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Thailand cannot be captured in one slogan. As a tourist destination it offers a diverse experience that will stay with you long after the trip itself ends. Blessed with nature’s riches, year round sunny weather and a striking, widely varied landscape, the country has long been a popular holiday destination. Here we bring you a selection of tourist attractions that you may want to discover, explore and enjoy while you are in the ‘Land of Smiles’….
Thailand is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Southeast Asia – a fact that many visitors to the country will readily vouch for. Of course, the first stop for most visitors to Thailand is the cosmopolitan city of Bangkok – a treasure trove of tourist activity in the country. Briefly, Bangkok’s major tourism attractions include the fabulous Wat Phra Kaeo (Emerald Buddha Chapel) and Grand Palace complex; Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha), Wat Saket (Golden Mount); Wat Benchannabophit (Marble Temple), Vimanmek Palace, favourite residence of King Chulalongkorn (1868-1910) and the world’s largest golden teak building, the fabulous royal barges, the Pasteur Institute’s Snake Farm where poisonous snakes are fed daily and venom is ‘milked’ from cobras and kraits to make invaluable serum, Jim Thompson’s House Museum which contains a superb collection of Asian objets d’art, Suan Pakkand Palace’s lacquer pavilion which is decorated with medieval gold leaf murals; the world’s largest crocodile farm; a 200-acre open air museum called the Ancient City, entertainment and recreational complexes such as Siam Water Park, Safari World, King Rama IX Park and Dusit Zoo, unrivalled shopping opportunities for some of the world’s most admired handicraft, exceptionally fine dining in gourmet restaurants featuring the world’s favourite cuisines, and a liberated, almost legendary nightlife.
BEYOND BANGKOK
Once you have explored the city of Bangkok, it is always a good idea to move away from the city life and discover the country’s natural beauty. To start with, you might like to travel 30 minutes further west (60 kilometres from Bangkok) to visit the Nakhon Pathom, which hosts the world’s tallest Buddhist monument. The the 380-foot high Phra Pathom Chedmoonument monument, marks the spot where Buddhism was introduced, some 2,300 years ago, to the Thailand-to-be. While there, you can also choose to visit the Rose Garden, a riverside tropical park/ country club which boasts an 18-hole championship golf course, fine accommodation and a Thai Village where daily shows feature traditional activities such as folk dancing, the Thai wedding ceremony, a Buddhist ordination and elephants at work.
For those interested in cultural attractions, the city of Ayutthaya, some 70 kilometres upstream from Bangkok is a perfect getaway. This ancient city was the Siamese capital from 1350 to 1767. Magnificent ruins of temples, palaces and crumbling fortresses provide eloquent testimony of the former capital’s splendour. Wat Panan Choeng, Wat Si San Phet, Wat Mahathat, Wat Ratchaburana, Phu Khao Thong and the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum should not be missed.
The North
Having completed your exploration of Bangkok and its surrounding areas in the Central region of Thailand, it is time to make a move to discover the beautiful mountainous region in the north of the country. Bordered by Burma and Laos, characterised by forested mountains – lower extremities of Himalayan foothills – and fertile river valleys, northern Thailand encompasses part of the fabled Golden Triangle and was the cradle of Thai civilisation where, several centuries ago, small independent kingdoms held sway.
Diverse elements, including crisp mountain scenery, exotic hill tribes, forests worked by elephants, colourful festivals, invigorating weather, ancient cities, exquisite northern Thai and Burmese style temples, and friendly people contribute to northern Thailand’s enduring charm. An ideal base to start your forays into the beautiful northern region is the principal city of Chiang Mai, some 700 kilometres north of Bangkok. Founded in 1296 and located in a fertile valley some 1,000 feet above sea level, Chiang Mai is famous for beautiful women, historic temples dating from the 1300s, crisp mountain scenery, distinctive festivals and handicrafts, and several formerly itinerant hill tribes of Tibeto-Burman origin. Famous places to visit in the city include Wat Phra Sing, Wat Chiang Man, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Suan Dok, Wat Ku Tao and Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.
Other surrounding areas around Chiang Mai city are also known for their scenic splendour and natural beauty. The Bor Sang-San Kampaeng area is particularly rich in cottage industries which produce handicrafts such as parasols, silks, cottons, jewellery, woodcarvings, silverware, ceramics and lacquerware.
While in the area, I would highly recommend a visit to the scenic Angkhang Nature Resort which is a three-hour scenic drive from Chiang Mai city. Nestled in the mountains in the north, this beautiful nature resort is an ideal getaway for honeymooners and nature lovers alike. A perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
The Northeast
Known by Thais as I-San, the sprawling Northeast Plateau is bordered to the north and east by the Mekong River and Laos, and to the south largely by Kampuchea. The Northeast is a distinctive region thanks to a topography of lovely forested mountains and national parks and rolling farmland, to its colourful inhabitants who speak their own melodious dialect, have a delicious spicy cuisine.
Another place worth a visit is the Khao Yaii National Park, northeast of Saraburi and some 200 kilometres from Bangkok. Khao Yai is some 540,000 acres in area, has a highest peak of 1,351 metres and contains within its rain forests and high grasslands numerous species of protected wildlife, such as deer, bears, tigers, elephants, giant hornbills, sunbirds and silver pheasants. The park is laced with hiking trails, and has 10 rapids and waterfalls to add to its lure.
The East Coast
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. The region is rich in natural resources, including rubber, rice, fishing, orchards and gemstones, and scenically arresting with several national parks containing waterfalls, virgin forest and uninhabited, remote islands.
All manner of watersports, motor-racing, offshore coral islands, luxury accommodation and a vibrant nightlife comprise Pattaya’s main attractions.
While in Pattaya, you must visit the Elephant Village – a sanctuary for former working elephants. The Elephant Village provides these magnificent creatures with a safe haven where they live out their lives with dignity and freedom. A daily show is organised at the Elephant Village for the hordes of tourists that visit the camp everyday. The show is divided into three sections. First is the elephant bathing ritual, where you can watch the elephants having their daily bath in the nearby river. Then comes a demonstration on training them to work, lifting heavy logs and stacking them neatly in an open area. At the end of the show the elephants and their mahouts are dressed in traditional military uniforms and parade to the accompaniment of Thai music – an excellent photo opportunity for your holiday album.
What we would recommend to visitors is the ‘Combination Trekking’ package which includes a one-hour elephant ride, a thirty-minute guided walk in the thick forest around the village, a thirty-minute white water rafting trip across the lake to the ox cart station for the journey back to the Elephant Village for lunch or dinner. The Village also operates a daily transfer service from and to the pick-up points in Pattaya for the convenience of its guests. Definitely a ‘must-see’!
The South
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.
However, the main tourist attraction of the region is the famous resort of Phuket. While in Phuket, you can walk through some bustling open-air markets laden with the freshest seafood, fruits, vegetables. Or visit some of Phuket’s upmarket boutiques and antique stores situated in renovated Chinese shophouses, or Sino- Portuguese buildings.
The nearby islands of Koh Phi Phi (Phi Phi Ley and Phi Phi Don) are truly breathtaking in every sense of the word. These are perhaps among the ten most beautiful islands in the world. Recently, a major Hollywood film, The Beach, was shot here featuring Leonardo DiCaprio (of Titanic fame). The Phi Phi islands (pronounced Pee Pee) lie approximately 30 miles off the coast of Phuket. Regular ferry service and daily tours can take you there between 45 minutes to two hours depending on conditions and choice of boat (a speedboat is recommended).
There are some excellent snorkelling and diving spots in and around Koh Phi Phi with visibility sometimes reaching up to 30 metres. Yet another major attraction in Phuket is the famous Simon Show – a spectacular musical floor show performed by talented local artists dressed in stunningly spectacular costumes. Bright lights, excellent sound system and imaginative stage sets are all part of this surreal theatrical extravaganza that has attracted tourists since its inception.
