Lop Buri Province

Lop Buri is one of Thailand's oldest cities, and has been a major center of power since the sixth century. The city probably reached the peak of its importance when King Narai (1656-1688) made Lop Buri his second capital and built a large palace here. Narai's reign was notable as the period in which the major European powers first made official contact with the kingdom, seeking trade and influence in the region.

The historical sites are mainly from Narai's era, as well as the Khmer monuments that he restored and converted to use as Buddhist shrines. In recent years, Lop Buri was discovered by tourists who were interested in history and culture, and the city now offers a refreshing insight into Thailand's history.

The town is also overrun with monkeys, most of which take up residence around the city’s historical sites. The monkey buffet festival is held every year in November at Phra Prang Samyot.

Sukhothai Province

Sukhothai Province was the first capital of the Thai kingdom which was established in 1238 and reached its zenith of prosperity during the reign of King Ramkhamhaeng the Great (1279-1300). It was during this period that Sukhothai extended its territory right down to the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. The Sukhothai Kingdom fell to Ayutthaya in 1378 AD but was still ruled by Sukhothai kings until 1438 AD with King Maha Thammaracha IV as the last king. Then it was completely annexed as a part of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. Several hundred years later, the ruins of Sukhothai were rediscovered by King Rama IV (1851-1868) when he was a wandering monk.

Before that, nobody in this country realized that there was anything left from the ancient city which was once the nerve centre of a rich and powerful kingdom whose sphere of influence extended right to the tip of the Malay Peninsula.  Full of World Heritage sites designated by UNESCO, Sukhothai is frequented by tourists who come to explore the grandeur of this ancient kingdom.

Lampang Province

Famous for its horse-drawn carriages and a rooster on its provincial emblem, Lampang boasts a long history of human settlements within the Wang River basin, some of which date back more than 1,000 years. Lampang is rich in archaeological evidence from the kingdoms of Hariphunchai, Lanna, and Burma.

The horse-drawn carriage, a mode of local transportation that has survived the introduction of automobiles to Lampang, is a fun way to explore the large peaceful town, which features a number of beautiful old temples.  

Chiang Mai Province

Chiang Mai is an important old city in the North. It is one of the few places in Thailand where it is possible to experience both traditional and modern Thai cultures coexisting side by side. The city features centuries-old pagodas and temples next to modern department stores and boutique hotels. While many old cities all over Thailand once had walls and moats, Chiang Mai is the only city where the old walls are still mostly intact.

Once in Chiang Mai, however, tourists are surprised by the fact that there are so many things to discover other than its beautiful and historic temples. Intriguing diversity among ethnic tribes, a number of elephant camps, many cooking and massage schools, numerous outdoor activities, a variety of handicrafts workshops, various cultural performances, and breathtaking scenery make Chiang Mai one of Asia’s most attractive tourist destinations.