Visit the Himalayan kingdom that’s so wonderfully different
By Colin Hastings
By Colin Hastings
| ASK a seasoned Thai traveler for his or her bucket list of to-do destinations, and Bhutan will definitely rate high amongst their choices. They may not be able to pinpoint Bhutan on a map or tell you much about its history, but this isolated Himalayan kingdom has certainly captured their imagination as well as a good number of hearts ever since Bhutan’s handsome Crown Prince visited Thailand in 2006. Dubbed ‘Prince Charming’ by the Thai press for his good looks and elegant manners, the Crown Prince has gone on to become King of Bhutan in 2008 and three years later married his beautiful 21-year-old Bhutanese bride. |  Spectacular Tiger's Nest, one of Bhutan's most impressive monasteries, perched on a cliff |
The elegant Royal Palace in the heart of the capital Thimpu
The flow of tourists from Thailand, Thais as well as Bangkok expatriates, has increased every year since the Prince’s memorable visit.
While the colorful traditions of Bhutan’s monarchy represent an interesting link to Thailand’s own Royal Family, the country has revealed numerous other facets of its unique character, and today it is widely acknowledged as one of the world’s most fascinating destinations.
t’s also an ancient land with a fiercely guarded culture and deep spirituality that its Buddhist visitors from Thailand instantly identify with.
While the colorful traditions of Bhutan’s monarchy represent an interesting link to Thailand’s own Royal Family, the country has revealed numerous other facets of its unique character, and today it is widely acknowledged as one of the world’s most fascinating destinations.
t’s also an ancient land with a fiercely guarded culture and deep spirituality that its Buddhist visitors from Thailand instantly identify with.
Young Bhutanese monks: Visitors from Thailand quickly identify with the country's deep spirituality
The people of Bhutan, who number less than a million, have adopted a wonderfully individual way of looking at life, brilliantly and wittily summed up in its “Gross National Happiness” index – an alternative to GDP – which measures personal happiness as opposed to economic growth. This is expressed in many ways, from the absence of traffic lights to the wearing of the national costume by both sexes, that ensure Bhutan maintains its place as a country that accepts modernity on its own terms.
Its natural beauty is awesome. Sandwiched between China and India, its northern regions are rugged and mountainous, with peaks that exceed 7,000 metres (23,000 ft), including the highest unclimbed mountain in the world – Mount Gangkar Puensum. Rivers run through the endless valleys, where crops are grown, and the pretty capital Thimpu and the airport of Paro by necessity are located. At times you’d be forgiven thinking you were in Switzerland.
Its natural beauty is awesome. Sandwiched between China and India, its northern regions are rugged and mountainous, with peaks that exceed 7,000 metres (23,000 ft), including the highest unclimbed mountain in the world – Mount Gangkar Puensum. Rivers run through the endless valleys, where crops are grown, and the pretty capital Thimpu and the airport of Paro by necessity are located. At times you’d be forgiven thinking you were in Switzerland.
Bhutanese people take shelter from the midday sun
Respect for nature is reflected in the Constitution which says at least 60% of Bhutan must remain forested. Currently 70% of the land is under forest cover. As a result, the country boasts incredible wildlife and biodiversity. It is said that Bhutan has more wild tigers than in the whole of China. It is also home to leopards, rhinoceroses, bears and more than 900 bird species.
| Monasteries known as dzongs are the pride of Bhutan, and none is more spectacular than Tiger’s Nest, which is perched on a vertical cliff at a height of some 3,000m. The hike through forests takes two to three hours, and those who reach this holy site are rewarded with one of the world’s most breathtaking spectacles. For the really adventurous, though, the famed 28-day ‘Snowman’ trek in Bhutan’s mountains is surely the ultimate challenge. Some 120,000 people visit Bhutan every year. The government plans to increase this figure to 180,000 in the next few years, but is aware of the problems that can come with mass tourism, as experienced in some Asian nations. “We’ve seen their mistakes and don’t want to repeat them here,” explained a spokesman for the Tourism Council. Higher numbers are unlikely anyway because of the modest size and location of the main airport, which can only handle small aircraft. Hotel accommodation and service are surprisingly good, while the local food is wholesome if a little limited in variety. Visitors are required to spend US$200 or US$250 a night, depending on the season, which covers taxes, visa, tours, standard hotel room, all meals, transportation, tour guide and entrance fees. Bangkok is served by Bhutan Airlines and Drukair. Flying time is about four hours.  LIfe in Bhutan: weavers and monastery keepers; deep reverence and market vendors; archers and ladies in traditional outfits. Photos by Rossarin Sawasdiraksa |  Peaceful interior of a dzong, or monastery, in Paro  In the absence of traffic lights across the entire country, this police booth in Thimpu is the only place in Bhutan where cars are given directions by police What Bhutan DOESN’T have • Pollution • Traffic lights (because there is so little traffic) • Advertising billboards • Chain stores • Fast food restaurants • High-rise buildings • Smoking in public • Imported vehicles during the past four years What Bhutan DOES have • Clean mountain air and spectacular mountain scenery • Only traditional architecture permitted • World’s highest unclimbed mountain • More tigers than China • Almost as many bird species as the 925 species found in the US and Canada combined • Archery as the national sport • Specially trained pilots to land and take-off from the world’s scariest airportere to edit. |
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