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Breathtaking views over jungle covered hills bathed in morning mist,
plunging valleys, and a different cultural personality characterizes
Thailand' s northern region.
Much the area has now been designated national park with a logging ban
and wildlife sanctuaries to preserve the rich variety of wildlife including
elephants, tigers and exotic birds. A place for adventure, there are
excellent opportunities for hiking, elephant trekking, river rafting,
mountain-biking or simply sightseeing. The north also holds a key position
in Thai history. In Chiang Mai, the old city walls together with 13th
century temples and sculptures, still remain, a legacy of its former glory
as capital of the Lanna Thai kingdom.
The northern hills which stretch beyond Thailand to
Myanmar in the West and
Laos in the east, form no boundaries for the ethnic hill tribes who live in
small villages scattered across the ridges and valleys, adding to the rich
culture of the region.
In the far north Chiang Rai makes a good base for trekking and visiting
hill tribe villages around this area. The local culture - a unique blend of
hill tribe, Lanna Thai, Burmese and Lao, influences is reflected in the
handicrafts, music, costumes and art styles of the region. Excellent
craftsmanship has made the area famous for locally crafted silver, painted
umbrellas and handmade paper. Specialist artisans villages can be found just
outside Chiang Mai.
Mae Hong Son - Sheltered by high mountains with a cool climate almost year
round, this northern provincial capital was once a sleepy "frontier' town
until a few years ago. Now, with good roads, the town is on the tourist
trail, attracted by the views, morning mists and the town's former "wild
west" reputation. Mae Hong Son now has luxury hotels and excellent roads
making it part of the tourist excursion trail. But don't be put off, the
scenery is worth it.
Driving south about 5-6 hours from Chiang Mai, the ancient city of
Sukhothai is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thailand's first capital has
extensive ruins and is now a fascinating historical park.
Sukothai's golden
era - the 13th-14th century, produced art and architecture considered among
the best of the period.
It is a region with great history, and a strong Laotian influence in its
architecture, customs, and language. Evidence of prehistoric settlements can
be found along the Mekong River, in cliff paintings and at archaeological
sites like Ban Chiang. The lower Northeast was part of old kingdom of
Angkor, with ruins of impressive Khmer sanctuaries scattered across the
countryside.
These Khmer prasat hin (stone castles) throughout Buri Ram,
Nakhon
Ratchasima, Surin and Si Sa Ket are popular tourist attractions,
particularly the superbly restored sites at Phimai and Phanom Rung, both
historical parks. The great temple complex at Khao Phra Viharn on the
Cambodian border is also now accessible to visitors after a long period of
isolation.
Other major attractions include the prehistoric sites at Ban Chiang and
Ban Prasat, the ancient revered temples at Phra That Phanom and Phra That
Renu Nakhon and the wonderful silk-weaving villages in Korat and
Khon Kaen.
The region is also home to some of Thailand’s best loved national parks –
Khao Yai, Phu Kradung and Phu Rua in Loei. To counter the region’s great
size, an excellent road, rail and domestic flight network links all the
major centres.
Geographically, the Central Region extends from rugged western mountains
bordering
Myanmar to the northeast plateau to the east; extends northwards to Nakhon Sawan where the Ping, Wang, Nan and Yom rivers unite to form the Chao
Phraya River (River of Kings) which flows southwards to dissect
Bangkok
before entering the Gulf of Thailand; and southwards to Prachuap Khiri Khan
where Thailand compressed to its narrowest point, some 60 kilometers wide
between western mountains and the Thai Gulf.
The Chao Phraya River largely irrigates the Central Plain, one of the
world's major rice and fruit-growing areas, and sustains an intricate
network of canals that irrigate bountiful or chards and market gardens; host
vibrant floating markets; and support a unique, waterborne way of life.
The Central Region is extremely rich in historical sites. These include
Nakhon Pathom, Kanchanaburi, Bang Pa-In,
Ayutthaya, Saraburi, Lop Buri and,
most important of all, Bangkok, Thailand's capital and major point-of-entry.
Thailand's Eastern sea coast, from Chonburi on the way to Trat is among
the most attractive and complete seaside destinations. Nature has endowed
the area with waterfalls and mountains, beaches and islands, and man has
added some faculties and conveniences to make it as truly beautiful and
enjoyable destination area. The eastern coastal region is also rich in
archaeological and historical terms.
Major Destination is Pattaya. Pattaya, just a two hour drive south of Bangkok, still remains
Thailand's liveliest beach resort. Located on the Gulf of Siam, the four
kilometer beach offers a heady mix of water sports, value for money
accommodation and a huge variety of entertainment. Just famous for its
night-time party zone,
Pattaya also has
first class golf courses and surprisingly, lots of
family
attractions.
The region is located on the peninsula between the Andaman Sea of the
Indian Ocean to the West and the South China Sea of the Pacific Ocean to the
East. It was the land of fertility both natural resources and cultures as
well as center of region on commercial-economic aspects. Fascinated it was
for Andaman including various islands liked
Phuket, Tarutao and Ardang with
the white clean seashore curved along the shape of land. Sea National Park,
Samui island, Samila beach, Naratas beach together with wide area of
Songkhla lake and Tinnasulanond bridge linked the land with the well-known
Khoa Yor, all were referred for its beauty by tourists both Thais and
foreigners.
Southern region has a richly varied topography, including basin areas for
cultivation of paddy and vegetables, wild jungles, mountains, beaches,
seaside resorts, waterfalls, caves, parks, lakes and many islands of all
sizes, offering spectacular scenery throughout.
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