Thailand is known for its tropical beaches, beautiful royal palaces, ancient ruins and extravagant temples displaying figures of Buddha. Each year sixteen million foreigners travel into Thailand. Despite the large amount of travelers each year Thailand has been able to maintain its own rich heritage. While most pictures of Thailand are of high rises and neon lights, the typical community a farming or fishing village. In between those neon lights and high rises there are many golden temples and traffic jams mixed with early morning ceremonies. Known as the “Big Mango” there are so many different places to explore.
Banglamphu District
This is where the budget travelers flock too. This area is a great introduction to Bangkok and Thailand in general. There is lots of Thailand Mansions, food, massages, and things to see around the area. You can start your trip here for a few days, then maybe stay around the siam area to do a bit of shopping and get around on the BTS for more sightseeing and easier access to other parts of Bangkok. Make sure you take a boat trip along the canal as it is the best way to see this area.
Downtown Bangkok
Bangkok is by far the largest city in Bangkok with over 11 million inhabitants. Its high-rise buildings, heavy traffic congestion, Intense Humidity and the crazy nightlife may not immediately give off the best impression, however do not let that mislead you. Bangkok is one of Asia’s most cosmopolitan cities with extravagant temples and pricey palaces, canals, busy markets, and a vibrant nightlife that has something for everyone.
Phanom Rung
Phanom Rung is a Hindu shrine that sits on an extinct volcano that is located in northeast Thailand. This temple was built by the Khmer culture between the 13th and 14th centuries which was dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. What makes this interesting is that it is built with sandstone and laterite and even more interesting is that the shrine faces east. Only four times a year the sun will shine through all fifteen doorways. Now it is a park with dusk to dawn hours but during this time they do extend them as there is a huge festival to celebrate this event.
Railay
You can only get to Railay by boat as it cuts itself off from the mainland due to all of the high limestone cliffs. Besides for during the rainy season you can see tourists from all over rock climbing these cliffs. Most people go to Railay for the beautiful beaches and the quietness compared to the city. Now it has been taken over by many hotels but at the same time it does not change the beauty of this area. Most of the hotels are hidden by trees or built in the middle of these beautiful gardens.
Ayuthaya
Ayithaya is located just under 100 kilometers from Bankok. Upon entering this area the first thing you do is walk among blackened brick and plaster ruins which are all reminders of the Burmese raid. Next you will see the famous image of Buddha’s head entwined in fig leaves. Just remember that if you want to take a picture with it you need to crouch as no one should be higher than the Buddha.
If you want to see a more relaxed and smiling Buddha you need to go to Phra Mongkon Bophit. This statue is extremely large at thirty seven meters long and eight meters high. His head rests on a lotus bud and the skin looks shiny because of gold leaf bearing visitors. If your trying to see some history this is the place to go!
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai attracts digital nomads from all over the world. It’s known for being cheap and to have exceptional internet connection compared to other areas in Thailand. What makes this city beautiful is that it is surrounded by mountains on all ends. Nonetheless, Chiang Mai is a large and culturally significant city where historical and modern traditions are able to coexist. The most famous of these temples, Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, is outside Chiang Mai on top of a majestic mountainside that overlooks the city.
The Thailand Islands
Thailand is home to dozens of beautiful islands that can rival any other country. If your looking for those turquoise waters and sparkling white sand then you need to make sure you visit Ko Kood. Ko Kood is the fourth largest island in Thailand and is meant for nature lovers and beach bums. This island is natural and not as developed as others. If you venture off the beaches you can find yourself in a tropical rain forest. On the other hand there are also many rubber plantations and palm groves. If you are trying to explore the island make sure you do it by kayak.
Thailand is such a large country at almost two hundred thousand square miles which makes it the fiftieth largest country in the world with sixty nine million people. It is bordered to the north by Myanmar and to the east by laos and Cambodia. In the 1990’s they became a newly industrialized country and a major exporter. Thailand was under the rule of the Khmer Empire, and they had strong Hindu roots and there influence among Thais remains even today. Just remember that the name of each province’s capital city is the same as that of the province.
