| There is so much to see and do in Thailand that every
day you're sure to come across something completely new and exciting. Bangkok's
shimmering temples and vibrant floating markets.... picture postcard beaches in
Phuket, Krabi
and Samui Island... Jungle
covered mountains and exotic hilltribes in Chiang
Mai and Chiang Rai... Thailand's premier world heritage site at
Sukhothai... and the eerie limestone seascape of Phang Nga Bay... Check
out some of the places you really shouldn't miss before you come back for more...
Bangkok ... ..
 Thailand's
capital. Expect Bangkok to bowl you over. This dynamic and fascinating city, will
affect all your senses. The smell of wonderful food cooked on the street... The
noise of the traffic which fades in the peaceful tranquility of temple grounds...
The gleaming spires of the Grand Palace and the city’s many historic temples –
The Emerald Buddha, Temple of Dawn and other evocative shrines, contrasting with
the new glass and steel towers of business corporations and shopping malls...
The famous floating markets... canal tours... and of course, the nightlife. The
raunchy collection of girlie bars for which Bangkok is unjustifiably infamous,
has given way to sophisticated music clubs, bars and restaurants catering to Bangkok's
upwardly mobile.
While the traffic is still legendary, the introduction
of the modern BTS Skytrain, has made getting around Bangkok very easy. With most
of the popular areas within reach, Bangkok's capital city is definitely worth
a visit... Where to Stay?
Shopping, business, or pleasure? Check out our location guide.
What
to Do? See our suggestions...
Where can I go from Bangkok? Take a day trip to Ayutthaya, Sukhothai or Kanchanaburi...
(See regional Info)
Chiang
Mai, Phuket, Koh
Samui - just over a one hour flight away... Chiang
Mai...
 Chiang
Mai, Thailand's second city in the north, in complete contrast, has a beautiful
cultural personality of its own, with historic temples, scenic mountain beauty
and a distinctive culture. This former capital of the independent Lanna Thai Kingdom,
founded in 1296, flourished as a major religious, cultural and trading centre,
leaving a lasting heritage in its buildings, art, sculpture, and crafts. Chiang
Mai makes a great base for touring northern Thailand, visiting hilltribe villages,
or trekking in the hills. The people of Chiang Mai have a distinctive
identity with their own dialect, customs, festivals, traditions, indigenous handicrafts,
dances and distinctive cuisine. A great place to shop for ethnic handicrafts of
silk, silver and wood and to see a different side of Thailand.
Where
to Stay? Shopping, health, business, or pleasure? Check out our guide.
What to Do?
Cycling, elephant trekking, breathe that mountain air...
Where can I go from
Chiang Mai? Chiang Rai,
Golden Triangle, Nan, Ankhang ... (See regional Info) Phuket
Island....
 Now
firmly on the tourist map, Phuket has beaches of duvet-soft sand, offshore islands,
lots of activities like diving, snorkelling or big game fishing; superb restaurants,
excellent resort hotels, world class golf and some of the outstanding natural
scenery... Close by is the mainland province of Phang Nga with its eerie limestone
seascape and Khao Lak, further north, on the fringes of 3 national parks. Eco-tours,
rafting, nature walks, elephant trekking; adventure in the cool green forest interior...
.. Mountains, rainforest, coral reefs, idyllic islands.
Just 70 minutes
flying time south of Bangkok, Phuket is Thailand's largest island and offers all
the essential ingredients of a fantastic holiday, and lots more... Where
to Stay? Check out our beach guide.
What to Do? Choices... choices.
Where can I go from Phuket? (See regional Info) Phi
Phi Island...
 Phi
Phi Island, located just 45 minutes by boat from Phuket, offers a great laid back
tropical lifestyle. Picture postcard perfect, with classic white sandy beaches,
surrounded by impressive limestone cliffs and sunlit crystal water, Phi Phi actually
consists of two islands, Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Ley, so gorgeous it was used
as a location for the Hollywood film, "The Beach."...What more can you
say...
Where to Stay?
Check out our beach guide.
What
to Do? Choices... choices. Koh
Samui...
.jpg) A
tropical gem located in the warm blue waters off the country's south-eastern seaboard.
Koh Samui is Thailand's second largest island after Phuket. Relatively unknown
for years, this sun lover's paradise has great hotels a friendly lifestyle, good
beaches and hundreds of coconut trees!. Not as spectacular as Phuket, it still
retains a unique charm of its own. The small and quaint airport can't accommodate
large aircraft so tourism has developed at a more relaxed pace - the hallmark
of the Samui lifestyle. Despite its size, nightlife is very good with lots of
live music, clubs, pubs and restaurants. Koh Phan Ngan - an island close to Samui
which continues to draw visitors to its full moon parties - is now a permanent
fixture on the Samui nightlife scene.
Where
to Stay? Check out our beach guide.
What to Do? a few suggestions... Krabi
- Ao Nang Beach....
 Krabi,
a southern province on Thailand's Andaman seaboard, is rich in history, culture
and natural attractions, providing the visitor with a feast of things to do and
see. Krabi's beaches are some of the best to be found anywhere and lie within
easy access from the main town. In the coastal waters off Krabi, lie more than
200 islands such as Koh Phi Phi, Mu Koh Hah, Koh Lanta...
Where
to Stay? Check out our beach guide.
What to Do? Beach hopping,
eco-safari.... Pattaya...
 While
still retaining an element of unrestrained hedonism, the old and out-dated image
of girly-bars and raucous nightlife, is changing. Families, groups and business
travellers are now the target for the city planners with sports, daytrips, island
tours, wildlife and amusement parks, offbeat museums and lush botanical gardens
providing a variety of leisure attractions and entertainment. Learn to sail, go
snorkeling, take a scuba course and go diving around some of Pattaya's offshore
islands. Jomtien beach close by, is Thailand's No. 1 windsurfing spot...
Where
to Stay? Check out our beach guide.
What to Do?
Windsurfing, motorcycle racing, partying.... Khaolak...
.
 Just
north of Phuket Island, this recently "discovered" area offers nature
lovers an unspoilt landscape of beaches, jungle covered mountains, forested valleys,
mangroves and estuaries. Development has been careful with comfortable resorts
and bungalows blending into the scenery along the coastline. Quiet restaurants,
low key nightlife. A great place to relax.
Where
to Stay? Check out our beach guide.
What to Do? Choices...
choices. Sukhothai...
 Sukhothai
was the first capital of Thailand founded around 1238, and is famous for its extensive
historical ruins, which following restoration, are now a UNESCO World Heritage
Site. Sukhothai's golden era was from the 13th to the 14th century, the art and
architecture produced in this period are considered to be some of the best in
Asia. Sukhothai today consists of the old and new towns (located 12kms apart from
each other); most of the accommodation and all facilities being in the new town.
The old town of Sukhothai consists mainly of the large Historical Park, where
most of the remains of the original city can be seen. The best way to see the
extensive historical site is on a bicycle which can be rented in the town.
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