Central Thailand Travel Information
Central Region consists of 22 provinces(Changwats): Ang Thong, Bangkok, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat, Kanchanaburi, Lop Buri, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phetchaburi, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Prachinburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ratchaburi, Sakaeo, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Saraburi, Sing Buri and Suphan Buri, which are located in a fertile basin having most rice farming and regarded as a rice bowl of the country.
Central Region is a land of civilization originating from the pre-historic era and had been developing continuously till Ayutthaya and Ratanakosin periods. Besides being the country's most fertile land on rice growing, the central region is also famous for its tourist attraction places, which are lied prominently on natural resources and the historic ancient remains. The prior mentioned is thick forests, high falls, caves and sea beaches, while the later is ancient ruin temples or palaces, historical places etc. In addition, central region is also the center of national communications, thus, causing it a center of tourism, which is to be decentralized to other regions too.
Southern Thailand Travel Information
Southern Thailand consists of 14 provinces (Changwats) : Chumphol, Krabi (Koh Phi Phi), Ranong, Surat Thani (Koh Tao), Phangnga, Phuket, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phattalung, Songkhla, Satun, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat, The region is located on the peninsula between the Andaman Sea of the Indian Ocean to the east and the South China Sea of the Pacific Ocean to the East. Southern region has a richly varied topography, including basin areas for cultivation of paddy and vegetables, wild jungles, mountains, beaches, seaside resorts, waterfalls, caves, parks, lake and many islands of all sizes, offering spectacular scenery throughout.
Eastern Thailand Travel Information
Thailand's East Coast unfolding some 500 kilometres from the south of the Chao Phraya river to the Cambodian border, is dotted with beach resorts for all seasons. Pride of the coast is Pattaya, the Kingdom 's most developed beach destination. For vacationer who prefers a more traditional style resort holiday, there is a wide choice of quieter spots, ranging from the long sandy stretches of Rayong to offshore islands Koh Chang (Elephant Island)and Koh Samet (Samet Island).
Besides its varied beaches, the East Coast has the added advantage of being within easy reach of Bangkok. Pattaya is less than a two-hour drive from the capital along a modern highway. Other resorts are equally accessible. And it is not only the beach which is close to hand, the East Coast also boasts a number of superb international-standard golf courses, making the region a prime attraction for the golfer and for the seeker of sun, sea and sand.
Northern Thailand Travel Information
Thailand northern region comprises 17 Changwats(provinces); they are : Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Kamphaeng Phet, Lampang, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Nakhon Sawan, Nan, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phare, Sukhothai, Tak, Uthai Thani and Uttaradit. It occupies an approximate area of 170,000 square kilometers or the equivalent of 106 millions rai, bordering on the territories of Loas and Myanmar.
The north is the home of Thailand's earliest civilization and is famouse for its beautiful woman, and hospitable and courteous people, as well as many sites of archaeological and cultural interest such as the Ancient City of Sukhothai, the first capital of Thailand some 700 years ago; Buddha's Relics at Wat Doi Suthep of Chiang Mai, a highly revered place for northerners; Phra Buddha Chinarat, said to be the most beautiful buddha image in Thailand, at Wat Phra Si Ratana-Mahathat in Phisanulok. The largest dam in Thailand, and the world's seventh largest, the Bhumibol Dam in Tak.
In addition, the northern region is the home to Thailand's many colorful hill tribal people such as the Lahu of Tak and the Yoa, Akha, Karen, Hmong, and Lisu tribes of the Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai mountain regions.
The North is also noted for its rich cultural traditions and many tourists from the surrounding providinces flock to Chiang Mai for the annual Songkran Festival, and to Sukhothai for Loi Krathong.
The North is accessible by the good network of highways in the region itself and inter regional highways. Trains run from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and there are flights operated by the Thai Airways International Ltd - from Bangkok to Phisanulok, Phrae, Nan, Lampang, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Tak, Mae Sot and Mae Hong Son.
Northeast Thailand Travel Information
The Northeast of Thailand, commonly referred to as I-san (pronounce as E-San), is made up of nineteen provinces : Amnat Charoen, Buri Ram, Chaiyaphum, Kalasin, Khon Kaen, Loei, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Ratchasima ( Khorat), Nakhon Phanom, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Nong Khai, Roi Et, Sakon Nakhon, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani and Yasothon. The word I-san denote vastness, which is appropriate considering that the Northeast covers a total area of more than 170,000 sq.kms., or roughly one- third of the entire country. It boders with Laos and Cambodia. I-san is noted for being the center of age-old civilization and customs dating back to pre-historic time and to the period when the Khmer people held sway in the region. Relics and monuments still stand, attesting to the splendors and majesty of the ancient era. The Phra That Phanom in Nakhon Phanom, the Prasat Hin Khao Phanom Rung in Burl Ram and the Prasat Hin Phimai in Khorat are some of the most important and interesting structures in the area.
The Ban Chiang village in U-don Thani, where remains of prehistoric skeletons and tools have been discovered,serves as a most concrete evidence of a Bronze age civilization 5,000 to 7,000 years ago. The Northeast's ancient traditions and customs are still reflected in fairs and festivals found nowhere else in the country. These include the colorful Bun Bang Fai (rocket festival), the Candle Procession and the Wax Castle Festival.
Folk performances of the region are both delightful and symbolic, including the Pong Lang, Khaen, Soeng Kratip, Rabam Fat Khao, for example.Because the majority of the land is sandy which rapidly absorbs water, no less than eight dams have been constructed to regulate water flow. The high level of salinity of the soil in certain areas is such that salt can be extracted for commercial purposes.The major river of I-san is the Mun comparable in importance to the Chao Phraya of the Central Plain and the Tapi of the South.Probably the most well-known local products of the Northeast are the world-famous Matmee silk manufactured in most provinces, wickerware, earthenware and edible items such as sausages, MU Yong and Mu Phaen (processed pork in thin ribbons or slices).
