BANGKOK

Wat Benjamabophit
Tewet Pier
Price Bt 20
Located opposite one corner of Chitlada Palace in the Dusit district is one of the most beautiful temples in Thailand, Wat Benjamabopit. Often referred to as “the marble temple” in guidebooks, the temple is unusual in many ways.

Wat Indrawiharn
Rama VIII Bridge Pier
Price: Free
The 32-meter (100-foot) tall standing Buddha of Wat Indrawiharn used to be visible from just about any high vantage point around the old city. Now its hidden behind the new buildings from Thailand’s boom years.

Wat Chana Songkram
Banglampo Pier
Hours: 10:30 a.m.- 10:30 p.m.
    Tel: (+66) 2 677-8888
Built in the 18th century, this temple has recently been renovated.  Tucked away in the center of the backpacker area of Banglampu is the temple of Wat Chana Songkram.  Take a moment to observe the temple as you’re using it as a shortcut between Khao San Road and the river.

Wat Bowoniwet
Banglampo Pier
Hours:10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
    Tel: (+66) 2 664-8000
Along Phra Sumen road a few blocks from the Banglampu river pier is the seldom-visited temple of Wat Bowoniwet. This temple has historical import due to the fact that King Rama IV (Mongkut) served as abbot here.  The Chinese style of the temple’s decorations suggest it was built, or at least rebuilt, around the time of Rama II in the early 19th century.

Wat Rakhang
Wang Lung Pier
Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
This temple is on the Chaophraya river, almost facing the Grand Palace.  The temple dates from the Ayutthaya period, but was significantly rebuilt during the reign of King Rama I at the end of the 18th century.  The temple’s name means ‘bell’ and comes from the incident early in the Bangkok period, when a large bell was unearthed during some construction at the temple.

Emerald Buddha
Chang Pier
Price Bt 20
The most spectacular Buddhist architecture is found at Bangkok’s Wat Phra Kaeo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), which contains more exquisite carving and decoration per square centimeter than any comparable site in the world. 

Wat Mahathat
Chang Pier
Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
    Tel: (+66) 2 620-9000
Founded in the 18th century, the temple is older than Bangkok.  It was considerably altered after one of its monks, the young Prince Mongkut, became King Rama IV of Thailand.  The temple is the center of the Mahanikai school of Buddhism, and is a center of monastic learning for members of the sect from throughout Southeast Asia.

Wat Prayoon
Memorial Bridge Pier
Hours: 10:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Offbeat temple on the opposite side of the river. Noted for its huge pond teeming with turtles. Built by Rama III early in the 19th century, the first thing a visitor sees on entering the temple is the large mound, said to have been designed by the king after he observed the shapes that wax forms as it drips from a candle.

Wat Arun
Thien Pier
Hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
One of the oldest temples in Bangkok, clearly visible across the Chao Phraya River almost opposite the Grand Palace, Wat Arun was the royal temple of King Taksin during the Thonburi period.  

Wat Po
Thien Pier
Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
The major attraction here is the 46-m long and 15-m high gold-plated Reclining Buddha with feet inlaid with mother of pearl, depicting the 108 signs of the Buddha. The headquarters for the Traditional Medicine Practitioners of Bangkok is situated at the temple.

Wat Pichai Yathikaram
Memorial Bridge Pier
Hours: 10 a.m.- 9 p.m.

The towering prang of Wat Pichai Yathikaram can easily be seen from the river. The temple itself is in a somewhat forgotten corner of old Bangkok. A nice temple to check out if one is getting tired of crowds.

Wat Suan Plu
Sathorn Pier
Hours: 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
A small temple located on the side street leading to one of the top tourist hotels, the Shangri-La, but it’s ignored by most of the tourists who stay there.  It is a lovely, authentically Thai-Chinese structure in the middle of modern Bangkok.

Wat Yannawa
Sathorn Pier
Hours: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
The temple was built early in the 19th century. It was quite popular with the Chinese who settled the neighborhood after Chinatown began to fill up.  The temple’s singular attraction is its very unusual wiharn in the shape of a Chinese junk.

Bangkok National Museum
Chang Pier
Hours: 10:30 a.m-11 p.m.
This museum is dedicated to preserving the national cultural heritage through collections of art, archaeological and cultural objects in the Wang Na palace compound near Grand Palace. Guided Tours begin at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday in English, French, Japanese. Tuesday-English, German in information leaflet.

The Grand Palace
Chang Pier
Hours: 10 a.m.- 10 p.m.
One of the most visited attractions in the city, the Grand Palace is a complex of many buildings dating from 1782 to the late 19th century. The huge compound is enclosed by a high fortress that occupies an area of about one square mile. 

UPCOUNTRY

Ayutthaya

The ancient city of Ayutthaya (Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya) was the capital of Siam for 417 years, and remains one of Thailand’s major tourist attractions. Founded by King U-Thong, or Ramathibodi I, in 1350, the city possesses many ancient ruins and art left behind when the Siamese were forced southwards after the Burmese sacked the city in 1767.

Chiang Mai

Blessed with stunning natural beauty and a unique indigenous cultural identity. Chiang Mai today is the economic, communications, cultural and tourism center of Northern Thailand. This pre-eminent regional status has been obtained without losing the essence of its natural environment and culture. Additionally, many sites and locations, tourists can still witness the lifestyle of the ancient hill tribes.  Chiang Mai is also Thailand’s main center for quality handicrafts. thrive.  In particular,  along the Bo Sang-San Kamphaeng Road, such handicraft-producing factories give visitors a glimpse of the traditional methods still in use today.

Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai is situated in the Kok River basin 416m above sea level in the northernmost province of Thailand about 785kms from Bangkok. With an area of some 11,678 sq km, the province is rich in tourism resources in terms of natural attractions and antiquities, which serve as reminders of an ancient civilization. It is also home to several hilltribes who lead simple, albeit fascinating, ways of life.  

Kanchanaburi

The mountainous province of Kanchanaburi, Thailand’s third largest, covers some 19,473 sqkm, and borders Myanmar to the west of Bangkok. The compact provincial capital, some 130km or a comfortable two-hour drive from Bangkok, is both the site of the world-famous “Bridge over River Kwai,” immortalized in books and movies, as well as the gateway to a region of rugged natural beauty. The countryside beyond the provincial capital is characterized by mountains and fertile river valleys where a labyrinth of reservoirs provides further scenic elements to the province’s natural beauty.

Koh Chang

This island paradise, located in Trat province near the border of Cambodia,  lies approximately 315km from Bangkok. This wonderful island is thankfully not as exploited as some of Thailand’s other islands and remains unpolluted, with white sandy beaches. Besides a relaxed beach vacation Koh Chang offers various leisure offers for active holidaymakers, e.g. snorkeling, diving or mountain-biking. Many resorts rent out kayaks and arrange jungle treks as well as all day boat tours to the surrounding islands.

Koh Samui

Thailand’s 3rd largest island is a palm-fringed paradise with coastal roads encircling the whole island. Aside from the lovely beaches and coral beds, it is plentiful in coconut plantations and forested hills. The more popular beaches are on the northern and eastern coasts:Chaweng Beach, which is known for its party scene and a combination of luxury accommodations, and Lamai Beach.  Many international diving schools have been established on nearby Koh Tao (Turtle Island) because of its pristine beaches and abundant coral reefs.

Krabi

One of the most attractive destinations in Thailand covers an area of 4,709sqkm and is located 814km south of Bangkok. Krabi’s major attractions are located largely along its extensive coastline with several well-known beaches and bays and numerous offshore tropical islands.  Krabi’s mountainous physical landscape is broken only by appearances of highlands and plains on the mainland. Natural forest cover is chiefly mangrove and cassia trees.

Mae Hong Son

Nestled in a deep valley hemmed in by high mountain ranges, Mae Hong Son has long been isolated from the outside world. Virtually covered with mist throughout the year, the name refers to the fact that the terrain is highly suitable for the training of elephants.  Mae Hong Son is one of the dream destinations for visitors who are attracted by its cultural and natural wonders.

Nakhon Ratchasima

Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) is a large province on the northeastern plateau that serves as a gateway to other provinces in the Northeast. It is 259km from Bangkok and has an area of around 20,494sq km. The historical province is rich with Khmer cultural influences, while also possessing a beautiful natural environment of forests, mountains, waterfalls, and reservoirs. Korat is known for producing a variety of quality handicrafts, particularly the popular clay pottery of Dan Kwian.

pattaya

Pattaya is Asia’s premier beach resort and caters with broad appeal to families, couples and single visitors. Accommodation ranges from luxuriously appointed hotels with convention facilities to simple guesthouses. Sporting opportunities abound both on land and water including some of the finest golfing, game fishing and scuba-diving anywhere in Asia. After dark, Pattaya offers all the allure and magic of a truly vibrant nightlife with a spectacular variety of restaurants, night clubs, bars, discotheques, cocktail lounges and cabarets.

Phang Nga

A seaside province by the Andaman Sea with scenic views of forests and islands, the province offers superb natural beauty both onshore and underwater.  The province is located some 788km from Bangkok and it covers an area of 4,170sqkm. The outer islands of Phang Nga are considered to be one of the world’s best scuba diving grounds. Popular trips are live-aboard diving excursions to Similan Islands, home of the most beautiful and colorful soft corals in the world plus a whole range of coral fish, manta rays and other exotic marine animals.

Phuket

Phuket, Thailand’s largest island, is approximately the size of Singapore. Lying 862km south of Bangkok, Phuket is nestled in the balmy waters of the Andaman Sea, Thailand’s portion of the Indian Ocean.  Phuket is blessed with magnificent coves and bays, palm-fringed powdery white beaches and sparkling island-dotted seas. This lush tropical landscape provides plenty of numerous sporting and leisure pleasures – all of which combine to create a delightful ambience for truly memorable holidays.

Ratchaburi

Ratchaburi, a glorious town of the Dvaravati period, is located on the bank of the Mekong River. The provincial area abounds in natural attractions and historical sites. It is located 80kms west of Bangkok and borders on Myanmar to the west having the Tanaosi Range as a borderline. Ratchaburi occupies an area of 5,196sqkm and is administratively divided into nine districts.

Sukhothai

Founded in the 13th century, Sukhothai was the first truly independent Thai Kingdom. The superb temples and monuments of this great city have been lovingly and meticulously restored in the Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-see for all travelers to the Kingdom. Sukhothai is located on the lower edge of the northern region, 427km north of Bangkok or some 350km south of Chiang Mai.

Cha-am

Cha-Am was originally a small fishing village. After a Royal Palace was built near Hua Hin in the reign of King Rama VI, the land was occupied by the Royal Family and the elite. Today, it is very popular among Thais who love superb seafood and comfortable accommodations.

Hat Yai

Situated 1289km. southwest of Bangkok, Hat Yai is a popular destination for travelers because of its strategic location as the southern gateway to Thailand. The city is a focal point for vigorous cross-border trading, enjoying the support from Thai folks who clamor for Malaysian produce.  Nevertheless, Hat Yai owes much of its charm and attraction to its vibrant, vivacious nightlife which revolves around the nightclubs, bars, pubs, discotheques, karaoke lounges, shopping malls and cinemas.

Hua-Hin

This beach city located 200km south of Bangkok became popular as a rainy season retreat in the 1920s with the construction of the railway line from Bangkok. Also during this time, King Rama VII selected a special piece of beachfront property to build the Klai Kangwon Palace, or literally “Haven Far from Worries.”  This palace remains in frequent use by the Royal Family today lending this town an atmosphere quite different from other beach areas in Thailand.

Khon Kaen

Khon Kaen claims to be the birthplace of so many thriving civilizations and cultures. This is an area where the first dinosaur fossils were found in Thailand. Once the quiet capital of one of the poorest provinces in the Northeast, it has undergone dramatic changes and is now a prosperous, bustling town. Situated right in the heart of the region, Khon Kaen is the focal point of many regional development projects, including the site of the region’s largest public university.

Loei

Loei is a land of water and mountains in the Upper Northeast. The Mekong River divides it and Laos. Some national parks here are major tourist destinations. The climate is cool like that of northern Thailand.  Loei, which has an area of about 11,426sqkm, is about 520km from Bangkok.

Lopburi

Lopburi, formerly known as “Lawo,” was one of the most important towns of the vast Khmer Empire from the 10th-13th century. Thus many examples of Khmer art and architecture are easily found around the province.

Nakhon Pathom

Nakhon Pathom is a small province which surrounds the “Phra Pathom Chedi,”  an ancient religious landmark signifying the first influx of Buddhism into the Kingdom of Thailand. Despite its size, the province contains many places of interest for visitors.

Surin

Surin is famous for the Elephant Roundup and for its many Khmer sanctuaries, being separated from neighboring Cambodia by the Banthat Mountains.  However, the city also possesses a wide variety of handicrafts, silk and other cultural arts.

Ubon Ratchathani

Ubon Ratchathani, the province borders the Mekong River on the east as well as The Emerald Triangle, or the tri-border zone is where the countries of Laos, Cambodia and Thailand meet. The very popular Ubon Candle Festival held during Khao Phansa in July.