Thailand is an incredibly diverse country with numerous cultural, historical and natural sites located in every corner of its territory. In order to fully appreciate its beauties, route planning will largely depend on how long you are staying and what means of transportation you are planning on using. Shorter routes are usually based on exploring a certain region, while staying for 2 or more weeks allows you to experience the true essence of Thailand - from the northern mountains to the sandy beaches of the south. Here are a few itineraries for all those uncertain of what they can expect to see in Thailand.
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| Ananta Samakhon, Bangkok |
Having just a few days to explore Bangkok may be a bit too overwhelming for first-timers due to city's sheer abundance of cultural sites. Below are some of the most prominent Bangkok must-sees that will leave no visitor disappointed. Thailand is famous for its natural beauties in terms of large orchid growing areas throughout the country. Thais love flowers and their highly careful cultivation sometimes borders on obsession. The Bangkok flower market (Pak Klong Talard) is the showcase of numerous beautiful orchid species and the biggest fresh flower market in Bangkok metropolitan area. Every evening the Pak Klong pavement turns into a colorful and fragrant row of vendors, where numerous flowers from all parts of Thailand are traded. China Town is located in the Yaowarat road and was built during the reign of King Rama V. This kilometer and a half long street is one of the oldest districts in Bangkok and is home to one of the most prominent tourist attractions - the famous Wat Traimit (The Temple of Golden Buddha). Although the statue bearing the same name does not look attractive at first, most tourist are utterly surprised when they hear that Buddha is made of five and a half tones of gold. Besides being the oldest district, the Ko Rattanakosin is home to some of the most prominent cultural and historical sites in Bangkok. Two of the most prominent Bangkok temples are Wat Pho and Wat Phra Kaew, situated in the area. These sites are a tip of the iceberg in terms of must-see tourist attractions. The official center of Bangkok is located northeast of the Wat Phra Kaew and it is believed that this foundation stone has the power to grant wishes and, therefore, receives great attention from locals and tourists.
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| Moat surrounding the town of Chiang |
Itinerary no. 1 - Thai culture: If you are traveling to Thailand for a week or two and want to get a deeper insight into Thai millennial culture, this route is a perfect way to see both Thailand in its full length from northern mountains all the way to the south, and to enjoy everything Thailand has to offer in terms of its unfailing religious and folklore heritage. If you have more spare time on your hand, additional stops will enrich your stay in Thailand to the point of perfection. It is highly recommended that you stay in Bangkok for a night or two upon your arrival (see Bangkok route for details). After you have had enough of the city lights, take a minibus to Kanchanaburi - you should be there in approximately two hours. Many smaller tourist agencies provide this service and the fare should not cost you more than 100 baht. Kanchanaburi is a beautiful small town where you can rent a room overlooking the River Kwai. Tourist attractions range from a charming war museum to the seven-tiered Erawan waterfall and the bridge over the Kwai River. Your next stop will be Chiang Mai. The best way of traveling is to take an overnight train and the trip will last approximately ten hours. Chiang Mai is a northern province of Thailand where a breathtaking combination of valleys, mountains and rivers once had an important historical role of being the crossroads of many civilizations. This beautiful historical town is surrounded by a fosse and offers a rich cultural heritage carefully preserved for centuries. Among many wats, there are a few that should not be missed. The impressive Lanna architecture can be seen in the famous Wat Phra Singh, which is the most prominent temple in the region, both religiously and touristically. The oldest temple is the Wat Chang Ma, a perfect example of typical Thai religious architecture with impressive teak pillars in its interior. Your next stop should be the nearby Chiang Rai, often 'sold' to tourists as a 'gateway to the Golden Triangle', where the boundaries of the three countries (Thailand, Burma and Laos) meet to produce a breathtaking scenery. There are a lot of wats in the town, along with an interesting museum that offers visitors a presentation of hill tribes and their way of life. From Chiang Rai you can catch a train to Bangkok, or take the sleeper train from Phitsanulok back to Bangkok.
Itinerary no. 2 - soaking up sunny atmosphere on Thai beaches: This route will help you choose among endless miles of breathtaking Thai beaches, but first you have to decide whether you want to visit the western or the southeastern part of Thailand. Either way, upon your arrival to Bangkok, book an overnight train heading either to Krabi (for western beaches) or to Surat Thani (to visit the island in the southeast). Whichever destination you choose, numerous boats will await you in the vicinity of the train station to take you there.
Krabi is a small provincial capital of the region, situated some 1,000 kilometers far away from Bangkok. Though it is not a top priority on many tourists' must-see lists, this charming little town deserves attention. Excellent food, warm local hospitality and lack of chaotic and noisy big-city surroundings, Krabi is a town that offers a healthy and soothing alternative to all tourists who find Bangkok a bit too consuming. Among many western Thai beaches, Railey beach is one of those that offer not only sand and crystal clear turquoise sea, but breathtaking surrounding as well. Cliffs are the most prominent natural wonders of the region and various tourist agencies organize rock climbing schools, taking advantage of the fact that the cliffs appeared in one of the James Bond films.
One of the beaches in Ko Phi Phi Leh (one of the islands in the archipelago) gained a lot of media attention because it was the filming site of the famous film 'The Beach', whose crew altered the location to the point of demolition by removing some of the dunes and palm trees to make it 'even more paradise-like'.
Phuket is a part of the Phe Phe archipelago and is the most popular among short-term tourists wanting to capture the true essence of Thailand. Tourist attractions in the area are truly numerous, ranging from temples to shopping areas and from traditional Thai sports to restaurants and cinemas. Another great location for beach exploring is four hours away from Krabi and has a reputation of one of the whitest sandy beaches in the world. Although it was severely damaged by the tsunami in the late 2004, Ko Phi Phi was quickly rebuilt and it is once again fully booked during the high season period (December to March). Activities on the island are numerous; if you a fan of the underwater world, snorkeling around rich coral reefs will surely be a treat, because Ko Phi Phi is well known as a must-see destination among divers due to abundant sea life and crystal clear waters.
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| Thong Nai Pan sunrise |
Located deep in the Gulf of Thailand, the island of Koh Samui is approximately four hours away from Surat Thani, the capital of the province. After being a remote island with small villages for hundreds of years, Koh Samui has rapidly transformed into a tourist mecca in the last thirty years or so. Among numerous breathtaking Thai beaches the Bo Phut beach is most commonly described as a legend. The beauty of these islands lies in the fact that they can be a perfect holiday destination both for young eager to spend their vacation dancing and for all those in seek of serenity and calmness of a typical remote tropical island.
The Na Muang waterfall and carefully maintained gardens in the mountainous inland are a perfect destination for all those who want to get away from somewhat crowded beaches. Water sports, a vast array of shops, restaurants and clubs place the island on top of the tourist destinations with high-developed infrastructure, which let their guests relax comfortably and stylishly. Ko Pha Ngan is a short boat trip away and is a perfect location for party people, offering famous 'full moon' beach parties and beautiful scenery. Ko Tao is perfect for all those seeking quiet and peaceful holidays, because it is the most tranquil island in the cluster. Diving is the island's key asset in addition to mountainous scenery and lush coral reefs. Although accommodation in the area is a bit more expensive than on other two islands, it really pays off to stay here for a day or two and enjoy the richness of marine life without crowded beaches or restless youth.
Anyone lucky enough to spend in Thailand 4 weeks or more will soon find out that combining any of the suggested routes is the easiest and the most efficient way to capture the true spirit of Thailand. The main asset of traveling through Thailand easily and without stress are its people: Thai people are one of the friendliest nations in the world, eager to help, so you will find your way around their country in a second. Once again, it is highly recommended that you stay in Bangkok for a day or two upon your arrival, just to adjust to the humid whether and get a deeper insight in the way the country and its people work. When you decide you have had enough of the noisy city, take your pick and travel north to experience culture or go south and enjoy the most beautiful beaches in the world.
