Regions of Thailand
Chiang Mai
The Rose of the North, Chiang Mai, lies in the heart of the mountains and jungles that are home to many colourful hill tribes. The region retains the charm and culture of old Siam with ancient cottage industries that produce hand worked pure silver, rich silks, and cotton, batiks, paper umbrellas, embroidery and teak furniture.
Chiang Rai
From Chiang Mai we offer 2-4 day trips to Chiang Rai (Chiang Rai is famous for the Golden Triangle in Chiang Saen district where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Burma converge, as well as its tasty lychees), as well as a number of local tours to visit the hill tribes. Golfers are also able to play on a number of quality courses.
Cuisine
Local culinary specialties include highly spiced Naem sausages and mildly curried Khao Soi noodles. Many visitors enjoy a traditional Khan Toke dinner which is accompanied by a display of northern dances. Diners eat with their hands while groups provide entertainment, performing popular Northern dances such as the graceful fingernail dance, the candle dance and the sword dance.
Climate
The climate of North Thailand is slightly different from (and more agreeable than) the climate of central and other parts of Thailand, mainly due to the region's elevation (300m, around 1000ft in the valleys). The cool season lasts from late October to the end of February. Average daytime temperature is 21° Celsius (70° Fahrenheit); nights are much cooler. The coolest months are December and January. The hot season is from early March to end of May.
River Kwai
Kanchanaburi is principally known, not only among war-historians and movie-buffs, as the site of the notorious Death Railway and the Bridge over the River Kwai.
Bangkok
The 'city of angels' is a bustling metropolis where east meets west. A city of towering office blocks and hotels and humble street stalls. Amidst the noise and confusion lie peaceful temples and palaces, the stunning architecture reflecting the kingdoms rich and fascinating past. A visit to the floating markets and the Grand Temple are a must, and even the most hardened of shoppers will find amazing bargains in the air-conditioned shopping malls.
The Old City Centre
The old city center is nestled into a bend of the Chao Phaya River that makes its boundary to the west, the northwest and the south. Most of the old architectural monuments of the capital lie in this area, among them the Grand Palace and a large number of the most interesting Wats (temples).
The Grand Palace
This city landmark should be the first place on any visitor's itinerary. It is a huge compound surrounded by high white walls and occupying an area of about 260 hectares (1sq mi). The palace consists of several buildings with highly decorated architectural details. The Royal Chapel, Wat Phra Kaeo, which is in the same compound, houses the Emerald Buddha, the most sacred Buddha image in Thailand.
The Sukhumvit Road
The Sukhumvit Road area is the largest modern tourism district of the Thai capital and also the area by far most preferred by foreign residents in Bangkok.
Pattaya
Just a couple of hours from Bangkok, Pattaya has something for everyone. Windsurfing, water-skiing, parasailing, swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, sailing, or trips to offshore coral islands by ferry, hydrofoil or hired boat. These along with sandy beaches, golf, shopping and great restaurants make this Thailands most popular beach resort. The legendary night life is a paradise for night owls and the beaches are perfect for those who are looking for a more relaxing holiday.
Inland
Away from the beaches and inland - orchid farms, orchards and botanical gardens; or horse-riding through the lush countryside to the many small villages in the hill country surrounding Pattaya. Other attractions include the Nong Nooch Village, the Elephant Village and Pattaya's Elephant Kraal, where one may watch trained elephants at work or performing for tourists.
The Pattaya Festival
The annual, week-long Pattaya Festival, (usually early April), is a celebration which includes parades, beauty contests, concerts, food festivals, fireworks and an exhaustive calendar of sporting events and contests.
Hua Hin
Hua Hin - a quaint seaside resort with an illustrious heritage. Hua Hin is a small town but a major resort in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, just 190 kilometers, or a 2½ hour drive from Bangkok. Hua Hin was once a very active little fishing port until King Rama VII chose to build his summer palace amidst the swaying palms fringing powdery white sands. Over the years Thai aristocracy followed suit and made this town their private haven from the hustle and bustle of city living.
While Pattaya and Phuket are resorts which chiefly attract foreign tourists, Hua Hin is distinctively a Thai destination. The towns charm lies in the small side streets packed with cafes and bars. A superb location for families and couples who want to enjoy the pleasures of the beach, world class golf, superb hotels all in a traditional atmosphere
Ko Samui
In an enchanting archipelago of 80 islands in the Gulf of Thailand you find Samui, a picture-postcard island in the sun. Discovered by backpackers in the 70's, Samui has retained its informal charm with accommodation mainly in bungalows besides the beach. Ideal for a relaxing break well away from the hustle and bustle. Ko Samui, with numerous lovely beaches and bays, measures some 21km (13mi) at its widest point and 25km (16mi) at its longest.
Besides beaches, other island attractions include the Hin Lut and Na Muang waterfalls, the phallic rock formations at the southern end of Lamai Bay, a massive seated Buddha image on Fan isle, and Naton, the island's major seafront settlement with shops, restaurants, tour agencies and hotels
Phuket
Phuket is Thailand's largest island, resting on the turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea, off the south-western coast of Thailand. The island is blessed with magnificent bays, powdery, palm-fringed white beaches, sparkling island-dotted seas, sincerely hospitable people, comfortable accommodation, superb seafood, tropically vegetated mountains, lovely waterfalls and parks, and delightful turn-of-the-century Indo/Portuguese & Chinese-influenced architecture which create an enchanting ambience.
The compact provincial town serves mainly as a shopping center. Splendid colonial-style residences built by late 19th-century tin and rubber barons and shops from the same period provide a distinctive character.
Climate
There are two seasons - the rainy season from May through October and the hot season from November through April. The best months are November through February. Year-round average temperatures range between 21° and 34° Celsius (70° and 93° Fahrenheit).