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Chiang Mai is Thailand’s principal northern city. Chiang Mai is the pro-vincial capital of a largely mountainous province, also called Chiang Mai, which is some 20,000 square kilometres in area. |
| Chiang Mai city is 700 kilometres north of Bangkok, was founded in 1296, and is located in a fertile valley some 300 matres above sea level. Chiang Mai was the capital of Lanna Thai (Kingdom of One Million Ricefields), the first independent Thai kingdom within the fabled Golden Triangle. Chiang Mai flourished as a major religious, cultural and trading centre until 1556 when a Burmese invasion reduced it to a vassal state. The Burmese were expelled in 1785, whereupon Lanna Thai once again became part of northern Thailand. Many lowland Thais regard Chiang Mai city and province as being something of a national Shangri-la, thanks to its beautiful women, distinctive festivals, historic temples dating from the 1300s, arresting scenic beauty, temperate fruits such as apples peaches and strawberries, and a crisp, invigorating cool season climate. |
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| The people of Chiang Mai enjoy one of the most distinctive cultural identities in the whole of Thailand. Largely farmers and artisans, they have their own lilting dialect, their own customs, their own festivals, their own architectural traditions, their own indigenous handicrafts, their own dances and their own distinctive cuisine. Hilltribes also lend a great deal of character and colour to the crisply beautiful mountainous landscape. |  |
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Chiang Mai celebrates many annual festivals. Three are particularly lively and lovely. They are the Flower Festival, the first Friday and weekend of every February, Songkran, 13-15 April each year, and Loi Krathong on the full-moon night of the twelfth lunar month, generally in November. |
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| Bangkok was established as Thailand’s capital in 1782 Over the next two centuries it developes in many ways reflecting the modern dynamism however,its ancient glories were well maintained,especially, in the old areas around the Grand Palace,Today, Bangkok has become the principal gateway and primetourist attraction for both domestic and international travellers. |
| Bangkok occupies a total area of 1,568 square kilometres on a flatalluvial plain divided by the Cho Phaya River.Composed of about 50 districts (khets),it is home to one-tenth of the country’s populaion.Thon Buri, a former capital,is now a district under the administration of the Bangkok Metropolis. |
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| Wat Phra Kaeo(The Temple of the Emerald Buddha) |
| The Chapel Royal or Temple of the Emerald Buddha, usually called Wat Phra Kaeo and offically named Sri Ratana Sasadaram Temple, is the most interesting and famous of Bangkok’s temples. Since its foundation in 1785 A.D., it has never been allowed to f all into decay. This collection of chapels, halls, towers, etc., can be divided into two groups: The Bot or Chapel of the Emerald Buddha proper, and the small edifices which stand around, viz., three small chambers on the west, twelve salas, the belfry on the south, and a small chapel in the southeastern corner. The central chapel was erected by King Rama I, according to the usual plan of Thai temples, for the purpose of keeping the famous Emerald Buddha, which is placed upon a magnificent altar. The uppe r part of this altar, which is as old as the chapel itself, is raised on a base added by King Rama III. On either side is a standing image of the Buddha, and these are said to personify the first two Kings of the present Dynasty. |
| The building on the platform to the north of the Bot include the Library in the northeastern corner and a small chapel in the northwestern corner. The nucleus of this second or northern group of buildings is the Mahamandapa, a square pavilion erected by King Rama I on the site of the ancient Library which was destroyed by fire as soon as it was completed. This pavilion was built for the purpose of keeping the sacred Scriptures and was restored by King Mongkut (Rama IV). One should not fail to see in this library the magnificent bookcase in lacquered teak inlaid with mother-of-pearl, which was made by order of King Rama I and is considered to be the best specimen of this kind of work. The covered gallery which runs round the temple courtyard is intere sting on account of the wall paintings which represent episodes from the Ramakien (the Thai version of the Indian epic Ramayana). They were made during the reign of King Rama I, renewed under King Rama III, and again under King Mongkut. Besides the buildi ngs just mentioned, the precincts of at Phra Kaeo contain several objects of interest: giants, bronze images the lions, elephants, oxen, and monkeys of good modern workmanship. Eight towers stand in a row on the eastern side of the main temple. The colo urs of the glazed tiles with which they are covered are different for each tower. |
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| Wat Arun(The Temple of Dawn) |
| whose high tower is one of the most prominent monuments of Bangkok, was formerly an old temple called Wat Chaeng, and this old name is still in use among the people. The chief attraction of Wat Arun is the tower of the Phra Prang, 74 metres high, from which the visitor enjoys a beautiful view of Bangkok, the Palace and Royal Temples, the river, and the harbour. This tower rises in the center or a square whose corners are marked by four smaller towers, the plan being so mewhat similar to that of Angkor Wat’s upper terrace. The central tower is supported by a series of bases resting on caryatids of various kinds (angels, giants, monkeys, etc.) The God Phra Indra on his white elephant can be seen in each of the four niches . The lower terrace includes four small pavilion: each of these contains an image of the Buddha represented in four different episodes of his life: birth, Enlightenment, victory over the Evil One, and Death. This group of building is entirely covered with fragments of porcelain. |
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| Wat Phra Jetuphon or Wat Po (The Temple of the Reclining Buddha), The oldest and largest temple in Bangkok |
| On the site where Wat Phra Jetuphon now stands there was formerly an old temple called Wat Bhodharam (Temple of the Sacred Fig Tree), and Wat Po (or Bo) is still its popular name. The modern temple was begun in 1793 by King Rama I, who installed in t he various chapels several old statues from Ayutthaya. Restorations and additions were made by king Rama III and King Rama V. The plan of the buildings in Wat Phra Jetphon may seen somewhat intricate to the visitor who sees them for the first time, but it is in fact very simple. The central chapel or bot is in the middle of a courtyard enclosed in a square gallery sheltering endless rows of images of the Buddha in a sitting posture. Each side of the gallery is interrupted by small chapels containing imag es of the Buddha outside this kind of cloister, and on the west side are four high stupas and a huge building containing a colossal image of the Reclining Buddha, an enormous image of brick and concrete, finished with gold, 150 feet long and 40 feet high. The images of the Buddha placed in these temples are well worth seeing. The central one comes from Wat Sala Seena in Ayutthaya, and among those kept in the small chapels the big standing statue comes from Wat Sisarabejr (Ayutthaya) and the Buddha sittin g on the naga comes from Lopburi. The four western stupas or Phra Chedis are good specimens of modern Thai architecture. |
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Less than one hundred kilometres from Bangkok on the excellent Bang Na-Trat Highway, Chonburi is not only a well-known seaside destination, it is also major agricultural and industry producer, with extensive sugar-cane, tapico and coconut plantations, shallow and deep water fishery, as well as manufacturing plants. The most popular city in Chonburi is Pattaya. |
| Located 147 kilometres southeast of Bangkok or only about two-hour drive, Pattaya is Thailand’s premier beach resort and annually attracts hundreds of thousands of pleasure-seeking tourist from all over the world. Visitors can windsurf, water ski, swim, sunbath, snorkel, sail, or take trips to offshore coral islands (where bungalows allow overnight stays) by ferry, hydrofoil or hired boat. They can rent water scooters to explore Pattaya bay, and motorcycles and jeeps to explore neighbouring-beaches such as the increasingly Hat Chom Thian , just south of Pattaya, where accommodation is also available. Tennis enthusiasts can enjoy themselves at leadings hotel’s courts, and golfers can visit the beautifully-landscaped and challenging Siam Country Club and Bangphra Golf International Courses, both within 30 minutes off Pattaya |  |
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Bowling alleys, snooker halls, shooting galleries and archery offer further entertainment; while. Tiffany and Alcazar Cabarets offer fascinating night shows with broad popular appeal. Pattaya boasts an incredible choice of accommodation to suit every pocket. Facilities range from airconditioned opulence to basic simplicity. Essentially, the visitor has the choice of luxury hotels with private-beaches; bayside hotels and bungalows; and “inland” economy-class hotels and guest houses. Pattaya offers some of Thailand’s choicest seafood in several specialty restaurants. Steak houses and fast-food outlets provide attractives alternatives and gourmets and gourmands alike find satisfaction in restaurants featuring French, Italian, Swiss, German, Hungarian, Scandinavian, English, Indian, Moslem, Japanese, Chinese and Thai Cuisines. From families to individual visitors, Pattaya offers something for everyone and all the ingredients for a truly memorable holiday. |
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| Phuket…The pearl of Thailand | |
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Phuket, a large island in the Indian Ocean, is 862 kms. from Bangkok. It is the only island habing provincial status, and was a regional headquarters as well, with a rich and colourful history. Known as the Pearl of Thailand, it derived much of its former glory and its enormous wealth from tin production, which in Phuket dates back over 500 years. Today, Phuket is Thailand’s largest tin producer. |
| The surrounding waters contain a lot colourful marine life, and the town is notable for its old European style architecture. It is a very attractive island for the sihtseer, with lovely seashore, limestone cliffs, and forested hillsides. Phuket Island has a long shape frome the north to the south and its general geagraphic characteristics are rolling hills alternating with basins and having 39 smaller outlying islands. The word “Phuket” is derived from the Malayan word “Bukit”, which means hill. Phuket, the smallest southern province occupies 543 square kilometres. The overall length from north at the 490 meters wide Pak Phra Channel, joined to the mainland by the 660 meters Sarasin Bridge linking Chatchai Landing of Phuket and Tha Noon Landing of Phangnga. To the south and west lies the Andaman Sea, and the Krabi Sea to the east. It is administratively divided into three Amphoes : Muang, Thalang and Kathu. The main occupation of the population is rubber plant cultivation while the rest are engaged in the cultivations of coconuts, rice, fruits and fishing. | |
| The festival falls in September - October every year. This annual festival originated among immigrant workers in the 19th century and is one of the major events of Phuket’s year. Residents of Chinese ancestry go on a ten-day vegetarian diet and there are ceremonies at local Chinese temples as well as parades that feature remorkable feats by ascetic believers. | |
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Khao Rang : It is a small hill, located behind the township area, maintained as a public park by the Municipality. It is also the location of Radio and Television Stations operated by the Department of Public Relations. Crocodile Farm : It lies just outside town, containing an aquarium, estuarine crocodiles and alligators. Ko Sire : This island is located 4 kms. southeast of Phuket and is noted for a monastie commumty, and the home of the Chao Le. “Sea Gypsies”. |
| Wat Chalong : This monastery is located 8 kms. from Phuket town and houses bronze images of the monks Luang Paw Chaem is famed for his part in quelling a rebellion by Chinese mine workers who tried to occupy Phuket during the reign of King Rama V. Leam Ka Noi AND Leam Ka Yai : The cape is 14 kms. from Phuket town close to Hat Rawai, where is safe for swimming. Ko Kaeo Pitsadan : This island is accessible by a 30 minute boat trip from Hat Rawai and features beautiful sandy beaches and a shrine containing a replica of Buddha’s Footprints. |  |
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Hat Nai Han : This beach located 18 kms. from the towship area. Travelling, from Chalong 5-Way Junction through the road to Hat Rawai about 3 kms. and 4 kms. access road branches of on the right to Hat Nai Han. The beach is small but peaceful. Hat Surin : This is the famous beach ot Phuket, located 26 kms. from the township area. However, the beach shelf is steep and the fairly heavy sruf renders it unsuitable for swimming. There is a golf course above the beach line. |
| Thalang National Museum : It displays the way of life, culture and history of Phuket and the south, located in Amphoe Thalang. Wat Phra Thong : This Golden Buddha Image Monastery is located just beyond the Thalang Distrid Office. There, a torso of Buddha image rises up from the ground. Leam Sing : Sing cape is located one kilometre beyond Hat Surin features beautiful rocky reefs. |  |
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Ao Kamala : This bay is located 3 kms. from Laem Sing. Hat Nai Yang : The beach is located on the road to the airport, 37 kms. from the township area and has a long secluded stretch of beautiful beach. Pearl Farm : There are pearl farms on Ko Nakha, Ko Rang Noi, Ko Rang Yai and Ko Bon. Those who are interested to visit the farm must have a permit in anticipation. Marine Biological Research Center : The center is located on the end of Laem Phanwa which is 9 kms. from the township area, being the place where marine researches are carried out with a sea aquarium displaying fishes of different species, marine animals and beautiful shells. |