North Eastern Thailand
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The pace of life in the north-eastern region of Thailand, is generally more relaxed than in other areas. Consequently, the people often appear more friendly. Isaan food is famous for its variety of ingredients and pungency. Particular favourites are som tam (a spicy papaya salad) and kai yang (roasted spiced chicken).Throughout the region there is a distinct Laos and Khmer influence which is reflected in the local dialect, and the Angkor Wat like monuments near Surin and Buri Ram. That Phanom on the Laos border has a particularly fine example of this style of architecture.
North of Udorn Thani is Ban Phu which offers prehistoric cave drawings. To the east lies Ban Chiang with its ancient ceramic and bronze sculptures.
The best silk in Thailand is said to come from the areas around Roi Et and Nakhorn Ratchasima (Khorat). This is certainly the place to visit for bargains or an insight into silk weaving techniques. Nong Khai in the northern part of the region is the only place where visitors can cross the Maekhong river to Vientiane in Laos. Further west is Leoi which is one of Thailand’s most unspoiled provinces.
Phuket
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Phuket is blessed with magnificent bays, powdery, palm-fringed white beaches, sparkling island-dotted seas, sincerely hospitable people, comfortable accommodation, superb seafood, tropically vegetated mountains, lovely waterfalls and parks, and delightful turn-of-the-century Indo/Portuguese and Chinese-influenced architecture which create an enchanting ambience.Phuket’s Indian Ocean coastline boasts the finest beaches while the eastern coastline overlooks some 30 lesser islands occupying largely tranquil seas. Islands vary greatly in size. Some are large enough to sustain fishing communities, coconut plantations, sea crocodiles, deer and wild boar. Others are little larger than massive rocks, while still others resemble fortresses and are riddled with caves containing birds’ nests prized by gourmets.
West Thailand (River Kwai)
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Nakhon Pathom is a very old city which has been a center of the Dvaravati civilisation. Over 2,000 years ago, a Buddhist missionary Fri India was sent to introduce Buddhism and its philosophy to a land called Suwannaphum, which had Nakhonpathom as its capital. Phra Pathom Chedi was the important structure of the kingdom. The Prosperous city was abandoned in the 12th century. A new community settled down after the renovation of Phra Pathom Chedi was completed in the reign of King Rama V of Bangkok period.Kanchanaburi is Thailand’s third largest province. It covers an area of 19,486 square kilometres, most of which is forested mountains. There are fertile plains around the meeting point of the Kwai Noi & Kwai Yai Rivers where the town is located. To the west, Kanchanaburi shares a border with Myanmar and has the Tanaowsri Range as its borderline.
Pattaya and East Thailand
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Beyond Bangkok, from the estuary of the Chao Phraya River, the East Coast unfolds in a series of bays and beaches to the Thai-Kampuchean border. Many popular resorts, including Pattaya, Asia’s premier beach resort, occupy a coast characterised by cliff-hidden bays, palm-fringed beaches, innumerable fishing communities, lovely islands and largely tranquil Gulf waters.Lush tropical islands, dazzling palm-fringed beaches, coral reefs teeming with colourful marine life, picturesque fishing villages with distinctive hand-painted boats, remote national parks, forested mountains, waterfalls, historic cities, ubiquitous rubber estates, scenic wildlife sanctuaries, the juxtaposition of temples and mosques clearly define the region’s visual appeal.
Northern Thailand
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Thailand northern region comprises 17 Changwats (province); there are: Chiang Mai , Chaing Rai , Kamphaeng Phet , Lampang , Mae Hong Son , Nakhon Sawan , Nan , Phayao , Phetchabun , Phichit , Phitsanulok , Phrae , Sukhothai , Tak , Uthai thani , Uttraradit . It occupies an approximate area of 170,000 square kilometers ot the equivalent of 106 millions rai, bordering on the territories of Laos and Myanmar. The north is home of Thailand earliest civilization and is famous for its beautiful women, and hospitable logical and cultural interest such as the Ancient City of Sukhothai, The first capital of Thailand some 700 year ago; Buddha’s Relics at Wat Doi Suthep of Chang Mai, a highly revered place for northerners; Phra Buddha image in Thailand, at Wat Phra Si Rattana-Mahathat in Phisanulok. The large dam in Thailand, and the world’s seventh largest, the Bhumibol Dam in Tak.In addition, the northern region is the home to Thailand’s many colorful hill tribal people such as the Lahu of Tak and Yao, Akha, Karen, Hmong, and Lisu tribes of the Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai mountain region.
Krabi
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Krabi, which sits on the banks of the Krabi River, is located 180km by road from Phuket and almost 1000km from Bangkok. This coastal province covers an area of 4,709 square kilometres. The area around Krabi was “discovered” by tourists about 10 years ago, but it has not suffered from excessive development and remains unspoiled.Krabi’s main attractions are located largely along its extensive coastline, which contains several well-known beaches and bays and numerous off shore tropical islands. A lot of the inner environment is made up of national parks.
There are several ‘clusters’ of islands off shore. The most popular one being tht of the Phi Phi cluster which is popular with yachtsmen, scuba-divers, snorkellers and day trippers. The islands are characterised by rocky cliffs, tranquil seas, dazzling underwater life, birds nest caves and fine white sandy beaches.
Koh Samui
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Samui Island (Surat Thani) is located in the Gulf of Thailand 20km from the Thai mainland and about 600km south of Bangkok. It is Thailand’s third largest island and covers an area of 247 square km.The verdantly forested mainland and hundreds of offshore islands are Surat Thani’s best features.
Surat Thani encompasses some of the most charming tropical islands in the Gulf of Thailand with their fabulous beaches, transparent waters and numerous coral beds to explore.
Fringed with tantalizing white sands and coconut palm trees, the most renowned is Samui Island which offers adventure and natural attractions of unparalleled beauty. Beach and diving fans can explore many lovely islands like Ko Phangan, Ko Tao and Angthong National Marine Park. The lush interior of mountains and plateau on the mainland has several fascinating national parks worth visiting. As the former seat of the Srivichaiya Empire and Dharma centers, its culture and traditions also provide additional delight and a feast of archaeological and religious sites.
