Thailand
Information
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When arriving
in Thailand ask for free copies of Thaiways magazine and Thaiways
maps from the information counter at airports or hotels.
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Bang Pa-in, Ayutthaya |
Wat Phra Sisanphet,
Ayutthaya |
 Bangkok,
the capital of Thailand, is a metropolis where one can find both old and
new, East and West, traditional and fashionable, blended together in a harmonious
way. Samut Prakan (29 km) has countless tourist attractions such as historical
sites, old markets and indigenous lifestyles along the canals. The largest
crocodile farm in the world is situated here. Samut
Songkhram (63 km) highlights King Rama II Memorial Park. Those who love
to experience the local lifestyles have many choices of homestay programmes
to choose from. The old capital from 1350 to 1767, Ayutthaya
(76 km from Bangkok), is today visited chiefly as a historical site, especially
the World Heritage Historic City of Ayutthaya and associated Historic Towns.
Bang Pa-in Palace, and Bang Sai Folk Arts and Crafts Centre are places recommended
for inclusion in a one-day tour.
More about Ayutthaya, see
A
Memorable Cruise from Ayutthaya to Bangkok
Raft - Houses, very popular in Kanchanaburi
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Kanchanaburi (128
km), a good place for nature lovers, where they can raft down the
stream watching enchanting scenery. The Death Railway and the Bridge
over the River Kwai are also located here. On a trip to Saraburi
(107 km), Buddhists should not fail to pay homage to the Buddha's
Footprint there. Lop Buri (153 km) is famous for
shrines in the Khmer style, the remains of King Narai's palaces
of the 17th century, and the sunflower fields.
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A sunflower,
Lop Buri |
Phra Prang Samyot, Lop Buri |
Nakhon Pathom (56 km) is the town that boasts the tallest
Buddhist pagoda both in Thailand and in the world. The greatest Elephant
Show in Thailand can be seen here. Phetchaburi (123 km)
has many tourist attractions, including the famous Cha-am
Beach and many other beaches, scenic mountains, limestone caves, historical
sites, and ancient temples. Prachuap Khiri Khan (281 km)
is well known for Klai Kangwon Palace, a summer palace of the King and the
Royal Family, the oldest beach resort, Hua
Hin, and Khao Samroi Yot National Park. Another famous attraction is
the 12-km-long Ban Krut Beach. Prachuap Khiri Khan Bay is scenic and suitable
for sport activities.
Pattaya beach |
 Just
2 hours' drive from Bangkok is Pattaya,
the renowned recreation centre on the east coast. Its fine sand, blue
sky and limpid sea are among many other good things that prove irresistible
to both foreign and domestic tourists. Although Pattaya is the cream
of Chon Buri (81 km), other places of interest are
plentiful in this province -- Khao Sam Muk, where stands the Chao
Mae Sam Muk Shrine highly revered by Thais; Bang Saen, the nearest-to-Bangkok
beach resort for families; Ko Sichang, a paradise island whose name
has become the title of a song. Chanthaburi (245
km), a coastal province famous for its gemstones, fruits, hot pepper
and Chanthabun mats. |
Samet Island, Rayong |
Rayong (179 km), where the most attractive tourist spot
is the Samet Island, which has become very popular among foreign visitors.
Trat (315 km), the most far-flung province on the eastern
coast, is well known for its Ko Chang Marine National Park. Prachin
Buri (135 km) is famous for its "Hin Phoeng" Rapids which
is part of Khao Yai National Park.
Buffalo Racing Festival in Chon Buri
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Hin Phoeng Rapids, Prachin Buri |
The fine weather, the mountainous scenery, the exquisite handicrafts and
the rich northern Thai culture are some of the charms of the North. Nan
(668 km) is where culture blends well with nature. This small and peaceful
province amidst the mountains is one of the most exciting sites to shoot
the rapids. Chiang Mai
(697 km), the second biggest province of Thailand, provides visitors with
a host of places of interest, such as, Doi Suthep, Doi Inthanon, Bhubing
Palace, etc.
Mae Fa Luang Garden,
Doi Tung, Chiang Rai
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Chiang Mai
Flower Festival
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Chiang Rai
(785 km), located at the northern tip of Thailand in the very heart of the
Golden Triangle, gains fame from its scenic views, exotic hilltribes and
exciting elephant-back riding tours.
Doi Tung Royal Villa |
| Lamphun
(670 km) is a town of beautiful women, bountiful orchards and ancient
temples. Lampang (599 km) is the sole province
in Thailand where horse-drawn carriages are still used as a means
of transportation. Phrae (643 km) is known for
the northern costume called mohom and Phae Muang Phi, a
small area of weird earth formation.
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Horse-drawn carriage, Lampang |
Lying in the northwestern corner bordering Myanmar, Mae
Hong Son (942 km) is well known as the "Town of Three
Mists" because it is mist-shrouded throughout most of the three seasons.
It has several tourist attractions, both natural and cultural. Being mountainous,
the province has many waterfalls and caves.
A camping area in Phetchabun |
Another perspective of
Sukhothai Historical Park
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Sukhothai
(427 km), the first capital of the Thai Kingdom, is well-known
for its two historic sites -- Sukhothai and Si Satchanalai Historical Parks,
which have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1991. Tak
(426 km) This mountainous province is ideal for nature lovers and adventurous
tourists as there are numerous places for white-water rafting, trekking
and elephant riding. Blessed with high mountains and natural beauty, Phetchabun
(346 km) is where the scenic Nam Nao National Park and Phu Hin Rong Kla
National Park are situated. It is also rich with waterfalls, rivers and
lakes. Phitsanulok (377 km) features many historic sites
and natural scenic spots. There are three national parks in this province
-- Chat Trakan, Thung Salaeng Luang and Phu Hin Rong Kla, the last two covering
areas of Phetchabun Province too.
Known as Isan in Thai, the Northeast consists mostly of a plateau. Some
may think that this area is dry and lifeless. But in fact, it has large
numbers of tourist spots, especially sites of historical and archaeological
significance. Nakhon Ratchasima (259 km), or Khorat for
short, is the gateway to the Northeast, where are located the Thao Suranari
Monument, Khmer-style stone shrine Prasat Hin Phimai and an over 250-year-old
banyan tree. Khon Kaen (449 km), one of the northeastern
commercial centres famous for the local product -- matmi silk.
At Phuwiang National Park, dinosaurs' fossils, which were uncovered at the
site, are on show. Kalasin (519 km) is where dinosaurs'
fossils were excavated and are now exhibited at Dinosaur Research Centre
in Sahatkhan District.
Pha Taem, Ubon Ratchathani |
Prasat Hin Phanom Rung, Buri Ram |
Ubon Ratchathani (629 km) is the easternmost province of
Thailand, bordering Laos on the east and Cambodia on the south. The renowned
Pha Taem and Pha Mon are sandstone cliffs featuring prehistoric colour paintings.
Other attractions include beautiful old temples and many rapids and cascades
along the Mun and Mekong rivers. Sakon Nakhon (647 km)
offers tourists the picturesque scenery of the vast Nong Han Lake and Phu
Phan National Park. Surin (457 km), the land of elephants,
is world famous for its Elephant Round-up taking place at the third weekend
of November. Si Sa Ket (571 km) where the famous Khmer
ruins, Khao Phra Wihan, is located on the Cambodian border. There are many
other Khmer-style stone buildings in the province which are worth visiting.
A view of Phu Kradueng National park.
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Buri Ram
(410 km) Comprising plenty of Khmer ruins, this province is where
the largest Khmer-style stone temple, Prasat Hin Phanom Rung is
located. Loei
(520 km), a challenging place for nature lovers who want to admire
the scenic beauty of Phu Kradueng National Park in the cool season.
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Udon Thani
(564 km) is famous for its World Heritage site -- Ban Chiang Village
of ancient civilisation, and Phu Phra Bat Historical Park with bizarre
rock formations. Nakhon Phanom (740 km) is well
known for its Phrathat Phanom, which is a very ancient pagoda containing
a relic of the Buddha, and its annual Illuminated Boat Procession
Festival, which is held around October or November.
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Ban Chiang, Udon Thani |
The 14 provinces in the South stretch along the narrow peninsula of Thailand
from Chumphon to Malaysian border. The Andaman Sea coast on the west with
numerous offshore islands and a beautiful underwater world offers many fascinating
travel opportunities to the sea loving tourists. The most prominent tourist
attraction in the South is inevitably Phuket
(862 km), the biggest island of Thailand located in the Andaman Sea. It
has rapidly become one of the best known seaside resorts of the world.
Patong Beach |
But if you find Phuket a little too crowded in the peak tourist season,
then Samui Island of Surat Thani (644
km) will be another choice. Its tranquillity and unpolluted environment
will refresh you. Pha-ngan Island, which is a famous diving centre, is also
an interesting destination.
Ko Nang Yuan, Surat Thani |
Ranong (568 km), Thailand's rainiest province, is well
known for its hot mineral springs. Visitors can enjoy mineral bath in many
hotels here. The offshore Surin Island is stunning with abundant coral reefs
and colourful fishes. Phatthalung (840 km) is believed
to be in the realm of the ancient Sri Vijaya Kingdom, which has long been
forgotten leaving only a few hallowed hills today. Songkhla
(950 km) is a famous seaside resort in the far South where a cruise on Songkhla
Lake is fascinating. Another famous place in this province is Hat
Yai, the big bustling city widely known for the low priced imported
goods.
Similan |
Phang-nga
(788 km), adjoining Phuket, is full of magnificent seascape and beautiful
lime-stone caves. Those who love diving may visit Krabi
(814 km) to explore its Phi Phi, Lanta, and Hong Island Groups. At Rai Le
Beach, you can enjoy the exciting rock climbing. Krabi and Phang-nga are
two stars besides Phuket. They are becoming popular with tourists because
there are interesting attractions both on land and in the sea.
Au Maya, Krabi |
Trang
(828 km) With plentiful picturesque islands, this province has many fine
beaches and beautiful scenery waiting to be explored such as Chao Mai National
Park, and Ko Muk and its Morakot Cave. Tarutao Island off Satun (973 km),
being the remotest, will provide you with the most marvelous underwater
life and most tranquil atmosphere. Nakhon Si Thammarat (780 km), the land
of predominant Buddhism during the Sri Vijaya period, is famous for its
Talumpuk Cape and Hat Khanom-Mu Ko Thaletai National Park.
See lists of "Tourist Centres" on Contents page for more details
of Bangkok, Hua Hin, Pran Buri & Cha-am, Pattaya, Krabi, Phang-nga,
Phuket and Surat Thani.
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