Thailand |
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| Where To Go |
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| Bangkok |
| Being one of the world’s most exciting cities, Bangkok features the fascinating temples, museums, palaces and the lively nightlife, markets, shops and restaurants. Established as Thailand’s capital in 1782 by the first king of the Chakri dynasty, King Rama I, this city is known to the Thais as Krung Thep or City of Angels, a shortened form of a full name in excess of 150 letters. Bangkok has developed in various ways reflecting the modern dynamism. Today, the city has become the major gateway and leading cultural attractions for both international and domestic travellers |
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| Phuket |
| Phuket is 862 kilometers south of Bangkok with an area of 543 square kilometers, lying in the Andaman Sea and referred to as the ‘Pearl of the South’. It is the largest island off the coast of Thailand. Its wealth is derived from tin, copra, rubber and tourism, as the fine sandy beaches along the west coast attract visitors all the year round. Phuket town, capital of the island where one-third of population (45,000) live, is an interesting place blending Portuguese and Thai architecture, retaining its charm despite traffic and recent building in concrete and glass. There are still many fine examples of late 19c and early 20c Chinese shop-houses and some magnificent mansions, formerly the homes of wealthy merchants. The island is best explored in two sections: a northern circuit taking in the National Museum, the small National Park, the Gibbon Rehabilitation Center and the charming Butterfly Garden and Aquarium; and a southern circuit which takes in the south coast and the aquarium at Cape Phanwa. |
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| Chiang Mai |
| Popularly known as the Rose of the North, Chiang Mai is blessed with outstanding natural beauty and unique cultural identity. Located about 700 kilometers from Bangkok, Thailand’s second most popular city, today Chiang Mai is the economic, communications, cultural and tourism center of Northern Thailand. Chiang Mai has over 300 temples, almost as many as in Bangkok, making it visually striking. Many visitors stay here longer than planned because of the high quality and low price of accommodation, food and shopping, the cool nights, the international feel of the city and the friendliness of the people. |
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| Chiang Rai |
| Known today as the “Gateway to the Golden Triangle”, Chiang Rai was founded in 1262 by King Mengrai. With its magnificient scenery, Chiang Rai the capital of Thailand’s northernmost province, is an excellent venue for hill-tribe handicrafts. The Chiang RaiHandicraft Center highlights a variety of costumes and artifacts of the hill-tribes such as Akha coin headdresses, Lahu geometric blankets and cushion covers, wooden boxes with carvings and woven rattan, etc. Also, being the base for visiting the rest of the far north, visitors will be fascinated by the hill-tribe trekkings and the boat trip down the Kok River from Tha Ton of Chiang Mai. |
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| Krabi |
| One of the most attractive destinations in Southern Thailand is located 814km from Bangkok. Krabi occupies an area of 4,708 sq km. To the west, it borders on the Andaman Sea where countless natural attractions abound, including white sandy beaches, fascinating coral reefs, numerous large and small islands, verdant forest with caves and waterfalls. It contains rainforest that remains the habitat for the fortunate Gurney’s Pitta. This small, yellow-bellied bird was thought to be extinct. For the birdwatcher, the rainforest is a must as it is also home to other feathered rarities. Krabi Province has only two seasons, the hot and the wet (May till December). Krabi town can be completely explored on foot in about half a day. The majority of travelers tend to breeze through heading for some of the surrounding very scenic beaches or the offshore islands of Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, Koh Jam (Pu) and Ko Si Boya. |
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| Mae Hong Son |
| Bordered by Chiang Mai to the east, Tak to the south and Mynmar to the west and north, this far province in Northern Thailand is becoming one of its most popular with spectacular scenery, beautiful rivers and many hill-tribe communities. It is also named the province of three mists and it seems as if the outside world does not exist. It is a favored base for those wishing to trek through the jungles to less commercialized hill-tribe villages. Most of the population of the province are either Thai Yai (Shan) or members of one of the hill-tribes (Hmong, Karen, etc.) and strong Mynmarese influence is evident in the monastery architecture. A word of warning: in spring, around late March and April, the surrounding hills are often alight with brush fires set by farmers to clear the land. It can make breathing unpleasant and often prevents the scheduled planes from landing at Mae Hong Son. |
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| Ayutthaya |
| The city is best recommended for those interested in the spectacular temple ruins. Being one of Thailand’s most significant historical attractions around the city island, Ayutthaya is just an hour or two north of Bangkok. Located 76 kilometers north of Bangkok, the city island is surrounded by the Chao Phraya, Pa Sak and Lopburi Rivers. Long tail boats can be rented for a tour to glimpse the view of the several old temple ruins and the unique river life from the canal. Ayutthaya was the Thai capital for 417 years with thirty three kings of different dynasties. Today, the historic ruins and museums stand among the modern buildings of this provincial town. |
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| Phang Nga |
| Located 788km from Bangkok and covers an area of 4,170 square kilometers, most of which is mangrove and evergreen forest, Phang Nga is the small province bordering on the bay of Phuket. The area is bordered to the west by the Andaman Sea and consists of plenty of spectacular islands with pristine beaches. A number of sea kayaking operations also run kayak trips in the area. It is also home to Thailand’s most spectacular diving destinations, the Similan and Surin island groups. Phang Nga Bay and surrounding areas were declared a marine national park in 1981. Wildlife in the national park includes dolphins, crab-eating macaques and huge fruit-eating bats and numerous species of birds. Much of the attractions of Phang Nga’s countless caves lie in their limestone formations and more than forty islands are shaped like animals. Intricate stalactites and stalagmites and the atmospheric lighting from cave openings produce a theatrical effect. |
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| Pattaya |
| Long stretches of white-sand beach could be reached from the capital with only 50kilometers south of Chonburi, a turning to the right leads after 3km to the seaside resort of Pattaya. Originally a small fishing village, Pattaya first began to be developed as a resort during the Vietnam War when Americans based at nearby Sattahip and U Taphao used it for recreational purposes. It is now also known for its nightlife. The high season is between November and April. Central and South Pattaya is where most of the action takes place. |
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| Phi Phi Islands |
| About 2 hours from either Phuket or Krabi by fast boat, the Phi Phi Islands offer breathtakingly beautiful scenery and a number of good beaches for swimming and snorkeling. The 2 islands - Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le with heavenly beaches and awesome coral at the bottom of clear turquoise seas, together with Hat Nopparat in Krabi on the mainland, have been designated by the government as a national park. Most excursions to the Phi Phi Islands are in large boats, leaving Phuket either from Chalong or Rawai Beach about 8am and starting back around 3.30pm. When hiring smaller fishing craft, be sure to check on the weather since the crossing can be rough during the monsoon season. |
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| Songkhla |
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| Koh Lanta |
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| Chachoengsao |
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FAQs
