There
are 26 provinces that make up Central
and Eastern Thailand, and Bangkok
is one of them. Geographically, this is Thailand’s
heartland, extending from Lop Buri in the north and covering
the rice bowl of the Central Plains around the Chao Phraya
River. Further south, the area embraces the east and west
coasts of the upper Gulf of Thailand.
This is Thailand’s most fertile farming area, a wide-ranging
landscape of paddy fields, orchards and plantations. More
than 1,000 years ago Thai settlers moved down from the north,
gradually replacing Mon and Khmer influences and establishing
communities at LopBuri
then at Sukhothai, before
founding a kingdom that lasted 417 years with Ayutthaya
as its capital. When the Burmese destroyed Ayutthaya
in 1767, the capital moved to Bangkok.
The
Central region has a dramatic history, and its heritage
of ancient temples, battlefields and ruins and two capitals,
Ayutthaya and Bangkok,
are a continuing fascination for visitors. The east and
west sea coasts at the region’s southern end also draw
huge numbers of visitors every year. Bangkok
residents spend long weekends enjoying the relaxing seaside
atmosphere, while holiday-makers from around the world to
discover the delights of the tropical beach life.
On the eastern side, 400 kilometres of coastline extend
from Chon Buri to Rayong
with some of the finest beaches in Asia. Pattaya,
with an enormous range of resorts, hotels and guesthouses,
is its centre. If you are seeking a more relaxing experience,
travel further down the coast to Rayong
or Ko Samet, and the lovely islands of Ko
Chang National Park near the Cambodian border.
On the west coast, the resorts of Cha-am and Hua
Hin attract international travellers who prefer their
more sophisticated yet laid-back atmosphere.
Far from the sea in the northwest of the region is Kanchanaburi,
whose forested mountains, waterfalls and caves, national
parks and wildlife sanctuaries on the border with Myanmar
provide some of Thailand’s most enthralling scenery.
| Central &
East Coast
Ang
Thong, Ayutthaya,
Bangkok,
Chachoengsao,
Chainat,
Chantaburi,
Chonburi,
Pattaya,
Kanchanaburi,
Lopburi,
Nakhon
Nayok, Nakhon
Pathom,
Nonthaburi, Pathumthani,
Phetchaburi,
Prachinburi,
Prachuap
Khiri Khan, Hua
Hin, Cha Am, Rachaburi,
Rayong,
Sakaeo,
Samut
Prakan, Samut
Sakhon, Samut
Songkhram,
Saraburi,
Singburi,
Suphanburi, Trat,
Koh
Chang |
Thailand's
exuberant and exhilarating, capital city is home to nearly
10 million people and one of the most amazing cities you
will ever encounter. Over the last 20 years the city has
expanded rapidly presenting a kaleidoscope of contrasts,
moods and colour. The glittering temples and Royal palaces,
the gleaming glass office blocks, the hustle and bustle,
the traffic, the tropical heat........
Founded in 1782, the the charm and peace of Old Bangkok
can still be seen in teak houses, the busy Chao Phraya river
- the heart of the city, and the canals and traditional
markets which still reflect a lifestyle evident before air-conditioned
shopping malls arrived.
One of the great attractions of Bangkok is that traditional
and modern still manage to sit side by side in this incredible
and vibrant city. The choice of things to do is overwhelming,
you can plan your own tours of the different sights. Ride
a local boat on the river, or travel on the new "Skytrain."
Learn Thai cooking or traditional massage, study meditation
at some of the greatest places of Buddhist learning, bargain
at noisy sprawling Asian markets or stroll through upmarket
shopping malls. Not an obvious place to visit for a rest!
Yet Bangkok offers great food, great nightlife, superb shopping
and the best value hotels in the world.
A
large agricultural province, Chon
Buri is rapidly industrialising thanks to the government's
Eastern Seaboard Development Project. However, the province
is more famous for its coastal attractions, having the closest
beaches to Bangkok.
Pattaya is Thailand's
busiest beach resort, with a wide range of accommodation,
restaurants and shopping centres lining Pattaya
and Jomtien beaches, as well as a very lively nightlife.
It is also one of the country's biggest diving centres,
with high quality dive shops taking clients to offshore
wrecks and coral beds at the nearby islands. There are close
to 20 golf courses throughout the province, and you can
also go sailing, windsurfing, go-karting, play tennis, ride
elephants or try all manner of activities on land and sea.
Popular attractions around Pattaya
include the offshore islands, particularly Larn island with
its clear waters and coral beds; Khao Khieo Open Zoo with
a wide range of wildlife wandering its 2,000 acres; Si Racha
Tiger Farm combines the sights of a tiger-breeding facility,
crocodile farm, scorpion farm and daily performances.
To the south is Nong Nooch Village, a botanical gardens
famous for its orchids and palms, which also puts on daily
cultural and elephant show. Wat Yansangawaram is a royal
sponsored temple with numerous pavilions of different national
designs. Highly popular is the Chinese Pavilion housing
antiques and art objects Bang Saray, a fishing village with
numerous good seafood restaurants around its pier, is the
centre of the province's sports fishing activities.
Kanchanaburi
is an elongated province that borders Myanmar to the west,
packed with national parks, rivers, dams and wonderful scenery.
However, it is the events of World War n that has driven
the tourism industry, most notably the building of Death
Railway and the famous bridge portrayed in the film The
Bridge Over the River Kwai. Each December it is the site
of a spectacular light and sound show depicting its history
and bombing.
An estimated 16,000 PoWs died building the railway from
Thailand to Myanmar, and their remains are buried in two
well-kept war cemeteries in town. The JEATH War Museum is
a reconstructed PoW detention hut, with photos and relics
showing how they lived and died. At Hellfire, 80 kilometres
outside town, the Australians have built a second fascinating
museum, while the pass itself is a haunting tribute. Steam
trains run the route from Kanchanaburi
to Namtok, along rickety cliffside trellises, giving visitors
a feel for the old railway line.
For history buffs, Prasat Muang Singh represents the western
outpost of the Khmer empire, whose stone ruins have been
renovated into a pleasant green park.
Further to the north, Erawan and Than Lot national parks
contain beautiful waterfalls, caves, wonderful scenery and
plenty of wildlife. While the Sri Nakharin and Khao Laem
dams have formed huge reservoirs with resorts and raft-houses
lining the shores, popular with visitors who want to enjoy
the natural surroundings.
From
1350 to 1767, Ayutthaya
served as the capital of Thailand and as its cultural centre,
until it was sacked by the Burmese. The remains of this
island city are of extreme archaeological importance and
restoration has been extensive. Today it is a historical
park and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Chao Sam Phraya National Museum contains many relics rescued
from the ruins, including gold items buried in temples.
Ayutthaya Historical Study Centre researches the period
when Ayutthaya was the capital.
The park is strewn with ruins of palaces, temples, and
monuments. Wat Phra Si Sanphet was the "largest in
its day, within the royal palace compound. The line of three
chedis, containing the ashes of the first three kings, is
in the style now known as Ayutthayan.
During excavations of Wat Phra Mahathat and Wat Ratburana,
the Fine Arts Department found treasure chests containing
priceless objects including gold Buddhas, jewels, royal
regalia, etc, which are now housed in Bangkok's National
Museum.
Rayong
is famous for Sun thorn Phu, Thailand's most notable poet,
with a picturesque park in his honour, and for its great
fruit orchards. Come May and June, the province is awash
in succulent pomelo, rambutan, durian and jackfruit.
Most people head for Samet island, renowned for its white
sandy beaches, irreglilar shaped rocks and clear waters.
Part of a marine national park, the island's beaches are
clean and relaxing along the East Coast, with Sai Kaeo and
Wong Duan the most popular. The island has bungalow accommodation
and restaurants, with good diving at its southern tip.
Boats for the island leave regularly from the fishing
village of Ban Phe, where Sopha Botanical Gardens has a
great variety of trees and plants, plus some pleasant old
Thai houses. The long stretch of Mae Ramphung Beach with
a gentle slope makes it a popular place to relax.
On the border with Chanthaburi, Khao Chamao-Khao Wong
National Park contains two forested mountains, with many
waterfalls and caves, that connects to Khao Soi Dao Wildlife
Sanctuary.
Like Chanthaburi, there is a lively gem trading scene
in Trat. Otherwise its location right up against the Cambodian
border kept the province rather isolated from tourism, until
travellers discovered the beauty of its offshore islands.
Ko Chang National Park
includes 52 islands, with Chang
island itself the main draw. The island is covered with
dense jungle and steep mountains, ideal for trekking and
mountain biking. Beautiful waterfalls on the island include
Khlong Phlu and Than Mayom. However, it is the magnifi
 Choose
your province & destination |
|
|
| Central
& East |
Ang
Thong, Ayutthaya,
Bangkok,
Chachoengsao,
Chainat,
Chantaburi,
Chonburi,
Pattaya,
Kanchanaburi,
Lopburi,
Nakhon
Nayok, Nakhon
Pathom,
Nonthaburi, Pathumthani,
Phetchaburi,
Prachinburi,
Prachuap
Khiri Khan, Hua
Hin, Cha Am, Rachaburi,
Rayong,
Sakaeo,
Samut
Prakan, Samut
Sakhon, Samut
Songkhram,
Saraburi,
Singburi,
Suphanburi, Trat,
Koh Chang |
| Northeast |
Amnat
Charoen, Buriram,
Chaiyaphum,
Kalasin,
Khon
Kaen, Loei,
Maha
Sarakham, Mukdahan,
Nakhon
Phanom, Nakhon
Ratchasima, Nong
Khai, Nongbua
Lamphun, Roi-Et,
Sakhon
Nakhon, Si
Sa Ket, Surin,
Ubon
Ratchathani,
Udon Thani,
Yasothon |
| North |
Chiang
Mai, Chiang
Rai, Kamphaeng
Phet, Lampang,
Lamphun,
Mae
Hong Son, Nakhon
Sawan, Nan,
Phayao,
Phrae,
Phetchabun,
Phichit,
Phitsanulok,
Sukhothai,
Tak,
Uthai
Thani, Uttaradit |
| South |
Chumpon,
Krabi,
Phi Phi Island,
Koh Lanta,
Nakorn
Si Thamarat,
Narathiwat,
Pattani, Phangnga,
Khao Lak,
Phattalung,
Phuket,
Ranong,
Satun,
Songkhla,
Surat
Thani, Koh
Samui, Koh
Tao, Koh
Phangan, Trang,
Yala |
