The Buzz of Bangkok and Beyond

Gap years may be a thing of luxury in the wake of the recession and in the storm of heavy budget cutting. Students may not find that they are entitled to the rite of passage in the form of a year or even a few months abroad. However, those determined to go out and see the world before they hit their studies will always find a way, and there is a plethora of bar and waitressing jobs to throw yourself to save up those pennies. A firm favourite for the gap year favourite is Bangkok, and in some ways hibernating in an environment that doesn't operate on the same level of expenditure as a city like London, for example, may seem appealing. It's a destination infused with spirituality, tradition, history and ancient culture: a place to explore the mind as well as the geography.

For those who like the modern buzz of a city, then heading to Bangkok itself will be a fun experience. Bangkok is a cosmopolitan city; erected as the capital of Thailand in 1782. For the hub of your Thailand travelling, head to Siam Square where you'll find luxury hotels and shopping malls that will cater for any homesick needs. Head further to Pahurat and Yaouarat and you'll find the Indian community, where you can be tourist to a Sikh temple and the bustling markets selling gold and fabric.

735 kilometres northeast of Bangkok, sits this spiritual sleepy province, perfect for anyone wanting to see a calm side of Bangkok. It's a provincial Thai city, which was the centre of Dvaratic civilisation and over 2,000 years ago, missionaries from India introduced Buddhist philosophies to the city. The name derives from the name, Pali Nagara Pathama, which means First City, and Nakhon Phanom is largely referred to as the oldest city in Thailand. Try and plan your travels around the Nakhon Phanom Food and Fruits Fair, which is an annual festival, held during the Chinese New Year, around January-February, within the grounds of Phra Pathom Chedi. It is a celebration of the province's special foods and fruits, so you can expect to sample a delectable range of tasty coconuts, guavas, and bananas, which should add the simplest of pleasure to your travels.

Getting around the hustle and bustle is probably best done in a taxi. From the airport, especially, a taxi would be wise. The economical option is to queue for one of the metered taxis, which you can grab from arrivals. There is a 50-baht surcharge on top of the meter for one, or a group of travellers, which should total a trip to the city at about 250-400. To get to Thailand itself, check out a website such as DialAFlight for cheap flights to Bangkok.