BRIDGE OVER THE RIVER KWAI

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Perhaps the best known attraction of Kanchanaburi, featured in world’s famous book and film, The Bridge on the River Kwai is part of the infamous Death Railway, spanning over Kwai Yai  River, built by the prisoners of the World War II under the supervision of Japanese Imperialism Army. The 415-kilometer railway was built to connect Thailand and Myanmar to secure supplies to the Japanese army during their Greater East-Asian War. It is called the Death Railway as it involved the death of too many people during the construction period, between September 16, 1942 and on 25 December 1943 when it completed. It is estimated that more than 16,000 war prisoners (POWs) from England, Australia, Holland and America, together with some 90,000 labors from Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia and Indonesia, died during the construction through experience a series bombing raids and cruelness of the Imperial Japanese Army.

The Bridge, together with the Death Railway, is now regarded as the significant symbol of peace, portraying that war is the great illusion that benefits no one. State Railway of Thailand now offers train travel trips along the Death Railway, running from Bangkok to Noktok Station, on weekends and public holidays. You can also take a walk to cross the bridge on foot, too.

SUKHOTHAI HISTORICAL PARK OR OLD SUKHOTHAI CITY

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A visit to Sukhothai wouldn’t complete without a visit to the historical site of the ancient Sukhothai City, to discover the history of the former capital city of Siam. The 70-square-meter park houses remaining structures of what used to be palaces, temples and homes. If you don’t have the whole day to explore the area, don’t miss to gaze the beauty of main attractions such as Wat Mahathat and Wat Si Chum and imagine to its glory days. 

Opening hours:Daily 6am-9pm

Admission: 150 baht

Damnern Saduak Floating Market + Elephant & Crocodile Farm and Show

Damnern Saduak Floating Market

Only in Thailand you can see the floating Market .An exhilarating narrow long tailed speed boat ride through the small canal pass,Thai Houses and their- Vegetable's Farm,Flower's Farm,Fruit's Farm. At Floating Market with the Thai slyle canoes laden with colourful ,succulent fruits,vegetable sweet and meats,genly ply their way through the canal. Water has always been a major part of Thai Life. 

Sampran Elephant & Crocodile Show

For the first time ever. An elephant show complete with dramatic sound and narration. Be entertain to a host of shows and demonstra tions of elephant at work and at play. See for yourself how elephants are rounded up and used during battles in ancient Siam amidst a historical background. A most memorable entertainment will be the mockup battle of the mighty war between King Naraesuan. The Great and The Burmese Prince where elephants were used by both armies. 

Koh Samui

 

            Koh Samui The 247-square-kilometre Samui island is Surat Thani's major tourist attraction. Located 258 nautical miles south of Bangkok, and some 84 kilometres east of the provincial capital, Koh Samui measures some 21 kilometres at its widest point, and 25 kilometres at its longest. A 51-kilometre ring and largely coastal road encircles the island, which has numerous lovely beaches and bays, and is almost literally an island of coconuts and forested hills. 

 

Samui's best beaches line the northern and eastern coasts, the most popular being Hat Chaweng and Hat Lamai, where generally attractive accommodation can be found. Other beaches include Hat Choeng Mon, Hat Mae Nam in the north and Hat Na Thon, the island's major seafront settlement where shops, restaurants and tour agencies are concentrated. At the southern end of Lamai Bay are phallic rock formations called Hin Ta Hin Yai. A path connects the three waterfalls, called Namtok Hin Lat, Namtok Lat Wanon, and Namtok Na Muang, from west to south. The waterfalls are best visited during rainy season. Elephant riding is an interesting activity at the Na Muang waterfall. There are some Buddhist monuments and temples on the island: Phra Yai is a massive seated Buddha image at Fan isle; Phrathat Hin Ngu is a stupa containing the Buddha’s relics and Chedi Laem So, a golden stupa on the western coast; and Wat Khunaram houses the dead body of Luang Pho Daeng which does not decay.

Koh Lan

      Pattaya has a number of islands in its vicinity of which “Koh Lan” is the largest. The island is somewhat an extension of the mainland activities, featuring water sports such as diving snorkeling, windsurfing, waterskiing and para-sending. A key attraction is boats sailing around the island for sightseeing purposes. Some of the boats have glass bottoms enabling passengers to see coral and marine life at the bottom of the sea.

 

   The island has a number of beaches, the main beach hosting a number of excellent seafood restaurants selling dishes made from freshly caught seafood. The area also features deep sea fishing boats around Koh Lan’s neighbours, Koh Krok and Koh Sak.

Phi Phi Island

  The Phi Phi islands are located about 45 Km southeast from Phuket, 42 km south of Krabi Town and 40 km from Ao Nang Beach. They can be reached in between 1 to 3 hours depending on the type of boat you choose. Boats leave from Phuket, Ao Nang and the Chao Fa Pier in Krabi Town on a daily basis.

 

The name 'Phi Phi' is derived from Malay, and the original was Pulao Pi ah Pi, where in pulao is the Malay word for island , and Pi, pronounced with a soft 'p' sound, was very close in pronunciation to the English word 'bee'; the ah was dropped, so the name was said something like Bee Bee.

 

Later the p was pronounced with a stronger aspiration and the name became the Phi Phi (Pee Pee) we know today. The name originally referred to the mangrove wood found there.

 

There are 6 islands in the Phi Phi group; Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Ley, Bida Nok, Bida Nai, Koh Yung, and Koh Phai; total land area is 42 square kilometers. The islands were declared a National Park in 1983, and development is limited to Koh Phi Phi Don only. All other islands are uninhabited.

 

Yung Island lies to the north of Phi Phi Don. there is a rocky beach on the east side, and a smaller strand of sand in a fold of the hill. Many beautiful and various corals are found there. Good for shallow snorkeling.

 

Phai Island lies also to the north of Phi Phi Don, not far from Koh Yung . Sandy beaches are on the north and east sides of the island. Broad coral reefs stretch away into the south.

 

Phi Phi Don Island covers a total area of 28 square kilometers: 8 km in length and 3.5 km at its broadest point. At the north end is Cape Laem Tohng, where there is a Chao Ley, or sea gipsy village. These sea gipsies emigrated from Koh Lipeh in Tarutao National Park, near the border with Malaysia and lived on the islands long before tourism arrived. There are two long beaches next to the main town - the two curving bays of Ton Sai and Loh Dalam. The town was hit hard by the tsunami on December 26th 2004, but now things are all back to normal.

CHIANG MAI ZOO

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 Over 200 types of Asian and African mammals can be found in this striking landscape, here at Chiang Mai Zoo. This family-must-visit attraction can be found at Doi Suthep foothills, just next to the beautiful Huay Kaew Arboretum. Say hello to the China Panda Family Ambassador to Thailand, Linping, Lin Hui, and Chuang Chaung at the Panda House. Follow by immersing yourself in Asia’s longest 133-meter underwater tunnel at the newly aquarium where you will discover rare sea and river fish from northern regions including Khong River Basin, Amazon River Basin, the mangrove. Don’t miss, Nakhon Ping Bird Aviary, the spacious walk-in aviary named the largest one of Thailand where you will explore vast array of more than 132 local and international bird species with the scenic view of waterfall. Don’t have the whole day to spend here? The zoo offers tram service for sightseeing trip with informative live guide about the zoo and its highlights. Or traverse the zoo with the bird’s eye view on the mono rail which stops in the 4 highlight attractions. Enjoy family meal time with open-air deck seating restaurant right by the stunning waterfall.

Open daily from 8 AM to 7 PM. Ever wonder what the zoo is like at night? Visit the mysterious Twilight Zoo, from 6 PM to 9 PM. And if all of these make you want to stay here day and night, the zoo camping site may well suit your fancy.

Opening hours: Daily 08.00 AM – 09.00 PM

Admission: 100 THB for adults and 20 THB for children.

THE GRAND PALACE

ATTRACTION DETAILS

Probably the most visited and remembered landmark of Thailand, The Grand Palace in Bangkok is where every visitor must pay a visit at least once in their lifetime. The construction of the Grand Palace began in 1782 during the reign of King Rama I, the founder of Chakri Dynasty, to become a royal residence, and it has been the utmost architectural symbol of Thailand ever since. The Grand Palace served as a significant royal residence until 1925 and is now used for ceremonial purposes only.

The Grand Palace is divided into three main zones: The Outer Court, home to royal offices, public buildings and the Temple of Emerald Buddha; the Middle Court, which is where the most important residential and state buildings are; and the Inner Court, which is exclusively reserved for the king, his queen and his consorts.

The major attraction of the Outer Court is the Temple of Emerald Buddha, the residence of Thailand’s most sacred Buddhist sculpture: Phra Kaeo Morakot (the Emerald Buddha), which was carved from flawless green jade, situated amid gold-gilded sculptures and ornaments, and fresco paintings of the main ordination hall.

Situated at the center of the Middle Court is Chakri Mahaprasat Throne Hall which was ordered by King Rama V to become his residence and a major throne hall. The construction began in 1876 and completed in 1882, revealing an outstanding architectural-style combining European structure and traditional Thai roof tiles and spires. The interior sees sophisticated decorations  inspired by European renaissance era, adorned with royal portraits of Chakri Dynasty’s monarchs. The building now only serves state functions and royal ceremonies.

At the far right of the Middle Court is Borom Phiman Mansion, which was also constructed during the reign of King Rama V in neo-renaissance style to become the residence of the crown prince. This most modern architecture within the Grand Palace compound later became the occasional residence of three succeeding kings. The mansion is not open to public and currently served as the official accommodation for visiting heads of state. Borom Phiman Mansion is part of Sivalai Garden complex, where the office of the Royal Household Bureau is. The garden was a recreation area for the royal women and children and is now used for receptions.

Sat between Sivalai Garden and Chakri Mahaprasat Throne Hall is Maha Monthien Prasat complex, home to the Audience Hall of Amarin Winitchai where royal ceremonies usually take place. While on the far left is Dusit Mahaprasat Thone Hall, which is an ideal archetype of traditional Thai architecture.

Getting there: One of the easiest, and most pleasurable, ways is taking the BTS skytrain to Saphan Taksin station, located atop Sathorn “Central” Pier. From here, take a Chao Phraya River Express boat to Chang Pier, and then it’s a short walk to the Grand Palace’s main entrance.

Opening hours:  Open daily from 8:30am to 3:30pm except during special royal ceremonies.

Entrance fee: 500 Baht, inclusive of access to Wat Phra Kaeo, The Royal Thai Decorations & Coins Pavilion and Queen Sirikit Museum of Textile, which are located within the Grand Palace compound, and to Vimanmek Mansion Museum on Ratchawithi Road. Additional 100 Baht for a rental personal audio guide in English, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Japanese or Mandarin.  

Dress code: Visitors are required to dress appropriately. These following clothes are strictly not allowed as outer garments for both ladies and gentlemen:

1.       Shorts, mini-skirts, short skirts, tight fitting trousers, and tights

2.       See-through shirts and blouses, as well as culottes or quarter length trousers

3.       Sleeveless shirts or vests

4.       Sandals (without ankle or heel straps)

5.       Rolled-up-sleeved shirts

6.       Sweatshirts and sweatpants, wind-cheaters, pajamas and fisherman trousers

Pattaya

 Pattaya 

         Pattaya not only is a top attraction in Thailand, but its reputation has also been spread all over the world. This is because there are a number of natural attractions in Pattaya, such as Pattaya Beach, Jomtien beach, Koh Larn, Silverlake winery, and so on. Apart from these natural attractions, there are also night clubs, a broad range of restaurants, sports and water activities, and traditional shows. It is therefore not surprisingly to see numerous numbers of visitors travelling Pattaya, especially in October to March where it is as the peak season.    

         There is a story for the reason why this city is named Pattaya. In 1767, before the second fall of the Thailand former capital, Ayuthaya, to Burmese, Phraya Kampangpetch named Tak Sin (became King Tak Sin later) believed that weak army in the former capital could not win the war from Burmese during that time. Then he, Phraya Kampangpetch, gather Thai soldiers to fight for heading southeast of Thailand in order to develop a new strategy and collect more soldiers to fight back Burmese army. 

 

           On the way of heading to Chanthaburi, he made a decision to let the troop stay at the current location of Pattaya. However, Phraya Kampangpetch then encounters with the troop of Nai Glom, who tried to intercept him. Surprisingly, Phraya Kampangpetch was riding a fighting elephant followed by his troop to head to the middle of the troop of Nai Glom in order to frighten the opponent. When Nai Glom met face to face with Phraya Kampangpetch, he then chose to surrender without a fight because of a respect in Phraya Kampangpetch’s manner and his army conformity. 

Chiang Mai Night Bazaar

Chiang Mai Night Bazaar 

           Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, or Kad Luang (Royal Market) as it is known by locals, is one of Chiang Mai's biggest draws. Located right in the centre of the city on Ping River, it is easily accessible and if you are in Chiang Mai a visit is almost obligatory.

 

The market attracts huge crowds every evening and it is a great place to pick up trinkets and gifts. Given the market’s close proximity to the companies that manufacture them, the price of local handicrafts is attractively cheap here.

 

The market has huge arcades which hold a multitude of shops and stalls. The place is so packed that stalls actually spill over onto the footpaths around the market. It’s a big place to wander around, and you should put away at least a couple of hours to do it.

 

Aside from local handicrafts, you can buy virtually anything you can think of at the market - watches, silk, jewelry and more high-tech items like TVs and DVD plays and CDs. As with many markets, the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar also offers some of the best street food you are likely to come across.

 

Catering for the large number of foreigners visiting, the bazaar also offers camera shops, travel agents and Internet cafes. Be prepared to bargain - to get the best price you will have to. One service the bazaar offers that seems eternally popular is portrait paintings from photos. Alternatively, have your portrait painted in Thai costume!