Thailand has a rich and colourful culture, along with many exotic monuments and stunning beaches, which attract the tourists every year. The cooling waterfalls, the beauty of the clear sea lapping onto the endless white, soft sand add to the beauty of Thailand. Buddhism is a way of life here and the respect the people have for the monarchy, a dynasty that has maintained the independence of the country for centuries, the result for the Thais is a blend of tradition with contemporary living.
Bangkok is a city that is larger than life, with its futuristic high-rise buildings juxtaposed against the glittering Grand Palace. It is a city that possesses great natural beauty and a very rich cultural heritage.
Places to visit in Thailand
Chaweng Beach on Samui is one of our all time favorites. However, Samui is probably one of the most expensive destinations in Thailand, with very little to see and do away from the beach.
The little known provincial town of Songkhla in the deep south. The beach here is rather "wild", with the occasional rock outcrop, but its natural wind-swept beauty attract tourists to this place.
Phuket is one of Thailand's most developed beach resorts. That means there's a wide range of accommodations in all price categories. It is Thailand's largest island and an international resort destination. The small Phi Phi islands are a short distance to the south, while Krabi is the mainland province off which Phuket lies.
Pattaya/East Coast: Pattaya lies less than two hours from Bangkok and is popular for quick weekends away from the city. The Samet & Chang Islands are the smaller islands east of Pattaya popular with backpackers.
Islands:
Ko Chang
Most of Ko Chang's beaches are on the western coast. The accommodation offers a style to suit every traveller. One can get involved in many adventurous activities like snorkeling, diving trips to the nearby coral reefs, trekking in the jungle, elephant rides, etc. It is one of Thailand's fastest developing islands.
Ko Tarutao
The word Tarutao means old, mysterious and primitive. It is also known for its wildlife like the sea turtles, whales, monitor lizards, crab-eating macaques, mouse deer, etc and is popularly called as the water home. Snorkeling is not allowed here as the waters are murky compared to other Andaman Islands.
Ko Adang:
It is an ideal island for nature-lovers. It is less-populated and is away from peak-season beaches which are packed with sunbathing limbs. The white sand beaches and jungle waterfalls attract the tourist from all over the world.
Ko Maak:
Ko Maak is situated to the south of Ko Chang. The beaches are sandy, scattered with rock, and sparsely populated with bungalows. The relatively flat interior is covered with coconut palms and a maze of unsignposted dirt roads. A laid-back hide-away. It is one of the best tourist destinations.
Ko Lipe:
Lipe's range of accommodation and fantastic marine life attract the tourists each year. It's easy to find tranquil surroundings here, even during peak season, with several coves and walks through the jungle from one beach to another. The popularity of Lipe is increasing rapidly.
Ko Mun Nork:
It is one of the best place for roving backpackers and travelers. It is the weekend getaway and also well known for the occasional parties thrown on the island. It is certainly worth consideration particularly on weekdays when you could have the entire island to yourself. It's a hidden away paradise representing excellent value and beauty.
The other popular islands are Ko Bulon Lae, Ko Kradan, Ko Kut, Ko Tao, etc.
The other places of interest in Thailand are:
Chiang Mai National Museum
The museum has been reorganized and modernized its exhibits. The first floor is devoted to history, while the second floor has displays of secular and religious artifacts arranged by theme and by historical period. A pottery kiln from San Kamphaeng has been reconstructed in the grounds outside the main building.
Chiang Mai Zoo
It is the largest and the best zoo in Thailand. Some of the species, such as gibbon and deer, are particularly well exhibited. The Nakhorn Ping (walk-in) bird enclosure occupies an entire gully.
Phuket Fantasea:
It is the ultimate cultural theme park which was constructed on 300 acres of land at Kamala Beach. Fantasea represents a new dimension in nighttime entertainment, using ultra-high technology to create fantastic illusions and special effects for shows centering on Thai legends. The performance of the large troop of trained elephants is the main attraction here.
Crocodile Farm Samut Prakarn:
It is located in the vicinity of Tambon Thaiban and it claims to be the world's largest crocodile farm. Beside crocodiles of all stages of age, the farm also raises elephants, tigers, chimpanzies. Crocodile wrestling and feeding are demonstrated everyday.
Royal Grand Palace
It is the former residential palace of Kings Rama I to Rama IV of Chakri Dynasty. It witnesses the architectural wealth and splendour of this historic Thai landmark, which covers an area of 2.5 square kilometers (one square mile) on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River.
Wat Phra Kaeo (Emerald Buddha Temple):
The Wat Phra Kaeo, the royal chapel and Temple of the Emerald Buddha is famous as one of Thailand's most revered and cherished Buddha images is housed in the temple's main chapel. The image is a sitting posture of the Buddha, and is carved entirely out of emerald.
Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat and Phra Buddha Chinnarat
This monastery commonly called by the inhabitants as "Wat Yai", is the most important monastery of Phitsanulok, the home of the famous Phra Buddha Chinnarat. It is located at the foot of Naresuan Bridge on the city side of the river.
