Officially known as the Kingdom of Thailand and previously as Siam, Thailand is a country in south-east Asia bordered by Burma, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia. Its population of 67 million puts it just outside the top 20 most populous countries in the world, with 7.7 million living in and around the capital city Bangkok. The capital is one of the world’s great tourist hotspots and gateway to the rest of Thailand, including the more lush and mountainous landscape of the north. Temperatures in Thailand are consistent all year round, being between 21 and 33°C but there is significantly more rain between May and October, making the country a popular winter getaway for Europeans.

The number of tourists visiting the country has generally increased year on year with almost 16 million people making the trip in 2010. Most serviced apartments in Thailand are found in the business hub of the capital but there is also excellent accommodation available throughout the country. There is a multitude of cultural attractions to visit during a holiday in Thailand including archaeological sites, sandy beaches, Buddhist temples, scuba-diving sites, palaces and tropical islands to name but a few. Most visitors tend to spend a few days sightseeing in the capital before leaving for either a beach break in the south or a more remote location in the north.