Thailand

The description of the country known as Thailand can be encapsulated in two words - colour and chaos. Both these qualities will strike you from your very first moment in Thailand. It is one of the only Asian countries to avoid falling under total control of imperialist Europe, a phenomenon that places it in a unique cultural position. Thailand is also a naturalist's haven with rich parks, highland forests, and hordes of aquamarine beaches. In the cities and towns, you will be astounded at the wide palette of hues, where yellow, green and red house roof-tops melt with ubiquitous gilded towers, where spindle-shaped boats, filled with colourful fruit and fragrant spices, glide down the emerald river, where the black eyes of a Thai woman peer at you from under a hay hat, and where crimson and pink kites cut across the blue of the sky. In chaotic contrast, ubiquitous smiling statues of Buddha, crowded streets, countless stalls bursting with specialties of Thai cuisine, the unceasing festive atmosphere, all contribute to the impression of chaos. But it’s a happy form of chaos as the friendly attitude of the local folk effectively eases away all your tensions. It is their happy faces that contributed to Thailand’s reputation as the “land of smiles” and the “kingdom of tranquility”.

The Rain Tree Foundation

Chiang Mai

The Rain Tree Foundation is a social welfare organization focusing on helping the poor in Thailand. Through education and self sustainability the Foundation helps those in need so that they can help themselves.