Thailand Tips and Customs Pages - Exploring Thailand Regions

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A quick guide to exploring Thailand:

Thailand is the 50th largest country in the world. Similar in size to the State of California, it is just over twice the size of the United Kingdom. For the traveler, it's a vast and varied area to explore. The country can be considered as consisting of five distinctive regions, each with its own individual character. With mountains, beaches, islands, jungle forests, ancient temples, hill tribes, sea gypsies and golden Buddhas, Thailand offers the visitor a wonderfully varied experience.

Northern Thailand

Described as the cultural heart of Thailand, the North is the home of the first ever Kingdom of Thailand, Yonok; founded when the Dai people migrated from China, nearly 800 years ago.

Now home to many Hill Tribes including the Karen and Paduang (noted for stretching their necks using metal hoops) to name a few, the region is mountainous and covered in areas of dense forest. The area is also rich in ancient relics, particularly around Sukhothai, which was the first ancient capital city of Siam. Sukhothai Historical Park and Satchanalai National Park are therefore well worth a visit.

Other popular destinations include, Chiang Mai (the Northern region's capital), Doi Inthanon (the highest place in Thailand), Chiang Rai, the Golden Triangle (the area between Thailand, Laos and Burma) and for those looking to get away from it all, Mae Hong Son (the City of Three Mists) is not to be missed!

The northern-most town in Thailand, Mai Sai, lies on the Burmese border. Here, Burma and Thailand are only separated by a small stream and because of this Mai Sai is a great place to buy Burmese goods such as jade or lacquer-ware.

Relatively cool compared to the rest of the country, Northern Thailand is very fertile, which means that farmers here can grow more unusual fruits like lychees and strawberries.

Northeastern Thailand (Isan)

Located on the flat plains of the Khorat Plateau, Isan (the 'I' is pronounced with a long 'EE' sound) is the Northeastern region of Thailand. Isan was once ruled by the ancient Khmer empire (renowned for building Angkor Wat in Cambodia). Evidence of the Khmer's occupation can still be found in the architecture of places such as Wat Phra That Phanom in Nakhon Phanom, Prasat Hin Khao Phanom Rung in Buri Ram and Prasat Hin Phimai in Khorat. The area has been populated for thousands of years, with Bronze-age remains having recently been discovered in Ban Chiang village in Udon Thani.
Unlike the more fertile areas of Thailand, Isan has a long dry season and much of the area consists of sparse grassland. Therefore, although farming is the main economic activity in the area, the output is low. Isan is consequently the poorest region in Thailand.
However, what the area lacks in economic wealth it makes up for in cultural richness. Muay Thai boxing, cock fighting, sticky rice and the Thai's love of chilies have all come from Isan, as too have Thai silk, wickerwork and earthenware – all now famous the world over.

Central

Separated from Northern and Northeastern Thailand by the Phetchabun mountain range, Central Thailand covers the broad plain of the Chao Phraya River. Because of its flat landscape, rich fertile soil and complex irrigation system the area is perfect for the production of rice, consequently the area is known as the 'rice bowl of Asia'.

Home to the cosmopolitan city of Bangkok and the ancient Thai Kingdom of Ayutthaya, the area is a tourist hotspot. Also really worth a visit are: Wat Phra Buddha Bat Woramahavihan in Saraburi, which it is believed houses an impression of the Buddha's footprint; the sixth century Phra Pathom Chedi said to be the largest chedi in the world and the Damnoen Saduak (floating markets) both in Nakorn Pathom; the location for the film 'Bridge of the River Kwai' in Kanchanaburi; the hilltop palace Phra Nakorn Khiri in Petchaburi, which was built during King Mongkut's reign; the summer royal palace at Hua Hin and Thailand's most beautiful national park Khao Sam Roi Yod National Park, located in Prachuap Khiri Khan.

Eastern Thailand

Stretching nearly 500 kilometers along the coast from Pattaya to Trat, Eastern Thailand is truly beautiful. Lush, tropical gardens and numerous long, white sandy beaches have made Eastern Thailand a very popular place. The fact that you can travel here from Bangkok in less than two hours means that for both tourists and Thai holiday makers the region is an irresistible choice.

With its ability to combine a relaxing stay on the beach with the more vibrant atmosphere of a modern city, the cosmopolitan beach resort of Pattaya is probably Eastern Thailand's most popular destination. Another hotspot in the area is the island of Koh Chang. Characterized by densely forested hills surrounded by fine, white sandy beaches, Koh Chang is Thailand's second largest island (after Phuket).

Bordering the Gulf of Thailand, the region offers the visitor a diverse and exhilarating ocean experience. There is something for everyone with sailing, wind surfing, waterskiing, parasailing, snorkeling, diving and deep sea fishing being only some of the water sports that are available. The islands of Koh Chang and Koh Tao are particularly popular with divers who are attracted to the warm sea water and rich marine life.

Being situated on the Eastern Seaboard, the small fishing village of Laem Chabang has developed into Thailand's main deep sea port and this is where the enormous cruise ships that regularly visit the country dock.

Along with tourism, the growing of fruit is a major industry in the area. The land in Chanthaburi and Trat is extremely fertile and as a result they cultivate some of Thailand's tastiest fruits here. As well as finding mangoes, pineapples and bananas you will also discover some more exotic fruits such as durian, mangosteen and rambutan. Indeed, Chanthaburi is known as 'the garden province'. Chanthaburi and Trat are also the places to find some of Thailand's best quality gem stones as rubies and sapphires are mined here.

Southern Thailand

Situated on the Thai-Malay Peninsula, Southern Thailand is a narrow ribbon of land that stretches from Chumphon to the Thai-Malaysian border. It is bordered by the Gulf of Thailand to the east and the Indian Ocean to the west.

With lush tropical islands, palm-fringed beaches and coral reefs teeming with colorful marine life, Southern Thailand is a very sort after tourist destination. Most popular are the islands and beaches of Phuket and Koh Samui in the Andaman Sea.

For divers and snorkelers Phuket is also the main stepping-off point for the coral-rich life of the Similan, Surin and Andaman Islands, all which offer world-class diving. With water visibility often exceeding 30 meters, an average ocean temperature of around 28ºC and uncommonly calm sea conditions, Southern Thailand has some of the richest ocean environments found anywhere in the world. There is also a vast range of other water-related sports available, such as sailing, deep sea fishing and kayaking.

The limestone of the region has gradually been eroded to form steep rock pillars known as karsts. During the last ice age many of the karts were submerged, forming amazing and unique islands like Koh Phi Phi (where the movie 'The Beach' was filmed) and Koh Tapu, otherwise known as James Bond Island in Phang Nga Bay, which featured in the movie 'The Man with the Golden Gun'.
As the fourth largest city in Thailand, Hat Yai offers an immense variety of marine and other natural attractions. Particularly notable is the 35-metre long statue of the reclining Buddha at Wat Hat Yai Nai, which is the third largest image of its kind in the world.

At 80 kilometers long and 20 kilometers wide, another popular destination is Songkhla Lake, Thailand's largest body of inland water. The lake supports an amazing amount of wildlife including a small population of Irrawaddy Dolphins, which are an endangered species.

Article by Christine Oatley, copyright 2008 Asia Products LLC. Christopher Snyder is the Managing Director of Asia Products LLC. Living in Bangkok, Thailand, Christopher sells interesting products from the art and artisans of Thailand on his website: www.asiaproductsllc.com .