The Kingdom of Thailand is a country in Southeast Asia, bordering Laos and Cambodia to the east, the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia to the south, and the Andaman Sea and Myanm
ar to the west. The country's official name was Siam, until May 11, 1949. The word Thai means "freedom" in the Thai language and is also the name of the majority ethnic group. According to archeological evidence various indigenous cultures have existed in Thailand from the time of the Ban Chiang culture (4420 BC-3400 BC) onwards, but due to its geological location, Thai culture has always been greatly influenced by China and India. The first Siamese/Thai state is traditionally considered the Buddhist kingdom Sukhothai founded in 1238, following the decline and fall of the Khmer Empire in the 13th - 15th century.
A Century later, Sukhothai's power was overshadowed by the larger Siamese kingdom of Ayutthaya, established in the mid-14th century. After Ayutthaya sacked Angkor itself in 1431, much of the Khmer court and its Hindu customs were brought to Ayuthaya, and Khmer customs and rituals were adopted into the courtly culture of Siam. After Ayuthaya fell in 1767, Thonburi was the capital of Thailand for a brief period under King Taksin the Great, until a coup d'etat in 1782. The current (Ratthanakosin) era of Thai history began in 1782 following the establishment of Bangkok as capital of the Chakri dynasty under King Rama I the Great.
ar to the west. The country's official name was Siam, until May 11, 1949. The word Thai means "freedom" in the Thai language and is also the name of the majority ethnic group. According to archeological evidence various indigenous cultures have existed in Thailand from the time of the Ban Chiang culture (4420 BC-3400 BC) onwards, but due to its geological location, Thai culture has always been greatly influenced by China and India. The first Siamese/Thai state is traditionally considered the Buddhist kingdom Sukhothai founded in 1238, following the decline and fall of the Khmer Empire in the 13th - 15th century.A Century later, Sukhothai's power was overshadowed by the larger Siamese kingdom of Ayutthaya, established in the mid-14th century. After Ayutthaya sacked Angkor itself in 1431, much of the Khmer court and its Hindu customs were brought to Ayuthaya, and Khmer customs and rituals were adopted into the courtly culture of Siam. After Ayuthaya fell in 1767, Thonburi was the capital of Thailand for a brief period under King Taksin the Great, until a coup d'etat in 1782. The current (Ratthanakosin) era of Thai history began in 1782 following the establishment of Bangkok as capital of the Chakri dynasty under King Rama I the Great.
BANGKOK:
Bangkok, known in Thai as Krung Thep, is the capital and largest city of Thailand, with an official 200
0 census population of 6,355,144. Bangkok is located at 13°45'N 100°31'E, on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River, near the Gulf of Thailand. Krung Thep has been the proper name of the city for more than two centuries. However, the city's original name of Bangkok (which now is used locally to refer only to a district of the city) persists in being used by most foreigners. Bangkok is a fast growing, economically and culturally dynamic city in Southeast Asia. The World Meteorological Organization has dubbed Bangkok the world's hottest large city. Moreover, it is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations. Bangkok is the wealthiest and most populated city in Thailand. The city is ranked as the 21st most populated city in the world. The Grand Palace & the Temple of Wat Phra Kaeo, situated on the banks of the Chao Praya River, are perharps Bangkok's best-known sights.Since being founded by King Rama I, Krung Thep Maha Nakorn, or City of Angels , has spread from the temples and palaces on Royal Ratanakosin Island, through a network of canals or klongs, many of which still survive, to modern Silom, Sukhumvit and beyond.
For shopping and entertainment Bangkok is hard to beat; from street markets to shopping malls of designer boutiques, restaurants serving every imaginable kind of cuisine and its word famous nightlife.
-GRAND PLACE & WAT PHRA KAEO:
The Grand Palace and the Temple of Wat Phra Kaeo, situated on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, are perhaps Bangkok's best-known sights. Wat Phra Kaeo, or the Temp
le of the Emerald Buddha, is the royal temple and named after a Buddha image that stands in the main chapel. In contrast to Wat Phra Kaeo the architecture of the Grand Palace is European in style with cloisters and manicured lawns. A 15-minute walk from the Grand Palace is another of Bangkok's famous temples, Wat Pho, also called the temple of the Reclining Buddha. This is the oldest and largest wat in Bangkok and apart from its 46-metre reclining Buddha, Wat Pho also has a fine collection of bas-reliefs, stupas and
The Grand Palace and the Temple of Wat Phra Kaeo, situated on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, are perhaps Bangkok's best-known sights. Wat Phra Kaeo, or the Temp
le of the Emerald Buddha, is the royal temple and named after a Buddha image that stands in the main chapel. In contrast to Wat Phra Kaeo the architecture of the Grand Palace is European in style with cloisters and manicured lawns. A 15-minute walk from the Grand Palace is another of Bangkok's famous temples, Wat Pho, also called the temple of the Reclining Buddha. This is the oldest and largest wat in Bangkok and apart from its 46-metre reclining Buddha, Wat Pho also has a fine collection of bas-reliefs, stupas and-NATIONAL MUSEUM:
Bangkok's
National Museum, the largest museum in South-East Asia, has a comprehensive collection of arts and artefacts including many items from the ancient capitals of Ayutthaya and Sukhuthai. Jim Thompson's House is a beautiful teak house furnished with Thai antiques and a shop selling the best high quality Thai silk. For a break from the city streets take a cruise along the Chao Phraya River to visit the Royal. Barges National Museum or stop off at the world famous Oriental Hotel for a refreshing drink. Bangkok also boats many of Asia's most exciting new restaurants, cocktail bars and night clubs. Exciting night spots such as The Bed Supperclub, Mystique and the Dome add to the city's cutting edge. -CHATUCHAK MARKET:
Chatuchak Market, Bangkok's famous weekend market in the city's northern suburbs, sells just about anything you could possibly want. There are over 8,000 stalls and this is a
great place to hunt for bargains, especially Thai handicrafts and souvenirs. Surrounding Bangkok are some remarkably beautiful and easily accessible green areas where you can enjoy a bike ride or a boat trip through refreshingly laid back Thailand of old. CHIANG MAI:
-WAT CHIANG MAI Chiang Mai's oldest temple is Wat Chiang Man which dates back to 1296 and its two Buddha images, one made of the stone and the other made from crystal.
-WAT PHRA SINGHAlmost as old, Wat Phra Singh in the centre of town contains a 1,500-year-old Buddha image and another wat.
-CHIANG MAI NATIONAL MUSEUM The Chiang Mai National Museum, just to the north of the city center, houses an extensive collection of Buddha images and northern Thai
handicrafts. Another museum that is worth a visit especially for those preparing to go trekking is the Tribal Museum, which houses a good display of hill tribe textiles, jewellery, musical instruments, weapons and other artifacts. Chiang Mai makes an excellent base for explorations of north Thailand. Treks into the mountains are a popular way to get close to the beautiful scenery and to encounter the different peoples that inhabit the mountains. Bicycle tours are also a wonderful way to view the region, while four wheel-drive excursions can take you further and faster into the surrounding countryside. It is also possible to take a hot air balloon flight over the city.
-DOI INTHANONSlightly further a field, Doi Inthanon, set in a large national park offering some pleasant walks among the mountain scenery of forests and waterfalls and a popular site for birdwatchers. The sleepy town of Pai has become a tourist hotspot and Mae Hong Song is reachable by a short flight. Another popular excursion from Chiang Mai is a visit to one of the nearby elephant camps such as Chiang Dao Camp or Thai Elephant Conservation Centre, where attractions include elephant rides, elephant bathing and an exhibition on the importance of the elephant in Thai history and culture.
-WAT CHIANG MAI Chiang Mai's oldest temple is Wat Chiang Man which dates back to 1296 and its two Buddha images, one made of the stone and the other made from crystal.
-WAT PHRA SINGHAlmost as old, Wat Phra Singh in the centre of town contains a 1,500-year-old Buddha image and another wat.
-CHIANG MAI NATIONAL MUSEUM The Chiang Mai National Museum, just to the north of the city center, houses an extensive collection of Buddha images and northern Thai
handicrafts. Another museum that is worth a visit especially for those preparing to go trekking is the Tribal Museum, which houses a good display of hill tribe textiles, jewellery, musical instruments, weapons and other artifacts. Chiang Mai makes an excellent base for explorations of north Thailand. Treks into the mountains are a popular way to get close to the beautiful scenery and to encounter the different peoples that inhabit the mountains. Bicycle tours are also a wonderful way to view the region, while four wheel-drive excursions can take you further and faster into the surrounding countryside. It is also possible to take a hot air balloon flight over the city.-DOI INTHANONSlightly further a field, Doi Inthanon, set in a large national park offering some pleasant walks among the mountain scenery of forests and waterfalls and a popular site for birdwatchers. The sleepy town of Pai has become a tourist hotspot and Mae Hong Song is reachable by a short flight. Another popular excursion from Chiang Mai is a visit to one of the nearby elephant camps such as Chiang Dao Camp or Thai Elephant Conservation Centre, where attractions include elephant rides, elephant bathing and an exhibition on the importance of the elephant in Thai history and culture.
PHI PHI DON & PHI PHI LE ISLANDS:
Take a short boat trip to the tropical Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le islands of Krabi Province and stay to snorkel around the area's coral reefs and underwater vertical walls, explore
limestone caverns, and hike through wooded trails. A day trip to the Similan Islands in the northwest is worthwhile because of the area's famous diverse marine life.But much more than the above, Phuket is an island of forested hills, coconut and rubber plantations, lush rice fields and wildlife parks. Take an extra three days to venture into the interior of the island, where many other attractions are waiting to be discovered.A leisurely walk through Phuket town, in the southeast, will yield ancient Mediterranean-style buildings and an open-air market. At Kalama Beach on the west coast is Phuket FantaSea, a theme park that offers canivals, shopping, buffet at a 4,000
limestone caverns, and hike through wooded trails. A day trip to the Similan Islands in the northwest is worthwhile because of the area's famous diverse marine life.But much more than the above, Phuket is an island of forested hills, coconut and rubber plantations, lush rice fields and wildlife parks. Take an extra three days to venture into the interior of the island, where many other attractions are waiting to be discovered.A leisurely walk through Phuket town, in the southeast, will yield ancient Mediterranean-style buildings and an open-air market. At Kalama Beach on the west coast is Phuket FantaSea, a theme park that offers canivals, shopping, buffet at a 4,000KOH SAMUI:
White sands, swaying palms, dense tropical foliage, rocky outcrops and hidden coves this is Samui Isl
and. White images like these could bring to mind many of Thailand's other offshore islands, Koh Samui has secret and quiet allures that set it apart from all others.Koh Samui has made a successful transition from a backpacker island to world-class holiday destination without losing its charm and character. While the main beach of Chaweng is a busy busting tourist spot, the rest of the island retains the laid back, easy going charm that made it such a firm favourite with backpackers. Now 5-star hotels coexist peacefully with the local fishing villages as well as budget resorts. Add to the mix an eclectic array of spas, healing centres, dive centers, wonderful restaurants, beach bars, a colourful mix of permanent local residents and nightclubs carrying names such as The Green Mango, and you start to understand the unique charm of Koh Samui.BEACHES The beaches, of course, add to the island's attraction. The Chaweng, Lamai and Maenam, Bo Phut and Big Buddha beaches are all you want from a beach destinati
on, sweeping crescents of white sand shaded by coconut palms and perfect weather conditions most months of the year.For those looking for more than a hotel and a beach, the nearby islands of Ang Thong National Marine Park make a great excursion while a four wheel-drive mountain tour is also highly recommended. 
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