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 (boasting the highest "spot" 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!
In the northern city of Chiang Rai there is a rather unusual temple called Wat Rong Khun. What makes this temple stand out is that unlike most other Buddhist temples, Wat Rong Khun is completely white. But don't be fooled into thinking that this temple is somewhat plain, because what it lacks in color, it makes up for in the very intricacy of its design....READ MORE
The Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew) in Chiang Rai was so named because it was once home to Thailand's most revered and perhaps most mysterious Buddha statue. Originally called Wat Pa Yia (Temple of the Yellow Bamboo Forest), the temple has been an important place for worship for hundreds of years. No one really knows its true history, but what is known is in 1444, during a fierce thunderstorm, the temple's chedi (stupor) was struck by lightning. The following day, when the monks went to inspect the damage to the chedi they were surprised to discover the ...READ MORE
Most of the cities in Thailand have a 'city pillar', which is usually made of stone and situated in a spot that is considered to be the heart of the city. These religious pillars or omphalos are sometimes referred to as 'navel' pillars because they sit in the center of the city (not to be confused with the word 'naval', which refers to the navy.)...READ MORE
The northern-most province in Thailand is Chiang Rai Province. Some 780 kilometres from Bangkok, Chiang Rai has a cooler climate than the rest of Thailand and is noted for its scenic mountain ranges, lush green valleys and tropical fruits such as lychees and pineapples.
People have lived in what is now Chiang Rai Province in Thailand for centuries. From the 7th to the 13th centuries it was ruled by King Mangrai the Great and was the centre of the....READ MORE
A place not often visited by Western tourists, Phu Chi Fa or 'the Mountain that Points to the Sky' is a wonderful place to experience the sunrise in Chiang Rai Province....READ MORE
Historically the term 'the Golden Triangle' applies to the opium growing region covering northern Thailand, eastern Myanmar (Burma) and western Laos. However, since the production and use of opium has been illegal in Thailand since 1959, the term is now more widely used to mean the meeting point of the Thai, Burmese and Loas borders. On the Thai side, this meeting point is at the small town of Sop Ruak...READ MORE
Tucked away in Wiang Kaen sub-district, some 130 kilometers from Chiang Rai Town lies Doi Pha Tang. Doi Pha Tang is a very beautiful mountain on the border between Thailand and Laos, about 25 km to the north of the more popular tourist spot Phu Chi Fa...READ MORE
The Royal Villa at Doi Tung was the residence of Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindra, the Princess Mother. The villa was built in 1987 and constructed under Her Majesty's supervision to incorporate architectural elements from Switzerland (where Her Royal Highness lived for many years) and from Lanna culture...READ MORE
The Mae Fah Garden in Doi Tung is located on the hillside just below the Doi Tung Royal Villa – Royal residence to the late Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindra, the Princess Mother. The name of the garden is derived from the nickname Mae Fa Luang (meaning Royal Mother from the Sky or Heavenly Royal Mother) given to Her Royal Highness by the Thai people...READ MORE
Some 38km from Kanchanaburi, along highway 323 lies Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua, a Thervada Buddhist temple, which is probably better known by its western name: Tiger Temple...READ MORE
'Darn Chedi Sam Ong' or Three Pagoda Pass is a border crossing in the Bilauktaung Mountains which links Sangkhla Buri in Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand with Payathonsu in Kayin State, Myanmar. Although the border crossing has been closed to foreign travelers since 2007, the pass is still a very interesting place to visit, particularly considering its turbulent history....READ MORE
Approximately 60 kilometers north of Bangkok, near the ancient capital city of Ayutthaya, lies Bang Pa In, the summer palace of the King of Thailand.
Nestled on the banks of the Chao Praya River, the original palace complex dates back to the 17th century and the reign of King Prasat Thong, although many of the buildings you see today were built during the palace's revival under Rama IV (King Mongkut) during the latter part of the 19th century....READ MORE
Covering an area of over 1,000 meters, Doi Inthanon National Park sits within the foothills of the Himalayas and at 2,565 meters it is the highest place in Thailand. Situated around an hours drive from the northern province of Chang Mai, the park contains many beautiful vistas overlooking exotic, subtropical forests. Life in the forests here is quite different from that found further south, due to the colder influence of the Himalayan mountains.... READ MORE
Originating from high up in Khao Yai National Park, the cool mountain waters of Nam Tok Nang Rong cascade over three rock ledges into the valley below. Small natural reservoirs at the base of each level provide the perfect opportunity for a refreshing swim. Nam Tok Nang Rong (nam tok meaning waterfall in Thai) attracts numerous visitors particularly during the holiday season when it is popular with those looking for a refreshing break from the tropical heat of the city. There are stone steps located at the side of the falls so it is possible to climb to the top and enjoy the spectacular view from there... READ MORE
Nam Tok Sarika is a wonderful nine tiered waterfall, situated in the tropical forests of Khao Yai National Park in the Nakhon Nayok Province of Thailand. Located 107km from Bangkok, the falls offer a refreshing way to relax and escape the heat of the city... READ MORE
Royal Elephant Conservatory is roughly an hour’s drive south of Chiangmai along the main northern highway. Thailand is one of the few countries in the world that still uses elephants, mainly to harvest lumber in the northern reaches of the country. Sadly, most of the injuries come from landmines still present on the border with Myanmar (Burma)... READ MORE
I really love to drive around Thailand, the roads are well maintained and driving gives you the opportunity to see parts of the countryside that are outside of the normal tourist routes. Seeing the nation this way gives you a better understanding of the way the Thai people live. I mean, how many tourists would be able to recognize the way rice paddies look right before they are ready to harvest?... READ MORE
Wieng Ko Sai National Park is located east of Lamphong. One of the park's highlights is a wonderful cascade of waterfalls. Visitors can walk the trails that surround the creek that feeds the falls and admire the huge variety of flora and fauna along the way... READ MORE
The Kingdom of Sukhothai flourished between the 14th and 16th centuries and extended across the Moei, Lower Yom, Ping, Nan and Upper Pa Sak River Valleys. Sukhothai, Thailand's ancient capital city and the region's second most-important town Si Satchanalai are situated about an hour's drive apart from each other. For over two hundred years these ancient cities were the economic and cultural centers of the country and so they are now rich in historical remains. The site was designated as a World Heritage site in 1991... READ MORE
Khao Yai National Park is the second largest national park in Thailand and is about a 5 hour drive northeast of Bangkok and takes some planning to visit but is well worth the effort. The park lies largely in Nakhon Ratchasima Province (Khorat), but also includes parts of Saraburi, Prachinburi and Nakhon Nayok provinces... READ MORE
Ayutthaya is located less than 2 hours drive due north of Bangkok, close enough for a fabulous day trip to one of Thailand’s historical wonders. Many travelers take the day tour from Bangkok, which allows about 3 hours at the sites, but for folks with an interest in archaeological ruins... READ MORE
The Bridge was made famous by a 1960's film of the same name. The film, however was in fact fiction based loosely on the events surrounding this bridge. I will not go into detail of the differences between the film and this bridge but will let that up to you... READ MORE
