Thailand means "Land of the Free", and throughout its 800-year history, Thailand can boast the distinction of being the only country in southeast Asia never to have been colonized!   The country's allure is pure Oriental fantasy ... exquisite countryside settings dotted with statues and images of Buddha radiating peace and divine knowledge ... flat plains carpeted with rice paddies ... and mountains of luxuriant teak forests where elephants once roamed wild.   Thailand is a tapestry of ancient civilizations, with each one's exquisite arts and religious beliefs melded permanently into the national psyche. Behind every warm Thai smile there lies a mystique inherited from ancient cultures and mysterious superstitions we can only surmise.   Thailand offers some of the most fascinating shopping in southeast Asia, with extensive markets located in both your destinations ... Bangkok and Chiang Mai. And even if you don't buy anything, browsing through the markets is an adventure you'll remember forever!   Bangkok   A foreigner's reaction to Thailand's capital is often to become as confused as the city's geography! Bangkok has no traditional downtown, and the streets ... like the traffic ... seem to veer off in every direction. There's even confusion about the city's name, since to native Thai's it is Krung Thep ... the "City of Angels".   B angkok is a microcosm of all of southeast Asia! It is an ancient and modern city where a network of klongs (canals) offset staggering automobile traffic and giant outdoor markets compete with glittering shopping malls. Modern buildings rise in the city that grew around the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha!   This is definitely the regions most exotic and, at the same time, out-of-control city. Bangkok contrasts require a definite adjustment in the minds of its foreign visitors, but amid the chaos you will soon come to appreciate the gentle nature of the Thai people ... and their respect for others.   Chiang Mai   Often referred to as the "Rose of the North" because of its spectacular scenery and beautiful rose gardens, Chiang Mai is an ancient walled city of 1.5 million people (the second largest city of Thailand). It was founded over 700 years ago by an ancient king and is rich in history and culture!   Recognized as the folk center of Thailand, you will be delighted by the fine handiwork of master craftsmen in a variety of traditions ... silverware, woodcarving, lacquer-ware, pottery and silk among them. The city's "Night Bazaar" is not to be missed! It offers a wide variety of good, quality souvenirs and handicrafts at affordable prices.