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Thailand is one of the most popular travel destinations in Asia, not only because of it's nice climate, but also because of it's culture, beaches and friendly people.
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The kingdom of Thailand lies in the heart of Southeast Asia, making it a natural gateway to Indochina, Myanmar and Southern China. Its shape and geography divide into five natural regions:
Northern Thailand where elephants work forest and winter temperatures are sufficiently cool to permit cultivation of temperate fruits and grapes; Isaan, Thailand's north-east region, largely bordered by the Mekong River, where the oldest Bronze Age civilisation flourished some 5,000 years ago; the Central Plain, is the central region of Thailand, an endless plain dominated by the giant urban agglomeration of Bangkok.
The Eastern Thailand, where fine sandy beaches support the growth of summer resorts; Southern Thailand with hundreds of kilometers of coastline and countless islands on both the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, plus Phuket, Krabi, Ko Samui, Ko Tao and many more of Thailand's famous beach spots.
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Southern Thailand includes many of Thailand's most famous resorts on both the west facing Andaman Sea coastline and the east facing Gulf of Thailand.
Phuket is on the west facing Andaman Sea, and is thailand's largest island, and probably also the most popular destination for tourists that want a beach holiday. There are hotels in all categories, restaurants, nightlife, golf courses, and an endless number of watersports activities.
Krabi is another popular tourist destination, although not as crowded as Phuket. The main attractions include white sandy beaches, crystal clear water, fascinating coral reefs caves and waterfalls, as well as numerous islands. Purhaps the most distinguishing feature of both Krabi and neighboring Phang Nga is the massive limestone karsts rising vertiginously out of flat rice paddies on land and as islands from the sea. Phi Phi Islands is a small archipelago in the Krabi Province. You can go by boat to the islands both from Krabi and Phuket. The islands and the surrounding sea are worth a visit. Koh Samui is an island in the Golf of Thailand, about 80 kilometers from the eastern coastline of Southern Thailand. Koh Samui is an island of great natural beauty and variety. The palm fringed shoreline and the coconut and fruit cultivation of the coastal lowlands rise to a central granite massive, the slopes of which are covered with rainforest.
The Central Plain is dominated by Bangkok, by far Thailand's largest city with an estimated population of around 11 million. Bangkok is one of Asia's most cosmopolitan cities and offers a lot to see and do. Most of Bangkok's sights are concentrated in the Old City. Out of Bangkok's hundreds of temples, the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun usually make up the top three. The Grand Palace has an immense size so expect to spend some time there. Within the palace grounds is Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand. Along Yaowarat Road you will find Bangkok's Chinatown, while Puharat Road is the home of a sizable Indian community. This multicultural district is filled with markets selling food, gold, fabrics and more. The area around Silom Road and Sathorn Road is Thailand's sober financial center by day, but Bangkok's primary party district by night when quarters like the infamous Patpong come alive. Bangkok has a vast range of accommodation, including some of the best hotels in the world. Broadly speaking, Khao San Road is the backpacker city; the riverside by Silum and Thonburi is home to The Oriental and The Peninsula respectively, often ranked among the best hotels in the world, and Sukhumvit Road has hotels for all budgets. |
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| Chiang Mai is the hub of Northern Thailand. With a population of more than 1 million in the metropolitan area, it is Thailand's fifth largest city. Visiting temples in Chiang Mai and historical sites in Sukhothai are the major cultural attractions of Northern Thailand. Wat Phrathat Doi Sutheb is a magnificent temple that overlooks Chiang Mai from its 1,072 meter elevation on the slopes of Doi Suthep. It is famous for its large gold-plated chedi and is a symbol of Chiang Mai . Many people also visit the Golden Triangle on a day trip from Chiang Mai, on the way you can visit the hill tribes living in the area, particularly popular are those villages inhabited by the famous long-necked Karen women.Once you reach the Golden Triangle where the Mekong River separates Thailand, Laos and Myanmar, it is possible to cross over to Laos and Myanmar for the day without a visa. Elephant rides are also a popular activity while in Chiang Mai . There are several Elephant Camps near the city, some of the camps are established as sanctuaries for rescued and distressed elephants, you can watch an elephant show and go on an elephant ride. |
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