THAILAND

 AREAS OF INTEREST

CENTRAL PLAINS

Bangkok, Thailand’s vibrant capital, on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, is one of the world’s most fascinating and exotic cities - a booming metropolis, rich with tradition and culture, incredible charms and diversity. Here a potent mix of the old, the new and the indeterminate coexist side by side. Gleaming modern buildings share center stage with soaring spires of beautifully ornate ancient temples, creating a unique sense of urban harmony. Timeless tradition lives on in the present as typified by files of saffron-robed monks making their early morning alms rounds amid high-rise luxury hotels.  Bangkok has much to discover and explore - from the Grand Palace, famous temples and museums to over 400 lesser known temples, open air and floating markets, traditional life along the old klongs (canals), and an endless variety of shopping, restaurants, entertainment and nightlife. Known to locals as Krung Thep, meaning “City of Angels,” Bangkok may not be fully representational of Thailand as a whole, but is a distinct entity unto itself and unmistakably Thai.

Grand Palace Tour:
The Palace grounds encompass over 100 buildings that represent 200 years of royal history and old Bangkok-style Thai architecture. The Grand Palace itself is used today primarily for ceremonial occasions. The Royal Grand Palace Tour includes Coronation Hall, the Emerald Buddha Temple and the replica of Angkor Wat.

Dammoen Saduak Floating Market and Rose Garden: An early-morning excursion by small boat to the unspoiled, rural and most colorful floating market in Thailand. Along the way enjoy the fine scenery and observe the daily activities of the Thai people who live along the canals. This is followed by lunch at the Rose Garden and a cultural show depicting Thai village life and folk dancing.

Kanchanaburi, Thailand’s third largest province is noted for the rugged natural beauty of its mountains and river valleys that extend westward to the border of Burma.  Most of the province remains sparsely populated and wild, containing Thailand’s largest waterfalls and extensive wildlife sanctuaries. Kanchanaburi is also known as the site of the worlm,d-famous Bridge Over The River Kwai (the Death Railway Bridge), immortalized in books and movies.

Pattaya, once a sleepy fishing village, Pattaya mushroomed into a major beach resort with high-rise hotels.  By day known for a multitude of water sports, theme and amusement parks, offbeat museums and botanical gardens.  By night it’s known for its fine restaurants and lively nightclubs, discos and go-go bars. Pattaya is for those seeking nonstop entertainment. 

Ayutthaya and Bang Pa-In  The second Thai capital, Ayutthaya, founded in 1350, came to rule most of the area of modern day Thailand, until it was destroyed by the Burmese 400 years later. The historical heart of the ancient city, a UNESCO world heritage site, reveals magnificent ruins and art works, remnants of its former glory. A thorough exploration of Ayutthaya could take days, but it is usually visited as an easy day trip from Bangkok, combined with a stop at the nearby former Summer Palace at Bang Pa-In. The palace originally built in the 17 century fell into disuse until the 19 century when King Chulalongkorn re-established it as a summer residence.

NORTHERN THAILAND

Northern Thailand, home to the first true Thai kingdoms, is distinctly different from the rest of the country. The North is an area of forested hills and river valleys, as well as stunning examples of ancient temples, art and architecture and its own cuisine.  Here, in the cooler climate, you can trek through mountains and jungles to remote villages of Thai hill tribes. These semi-nomadic groups, originally from Laos, Burma, Tibet and China, enrich the north by maintaining each of their unique traditional cultures, styles of dress and beautiful ethnic handicrafts.

Phitsanulok, on the banks of the Nan River, is an excellent base to explore the lower North, including Sukhothai and the national park and wildlife sanctuaries of Thung Salaeng Luang and Phu Hin Rong Kla. Phitsanulok’s Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat, houses the country’s second most important Buddha image, the Chinnarat Buddha.  The image is strikingly unique because of the flame-like halo framing the upper body and head that turns up at the bottom to become dragon-serpents, called nagas. There is a lovely night market, a Buddha factory and wonderful floating restaurants on the river. 

 Sukhothai, which literally means “Dawn of Happiness,” began life as a Khmer settlement in the 9-century when the Thai King Indradit defeated the Khmer chief in an elephant-backed duel and Sukhothai became the first Thai capital, lasting for 120 years. Sukhothai is viewed as the Golden Age of Thai civilization, its art and architecture considered the most classic of Thai styles.  Spread out across the national park are dozens of magnificently restored temples, palaces, Khmer prangs and gigantic Buddha images. Sukhothai is designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Chiang Mai is the North’s largest city and the center for tourism in the region, the main starting place for visiting hill tribes, elephant camps and trekking.  Set among a stunning backdrop of mountains, alongside the Ping River, Chiang Mai, over 700 years old, is full of the charm of a beloved antique: warm and welcoming, its weathered stone temples, golden chedis and graceful Lanna Thai architecture accenting its long history and rich culture. The old city, surrounded by fortified walls and a moat, contains magnificent temples. Chiang Mai is also known for its outstanding local arts and handicrafts, many of which can be found in the famous Chinag Mai Night Bazaar. 

Baan Mae Ta Man Adventure
Visit Mae Ta Maan elephant camp. After a demonstration of how the animals are trained to haul lumber in the jungles and forests, you will take an elephant ride through the forest, followed by and ox-cart ride through a region of rice fields and small farms. Participate in an exciting bamboo-raft trip down the Mae Tang River.

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is one of the most important sites of the region. Ten miles north of Chiang Mai, it sits atop the peak of Doi Suthep and commands a view of Chiang Mai reminiscent of a painting on silk.

Chiang Rai, was the first capital of Lanna Thai (Kingdom of a Million Rice fields), which once spanned all of northern Thailand plus parts of Burma, Laos and southern China. Beautiful mountain scenery and some cultural sites surround this historic town visited mainly as a gateway for trekking in the Golden Triangle.

The Golden Triangle, half a day’s drive from Chiang Mai is where Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet at the Mekong River, at the tiny village of Sop Ruak. Historically, the term Golden Triangle refers to a much larger area stretching beyond Thailand and into Burma and Laos within which the opium trade flourished.

Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand’s most northwestern province, bordering Burma is a crossroads for ethnic minorities (mostly Karen, but also Hmong, Lisu and Lahu) as well as Shan and Burmese immigrants.  It is the newest and least commercialized of trekking areas in the North. The region offers beautiful landscapes, thick jungles, mountains, rivers, caves and hill tribe villages relatively untouched by mass tourism.

NORTHEAST THAILAND

This immense area, known as Isan, is one of the most traditional and least visited regions in Thailand.  This is the heartland, where old customs and lifestyles remain more intact than elsewhere in the country.  Compared with the rest of Thailand, the pace is slower, people friendlier and poorer, and fewer speak or understand English. Once part of the Khmer empire, Isan contains some of the finest Khmer ruins outside of Cambodia.  Travel here can be rougher and slower but is full of rewards for those who enjoy getting off the beaten track.

Nakhon Ratchasima, also known as Korat, is a unique blend of Khmer, Laotian and Thai cultures. No longer a quaint town, this ‘Gateway to the Northeast’ is a base for trips to nearby Khmer ruins at Phimae, Buri Ram and Khao Yai National Park.

Ubon Ratchathani, The ‘Lotus City’ is an important provincial capital, on the Mun River, that combines prehistoric culture and Buddhist traditions with a distinctive ambience in a picturesque setting.

 Udon Thani & Ban Chiang - Udon Thani, a former U.S. air force base during the Vietnam War, is primarily used as a tourist base for visiting Ban Chiang, the nearby archeological and UNESCO Heritage site.   Udon is thought of as one of the most frenetic and cleanest of Thai provincial capitals.

 
SOUTHERN THAILAND

Southern Thailand presents the visitor with some of the most spectacular beaches in Asia, as well as thick jungles, rugged mountains, limestone pinnacles, graceful temples and mosques, fishing villages, emerald blue seas, coral reefs filled with colorful marine life and picturesque islands.  The long coastlines of the narrow peninsula have distinct personalities.  The east coast facing the Gulf of Thailand, is softer more laid back, with long wide bays and gentle seas.  The west coast and the Andaman Sea is more rugged and exciting, with stunning islands, limestone cliffs and rock formations.

Hua Hin, Thailand’s first beach resort, located on the Gulf of Thailand is a quiet, family oriented resort area popular with Thais. The vicinity has a variety of attractions including national parks, historic cities and championship golf courses. 

Koh Samui - Virtually unknown a decade ago, Koh Samui, in the Gulf of Thailand, now rivals Phuket as the country’s most popular beach destination. Despite continuing development, Samui still retains its characteristic natural simplicity and casual do-as-you-please atmosphere. The palm-fringed beaches are still absolutely spectacular and the island’s center is still a lush tangle of forested hills, rice paddies and coconut plantations, giving rise to treks and eco-tours.  Divers can head to the coral reefs of nearby Phangan and Tao Islands and further west, 40 islands of Ang Thong National Park that can be explored by sea canoe. 

Phuket and Phang-Nga Bay Thailand’s largest island and top vacation resort lies in the sparkling green blue Andaman Sea, off the west coast. The beautiful, mountainous island known for it beautiful beaches has a wide range of resorts, fine restaurants and nightlife. Phuket offers diverse options for sightseeing including a national park and rainforest, waterfalls, pearl farms, tin mines, Buddhist temples, and villages of sea gypsies.  Activities include eco-tour trekking and hiking the interior, sea canoeing in Phang-Nga Bay, windsurfing, sailing or diving the outstanding offshore coral reefs, including the Surin, Similan and Racha island groups. 

 Koh Phi Phi - Discovered in the 1970’s, the renowned Phi Phi Islands are an indescribable combination of white sand beaches, brilliant blue waters, soaring limestone cliffs and beautiful offshore corals reefs. An increasingly popular and wonderful place to laze in the sun, snorkel and dive.

Similan Islands, The Simians, meaning nine islands, are rated one of the best dive sites in Southeast Asia, generally included in the top 10 of dive sites worldwide.  There are spectacular coral reefs, massive boulders, profuse sea life and powdery beaches. Khao Lak is a tiny coastal village in the Khao Lak National Park; it has dozens of coves, waterfalls and caves and offers easy access to boat excursions to the Similan Islands.

Krabi and the surrounding vicinity are known for the wonderland of magnificent limestone cliffs fronting white sand beaches.  Numerous islands in the Andaman Sea, some uninhabited, offer a variety of activities from sea canoeing, snorkeling, diving to rock climbing.