Thailand Items

Choosing a gap year to suit your personality

Taking a gap year is a very personal thing and you should make sure you choose an itinerary that fits in with your interests and personality, rather than just following the crowds. With that in mind, we've got a few suggestions for themed gap years.

A beginner's guide to Singapore and Thailand

Asia is a fantastic holiday destination, though the diverse range of cultures and countries it consists of (not to mention its vast size) can make it a bit difficult to decide where exactly you should go. This is especially the case if you have never been to Asia before, with a cruise break a particularly good way to get an oversight of this terrific continent.

Thai New Year celebrations at a Bangkok street food party in London

The Tourism Authority of Thailand will be celebrating the Thai New Year of Songkran by bringing a taste of the festivities to the heart of London.

A guide to jungle trekking

Gap years are no longer the preserve of the 20-something; there are plenty of older travellers who are taking time off work to see the world. One thing most gap years have in common is adventure - and you can't get much more exciting than trekking in a jungle.

Oscars inspired gap years

The most important movie event of the year is almost here, the Oscars. This year’s Oscar nominated movies are set in variety of destinations across the world and many may even inspire your choice of gap year destinations, from a road trip in the USA, to language learning in France, exploring the landscapes of India or ‘finding yourself’ in Thailand.

The best places to celebrate Loy Krathong

One of the biggest Thai festivals of the year, Loy Krathong is almost here, so if you’re spending your gap year backpacking around South East Asia, then you’ll want to find the best places to celebrate this most atmospheric of festivals.

Phuket offers travellers a different kind of food festival

While food festivals are usually brimming with gourmet offerings and champagne tastings, Phuket is hosting a wholly different kind of event that will please those travellers who usually come up against many gastronomical hurdles.

Traditional gap year destinations too expensive

The most popular gap year destinations are also the most expensive, according to new research from Moneycorp and gapyear.com.

Top places to help build homes for communities in need

If you're in the process of planning your gap year, becoming an international volunteer is something well worth considering. Among your options is the extremely rewarding opportunity to build homes for local communities - and you can discover the top places to do so with our guide.

What is a backpacker bus?

A few companies in Australia in New Zealand have discovered a way to connect solo travellers on the road, and allow them to travel together as one big raucous group. Welcome aboard the backpacker bus...

Is this the best water-fight in the world?

Every April, while we’re still scoffing our Easter chocolate, Thailand is celebrating the New Year with one of the best water fights in the world. So, here’s the Songkran festival, in a nutshell…

Backpackers warned to be safe in Thailand, after recent bombings

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office have extended travel restrictions in Thailand, after 13 people were killed at 400 injured by bombs in Hat Yai and Yala over the weekend.

Guide to planning the best routes to take around Thailand

If you're planning to incorporate a trip to Thailand in your gap year adventure, make sure you take the time to work out your perfect itinerary. Read our guide to find tips on how to organise the ideal route for you.

Parents inspired by kid’s gap years

Parents are so inspired by their children’s gap year stories – that they’re visiting the same places as their globe-trotting kids.

Speed dating with... Bangkok

We go on a five minute speed date with the capital city of Thailand, Bangkok. A city which is an assault on the senses; one that's loud, dirty, chaotic, colourful and exciting. A city of contrasts where glitzy shopping malls and high tech sky-trains sit along street vendors and buzzing tuk tuks.

World’s strangest laws

There are some pretty weird laws around the world, and while some such as not wearing pink hot pants after midday in Australia, may not be all that important, others such as not chewing gum in Singapore or not kissing in public in Dubai are essential to remember if you don’t want to end up in trouble with the authorities.

Thai island hopper tour: a top backpacker activity

Many backpackers booking flights to the Far East will no doubt be looking forward to relaxing on some of the famous and beautiful Thai beaches. There is no better way to experience this laidback side of the country than by taking an island-hopping tour.

Help build up a community whilst seeing beautiful Thailand

Keen to combine doing volunteer work with seeing one of the most beautiful destinations on the planet? If so, you are sure to want to head to Thailand. Spend some time in the country on a gap year and you'll be able to take part in rewarding community projects, as well as see amazing sights.

Thai food guide

Thai food is becoming increasingly popular here in the UK and we even go as far as saying that we think people even prefer it to their favourite Chinese takeout. Food in Thailand is even spicier, tastier, more sour and fragrant than the Thai food you find abroad and backpacking during your gap year provides you with the perfect opportunity to frequent the street food stalls and try them all out. Here’s a list of our Thai favourites.

Top five places to celebrate New Year’s around the world

It’s coming up to that time of the year again - saying goodbye to one year and welcoming in the next with style. If you’re travelling this year, then why not take this opportunity to head to some of the world’s best spots to celebrate? Here is our list of the top five places to celebrate New Year's Eve.

Gap year company profiles - Global Vision International

Each week at mapthegap.co.uk, we’ve been focusing on a different gap year organisation, giving you the info to make the decision of choosing just that little bit easier. This week we continue by looking at Global Vision International.

Three surprisingly good destinations for vegetarians

Being a vegetarian can be hard when you’re travelling, vegetarian options are not always available, you don’t want to feel like a pain dragging your travelling companions round to ten different restaurants and you might be worried about offending other cultures by not eating the meat they’ve cooked for you. In some countries like India, New Zealand and Greece you can expect to find good vegetarian alternatives, however, there are a few surprisingly good destinations for vegetarians that you wouldn’t have expected.

Gap Year Company profiles – Gapforce

Each week at mapthegap.co.uk, we’ve been focusing on a different gap year company, to give you the low down on what they offer and places they go to. This week we’re focusing on Gapforce.

Gap Year Company profiles – Madventurer

We’re continuing our gap year company profile series this week with a focus on Madventurer, a non-profit volunteer organisation. These profiles are designed to help you make that decision of choosing a gap year company just that little bit easier, giving you all the information you need in one place.

Uni entries fall as students head overseas to work and learn

Rising university fees have led to a 30 per cent rise in the number of students heading abroad to work, study and volunteer, according to new figures from STA Travel. The youth travel specialist has seen a climb in bookings after the government introduced its top-up university fees for 2012. Many young people are now looking at alternative ways to bolster their CVs.