Bangkok Tops the 2010 "World's Best" list

Bangkok has been voted by Travel & Leisure Magazine as one of the world’s best city for travel and is followed closely by another Thai city, Chiang Mai. Other cities that were voted for include Florence (Italy), San Miguel de Allende (Mexico), Rome (Italy), Sydney (Australia), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Oaxaca (Mexico), Barcelona (Spain) and New York City (the United States).

Bangkok’s popularity has been measured against practical parameters namely places for sightseeing, their beauty and greenery; arts and culture; food; shopping areas; people's friendliness; and value for money spent.

Bangkok, like any other Asian city, is a splendid mix of the exotic past and flamboyant new and draws millions of spectators every year to experience its colour, flavour, fragrance and vibrant hospitality. Its verdant parks, canals, ancient palaces, museums, elegant temples, exotic cuisines, chic hotels, shimmering sky-scrapers and surreal red light districts attract visitors from all over the world.

Not to forget the glitzy malls and the lively flea markets, Bangkok offers a world of choice to its visitors leaving them to crave for more. With so many markets, malls, restaurants and spas to shop, eat and get a heavenly massage from, Bangkok can be called a hedonist’s paradise. Asian holidays appear among the most sought after holidays and if you have not booked your flights for your Asian holiday then look for Thailand holidays, as lot of discounts are offered these days to revive tourism in the area after the riots that disturbed the peace in the region in the recent past. Therefore, getting cheap flights from London to Bangkok is not difficult and with all the trappings of a perfect holiday destination, Thailand is all set to make for a memorable and affordable holiday.

Thailand Limps Back to Stability – Tourism took a major hit

After two months of pitched battles on the streets of Bangkok, the country is showing signs of some order being restored. However, it won’t be prudent to book Thailand flights right now. Although the government has been able to lay siege to the protest zones the situation still remains fragile. Centre for resolution of emergency services (CRES) has imposed curfew in Bangkok and 23 provinces to contain the situation. The protest which came to an end in the wake of the surrender by major protest leaders after the brutal clampdown by troops in the central Ratchaprasong area has already cost the country dearly. The damaged properties include the Stock Exchange and the Central World, which ranks among Asia’s biggest shopping malls.

Although the situation is seemingly limping back to order, many believe that it will be long before Thailand could restore peace completely so as to have the tourists flocking again to the country. Thailand relies heavily on tourism for its revenues which accounts for at least 6 percent of the country’s GDP. As per the reports, country’s 15 to 20 percent of employment is generated from tourism alone. Many countries have not changed their advice to their citizens of not traveling to Thailand. The fact remains that the protests were curbed with raw force and elections have not been announced. As a result, the Red Shirts are bristling and have vowed to continue fighting.

Still, the major part of the crisis is over and one can look ahead to the easing of the restrictions imposed earlier by the Thai government. Besides, it may not be an exaggeration to mention that the airline industry, which felt the impact of the crisis, will definitely roll out packages offering cheap Thailand flights.