Thailand, also called the Land of Smiles, is the most popular tourist destination in South-East Asia due to its wealth of natural beauty, culture and history, gorgeous islands and beaches and the mouth-watering food.
- In the North you will find breathtaking mountain ranges with waterfalls and fast flowing rivers for trekking and rafting, ethnic tribal groups with unique customs and clothing and people famous for their courtesy and hospitality.
- The North-East, or Isan, is one of the country’s most intriguing destination with many Stone Age and Bronze Age dwellings and artifacts, and several significant temples and national parks.
- The central plains and the east coast are dotted with national parks, seaside resorts and islands.
- The South is many beautiful beach.
Nonthaburi(นนทบุรี): is one of the central provinces of Thailand and is more or less considered a part of Greater Bangkok. It is the land of elegant palaces, magnificent royal gardens, Ko Kret’s famous pottery, notably old and beautiful temples, delicious durian and the gorgeous city hall.
The most interesting place to visit is Koh Kret, an island in the Chao Phraya River, which serves as a refuge to the Mon tribes who are famous for their pottery. Ko Kret is another world compared to Bangkok and much of it retains the air of a rustic village, with wooden shacks propped against palm trees and the occasional dilapidated temple slowly crumbling. Hence the main attraction is just walking around, browsing the merchandise in the many pottery shops. Because of the closeness to Bangkok there are only few accommodationoptions in Nonthaburi.
Samut Prakan(สมุทรปราการ):also sometimes called Pak Nam (ปากน้ำ), is located around the area where the Chao Phraya River flows into the Gulf of Thailand and is only 30km from Bangkok. Samut Prakan is home to countless historical and cultural sites and the new Bangkok International Airport –Suvarnabhumi Airport – is located here.
Some of the major attractions in the province include the worlds largest crocodile farm (with over 60,000 crocodiles including the largest crocodile held captive with a length of 6 meters), the newly constructed Erawan Museum and the ‘Ancient City’, Mueang Boran, where imitations of major tourist attractionsaround the country are situated.
Bangkok, also known as "Krungthep" (กรุงเทพ) meaning 'the City of Angels', is ranked as the best city in the world in 2008 by "Travel and Leisure Magazine". Bangkok is famous for itstemples, the Grand Palace as well as some of Asia's largest shopping centers and Asia's largest outdoor week-end market (Chatuchak).
All sites can comfortably be reached by Skytrain (BTS) orUnderground (MRT). Bangkok is highly appreciated for its wide choice of restaurants, from authentic street-side eateries to a number of fine dining establishments. In addition to probably the best nightlife in Asia. The wide choice of accommodation, from high end international hotels to guesthouses meets the demands of all travelers. In terms of relaxation – Bangkok has seen a huge development of Spas and wellness centers as well as medical facilities of Western standards.
Loei (เลย):
Loei is one of Thailand's most beautiful and unspoiled provinces. The land is mountainous and the temperature goes from one extreme to the other, the weather being hotter than elsewhere in Thailand during the hot season and colder during the winter season.
The culture is an unusual mix of northern and north-eastern influences which has produced more than one local dialect. The rural life of Loei outside the provincial capital has retained more of a traditional village flavor than many other places in Thailand.
Situated along the Phetchabun Mountain Range, Loei is a province that rises app. 400 meters above sea level and even wine is cultivated here. Loei Winery can be visited as one of the few ones in Thailand. Every year in May/June the illustrious Phi Ta Khon festivalis celebrated when young man dress as spirits during a parade.
Loei has some beautiful national parks, among is one of Thailand’s most famous ones, Phu Kradung, a bell shaped mountain (1325m) and Phu Rua with one of it’s cliffs jutting from the peak is shaped as the bow of a Chinese junk. Phu Luang is a Wildlife Sanctuary up to an altitude of 1550m.
Nong Bua Lamphu(หนองบัวลำภู):
Split off from Udon Thani in 1993, Nong Bua Lam Phu is a scenic province famous for its prehistoric sites. Fossilized shells about 140 million years old can be seen in the cliffs 10 kilometers outside the main town, archaeological sites at Kudkwangsoi villages are also attractions.
Wat Tham Klong Phen, a tranquil forest monastery outside of town, is revered as the home of the famous meditation monk. Luang Phu Khao Analayo. A museum in the compound is dedicated to the monk. A beautiful nature reserve is found at Phu Kao Phupan Kham National Park, covering 320 square kilometers, including a large lake formed by Ubon Ratana Dam, which is a popular fishing area.
Udon Thani(อุดรธานี): Udon Thani, is a prime business center of I-San. Located 564 kilometers fromBangkok, it’s main attraction is the World Heritage Site of Ban Chiang where the world's first Bronze Age civilization is believed to have flourished more than 5,000 years ago. It is a world renowned archaeological site but Ban Chiang itself is still a remote village with a relaxed countryside atmosphere.
Ban Chiang National Museum is the country’s first open air museum and the tombs and excavation are open to visitors. Inside the museum tools and utensilson showcases the ancient technology and most famous countrywide are the earthenware pots some 4,000 to 7,500 years old.
