Thailand

Bangkok

Bangkok is one of Asia’s most cosmopolitan cities. Created as the Thai capital in 1782 by the first monarch of the present Chakri dynasty, Bangkok is a national treasure house and Thailand’s spiritual, cultural, political, commercial, educational and diplomatic centre.

Bangkok exceeds 1,500 square kilometres in area and is home to one-tenth of the country's population. Major tourist attractions include glittering Buddhist temples, palaces, timeless “Venice of the East” canal and river scenes, classical dance extravaganzas, and numerous shopping centres.

Ayutthaya

The ancient city of Ayutthaya, or Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, The Thai capital for 417 years, is one of Thailand’s major tourist attractions. Many ancient ruins and art works can be seen in a city that was founded in 1350 by King U - Thong when the Thais were forced southwards by northern neighbours. During the period of Ayutthaya being the Thai capital, 33 kings of different dynasties ruled the kingdom until the Burmese sacked it in 1767.

Ayutthaya is 76 kilometres north of Bangkok and boasts numerous magnificent ruins. Such ruins indicate that Ayutthaya was one of Indo - China’s most prosperous cities. Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park, a vast stretch of historical site in the heart of Ayutthaya city, has been included in UNESCO’s list of world heritage since 13 December 1991.

Ayutthaya covers 2,556.6 square kilometres, and is administratively divided into 16 districts (Amphoes). It is conveniently accessible due to good roads and a short distance from Bangkok.

Cha Am and Hua-Hin

Hua Hin and Cha Am are situated on the picturesque east coast of the Gulf of Thailand. Unlike other resort areas in the country, Thai nationals more regularly frequent them, than foreign tourists. Cha Am is close enough to be considered part of Hua Hin and therefore the following deals mainly with this latter resort town.

The five km long sand beach at Hua Hin is studded with huge boulders and the surf is safe enough for year-round swimming. A favoured holiday spot with members of the Thai royal family, this once sleepy fishing village, is rapidly following the development styles of areas such as Phuket and Pattaya. The fishing fleet has been relocated and the town’s infamous squid-drying piers have been replaced by resorts and shop houses.

In addition to the attraction of the sun, sea and sand, Hua Hin provides options for leisure times away from the beach. The night market is a fun place for shopping and pursuing that most delightful of Thai past times, 'pai teeo' - leisurely wandering about to see and be seen. Best buys for the dedicated shopper are, locally produced high quality silk and cotton as well as the region's famous dried seafood and various kinds of 'kanom' - Thai sweets.

The coastline in this region is well worth exploring. South from Hua Hin, through Pran Buri and down to Prachuap Khiri Khan, there are numerous quiet coves and tiny fishing villages, ideal destinations for day excursions.

Chiang Mai

Popularly known as the Rose of the North, Chiang Mai is blessed with stunning natural beauty and unique indigenous cultural identity. Founded by King Mengrai the Great as the capital of the Lanna Thai kingdom by merging the various city-states in the region in 1296. Today Chiang Mai is the economic, communications, cultural and tourism centre of Northern Thailand.

About 700 kilometres from Bangkok, Chiang Mai is situated on the Mae Ping River Basin some 310 metres above sea level. Surrounded by high mountain ranges, it covers an area of approximately 20,107 square kilometres. The terrain is mainly jungles and mountains, parts of which are within national parks, which are still fertile and verdant with plentiful flora and fauna. There are many sites and locations where tourists prefer to visit to study the lifestyle of the tribal people who live on high hills.

Chiang Rai

The northernmost province of Thailand, Chiang Rai is situated on the Kok River basin 416 metres above sea level. With an area of some 11,678 square kilometres. It is about 785 kilometres from Bangkok. Mostly mountainous, it reaches the Mae Khong River to the north and borders on both Myanmar and Laos.

The province is rich in tourism resources in term of natural attractions and antiquities, evidence of its past civilization. It is also home to several hill tribes who follow fascinating ways of life. Chiang Rai is also a tourism gateway into Myanmar and Laos.

Lampang

Famous for its horse-drawn carriages and with a rooster as its provincial emblem, Lampang boasts a long history of human settlements on the Wang River basin, some of which dating back to more than 1,000 years. It is rich in archaeological evidence reflecting ancient civilizations of Hariphunchai, Lanna and Burma.

Lampang is administratively divided into the following districts: Muang, Thoen, Mae Phrik, Ngao, Ko Kha, Wang Nuea, Mae Tha, Chae Hom, Sop Prap, Seom Ngam, Hang Chat, Mae Mo and Mueang Pan.

Mae Hong Son

Nestled in a deep valley hemmed in by high mountain ranges, Mae Hong Son has long been isolated from the outside world. Virtually covered with mist throughout the year, the name refers to the fact that is terrain is highly suitable for the training of elephants.

Former governors of Chiang Mai used to organize the rounding up of wild elephants, which were then trained before being sent to the capital for work. Today, Mae Hong Son is one of the “dream destinations” for visitors who are attracted by its cultural and natural wonders.

Sukhothai

Found in the 13th century, Sukhothai (literally means “Dawn of Happiness”) was the first truly independent Thai Kingdom, which enjoyed a golden age under King Ramkhamhaeng, credited with creating the Thai alphabet. The superb temples and monuments of this great city have been lovingly restored in Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-see for all travellers.

Sukhothai is located on the lower edge of the northern region, 427 kilometres north of Bangkok or some 350 kilometres south of Chiang Mai. The province covers some 6,596 square kilometres and is divided into 8 Amphoes (districts): Muang Sukhothai, Ban Dan Lan Hoi, Khiri Mat, Kong Krailat, Sawankhalok, Si Nakhon, Si Samrong, Si Satchanalai and Thung Saliam.

Pattaya

Pattaya lies 147km southeast of Bangkok on the northeast coast of the Gulf of Thailand. In 1950 there was little here other than a small fishing village. It was unspoiled and unsophisticated yet in 40 short years it has become a city in its own right.

More than 30 offshore islands stretch around Pattaya within a radius of some 48km, from around Si Racha in the north to Sattahip in the south. A few islands are off-limits as they are under the control of the Royal Thai Navy. Most others have fascinating dive sites. The waters are rich in various coral species and tropical fish.

Pattaya is located within easy reach from the Bangkok as well as the International Airport. It has an excellent accommodation infrastructure, which are of international standard and restaurants and entertainment for all tastes. Because of its good accessibility from Bangkok, Pattaya remains one of Thailand’s most important and popular dive centers.

Rayong

Rayong located on Eastern board of Thailand, is about 180km by road from Bangkok. It consists of close on 3,600 square km of land area and 100 km of beach in the gulf of Thailand. Offshore there are many islands abundant with marine life and the largest of these Koh Samet is well known in South East Asia.

Rayong province is bordered by the provinces of Chonburi, Chachoengsao and Chantaburi. Well known for its quality beaches and fine islands, it is proving a popular destination for travellers from around the globe as well as the local Thai community.

The province produces tropical fruit such as durians and pineapples as well as other fresh produce. It is renowned for Nam Pla (fish sauce) used in many Thai dishes other than that there is little to attract the visitor other than being a transit point from one destination to another or somewhere to go to escape the bright lights and action of more tourist frequented areas.

Krabi

This coastal province covers an area of 4,709 square kilometers and is located 814 kilometres south of Bangkok. Krabi’s major attractions are located largely along its extensive coastline, which contains several well-known beaches and bays, and numerous offshore tropical islands.

From archaeological discoveries, it is believed that Krabi was one of the oldest communities in Thailand dating from the prehistoric period. It is also believed that Krabi was once the town of Ban Thai Samo, one of 12 royal cities that used a monkey as the town symbol. Krabi was a dependency town of the Nakhon Si Thammarat Kingdom.

Another legend indicates that the town may have taken its name after the meaning of Krabi, which means sword. This may have stemmed from a legend that says an ancient sword was unearthed prior to the city’s founding. Later, the sword became a symbol of Krabi.

Krabi's mountainous physical geography is broken by highlands and plains on the mainland; the provincial administration also covers more than 130 large and small islands in the Andaman Sea. Natural forest cover is a chiefly mangrove and Cassia tree. Krabi's sandy clay soil conditions are perfect for a variety of agricultural produces, including: rubber trees, palms, oranges, coconuts, and coffee. The Krabi River flows 5 kilometres through the town and falls into the Andaman Sea at Tambon Pak Nam.

Phang Nga

Phang-nga, a seaside province by the Andaman Sea with scenic views of forests and islands. The province offers superb natural beauty both onshore and underwater.

The province of Phang-nga is located some 788 kilometres from Bangkok. It covers an area of 4,170 square kilometres. It is administratively divided into 8 Amphoe (districts): Muang, Khura Buri, Thap Put, Kapong, Takua Thung, Takua Pa, Thai Mueang, and Ko Yao.

Phi Phi Island

Koh Phi Phi consists of two islands situated about 40km from Krabi, Phi Phi Lay and Phi Phi Don. Both are part of Hat Noppharat Thara Mo Koh Phi Phi National Marine Park. This means little in the face of the rapid development that has taken place on Phi Phi Don. Only parts of Phi Phi Don are actually under the administration of the National Parks Division of the Royal Thai Forestry Department. Phi Phi lay and the western cliffs of Phi Phi Don are left to the bird's nest collectors and parts of Phi Phi Don where the Chao Naam (sea gypsy) live are also not included in the park.

After Ao Nang this is probably the most popular tourist destination along the Andaman Coast, especially during the peak months from December to March, when hordes descend on the island and snatch up every room and bungalow on Phi Phi Don. Even so, the island still retains some of its original beauty, though to truly appreciate it means a fair hike to escape the crowds.

Koh Lanta

His island located in the most southern district of Krabi province, was previously called by its Malay name, Pulao Satak, meaning Long Beach Island. Years later when its residents were more of Thai origin its name changed to the name by which it goes today, Koh Lanta. The beaches tend to be both gravelly and sandy, unlike the white or pale yellow sands of other islands in the area.

Consisting of 52 islands the geography is typically mangroves and coral rimmed beaches and rugged tree covered hills. Twelve islands are inhabited, of which four are accessible, Koh Klang, Koh Bubu, Koh Lanta Yai and Koh Lanta Noi.

Phuket

Phuket is Thailand ’s largest island, approximately the size of Singapore. Phuket nestles in balmy Andaman Sea waters on Thailand’s Indian Ocean coastline 862 kilometres south of Bangkok.

Phuket formerly derives its wealth from tin and rubber, and enjoyed a rich and colourful history. The island was on one of the major trading routes between India and China, and was frequently mentioned in foreign trader’s ship logs.

The Portuguese, French, Dutch and English traded with Phuket. Other visitors were less friendly. Phuket’s most famous monument is the memorial statue of the heroines Thao Thepkasattri and Thao Sisunthon, who rallied islanders in 1785 to repel Burmese invaders.

Phuket is blessed with magnificent coves and bays, powdery, palm-fringed white beaches, sparkling island-dotted seas, sincerely hospitable people, superb accommodations and seafood, delightful turn-of-the-century Sino-Portuguese architecture; numerous sporting and leisure opportunities; a lush tropical landscape – all of which combine to create a delightful ambience for truly memorable holidays.

Surat Thani

Surat Thani is southern Thailand's largest province, covers some 12,800 square kilometres, and has an extensive coastline lapped by Thai Gulf waters. The provincial capital is 685 kilometres south of Bangkok.

Surat Thani boasts some of Thailand's loveliest islands namely the Penang-sized Ko Samui, Thailand's third largest island, palm-fringed jewel of a sparkling archipelago that includes the stunning 250-square-kilometre Ang Thong Marine National Park.

Surat Thani once formed part, and may have been the centre, of the Mahayana Buddhist Srivijaya Empire, which steeped in legend and mystery, dominated the Malay Peninsula and much of Java some 1,500 years ago. Srivijaya was best described by the itinerant Chinese monk I Ching after a pilgrimage he made to India during the late 600s. Archaeological discoveries at Chaiya district indicate the former empire's splendour.

Samui

Lying some 80 km off Thailand’s east coast, amongst the Angthong group of islands is the island of Koh Samui. From the minute you arrive, whether by ferry or air, you will be enchanted by the place. The airport must rank as one of the most beautiful in the world. Its tropically planted gardens burst forth with flowering glory and greenery, year round. The ferries docks lead you straight onto palm fringed shores or quaint villages.

The largest and most popular beaches on Samui are, Chaweng, Lamai and Maenam. Due to their length although dotted with resorts and hotels, are never too busy. For those looking for a quieter place to spend their holiday or business trip, there are 23 other beaches to choose from.

Entertainment wise, if not a beach or water sports type, there is still a lot to do on this island. There are many Buddhist temples, boat trips, waterfalls and other interesting activities to entertain you.

Trang

Trang or Muang Thap Thiang used to be a port involved in foreign trade. It was the first city where rubber was planted. Phraya Ratsadanupradit Mahison Phakdi brought rubber from Malaysia and planted it here before anywhere else in southern Thailand in 1899. Rubber is now considered an important commodity of Thailand. The important Trang River flows through the province from its origin in the Khao Luang mountain range and the Palian River from the Banthat mountain range.

Trang is a coastal province on the Indian Ocean with a long western coastline of about 199 kilometres. The province consists of an archipelago in the Andaman Sea with over 46 islands. Of these, 12 are in Amphoe Kantang, 13 in Amphoe Palian and 21 in Amphoe Sikao. The best time for sea travel is during October to May of the following year.

Trang has a total area of 4,941 square kilometres and is divided into 9 districts (Amphoe) and 1 sub-district (King Amphoe); Amphoe Kantang, Amphoe Huai Yot, Amphoe Yan Ta Khao, Amphoe Palian, Amphoe Sikao, Amphoe Wang Wiset, Amphoe Na Yong, Amphoe Ratsada, and King Amphoe Hat Samran.