to. Only buy from dealers who belong to the Jewel Fest Club."
If you fall victim to a gem scam, call the local branch of the Thai Tourist Police or the Tourist Assistance Center at 1155.
Thais hold their king in high regard and making critical defamatory remarks about the monarch is a serious crime, with penalties of 3 to 15 years imprisonment. Intentionally destroying Thai bank notes, which carry the king's image, may also be considered an offense.
"Don't touch Thais on the head," Cummings said, "as it's taboo. Don't point at things with your feet. Never enter a temple or home without removing your shoes."
Some tourists may go to Thailand for the sex trade, but the Bureau of Consular Affairs warned Thailand is experiencing an epidemic of HIV infection and AIDS, with heterosexual transmission accounting for most HIV cases.
It is not acceptable to cause problems or argue loudly in Thailand, Wozniak said, but when fights do occur, look out.
"Don't ever get involved in a bar fight or other skirmish," she said. "Men are often armed to the teeth. People are extremely friendly on the whole, but they are extremely violent when involved in a fight. That's why there aren't that many fights." 
-- Click here to send e-mail to Rob Lenihan
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