Experience variety in Thailand

THAILAND TOURISM DIVISION

Thailand is a land rich in natural wonders. Garnished with the treasures of an ancient culture, it will delight you with its startling diversity of people and places. Set in the heart of Southeast Asia, it dazzles visitors with its spectacular landscapes and shimmering and lively culture.

Junnapong Saranak, director of Thailand Tourism Division (TAT) said, "Your visit to Thailand will leave you with unforgettable memories of your journey of discovery. Your experience of Thailand's diversity will leave you with memories that will never fade."

In Taiwan, Saranak is working to promote north, south and central Thailand to visitors and hope they can extend their stay to experience Thailand's scenic treasures. TAT now offers a website in both English and Mandarin and has also produced numerous documents introducing 13-14 destinations for "Spa in Thailand." For meeting planners, Thailand is recognized as a world class destination for events. It has played host to numerous major events, including international exhibitions, prestigious opening ceremonies, and larges congresses and have commitments throughout the decade for events with up to 15,000 delegates.

For long stay tourism in Thailand, the country has a vast inventory of various destinations, attractions and activities to offer. These would also appeal to longstayers and give them the freedom to have new meaningful experiences to fulfill a dream or ambition such as studying ancient Siamese building heritage sites, undertaking a medication course, exploring the flora and fauna in national parks, or simply relaxing by swimming, sunbathing, boating, playing golf or any of the other endless possibilities.

Central

On arrival, Bangkok presents the visitor with an impressive but apparently impenetrable zig-zag matrix of roads and towering, modern buildings and, for a moment, one may be left with the feeling of not knowing where to start. The sights and marvels of this extraordinary metropolis where ancient custom and contemporary style meet, will dazzle you as you go on your way.

Phetchaburi, its plains and hills, is blanket-covered with vast, dense forests of sugar palm and its soft and tranquil coastline is lined with unpeopled pristine beaches. This province also features a number of national parks where exquisite flora and fauna abound.

Prachuap Khiri Khan, which forms something of a great land bridge between central and southern Thailand, is notable particularly for the fact that, like Phetchaburi, it is one of the but a handful of provinces that enjoys not one but two coastlines, its western side running by the Andaman Sea while its eastern border is washed by the gentle waters of the Gulf of Thailand.

The North

Chiang Mai province lies more than 700 km to the north of Bangkok and is easy to get to by plane or by overnight train from the capital. Here you will find top grade hotels and all the comforts of a long established city. There are elephant rides and river rafting to name but a few possibilities.

Mae Hong Son lying about 1,000 km to the north of Bangkok is the country's second most northern province and enjoys a cool climate all year round. There are hot springs located around Pai and the mountain of Doi Mae U Kho. It is carpeted with glorious bright sunflower field every November.

Chiang Rai is one of Thailand's most rural provinces. Burma lies across the misty mountains to the north while Laos sits across the Mekong to the northeast. The areas where the three countries meet is widely known as "The Golden Triangle." The province of Mae Sai is renowned for its captivating scenery where hilltribes live a traditional live.

Phayao is surrounded by Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai on one flank and the Burmese border on the other. Stunning scenery abounds in all directions. In this province lies the lake of Kwan Phayao, the largest fresh water lake in Thailand. Here also are the people of the Thai Lue hilltribe who make their living from crafting handwoven silk and cotton and who, holding to their traditional values, go about their life in the fashion they have done for generations, largely untouched by the outside world.

Phrae lies to the south of Nan. Traditionally famous as a teak center, the old city of Phrae has more teak houses than any other similar sized city in the whole of Thailand. Phrae boasts a number of national parks in which marvelous waterfalls and hot springs moisten and adorn the richly-forested landscape.

Sukhothai boasts the honor of being the site of the most ancient Thai capital, the center of a kingdom in which flourished from the mid 13th to the late 14th century. The ancient city, replete with the ruins of dozens of magnificent temples and chedis, forms the core of the Sukhothai Historical Park.

Kamphaeng Phet is a sleepy province to the south of Sukhothai. The province was in ancient times important as a line of defense for that kingdom. The ancient city of Kamphaeng Phet, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991 along with the ruins of Sukhothai, is contained in the Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park.

South

Phuket is a marvelous holiday destination of worldwide renown. Abounding in first class luxury hotels and world class resorts where standards are unparalleled, it makes for a perfect holiday of complete rest and indulgence.

Samui set in the azure tableau like a precious stone, presents itself as a counterpart of exquisite beauty rivaling the magnificence of Phuket, adorning the sun bath, island-speckled, blue-water canvas that is The Gulf of Thailand.

Krabi, located on the picturesque southwestern coast of Thailand, is well known for its relaxed atmosphere. Here on the shores of the mainland and out to sea bleach-white beaches of blinding, brilliant, sun-beamed brightness are flanked by sheer limestone cliffs and quiet, seemingly forgotten water caves tell the stories of lost civilization.

Phang-Nga offers easy access to surrounding islands including the Similan and Surin island groups. The diving opportunities and the treasures await the underwater diver, are equal to those of Krabi.

Songkhla, nearly 1,000 km from Bangkok, is a major training center for the herb and spice trade with goods for market coming from the surrounding regions. It serves also as a junction point between the far south of Thailand and the provinces to the north.

Chumphon is most widely and famously known for its long coastline and its offshore islands where birds flock in their thousands to nest and make a magnificent picture as they proceed in their flight. Ranong, further to the south, is truly a province for the land lover as well as for those who love the sea. It features a famous hot spring set pleasantly and conveniently within a fine resort as well as numerous scenic waterfalls and places from which to enjoy vistas of the glorious Andaman Sea.

Trang, this stunning province abounds with magnificent waterfalls and enthralling mountain caves, while along the coastline, beaches of fine white sand soak in the warmth of the seemingly ever-shining sun.

Phatthalung shares with its neighbors, Krabi, Trang and Satun, a calmness and a feeling of placid constancy which permeates its patterns of living. This is the home of the enchanting Manora southern dance and of the ancient puppet play. The wonder of Phatthalung customs is matched by the province's spell-casting landscape. Satun, like the neighboring provinces of Krabi and Trang, truly is an explorer's wonderland wherever one ventures within its borders.

Shopping

Thailand is a shopper's paradise. There are shops and markets everywhere selling every conceivable item you may desire. Clothing, jewelry, hand-crafted leather goods, shoes, porcelain and glassware are all of the finest quality and all present extraordinary value.

Thai food

Thai food is as varied as the country itself and offers an array of tastes and flavors to please all palates. Contrary to popular impression, Thai cuisine is not always hot. Its fabulous diversity encompasses not only spicy dishes but also tangy salads, sweet curries, savory stir fries and broths, and Phat Thai noodles as well. Then there is the wide variety of Thai desserts, and year-round, multi-colored tropical fruits.