Covering 4,000,000 km2 (1.6 million square miles), Southeast Asia is a vast region of Asia situated east of the Indian subcontinent and south of China. It consists a continental projection (commonly called mainland Southeast Asia) and a string of archipelagoes to the south and east of the mainland (insular Southeast Asia).

Southeast Asia is divided into the countries of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, the small city-state of Singapore and the small sultanate of Brunei.

With a Population of over 600 million, Southeast Asia offers a very diverse cultural experiences to travellers. On mainland Southeast Asia, the culture is a mix of Indian (Burma, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand) and Chinese (Vietnam), while in Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore, the culture is a mix of Arab, Chinese, Indian, Western and the indigenous Austronesian culture. The major religions are Buddhism, Taoism and Islam, followed by Christianity and Hinduism. The climate in Southeast Asia is mainly tropical, hot and humid all year round with plentiful rainfall.

THAILAND

Best to visit: between November and February



Friendly and fun-loving, exotic and tropical, cultured and historic, The Kingdom of Thailand beams with a lustrous hue from its golden temples and white sandy beaches to the welcoming Thai smile.

To avoid crowds and take advantage of cheaper accommodation, consider travelling during the least crowded months (April to June, September and October). October, tends to be the wettest month.

MALAYSIA 

Best to visit: between May to September

The Federation of Malaysia consists of the Peninsula Malaysia (West Malaysia) and the states of Sabah and Sarawak on Borneo Island (East Malaysia). Malaysia offers the World's oldest rainforest packed with abundant wildlife, idyllic beaches, tropical islands, mouth-watering cuisine and multi-ethnic culture.

Year-round travel is possible in Malaysia.

October to April is the rainy season. The east coast of Peninsular Malaysia receives heavy rain from November to February during which many east-coast resorts close and boat services stop.