One
of the most popular tourism destinations in Southeast Asia, Thailand is a
country with a fascinating history, a devout Buddhist culture and
beautiful scenery that lures travelers from all over the world.For many
cultural travelers it is a land of ancient temples, glittering spires
and beautiful palaces. For sun-seeking hedonists it is a place to
rejuvenate on palm-studded beaches that rim idyllic bays and
islands.Bangkok, a huge metropolis replete with traffic and shopping
centers worthy of any international capital, contrasts sharply with the
rice paddies out on the plains, the idyllic villages in the hills and
mountains or the beach-side reggae bars in Phuket. Bit it’s this very
diversity that’s makes the country so appealing for so many, from
burned-out executives who jet here to unwind at sybaritic five-star
resorts, to backpackers who wander through to experience the local
culture while staying at low-cost guesthouses in Bohemian-like Chiang
Mai.
Bangkok:-As
the political, economic, cultural, culinary, and spiritual capital of
Thailand, Bangkok features both old-world charm and modern convenience.
Invariably, every Thailand holiday includes a visit to the kingdom’s
capital city, Bangkok, or Krung Thep, “the city of angels” as it’s known
to the locals. Many first-time visitors to the city are overwhelmed by
its sheer size; others by the vast number of attractions scattered about
the city, the result of more than two centuries of rapid development
following the city’s founding in 1782. Today Bangkok is a cosmopolitan,
21st century city of more than ten million inhabitants.
Chiang Mai:-Thailand’s
“Rose of the North” contains both cultural and natural diversity, a
multitude of attractions, and welcoming hospitality. Chiang Mai
literally means “new city” and has retained the name despite celebrating
its 700th anniversary in 1996. King Meng Rai the Great, a very
religious leader who founded many of the city’s temples, created the
city as the capital of the Lanna Kingdom around the same time as the
establishment of the Sukhothai Kingdom. Chiang Mai not only became the
capital and cultural core of the Lanna Kingdom, but also the center of
Buddhism in northern Thailand.
Phuket:-When
travelers to Thailand talk about sea, sun and sand, Phuket is often the
first place that comes to mind. Catapulted to international attention
by the James Bond movie “The Man with the Golden Gun” back in 1974, the
entire area today boasts many hotels and resorts, which offer all sorts
of tourism facilities for travelers.
Ayutthaya:-Once
considered the most spectacular city on Earth, the ruins of the capital
of the Kingdom Ayutthaya are now a major tourist attraction easily
accessible from Bangkok by car, train, or boat as either a daytrip or
overnight excursion. A regional power for 417 years, the ancient city
its apex in the 16th century, when the Kingdom’s territory extended into
and beyond present-day Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar. Ayutthaya had
diplomatic relations with Louis XIV of France and was courted by Dutch,
Portuguese, English, Chinese and Japanese merchants.
Kanchanaburi:-Kanchanaburi
has become a major tourist destination, with a focus on the outdoors
due to its magnificent landscape and charming beauty. Only two hours
from Bangkok, Kanchanaburi is accessible by road or rail, and is popular
for fishing, rafting, canoeing, mountain biking, bird-watching,
star-gazing, golfing and elephant and jungle trekking. The area boasts
several well-known waterfalls, caves that were once inhabited by
Neolithic man, national parks, tranquil rivers, virgin forests, and
several large reservoirs.
Krabi:-A
province on southern Thailand’s Andaman coast, is an almost
otherworldly region of labyrinthine archipelagos, where islands seem to
erupt vertically out of the sea and secluded beaches are only accessible
by colorfully adorned long tail boats. Krabi’s myriad of bays and coves
have sheltered pirates, merchants, and sea gypsies for thousands of
years and archaeological evidence indicates that Krabi was originally
inhabited as early as 25,000 – 35,000 years ago.
Ratchaburi:-Ratchaburi’s
premier attraction is the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, a destination
visited by a large percentage of tourists who visit Bangkok. Vendors in
the market sell their wares by paddling boats along Ratchaburi’s
canals. Every morning, hundreds of boats crowd the market, paddled by
women in straw hats. For a few hundred baht visitors can hire their own
boats and explore the canals while shopping for everything from
vegetables and fruits to freshly-cooked noodles and souvenirs.
Chon Buri:-Chonburi,
Bangkok’s nearest seaside town, is located on the eastern coast of the
Gulf of Thailand, about 50 miles from the capital. The area boasts
abundant natural resources, making it a popular coastal province among
Bangkokians who seek a weekend. Particularly popular is the seaside
resort of Pattaya, though Chonburi’s smaller, quieter seaside towns are
also quite popular with foreigners and Thais alike.
Sukhothai:-Founded
in the 13th century, Sukhothai, which literally means “Dawn of
Happiness”, was the first truly independent Thai Kingdom and enjoyed a
golden age under King Ramkhamhaeng, who is credited with creating the
Thai alphabet. The superb temples and monuments of this great city have
been lovingly restored, and Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO World
Heritage Site, is popular with travelers, particularly on those
occasional nights the park when the park remains open and the graceful
Buddhas are illuminated by lights.
Phang nga:-Phang
Nga province renowned for its beautiful land, spectacular bay, amazing
islands and good diving. Most famous is Phang Nga Bay National Park, a
geological wonder filled with islets, sunken caverns, and startling rock
formations rising vertically out of the sea. The bay is extremely
sheltered and therefore ideal for expeditions on sea kayaks to explore
the many fascinating caverns and islands throughout the bay.
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