Thailand

Thailand offers a diversity of natural splendor, places of historical interest (including ancient Gothic ruins), charming towns, excellent tourist facilities, heritage buildings and beautiful cottages, a gossamer of roads, lush greenery and off course friendly pathways. It has something for the water lovers and lush greenery, as well as something for the indefatigable trekker and wildlife lover. There simply a lot for all of them who are simply curious to know the country.

Ayutthaya, a beautiful town in Thailand is famous for its splendor on Gothic ruins. Bordered by rivers Ayutthaya lying amidst on looks exquisite temples and palace ruins. Sukthothai promises more grandeur in ruins but Ayutthaya being just a few walking steps away from Bangkok, attract a larger crowd. After catching the glimpses of the antique pieces in two museums, you can go cruising in boat downriver to Bang-Pa-In meet and experience the rural people and their livelihood.

Bangkok, the capital is another hot spot of Thailand is the best esplanade for shop freaks, culture lovers of urban glory and every other exciting adventurous activity. Miraculously the city also demonstrates an acute serenity in sunrise at tranquil temples or monasteries amidst the busy humming of the chaotic ambience. As the whole city remains a collage of abject poverty and dazzling riches, urbanity and squalor, important business and exotic retails and exasperating pollution.

Minor towns like Fang, Hat Yai, Hua Hin are usually rich in exotic beaches mostly frequented by Thais but attract tourists for exquisite boat rides. The towns manifest natural splendor, blue delectable mountains refulgent in the golden sunshine, ethereal of waterfalls and dimmed restaurants.

Chiang-Mai, popular known as the 'rose of the north' is Thailand.s second largest city. It not only displays abundance in food and fineries, trekking, boating and hiking but also in art and architecture, accessories of modern designs unnaturally contrasted with traffic-jams and pollutions.

Once in Chiang Mai, you should visit the following places:
-Wat Suan Bank, a beautiful Wat -Wat Chaing Man, an ancient relic of a Wat -The national museum and tribal research Center. -Elephant conservation center near Lampang to see the elephants getting trained. Lampang an ancient village is famous for its old fortress temple, Wat Lampang Luang and blue-white pottery. -Lamphaun to see Wat Chama Devi and a magnificent site of 60 Buddhas standing outside the structures. -Baw Sang where one can have glimpse of Lacquer ware and jade factories. Factories manufacturing woodcarvings, silverware handicraft products and ceramics can also be visited. -Mae Sai is attractive for its special puppet market and also for gems, specially sapphires and rubies. Chiang Mai areas are lonely and especially for people showered with exuberance. One should go for trekking of Golden Triangle, situated on the confluence of Thailand Myanmar and Laos. An elephant ride and river rafting makes it very exciting.

Khao Yai National Park is a huge park offering the rare sight of crystal clear waterfalls, rare species of tigers and bears, along with hiking and jungle safari on elephant backs.

Ko Chang, Ko Lanta and Ko-Pha-Ngan are Thailand.s islands, most famous after Phuket. The islands are lovely green and boasting pristine beaches, Gothic looming cliffs, eerie silence and manifestation of the wide blue expanse of ocean and sky meeting in a dramatic arch across the horizon.

Kanchanaburi
The infamous .Bridge on the River Kwai. has immortalized this place. Many Allied prisoners died during World War II building this legendary Death Railway. You can also make a short visit to the nearby museum to learn the history of the railroad's construction. A night.s stay at Kanchanburi can be a rewarding experience. A day trip to Erawan National Park in the middle of thick jungle surrounded by a series of small waterfalls descending a hill and flowing into numerous pools and puddles is the ideal place for a dip.

Krabi
This destination is catching the attention of the tourists recently for its 'Graveyard of Shells' (fossil beds near the sea). Krabi also has pleasant beaches and a fascinating botanical garden. The mountain high boulders jutting out from the turquoise sea is an unparallel view to anywhere in the world. The beaches in Krabi are getting crowded every day and especially in winter.

Pattaya
Pattaya is the second most visited place in Thailand after Bangkok. This resort was developed in 1968 and has emerged into a foremost tourist attraction. The 5-mile long beach is the hottest destination in Thailand. A good diving experience and marine life watching through the glass-bottomed boat off the nearby island of Ko Laan, Ko Lin and Ko Pa is a unique experience.