Siam...

16th century French travelers reported that the Siamese capital Ayutthaya was the most beautiful city in the East, rivaling Paris itself...

...Their detailed accounts described Siam as a land of fabulous temples and traditions set in pleasure garden surroundings

Since then the mention of Siam has inspired visions of a lush Far Eastern paradise...a land of of great Kings and Queens, gilded palaces, complex culture and intricate handicrafts. The truth about Siam is every bit as exotic as the fantastic accounts Westerners have related for 400 years.

On May 11, 1949 Siam became Thailand, the "Land of the Free", ruled by a constitutional monarchy. Unlike all of its Southeast Asian neighbors, Thailand was never colonized by a Western power.

This rare history of freedom has made Thais intensely proud of their Siamese culture and sincere in welcoming visitors and ideas from around the world.

Today, the essence of Siam lives in the hearts and minds of sixty million Thai citizens and millions of enamored visitors alike. It is embodied in the living culture of Thailand. The road never ends...keep traveling with Compass of the North