Tourist Attractions:
Thailand is often referred to as a golden land, not because there is precious metal buried underground but because the country gives off a certain lustre, be it the fertile rice fields of the central plains, white sandy beaches or the warm hospitality of its citizenry.
Invariably, every Thailand holiday includes a visit to the kingdom’s capital city, Bangkok, or Krung Thep, “the city of angels” as it is known to its inhabitants. While the immensity of the city and the chaos of its bustling streets can be intriguing at first, those who spend some time in this vivacious city are quickly enamoured by the variety of attractions it contains, from exotic temples, which epitomize Thailand’s strong Buddhist history, to modern shopping malls, which have made shopping an integral part of any Bangkok holiday. As the kingdom’s political, economic, cultural, culinary, and spiritual capital, Bangkok features attractions guaranteed to please visitors either simply passing through the city or spending their entire holiday in Bangkok. The city is dotted with glittering Buddhist temples of great beauty, magnificent palaces, classical dance performances, numerous shopping centres, and a still functioning traditional way of life, especially along the canals of the Chao Phraya River, the `River of Kings’, which winds through the city, thereby renouncing it as the `Venice of the East’.
Every itinerary includes a visit to Thailand’s Grand Palace, arguably the premier iconic sightseeing location. Other historical and cultural `must sees’ include the National Museum, Vimanmek Mansion and Suan Pakkad Palace, all of which either house fine art or are national treasures in their own right. The city is dotted with 400 glittering Buddhist temples of great beauty, magnificent palaces, classical dance performances, numerous shopping centres, and a still functioning traditional way of life, especially along the canals and the Chao Phraya River, the `River of Kings’, which winds through the city. Bangkok truly is the `Venice of the East’. The thickly-forested Lumphini Park, a captivating Butterfly Farm, Dusit Zoo, the Thai Aquarium, the Thai Water Amusement Park, numerous enchanting gardens, two huge parks – Rama IX and Chatuchak – that contain lakes, botanical gardens, besides traditional English, French, and Japanese gardens, are added attractions.
There are several charming Buddhist temples in Bangkok, including the Reclining Buddha temple with a huge statue of a reclining Buddha, Wat Pho, the oldest of the city temples opposite the stately Grand Palace; and, the Golden Buddha or Wat Traimit temple, which has a solid statue of the Buddha weighing 5.5 tonne in gold!
Ayutthaya is set in the heart of the Central Plain and offers an intriguing glimpse into a glorious past. Ranked as the most magnificent city in the Orient, as witnessed in the extensive ruins of numerous temples and palaces that are today preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Hua Hin, a premier beach resort, towns the Gulf of Thailand, towards the south of Bangkok, making it one of the most popular getaway destination for city residents and tourists. A resort that is equally popular with young couples and families is also the location of the King of Thailand’s summer palace Klai Kang Won, `Far from Worries’.
The resort features a beautiful powdery sand beach, numerous seaside seafood restaurants, a lively night market, numerous beach activities, and some great inland activities. It is also the site of Thailand’s most popular music festival music festival, Hua Hin Jazz Fesival. Just down the coast at Takiab Bay, visitors can take seaside horseback rides and visit a hilltop Buddhist temple with a spectacular view on this unforgettable Thailand Holiday Packages!Phuket has sea, sand, sun, forests, pineapple clusters, rubber plantations, fishing villages, and nightclubs. Promthep Cape is inundated by tourists for dramatic sunsets. Many opt for water sports that include snorkeling, diving, yachting, kite-surfing, and parasailing. Not far is the stunningly beautiful island of Ko Phi Phi while Ko Tapu has spectacular limestone cliffs jutting straight out of the water. It is also called the James Bond Island as ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’ was partly filmed here.
Chiang Mai, Thailand’s `Rose of the North’ is a cultural and natural wonderland with ethnic diversity, a multitude of attractions and warm hospitality. Accommodation along the beach and on the streets leading away from the sea range from simple guesthouses to luxury resorts, including some of the finest spa-retreats in the world Chiang Mai, or ‘new city’, is a spectacular blend of magnificent mountains, gurgling waterfalls, fast-flowing rivers, unique monuments and an ideal base for river rafting or trekking into the hinterland to meet the tribals. Its ancient temples stand alongside modern hotels and stores, an engaging fusion of its past with the present. . Its ancient temples stand alongside modern hotels and stores, an engaging fusion of its past with the present. Thailand’s `Rose of the North’, as it is popularly called, is a cultural and natural wonderland with ethnic diversity, a multitude of attractions, and welcoming hospitality for offering trekking, rafting, and beautiful and historic temples. Intriguing diversity among ethnic tribes, a number of elephant camps, cooking and massage schools, numerous outdoor activities, a variety of handicrafts workshops, various cultural performances and breath-taking scenery make this retreat, one of Asia’s most attractive tourist destinations. The old city of Chiang Mai is a showcase of the north’s fascinating indigenous cultural identity that includes diverse dialects, a delectable cuisine, distinctive architecture, traditional values, lively festivals, numerous handicrafts workshops, northern style massage, and classical dances. Chiang Mai city features old-world beauty and charm as well as modern luxury and convenience.
Chiang Rai is Thailand’s northernmost province, a region of rugged mountains and fertile valleys, where this relaxed provincial capital offers excellent accommodation to serve as the perfect centre for exploring the Far North. Two high forested peaks, Doi Mae Salong and Doi Tung, are located just a few kilometres north of the town and both afford easy access into quite spectacular hill country. Of the two, Doi Mai Salong presents the wilder scene, while Doi Tung has been extensively and well developed as part of a royal project conducted under the auspices of the late Princess Mother. North-east of Chiang Rai is Chiang Saen, on the banks of the Mekong River. The site of an ancient and once powerful settlement, it is full of historical interest as well as being the nearest town to the famous `GoldenTriangle’, the confluence of the Mekong and Ruak Rivers form the border between Thailand, Myanmar and Lao PDR.
Koh Samui, Thailand’s second most popular island destination is located in the Gulf of Thailand south of Bangkok and a short distance from Thailand’s eastern seaboard. Being a significant is destination; it features stupendous beaches and a variety of activities and caters to tourists according to their pockets! It includes the fascinating site of the Ang Thong National Marine Park, a kayaking paradise, defining a gem island, lush with tropical forests, fringed with palm tree-lined stretches of golden sand, and surrounded by pellucid, aquamarine water, with the inhabitants primarily engaged in fishing and harvesting coconuts!