The National Geographic Traveller Russia recently named Thailand as the Best Beach Destination for 2015. In an awards presentation held on November 18, 2015, Thailand was given the Best Traveller Award by the travel magazine, which was aired on Russia’s TV 24 and broadcasted in some channels of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Related: Top 10 Beaches in Thailand Rated by Trip Advisor 2015

The Award was based on an online poll participated by over 240,000 readers. These readers came from over 90 countries, as well as from 19 Russian destinations and other mass media platforms.

The National Geographic Traveller Russia publishes an issue five times each year, has a circulation of 110,000 and a 746,800 total readership. It also recently celebrated its 10th anniversary in the industry and has given this same award to Thailand for a total of five times since its launch.

Russians made up the 3rd largest arrival in Thailand in 2014, with a total of 1.6 million tourists last year. From January to October of 2015 alone, the total number of tourists has reached 649,188. The highest number of arrivals occur during the winter season in Russia, when Thailand’s warm and tropical climate serve as a relaxing respite from the cold weather that engulfs the Soviet nation from November until the early months of the first quarter of the year. Russians also do not need to have a visa to enter the country, making Thailand an accessible destination.

Tourist attractions Russians love about the Asian country include beautiful sandy beaches, shopping at night markets and exquisite shops, nature trekking, island hopping, and the vibrant nightlife. Favorite destinations include Phuket, Pattaya, and Koh Samui.

Daily direct flights from the Russian capital of Moscow are also key to the unique Thailand and Russia relationship, providing easy access to the country’s vast offerings of tourist activities. Several charter flights during the winter season also serve as key factors to the high number of Russian arrivals.

Thailand offers beautiful natural resources, a wide range of accommodation type, hospitable people, a warm and tropical weather almost all year round, and an abundance of tourist activities that go beyond its extraordinary beaches.