Thailand

cctv.com 06-30-2004 16:02

Welcome to Travelogue. This program, we are in the kingdom of the elephants. It's Thailand, with its incredibly diverse culture and a people of incredible subtlety and sophistication. I can't believe I am riding on an elephant.

The Thai people simply love their elephants, the Asian Elephants. And when you've been in the country a while you'll probably develop the same affection for these huge gentle creatures. The complexity of their nature, so benign yet so powerful, embodies the qualities of the national religion-- Buddhism. Nearly everyone here is Buddhist, and that might explain the tolerance and inner peace you see on all of the faces here.

We start our journey from Bangkok, the throbbing metropolis of central Thailand. From Bangkok, we head north to the ancient city of Chiang Mai, and from there we turn south to the renowned beach resort Phuket. By all accounts, Thailand is a true paradise for travelers. But I don't think paradise is the most accurate word to describe it. It's nirvana that best conveys the spirit of the land here.

The very word "Thai" means free. So welcome to Thailand, where the people call their home a land of freedom.

Ayutthaya, less than one-hour drive north Bangkok, is usually the first call for many visitors who come to see its beautiful temple ruins. Its Buddha statuary dates back to the classic period when Thailand was known as Siam.