PHETCHABURI Food-Lovers Haven

Most accounts of Phetchaburi, or Mueang Phet, include some mention of the vast number of sugar palms, or ton taan, which dot the scenic rural landscape. This abundance of sugar palms sealed the reputation of Phetchaburi as a province that will be forever associated with sweetness. The culinary forte of Phetchaburi cooks, which sets them apart from their counterparts in other Thai provinces, is the preparation of sweets and desserts.

	Images © Tourism Authority of Thailand

The sweets made in Phetchaburi are some of the most famous in all of Thailand.

	The Golden Three – thong yip, thong yawt and foy thong Images © Tourism Authority of Thailand These ‘golden sweets’ of Portuguese origin date back to the Ayutthaya period — the golden age of Thai civilization. Thong yip, thong yawt and foy thong are treasured for their golden appearance. All are made by beating yolks from duck eggs until thick and then cooking them in boiling syrup. The fine strands of foy thong are made by dribbling the egg yolk into the hot syrup. Nothing goes to waste. The egg whites are made into khanom maw kaeng by mixing the egg white with coconut cream and sugar. The mixture is spooned into small square trays and roasted or grilled.
	Image © TAT Khanom taan Khanom taan is made from the fully ripe fruit of the sugar palm. These are kneaded in water to release the yellow pulp, which is then filtered out. The liquid is mixed with starch and sugar, and allowed to ferment overnight, then poured into cups and steamed.
	Image © TAT Khanom nam dawk mai Khanom nam dawk mai is made by mixing flour batter with a floral scent extracted from a blossom called dawk nom maew (rauwenhoffia siamensis). The mixture is then poured into small cups and steamed. This sweet has become a rarity.
	Image © TAT Tako Tako consists of pandanus-flavoured gel topped with coconut cream that has been mixed with flour. The traditional version is sold in small, dainty banana-leaf cups. Squeeze the cup gently to dispense the delicious contents, a mouthful at a time.
	Khanom khai hoang De-husked mung beans are boiled. Once cooked, sugar, garlic and ground pepper is added to the mung bean to make a filling. This mixture is wrapped in dough to make round packets that are then deep-fried. When they have cooled, they are rolled in sugar. Historically khanom khai hoang was a slightly different type of sweet with a filling covered with large tapioca pearls that were coloured yellow and steamed rather than fried. Unfortunately they don’t make them this way anymore. Originally named khanom khai hia, an unfortunate name with a less than complimentary meaning in the Thai language, the dessert eventually acquired its new-found name.
	Khanom khai maeng da This is another local sweet made only by the fishing communities of Phetchaburi. Coconut is shredded by hand and fried with coconut sugar until the mixture becomes thick and sticky. Horseshoe crab eggs are then added and the mixture is stirred over the fire until it turns dark brown and solidifies. After it cools, it forms bite-sized pieces. The flavour combines the nutty taste of coconut with sweetness and the aroma of the horseshoe crabs eggs.
	Image © TAT Kalamae Kalamae is a mixture of coconut cream and sugar that is slowly cooked for hours until it turns from a liquid into a sticky, toffee-like sweet.
	Image © TAT Khao nio daeng Khao nio daeng is made in a similar way as kalamae, except that sticky rice is added to the caramelised mixture when the cooking process is almost complete.
	Khao mao khua Grains of raw, immature rice are peeled, dried and pan-toasted. They are then fried with sugar, salt, dried shrimp and peanuts. This sweet was popular with children half a century ago.
	Image © TAT Khao kriab paak maw A thin sheet of steamed batter is wrapped around a filling, which consists of coarsely chopped peanuts fried with sugar and salt. The dainty dumpling-like appetizer is then placed on a banana leaf cut into a circular shape, and served.
	Image © TAT Khanom tom daeng and khanom tom khao The coconut filling for both reddish-brown khanom tom daeng and white khanom tom khao coconut-coated glutinous rice balls is made by pan-frying shredded coconut with palm sugar. The filling is then spooned on to circular-shaped sticky rice flour dough, rolled into round balls and then steamed. Once cooked, the sticky rice balls are rolled in shredded coconut, and then sprinkled with salt. This is the white version. The red version is made by soaking the sticky rice flour dough in palm sugar syrup, with the shredded coconut mixed in. The cooked palm sugar gives the dough its reddish-brown colour.
	Image © TAT Khao tom mat sai kluay Plain glutinous rice (sticky rice) is steamed until it is almost cooked. Coconut milk and sugar is then stirred into the pot. When the cooked sticky rice has cooled slightly, it is spooned onto a banana leaf. An almost-ripe kluay nam wa banana is placed on top of the sticky rice and rolled so the banana is completely covered with sticky rice. The banana leaf is then wrapped tightly around the khao tom mat ‘parcel’ and steamed.

These sweets are often prepared as traditional Buddhist merit-making offerings for religious ceremonies performed in rural villages throughout Thailand. However, these are not the only occasions when these desserts are enjoyed. Although most are becoming increasingly difficult to find in Bangkok, the few that are popular with urban Thais can still be bought from vendors, as well as specialty stores and supermarkets to be enjoyed as a snack.

The above selection is merely the tip of the iceberg. Even so, a good number of these traditional Thai sweets will not find their way to Bangkok. Those who truly love the very best in Thai cuisine will make a pilgrimage to a special place that offers a truly impressive variety of Phetchaburi sweets of the finest quality, but which remains a well-kept secret, known only to locals and sweet vendors in particular. It is the centuries-old Talat Mueang Phet, a traditional dessert market right in the heart of the old quarter of Petchaburi town.

Talat Mueang Phet Traditional Dessert Market
Located in a district near the provincial centre of Amphoe Muang Phetchaburi, opening hours begin in the wee hours of the morning at 3.00 am — perhaps far too early for the average visitor. However, this market of sweet-makers principally caters to vendors who sell their wares in districts and villages far and wide. The fact that such a highly specialized traditional market exists at all is simply fascinating. The market closes at 9.00 am. sharp. Culinary enthusiasts will be sweetly rewarded by this wonderful sweet market.

Directions to the Petchaburi Dessert Market
Start out from 18 Metres Road, right in the heart of the provincial centre, Amphoe Muang Phetchaburi. A branch off this road with no name crosses the Phetchaburi River and then continues on to Wat Mahathat. Look for the Bangkok Bank branch. This street market is situated right behind the bank. Once you are on this street, Wat Mahathat is straight in front. The market is in a small soi, approximately a hundred metres long. The soi is on the left just before you reach the bridge that crosses the Phetchaburi River.

PHETCHABURI
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One of the coldest places in Thailand, Doi Angkhang in Chiang Mai, is renowned as a scenic wonderland of orchards, flowers and forests. The area attracts tourists to enjoy the chilly beauty of this picture-perfect valley in the mountains 1,400 metres above sea-level. Here, the ever-present influence of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Rama IX, can be sensed at the Royal Agricultural Station Angkhang which has done so much to effect the greening of the valley, bringing agricultural affluence and a better quality of life to the ethnic people there.

Royal Intervention

It was not always such an attractive place to live. In the 1960s, Doi Angkhang was remote, isolated, with no roads and off limits to outsiders. Its occupants — refugees from Yunnan in China and Black Musers — grew opium, peaches and rice, living in poverty with no proper access to education or medical treatment.

King Bhumibol learnt about Doi Angkhang while travelling nearby in 1969. “As we had a helicopter, the King decided to fly to the top of the mountain to see for himself,” explained His Serene Highness Prince Bhisadej Rajani, Chairman and Director of the Royal Project Foundation. “There were poppies and peach trees, but the hillsides were extensively deforested through slash and burn cultivation.”

It was time for intervention. The King purchased land to set up the first research station for temperate fruit, vegetables, trees and flowers. According to Prince Bhisadej, “His Majesty asked us to find temperate fruit to grow on Angkhang, because he thought that income from the fruit would be higher than from poppies.”

It was. The Royal Project persuaded two or three families to grow some fruit. “We helped them cultivate the fruit, harvest and sell it. They earned a lot of money. Once word got around about the income coupled with the King’s influence, everyone wanted to grow fruit,” recalls Prince Bhisadej. “After that it was easy.”

Today, the Royal Agricultural Station Angkhang is the flagship for the Royal Projects, and the premier research station in Thailand for temperate fruits, testing new strains and cultivating fruit saplings for extension throughout the Royal Projects.

Other goals set by King Bhumibol are also evident. The hillsides are covered in new forests and agricultural plots that have helped eliminate poppy cultivation; four schools provide education for children; a small medical centre keeps everyone healthy; and there are now good roads to the outside world.

Attractions

Flower Gardens
Tourists love to visit Doi Angkhang to experience the cold weather (it can dip below zero in December and January), and to enjoy the scenery and burgeoning plant life. The Royal Agricultural Station Angkhang is actually a research station for temperate climate fruit. During the winter, temperate fruit trees shed their leaves and plants do not bloom. “Visitors used to complain that the trees were dying and there was nothing to see,” says Prince Bhisadej, who decided to introduce something for tourists “to see.”

Military Base
A small military base right on the border with Burma next to Nor Lae village provides security for Doi Angkhang, and is also a popular scenic spot. The soldiers are friendly, welcoming visitors and providing insights into the tough life of being a Thai soldier on border patrol.

Junior Guides
Nine years ago, Kru Riem started the Junior Guide Programme, training school children to show tourists around their villages at weekends and holidays. It was a popular special activity that helped the children gain confidence to talk to adults, and to develop interpersonal skills.

When the Ministry of Education introduced curriculum changes to include one local subject for upcountry schools, Kru Riem proposed the Junior Guide Programme. It was accepted as a compulsory subject in the new curriculum. Makoo Techasophon of Angkhang Nature Resort and Royal Project staff were roped in as part-time teachers.

Today, Junior Guides are stationed at their villages every weekend, ready and eager to show tourists about life in the village. However, tourists are not allowed to take children outside the villages in their cars. There is no charge for the service, but donations can be placed in a special box to be split up every month — 60 per cent shared among the Junior Guides, 40 per cent going to the schools to fund summer camps and field trips.

Reforestation
Restoring forests to denuded hills is an important goal of the Royal Project. Doi Angkhang’s reforestation programme began in 1982, in a cooperative effort between Thailand’s agricultural university, Kasetsart, and the Taiwan government, with technical support from National Taiwan University. Various temperate tree types were tried until five fast-growing species were found to respond well to the Angkhang climate — Taiwan acacia, Griffith’s ash, Camphor tree, Fragrant maple, and Paulonia.

To date, 681 rai of land is under new forest cover, with a further 118 rai extended as community forest to be looked after by the villagers, who can cut down and utilize the wood, provided they replant the trees. Visitors can discover the beauty of the forested slopes with treks along ten marked nature trails, all just over a kilometre long.

Good wood, including wood purchased from the community forest, is dried and shaved into straight pieces used to make outdoor furniture, boxes, baskets and other items that are in the process of development. Shavings from the wood processing are mixed with leaves and vegetation to make compost for the organic farms. Visitors are welcome to see the production process, or purchase wooden items from the Royal Project shop in the Flower Garden.

Buffaloes Everywhere
Smiling buffaloes seem to be everywhere. Initially King Bhumibol donated two pairs of buffaloes to the Musers to help in their rice cultivation. However, they earned so much money from temperate climate produce, they stopped growing rice and buy it instead. Now the buffaloes having nothing to do but eat and multiply. The Musers refuse to sell or even eat them “because they are a gift from the King,” as one Muser farmer explained.

Marketing
The agricultural development of Doi Angkhang succeeds because the Royal Project guarantees to purchase all fruit, vegetables and flowers at good prices, provided they meet set standards of quality. Agricultural areas, especially the organic farms, are inspected by Royal Project staff prior to harvest. Then the produce is taken to the pre-cooling factory in the Royal Station, where it is checked, graded, packed, and stored in a cooler ready to transport to the Royal Project production plant in Chiang Mai.

Currently, Royal Project produce is sold under the Doi Kham brand to leading hotels in Chiang Mai and Bangkok, restaurants, and to corporate entities like Thai Airways International. The airline is a strategic partner of the Royal Project and its largest customer, using fruit and vegetables in its inflight menus, airport restaurants and outside catering. The general public can also buy through supermarkets like Tesco Lotus, Tops, Big C, Carrefour, Golden Place as well as Doi Kham shops.

However, as of December 2007, this produce will be sold under the Royal Project brand and through Royal Project shops, replacing the Doi Kham brand. A launch of the new branding will take place during the Royal Project Festival at Chiang Mai University, 13-16 December 2007.

In Father’s Footsteps
Makoo Techasophon has spent over ten years on Doi Angkhang as general manager of Angkhang Nature Resort, learning much about the lives of people inhabiting the mountain and the important role King Bhumibol has played in improving those lives. To give visitors a better understanding of life on Doi Angkhang, two years ago Makoo launched his “To Follow Father’s Footsteps” programme, which he conducts himself with support from staff at the Royal Station.

Taking groups for two days and a night, the programme is basically a walking tour through villages and agricultural areas, ending at the Royal Station, and talking with people along the way about their lives and how they met King Bhumibol. “I tell my groups that the King has walked everywhere on Doi Angkhang. We are merely following in his footsteps,” explains Makoo.

The tour begins at Khob Dong school, where Kru Riem introduces her children who accept donations from the visitors and then perform some ethnic dances. It then heads to Khob Dong to meet Ja Mor, the Muser witchdoctor, who has drunk tea with King Bhumibol and is one of his most ardent supporters.

Occasionally quite strenuous, the walk continues through the development areas of strawberries and organic vegetables to Nor Lae village, and a possible meeting with the headman who originally petitioned King Bhumibol for the Palong tribe to stay on Angkhang. Following a picnic lunch of northern Thai food, the walk continues through tea plantations and forests, ending at the Royal Station. Not everything is done at once, but planned in advance depending on how much the group wants to see.

Makoo does not charge for the tour. It is his personal tribute to the work of King Bhumibol. Although aimed primarily at groups, during the December and January high season the tour is run regularly for individual visitors who really want to know more about the King Bhumibol’s work and are prepared to follow in his footsteps.

In-Flight Meals
To celebrate King Bhumibol’s 80th birthday on 5 December 2007, Thai Airways International has created special onboard menus using Royal Project produce to be served on all international flights departing from Bangkok in the 4-6 December period. Passengers in all classes will be able to enjoy such dishes as grilled prawn with apple and orange salad, marinated tabtim fish with spicy lemongrass, carrots and French beans, and Royal Project chayote gateau.

Royal Project Festival

13-16 December 2007
At the Chiang Mai University Convention Hall
Fruit, vegetables and a variety of other produce grown at Royal Project centres throughout northern Thailand will be on sale at the Royal Project Festival 2007 to be held at Chiang Mai University Convention Hall, 13-16 December. An extensive exhibition of King Bhumibol’s work in the Royal Project will also be on view.

Angkhang Gourmet Tour
To promote visits by tourists to Doi Angkhang during the warm season, the Royal Project plans two gourmet tours — at the end of both February and March 2008. Each tour for up to 80 persons will be three days, two nights and feature a special gourmet meal prepared by a guest chef, a briefing on the work of the Royal Agricultural Station Angkhang and a guided tour organized by Royal Project staff.

The cost is 14,000 baht inclusive of return airfare, accommodation, and gourmet meal. Norbert Kostner, Executive Chef of The Oriental Bangkok, will create a special meal for the February tour. Interested persons should call the Royal Project’s public relations office tel: +66 (0) 53 810 765-9 ext. 104.

Web site: www.angkhang.com (Thai only)

Getting There

Doi Angkhang is located on the Thai-Burma border, 160 kms north of Chiang Mai city in Fang District. This involves a three-hour drive with very steep roads up the mountain that cannot accommodate large tour buses.

On request, Angkhang Nature Resort offers a pick-up service by van from Amari Rincome Hotel or Chiang Mai airport, at a cost of 5,000 baht for the return journey.

Alternatively, visitors can make arrangements with various travel agencies in Thailand that offer guided Doi Angkhang tours:


ROYAL AGRICULTURAL STATION ANGKHANG
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Article Source: http://www.tatnews.org/emagazine/3576.asp

Thailand Rock Climbing

Mention Thailand and images of beaches, elephants and Bangkok come to mind. Less known is the fact Thailand rock climbing is some of the best in the world.

Thailand Rock Climbing

Located in Southeast Asia, Thailand is bordered by Cambodia, Burma and Laos in the north and Malaysia in the south. The shape of the country is somewhat similar to Italy, and you’ll find similar differences between northern and southern Thailand that you do in Italy. For rock climbing enthusiasts, the south of Thailand is where the action is.

The rock formations in Thailand are almost universally limestone. The level of climbing can be as simple as bouldering or as challenging as tackling over vertical cliffs. This makes Thailand a popular rock climbing destination since it has a little something for everyone.

Krabi

Located on the southern section of the “tail” of Thailand, Krabi has a wide variety of rock climbing challenges. Most of the climbs in this area are of the pre-bolted sport route variety. There are literally hundreds upon hundreds of climbs with difficulty levels from beginner to multi-pitch knuckle crushers.

The beauty of climbing in Krabi is…well, the beauty. While you might have visions of jungles and mosquitoes when thinking of Thailand, Krabi is an area of a different sort. Most of the climbs have been set up on cliff faces on the beach. Being natural capitalists, the Thai’s have built hotels, bars and so on at these locations. As a result, you can literally climb a multi-pitch route for five hours, cool off with a swim and then have a beer. If there is such a thing as a rock climbing heaven, many feel Krabi is it.

Before you cash in your savings, keep in mind that Thailand is a seasonal vacation spot. If you go during the wet season, there is a good chance you’ll just end up sitting around drinking beer. While that isn’t too bad, you’ll go crazy looking at the climbs that are so close, but oh so far away.

Generally, you want to head to Thailand from late November through maybe April. The summer months tend to be both incredibly hot and wet. Make sure you pull up forecasts for the area before booking a trip.

Flying to Thailand is inexpensive, but flights are incredibly long with stopovers. Still, it is all worth it once you experience Thailand rock climbing.

Published At: www.Isnare.com
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Bangkok Nightlife Guide

Read All The Tips And Advice

Leading travel magazines consider Bangkok to be one of the best places in Asia and was ranked fourth in the world by one magazine. It has six of Asia's top 100 hotels in the city. Bangkok offers culture, history and many other attractions to visitors of any age.

A Bangkok nightlife guide will help you appreciate everything the city has to offer. This guide can help you find a lot of clubs and attractions, but remember no guide can cover all of Bangkok. It can help you plan out your trip in the little time that you have to visit the city. A Bangkok nightlife guide also guides you to places with great deals such as hotels or restaurants.

Bangkok in Thailand comes to life at night with all forms of exotic entertainment. Some areas may offer illicit activities and tourists are advised to be careful by consulting reputable travel guides. Guides can suggest quality bars with good management that offer exciting but safer views of Bangkok nightlife.

Getting around the city can be difficult if a visitor is not well versed in the language or transportation options. But a good guide will list the public transportation options and help you with a few phrases that will help navigate the city. Although taxis are plentiful, be aware that taxi drivers are very competitive to get a fare. You travel guide might inform you on how to get the best deal for transportation.

Restrictions on tourists in Bangkok have tightened recently, due to Thailand's unstable political situation. Keep all your travel papers in a safe place, and make sure all are certified as genuine. If your travel documents are stolen or misplaced, call your country's embassy using the phone number in your guide. Most embassies can quickly replace your missing documents.

For a tourist visiting Bangkok, your best friend is a good guide. You can get the most out of your trip by going over all the good information a good guide can give you. By doing so, you are guaranteed an unforgettable experience.


Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/Article/Bangkok-Nightlife-Guide--Read-All-The-Tips-And-Advice/122855

Choosing Your Thailand Hotel

It may seem bewildering with all the choice when you start looking to book your Thailand hotel, but there are few tips which can save you a lot of time...

Thailand is massively popular with tourists, and the reason for that is simple, it's a country blessed with a range of different appeals, from the skyscrapers to museums, to beach fronts.

When you start to choose your hotel for your stay, the first choice is to decide what kind of holiday you are after.

You may want a luxury stay, so that you can enjoy the metropolitan side of Thailand.

Or you may prefer a more open beach type hotel, as free and easy a lifestyle as possible.

You may want to go for the backpacker type venue, where you literally just want a bed for the night, and you aren't too fussed about where it is.

Maybe you want the type of hotel where you hardly ever leave the building!

As you can see, these choices alone will open up a vast array of hotels, so there is no need to look at those which don't fit the style of your stay.

Only focus on those that do, and once you've done that the next step is to choose which budget option you are going for.

Each different type of holiday will have hotels at the top end of the range, middle options and cheaper alternatives.

Again by making this decision before you start looking you will weed out a lot of choices which aren't suitable for you.

Another great tip is to use a website which has reviews.

There is nothing better than real life customer reviews to keep you informed, much better than the hotel's own publicity!

Even better if the site has the option, say of a forum, where you can discuss the options and hotels with people and get honest replies, good or bad.

So to sum up, decide what type of holiday you're after, what your hotel budget is, and then if you go to a site that has real life reviews, you'll be well on your way to finding your perfect Thailand hotel.

For some great rates on a Thailand Hotel visit http://www.Accommodation-Thailand.com While you're there sign up for the free Budget Travel Tips 10 week mini ecourse.

Leigh has worked with Fortune 500 companies including EMC, Telstra, The U.K National Archives, OneSteel, BlueScope Steel, I.B.M, Mazda, Toshiba, Ipex, NEC, Ernst Young and Acer as well as working in Australia, United Kingdom, Canada and India.

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Scuba Diving In Thailand

The diving possibilities in Thailand are nearly endless. Thailand is listed as one of the top ten sites for scuba diving and it is not surprising why when one sees the world class scuba diving sites, clean white sandy beaches and crystal clear water. In fact, Thailand is the perfect place for it.

This beautiful country is full of history and culture. The Thais are friendly and hospitable while accommodation possibilities vary from budget to luxurious. There over 50 scuba diving centers located in towns and islands along the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea.

Thailand offers a varied diving environment which ranges from deep underwater mountains to sheer rock formations rising above the sea, from coral gardens located in shallow warm waters to undersea formations created by granite boulders; and from limestone walls plunging deep into the sea to numerous dark caverns.

Thailand is blessed with both hard and soft corals. While diving one can often see large pelagic fish, whale sharks, silver tip sharks and manta rays. Thailand's scuba diving sites never fail to impress the most seasoned diver with its variety and species of tropical fish.

Scuba diving in Thailand takes place all year round. However, the best time of the year for diving in Andaman Sea and other diving sites is from October to June. During this period, the sea is calm and one can travel quite far into the sea in boats to enjoy the unique diving experience that Thailand has to offer.

Diving usually takes place in three areas across Thailand. One is Pattaya, which is quite close to Bangkok; the second place is the islands off the Gulf of Thailand. This includes the islands of Ko Samui and Ko Tao. The last place popular with scuba divers is the west coast of Thailand. Here Phuket, Ko Phi Phi and Krabi offer the best experience in the Andaman Sea.

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The Best Time to Travel to Thailand

Probably the most common question any foreigner living in Thailand will hear from people planning to visit the Kingdom is "When is the best time to come to Thailand"...not an easy question to answer without knowing "why" a person wants to come to Thailand.

There are basically three seasons in Thailand (though of late the cold season seems to have gone missing), the seasons are, The Hot, The Wet and The Cold. Cold being a rather subjective description though, the shots of emergency blankets being handed out in the northern provinces when it drops to a chilly 10 degrees...that's 10 degrees Celsius. So what does each season offer.

The Hot

March to June : The hottest month is April when even the geckos stay inside and most expats look outside at lunch time and decide to not eat rather than melt on the walk to a food stall. The Hot season is beach season, if that's your thing then this is the time to come to Thailand, guaranteed sun sun sun all day long day after day. For Trekkers you might find this to be a tad hot to go trudging up hills unless mounted on an elephant, sun stroke and dehydration are high up on the list of things to beware of. Bangkok turns into a molten vat of pollution as the winds die and the smog just hangs around choking up the oxygen. Hotels are at their most expensive during the hot season and weekends will see many of the mid range ones fully booked.

The Wet

July to November : The change over from hot to wet is the worst time to be in Thailand regardless of what you're into. It's Hot, it's wet and the humidity is ruthless. You'll be desperate to take three showers a day at a minimum...living in a shower for a month might not be a bad plan. If you can imagine living in a sauna for a month then you get the right picture of Thailand at the start of the wet season...unless you're in Bangkok, then get in a sauna and pipe your car exhaust into the sauna to get the right idea...hmmm yummy. Then thankfully the skies really open up, the wind blows and things freshen up . Rain is pretty much a guaranteed feature on a daily basis and usually kicks off in the afternoon, sometimes lasting all night, Floods are common along with power cuts. So why come to Thailand now...the cost.... hotels are empty, tourists are away, it's a great time to see Thailand with fewer tourists than usual and get the best prices as even the Thai people stay home at the weekends.

The Cold

December to February : Thailand freezes over, snow falls from the sky and ice-skating is the nations most popular sport...well if you watched the TV or the Thai people running around dressed in winter jackets, boots, gloves and scarves you may start to think it's true.. in Bangkok it can drop to a bone chilling 15 degrees Celsius at night, and up north it has on occasions dropped down to 2 degrees, the south gets off much lighter and you can escape with a body warmer and a bobble hat. Thailand again is swarming with tourists who have come to take advantage of the cool weather to do see Thailand without burning up. This is the best time of the year to actually "see" Thailand, you'll enjoy seeing the sights and touring the cities and trekking will be at its best. Again prices will be up and hotels fairly full.

So in a nutshell the best time to come to Thailand is the time that suits what you want to do, Trekkers and Tanners will have different needs, those looking for bargains will have different needs. Just add that there are occasional down pours even in the hottest parts of the year and even the wet season can be dry for a week or more.....but leave your skis at home...there will be no snow.....guaranteed.

Article can be used with permission of Chris Sanderson as long as the signature and in place links are left unchanged. Chris Sanderson is an Affiliate Marketing Manager based in Bangkok Thailand with AMWSO.com and the owner of Xaap.com.

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Water Sports Holidays In Thailand

You get treasures of ethnic, scenic, gastronomic, and oceanic pleasures in Siam. Thailand certainly is the fascinating and exotic land of lovely people known for their fantastic culture, cuisine, and overall lifestyle. The land, of course, is well known for its beautiful beaches and pelagic pleasures. It is a wonderful destination for water sports in Southeast Asia.

Thailand definitely is the best pick, if you are looking to have fun & adventure packed water sports holidays. You can really have great holiday, beaching, playing beach volleyball & other beach sports, and enjoying numerous water sports activities, such as swimming, rafting, surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, sailing, and scuba diving in Thailand. Some famous destinations for water sports destinations in Thailand are – Mae Hong Son, Hua Hin, Phuket, Chumpon, Ko Chang, and Koh Tao.

Mae Hong Son, located near the border of Myanmar along the banks of the river Pai, is a wonderful town in the North West Thailand. The town offers you a nice opportunity to enjoy rafting the Pai River. You can join one of the rafting expeditions that are commonly organized in the heart of Mae Hong Son. Mae Hong Son can be accessed by car or bus from Chiang Mai via the Mae Hong Son loop. The town is also served by the Mae Hong Son Airport.

Hua Hin, in the northern part of the Malay Peninsula, some 200 km south of Bangkok, is a celebrated beach resort town in Thailand. It is best known for kitesurfing. You can hire your kitesurfing equipment, have kitesurfing instructions from experts, and enjoy kitesurfing. You can also joint kitesurfing lessons & courses for beginners. You can also enjoy numerous other beach and water sport on the beach resort, with an area around 86.36 km². You can also enjoy swimming, windsurfing, wave surfing, and rowing.

Phuket, the largest island and the southern province of Thailand, is best known for its beaches. It is popular destinations for beach & water sports. You can enjoy numerous beach & water sports activities, such as swimming, kitesurfing, yachting, windsurfing, wave surfing, rowing, snorkeling, diving, scuba diving, etc. in Phuket. Famous Phuket beaches include Bang Tao, Surin Beach, Laem Singh Beach, Kamala Beach, Patong Beach, Karon Beach, Kata Yai Beach, Kata Noi Beach, Ao Chalong, and Rawai Beach.

Chumphon or Chumpon, the capital of the Chumphon Province at the shore of the Gulf of Thailand, is a fantastic town in southern Thailand. Located about 463 kilometers away from Bangkok, Chumpon is famous for kitesurfing or kiteboarding, and other water sports activities. You can enjoy numerous beach & water sports activities, such as swimming, windsurfing, wave surfing, snorkeling, diving, fishing, and rowing. The town can be accessed by bus or by ferries.

Ko Chang, located on the Thai east coast 310 km away from Bangkok near the border to Cambodia in the Gulf of Thailand, is the second largest island of Thailand. It is famous for sailing and scuba diving. However, you can also enjoy several other beach & water sports activities, such as swimming, windsurfing, wave surfing, snorkeling, diving, and rowing in Ko Chang. The island can be accessed by ferries operating from Laem Ngop.

Ko Tao, an island located near the eastern shore of the Gulf of Thailand, is widely famous for scuba diving. Diving in Ko Tao is easy and full of fun. Often, you have encounters with turtles, stingrays, barracudas, lots of small fish, and reef sharks. The island is a great place for divers. It is a great place to learn diving, as there are hardly any currents. You can also enjoy several other water related activities, such as wake boarding, water skiing, sumo tube, wind surfing, and sailing. Ko Tao can be accessed catching ferries from Surat Thani, or Ko Samui, or Ko Pha Ngan.

Author writes for Holiday Velvet, a website providing listings for Hotels, Villas, Holiday apartments in Phuket, and Thailand holiday villas.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Burrows

Holiday in Thailand - A Delightful Destination

Of late Thailand has become quite a popular name whenever tourism is chosen as the topic for discussion, and it's not hard to imagine why! After all, one look at its rich culture and natural resources, and we know why Thailand has a lot to brag about itself and its appeal to tourists from all over the world.

Mentioned below are some of the popular tourist attractions in Thailand.

Phuket

Located in southern Thailand, Phuket is a world famous holiday destination with pictorial beauty, breathtaking beaches, amazing Thai cuisine, thrilling water sports and rich resorts for that more than perfect holiday in Thailand. This tourist spot of Thailand is known for its nightlife, seafood, romantic retreat and gorgeous coral reefs. Phuket is a highly popular holiday destination among tourists and visitors from all over the world.

Bangkok's Canals

The capital of Thailand is world famous for its water markets and houses. Tourists and visitors on holiday in Thailand must not miss this unusual open water area with floating shops and houses. Do shop at this extraordinary water market for a whole new experience.

Tarutao Marine National Park

While you are holidaying in Thailand make sure you visit Tarutao Marine National Park, as this tourist spot offers an amazing company of plants, animals and lets you experience the best of its wildlife resources.

Suan Pakkad Palace

This tourist spot is perfect for those in love with art, as the place offers remarkable art collections. The place also lets you cherish and experience the beauty of traditional houses when on holiday in Thailand.

Temple of Wat Arun

Bangkok is known to have more than 400 temples, but Wat Arun is one of the most prominent and worth visiting one. The temple acts as a major tourist spot because of its contemporary architectural layout and unique design. Many of those holidaying in Thailand often visit this temple to capture the images on Buddha's life displayed at the temple.

National Museum in Bangkok

Bangkok's national museum is a must-see tourist attraction for those on a holiday in Thailand. The museum offers collections of striking artifacts that add a touch of true Thailand to your vacation.

Statue of Buddha

The Island of Ko Samui is famous for the popular statue of Buddha. When holidaying in Thailand you must visit this island to experience the religious feel of Thailand. The place is known to draw tourist and visitors looking for the real Thailand.

Trekking at Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is a renowned trekking base that allures all the fun and adventure loving tourists and visitors holidaying in Thailand. There is nothing better than trekking through forests and mountains in the north for those looking for some great scenery, thrill and adventure like elephant rides and bamboo rafting.

Best time to holiday in Thailand

The ideal time for a vacation in Thailand would be the months from December to March

I hope you found this article of interest, if so, you can find out more at http://www.direct-holidays.me.uk. At this site you can watch a variety of holiday videos as well as learn more about holiday destinations and a Direct Holiday.

You are free to republish this article provided a working hyperlink remains to my website - Luki Johnson

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North of Thailand - UTHAITHANI

Uthai Thani is a province abundant in natural resources, such as forests and wildlife. “Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Reserve” here was proclaimed a Nautral World Heritage Site on 13 December 1991. The reserve has jungles, forests, plains, many streams, and most importantly, a number of rare and endangered animals.
Due to the verdant nature of the area, Uthai Thani is a province with unspoiled natural tourist destinations that are of interest to tourist everywhere.

Furthermore, visitors can see the different lifestyles of locals, such as the life of raft residents on Sakae Krang River, a waterway that aided the birth of the province and which has been a lifeline for its people since ancient times. It is also where provincial trading has flourished. Life revolving around the river eventually grew from a community into the major province that it is today.

The most striking indication of the bond between the people and the river since the old days is that in 1906, when King Rama V visited northern provinces and stayed in Sakae Krang village, the monk Phra Khru Uthai Tham Nithet (Chan) built 2 twin rafts to receive the king. This clearly showed the importance of the river and the lifestyle of the people living off it in that period.
In addition, at the end of the Buddhist Lent, Buddhists from all directions congregate in the province for a major merit-making tradition called Tak Bat Thewo at the foot of Khao Sakae Krang at Wat Sangkat Rattana Khiri. This festival has been held in Uthai Thani since ancient times.

Uthai Thani is located in the lower part of northern Thailand. Most of the province consists of forests and high mountains. It has a total area of 6,730 square kilometres. It is divided in to 8 Amphoe (districts), as follows:

Amphoe Muang Uthai Thani
Amphoe Lan Sak 58 kms. from the city
Amphoe Nong Kha Yang 11 kms. from the city
Amphoe Nong Chang 21 kms. from the city
Amphoe Thap Than 16 kms. from the city
Amphoe Ban Rai 79 kms. from the city
Amphoe Sawang Arom 30 kms. from the city
Amphoe Huai Khot 51 kms. from the city

Boundary

North borders Amphoe Phayuha Khiri, Amphoe Krok Phra and Amphoe Lat Yao of Nakhon Sawan.

South borders Amphoe Wat Sing and Amphoe Han Kha of Chai Nat and Amphoe Doem Bang Nang Buat of Suphan Buri.

East borders Amphoe Phayuha Khiri of Nakhon Sawan and Amphoe Manorom of Chai Nat. The Chao Phraya River divides the provinces.

West borders Amphoe Um Phang of Tak and Amphoe Sangkhla Buri and Amphoe Si Sawat of Kanchanaburi.

Distances from Amphoe Muang to nearby provinces

Chai Nat 42 kms.
Nakhon Sawan 50 kms.
Lop Buri 111 kms.

How to get there

By Car 1. From Bangkok, take Highway No. 32, passing Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, ang Thong, Sing Buri, and Chai Nat, then turn left at Tha Nam Oi at Km.206. From there, cross the bridge spanning the Chao Phraya River and turn left onto Road No. 333 for 16 km. The total distance is around 222 kilometres. 2. From Bangkok, take Highway No. 32 pass Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, then turn left across the bridge to Ang Thong. Go through Sing Buri, Amphoe Sapphraya, Chao Phraya Dam, Amphoe Wat Sing, Wat Tha Sung, and into Uthai Thani Market. The total distance is about 283 kilometres. 3. From Bangkok, take Road No. 340 past Suphan Buri, turn left onto Road No. 357, then right onto No. 322 past Amphoe Don Chedi. From there, turn right onto Road No. 3264 to Ban Sa Krachom. Then turn right onto Road No. 333 to Ban Rai intersection and another right to Amphoe Mueang. The total distance is about 302 kilometres. By Bus There are daily regular and air-conditioned Bangkok – Uthai Thani buses during 05.00-16.00 hrs. For more information, please contact the Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit), Tel: 0 2936 2852-66, and Uthai Thani Bus Terminal, tel 0 5651 1914 or visit www.transport.co.th

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North of Thailand - UTTARADIT

A province in the Lower North, Uttradit has a long history developing through the years since pre-historic time.

The site of the original town, then called Bang Pho Tha It, was located on the right bank of the Nan River. It flourished as a port for goods transportation. As a result, King Rama V elevated its status into a province and re-named it Uttradit, literally the Port of the North.

Uttradit is located 491 kilometres from Bangkok and covers an area of 7,838 square kilometres and is divided into the following districts: Muang, Tron, Laplae, Phichai, Tha Pla, Nam Pat, Fak Tha, Ban Khok, and Thong Saen Khan.



How to get there

By Car 1. From Bangkok, take Highway No. 1 (Phahonyothin) and Highway No. 32 to Nakhon Sawan via Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, Sing Buri, Chai Nat, then use Highways No. 117 and No. 11 to Uttaradit via Phitsanulok. 2. From Bangkok, drive to In Buri, then turn into Highway No. 11 (In Buri-Tak Fa route) and proceed to Uttaradit via Phitsanulok. By Bus Air-conditioned buses and non air-conditioned buses depart from Bangkoks Mochit 2 Bus Terminal to Uttaradit daily. Call 0 2936 2852-66 or visit www.transport.co.th for more information. Private bus companies which operate daily bus services to Tak are such as Win Tour (Tel: 0 2936 3753-4), Choet Chai Tour (Tel: 0 2936 0199). By Rail Trains depart from Hua Lamphong to Uttaradit every day. Contact Bangkok Railway Station Tel. 1690, 0223 7010, 0 2223 7020 or visit www.railway.co.th for more information.

Published At : www.tourismthailand.org
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North of Thailand - TAK

On traveling to Tak Province, expect to discover a place with long history, where natural wonders are magnificently enhanced by ethnic diversity.

Mostly forested and mountainous, Tak is a northern province peacefully situated on the Maenam Ping basin. The province covers an area of 16,406 square kilometers and is 426 kilometers north of Bangkok. As Tak shares natural border with Myanmar, it is highly regarded as a western gateway to Myanmar, and a northern doorway to Thailand's major cities such as Lampang and Chiang Mai.

The Past

A province with a long history, Tak was earlier called Mueang Rahang. Historians believe it was built prior to the Sukhothai era and was treated as the western frontier of the Kingdom. Tak was also associated with Thailand's former Great Kings, from King Ramkamhaeng the Great, King Naresuan the Great, King Narai the Great to King Taksin the Great. These four Kings usually called their troop assemblies in Tak. That is why the seal of the province depicts King Naresuan the Great on the royal elephant, pouring sacred water on the ground. This is a symbolic representation of the declaration of the independence of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya during the war with Burma in 1584. Tak was considered the first district to be liberated from the power of the Burmese Kingdom.

The Present

Today, Tak is no longer a strategic military frontier between two great nations. It is however a trading gateway to Myanmar at Amphoe Mae Sot, where lots of economic activities take place daily along the border. In addition, the province has the Asian Highway that runs from Thailand's western border towards the northeastern region at Chong Mek (Mae Sot Sukhothai Phitsanulok Ubon Ratchathani - Laos).

Apart from Tak's military and economic importance the province is also an environmental and cultural center with magnificent forests, spectacular waterfalls and caves and fascinating hill tribes such as Karen, Lisu, Musoe (Lahu), Akha, Yao and Hmong.

How to get there

Distances from Amphoe Muang to Other Districts:

Ban Tak Sam Ngao Mae Sot Mae Ramat Phop Phra Tha Song Yang Umphang Wang Chao

22 56 86 120 135 170 221 38

kms. kms. kms. kms. kms. kms. kms. kms.

Distances from Tak to Neighbouring Provinces:

Kamphaeng Phet Sukhothai Phichit Nakhon Sawan

68 79 157 185

kms. kms. kms. kms.

Travelling to Tak

By Car

From Bangkok, take Highway No. 1 (Phahonyothin) and Highway No. 32 to Nakhon Sawan via Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, Sing Buri and Chai Nat Provinces, then take Highway No. 1 again and proceed to Tak via Kamphaeng Phet Province. The total distance is 426 kilometers.

By Bus

From Bangkok: Air-conditioned buses depart from Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal (Mochit 2 Bus Terminal)to Tak between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. every day. The journey takes 6 hours. Call 0 2936 2852-66 or visit www.transport.co.th for updated schedules. Daily bus services to Tak are also available. They are operated by private bus companies such as Thanchit Tour (Tel: 0 2551 1307), Choet Chai Tour (Tel: 0 2551 1054).

By Rail

From Bangkok: There are no trains going directly to Tak. The nearest train transfer station is Phitsanulok. From there, tourists can take a local bus to Tak. Contact Bangkok Railway Station Tel. 1690, 0223 7010, 0 2223 7020 or visit www.railway.co.th for more information.

By Air

From Bangkok: Thai Airways flies from Bangkok to Mae Sot, a district which is 86 kilometers from the City of Tak. For more updated information, call 0 2628 2000 (24-hour reservation center) or visit www.thaiairways.com

Travel from Tak to other Cities

Tourists who want to travel from Tak to Bangkok or any other city may choose to go by air or land. Car rental service in the City of Tak is also available.

By Bus

Many governmental and private bus companies have regular and air-conditioned bus services to nearby provinces. For more information, call Transportation Authority of Tak, tel. 0 5551 1057.

Distances from Amphoe Muang to Other Districts:

Ban Tak Sam Ngao Mae Sot Mae Ramat Phop Phra Tha Song Yang Umphang Wang Chao

22 56 86 120 135 170 221 38

kms. kms. kms. kms. kms. kms. kms. kms.

Distances from Tak to Neighbouring Provinces:

Kamphaeng Phet Sukhothai Phichit Nakhon Sawan

68 79 157 185

kms. kms. kms. kms.

Travelling to Tak

By Car

From Bangkok, take Highway No. 1 (Phahonyothin) and Highway No. 32 to Nakhon Sawan via Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, Sing Buri and Chai Nat Provinces, then take Highway No. 1 again and proceed to Tak via Kamphaeng Phet Province. The total distance is 426 kilometers.

By Bus

From Bangkok: Air-conditioned buses depart from Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal (Mochit 2 Bus Terminal)to Tak between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. every day. The journey takes 6 hours. Call 0 2936 2852-66 or visit www.transport.co.th for updated schedules. Daily bus services to Tak are also available. They are operated by private bus companies such as Thanchit Tour (Tel: 0 2551 1307), Choet Chai Tour (Tel: 0 2551 1054).

By Rail

From Bangkok: There are no trains going directly to Tak. The nearest train transfer station is Phitsanulok. From there, tourists can take a local bus to Tak. Contact Bangkok Railway Station Tel. 1690, 0223 7010, 0 2223 7020 or visit www.railway.co.th for more information.

By Air

From Bangkok: Thai Airways flies from Bangkok to Mae Sot, a district which is 86 kilometers from the City of Tak. For more updated information, call 0 2628 2000 (24-hour reservation center) or visit www.thaiairways.com

From Bangkok via Pitsanulok Province and then transfer to the Pitsanulok-Tak shuttle. The flights are scheduled to run every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Call 02 628-2000 (24-hour reservation center) or visit www.thaiairways.com for more information.

From Bangkok to Umphang, Take air-conditioned buses, as well as flights from Bangkok to Mae Sot, and then, take the local bus to Umphang. There is now a charter flight operated by Siam GA Co., Ltd. The fare is approximately 9,000 bahts to fly directly to Umphang either on Monday, Wendesday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday. For more information, call 02 5043320 ext. 197.

Travel from Tak to other Cities

Tourists who want to travel from Tak to Bangkok or any other city may choose to go by air or land. Car rental service in the City of Tak is also available.

By Air

From Bangkok via Pitsanulok Province: and then transfer to the Pitsanulok-Tak shuttle. The flights are scheduled to run every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Call 02 628-2000 (24-hour reservation center) or visit www.thaiairways.com for more information.

The Thai Airways offers a wide range of trips from Tak and Mae Sot to other provinces, including Chiang Mai and Phitsanulok. For more information, call 0 2628 2000 (24-hour reservation center)

By Bus

Many governmental and private bus companies have regular and air-conditioned bus services to nearby provinces. For more information, call Transportation Authority of Tak, tel. 0 5551 1057.

Published At : www.tourismthailand.org
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North of Thailand - SUKHOTHAI

Found in the 13th century, Sukhothai (literally means Dawn of Happiness) was the first truly independent Thai Kingdom, which enjoyed a golden age under King Ramkhamhaeng, credited with creating the Thai alphabet. The superb temples and monuments of this great city have been lovingly restored in Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-see for all travellers.

Sukhothai is located on the lower edge of the northern region, 427 kilometres north of Bangkok or some 298 kilometres south of Chiang Mai. The province covers some 6,596 square kilometres and is divided into 9 Amphoes: Muang Sukhothai, Ban Dan Lan Hoi, Khiri Mat, Kong Krailat, Sawankhalok, Si Nakhon, Si Samrong, Si Satchanalai and Thung Saliam.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Sukhothai was the first kingdom of the Thais in this peninsula. Two princes-Pho Khun Pha Muang and Pho Khun Bang Klang Hao combined their forces and fought the Khmers who commanded an extensive empire throughout this part of the world.

They drove the Khmers out of Sukhothai, a major frontier post of the Khmer Empire, and established it as their capital in 1238. Pho Khun Bang Klang Hao, urged by the people to be king, was enthroned with the royal title of Pho Khun Si Indrathit.

King Si Indrathit had two sons-Pho Khun Ban Mueang and Pho Khun Ramkhamhaeng. After his death, Pho Khun Ban Mueang succeeded him. His brother, Pho Khun Ramkhamhaeng, ascended the throne in 1278 and reigned for forty years. He was Thailand's first great king.

One of Thailand's finest warriors, King Ramkhamhaeng made Sukhothai a powerful and extensive kingdom which included many parts of what are today neighbouring countries. A number of ancient cities paid him tribute.
King Ramkhamhaeng opened direct political relations with China and made two trips to China - the first in 1282 to visit Emperor Kublai Khan and the second in 1300 after Kublai Khans death.

From the second visit, he brought back Chinese artisans who taught the Thais the art of pottery. Today, the old Sangkhalok Potteries are eagerly sought by collectors.

A major achievement of King Ramkhamhaeng was the revision of various forms of Khmer alphabets into a system suitable for the writing of Thai words. The alphabet that he invented in 1283 was essentially the same as that in use today.
During his reign, there was prosperity and happiness. There was water in the paddy-fields and fish in the water.

A stone inscription reads in part, This Muang Sukhothai is good. In the water there are fish; in the field there is rice. The ruler does not levy a tax on the people who travel along the road together, leading their oxen on the way to trade and riding their horses on the way to sell. Whoever wants to trade in elephants, so trades. Whoever wants to trade in horses, so trades. Whoever wants to trade in silver and gold, so trades.

King Ramkhamhaeng also promoted religion and culture, and through his efforts, Buddhism progressed among the people. Inspirational faith gave birth to classic forms of Thai religious arts. Images of the Lord Buddha sculptured during the Sukhothai Era are cultural treasures which impart a feeling of peace and serenity.

A total of eight kings ruled Sukhothai. The gradual decline of Sukhothai occurred during the reigns of the last two kings. The end of this first Thai kingdom occurred in 1365 when it became a vassal state of Ayutthaya, a young and rising power to the south. Ayutthaya became the capital of Thailand before Thon Buri and Bangkok.

Click for brochure

How to get there By Bus Air-conditioned buses depart from Bangkok's Mochit 2 Bus Terminal to Sukhothai daily between 9.45 a.m. and 10.20 p.m.,frequently during the morning. The journey takes 7 hours. Call 0 2936 2852-66 or visit www.transport.co.th for more information. Private bus companies which operate daily bus services to Sukhothai are such as Win Tour (Tel: 0 2936 3753 or 0 5561 1039), Phitsanulok Yan Yon (Tel: 0 2936 2924-5, 0 5525 8647) Sukhothai Bus Terminal (Tel: 0 5561 3296) By Rail There are no trains going directly to Sukhothai. One may travel by train to Phitsanulok and then take a local bus to Sukhothai, about 59 kilometres away. Contact Bangkok Railway Station Tel. 1690, 02223 7010, 0 2223 7020 or visit www.railway.co.th for more information. By Air Bangkok Airways flies from Bangkok to Sukhothai daily for 1-hour journey. Sukhothai Airport is about 40 kilometres north of the town. For more information, call 0 2265 5678, 0 2265 5555 or 0 5564 7224-5 or visit www.bangkokair.com Distances from Amphoe Mueang to Other Districts Si Samrong Kong Krailat Khiri Mat Ban Dan Lan Hoi Sawankhalok Si Nakhon Si Satchanalai Thung Saliam 20 21 22 28 38 54 67 68 kms. kms. kms. kms. kms. kms. kms. kms. Distances from Sukhothai to Neighbouring Provinces Phitsanulok Kamphaeng Phet Tak Uttaradit Phrae Lampang 59 77 79 100 165 207 kms. kms. kms. kms. kms. kms.

The Website for Sukhothai, Si Satchanalai, and Kamphaeng Phet

Published At : www.tourismthailand.org
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North of Thailand - PHRAE

General Information

An old and important community of Northern Thailand, Phrae was founded after Chiang Mai had been established as the capital of the Lanna Thai kingdom. With one of the largest reserves of teak forests in the country, it is located on the banks of the Yom River, 555 kilometres from Bangkok.

Covering an area about 6,538 square kilometres and surrounded on all sides by mountains with level plains in the middle, Phrae is administratively divided into the following districts: Muang, Sung Men, Den Chai, Long, Wang Chin, Song, Rong Kwang and Nong Muang Khai .

How to get there

By Car

From Bangkok, take Highway No. 1 and Highway No. 11 to Phrae via Nakhon Sawan, Phichit, Phitsanulok and Uttaradit.

By Bus

Transport Co. Ltd. operates regular buses to Phrae at 10 a.m. and 10.30 p.m.. The buses leave Mochit 2 Bus Terminal everyday. For more information, call 0 2936 2852-66 or visit www.transport.co.th. Private bus companies are such as Choet Chai Tour; Tel: 0 2936 0199, Phrae Tour, Tel: 0 2936 3720, Sombat Tour, Tel: 0 2936 2496.

By Air

SGA flies from Bangkok to Phrae. Call 0 2644 6099 or visit www.sga.co.th for more information.

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North of Thailand - PHITSANULOK

General Information

Covering some 105,815 square kilometers, Phitsanulok is 377 kilometers north of Bangkok. It borders Uttaradit Province on the North, Phichit Province on the South, Loei and Phetchabun Provinces on the East, and Kamphaeng Phet and Sukhothai Provinces on the West. Situated on a strategic location dividing Thailands Central and Northern regions, and connecting to the Northeastern region, Phitsanulok is undeniably an important hub and an ideal base for travelers wishing to explore the lower North and western Northeast. Phitsanulok, however, is not just a stopover for tourists, but is a province with promising tourism opportunities.

Phitsanulok City spans the banks of Maenam Nan and has Maenam Kwae Noi running through it. Therefore, it is locally known and historically referred to as Song Kwae City (song means two and kwae means a river). Most of Phitsanulok's terrain is flatlands, with one third of the area being mountain ranges on the north and the east. Its unique natural endowments including natural parks and waterfalls make a trip to Phitsanulok worthwhile.

Apart from its exceptional natural charisma, Phitsanulok provides visitors with an opportunity to explore notable chapters of Thailand's history. For example, remains of an ancient community dating back between 2,000-4,000 years, including old stone axes, was found here. In addition, the old temple of Wat Chula Mani, situated 5 kilometers south of the city, was built even before the Sukhothai Kingdom burst into power.

Phitsanulok prospered along with the powerful Sukhothai (1238-1378) and Ayutthaya (1350 1767) Kingdoms. In particular, it played a strategic role in the Ayutthaya era when it had become the Kingdoms royal capital for 25 years during the reign of King Borom Trailokanat.

Phitsanulok is also the birthplace of King Naresuan the Great (reigned 1590-1605) the legendary King who declared Ayutthayas independence from Burma in 1584. King Naresuan the Great is known for his victorious and honorable single hand combat on elephant back Yutthahatti against a Burmese Crown Prince. His heroic power and strong dedication to expelling the invaders from his motherland saved the country, and truly united the Kingdom which later was known as Siam and currently known as Thailand.

Phitsanulok was also a strategic location for other Ayutthaya Kings as it was a major center for military recruitment and a training camp when Ayutthaya waged wars with Burma.

How to get there

By Car

a) From Bangkok, use Highway No. 1 to Wang Noi, then proceed to Nakhon Sawan Province along Highway No. 32 via Ayutthaya, Ang Thong and Sing Buri Provinces. After that, take Highway No. 117 to Phitsanulok. The total distance is 337 kilometers.

b) Take the same Highway to Sing Buri Province and switch to Highway No. 11 (In Buri-Tak Fa route), then turn into Highway No. 12 and proceed to Phitsanulok Province via Wang Thong District. The total distance is 450 kilometers.

By Bus

Buses depart from Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal (Mochit 2 Bus Terminal) to Phitsanulok. Contact Transport Co. Ltd. at Tel: 0 2936 2852-66; Phitsanulok Yan Yon Tour at Tel: 0 2936 2924-5; Choet Chai Tour at Tel: 0 2936 0199 and Win Tour at Tel: 0 2936 3753.

By Rail

Daily regular trains depart daily from Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Railway Station. Call 1690 or visit www.railway.co.th for more information.

Trains leave Bangkok for Phitsanulok daily from 7.05 a.m. to 11.30 p.m., 14 times a day. There are express trains (Sprinters) from Bangkok to Phitsanulok departing daily from 8.25 a.m. to 11.10 p.m., 5 times a day.

Trains leave Phitsanulok for Bangkok daily, from 2.05 a.m. to 11.29 p.m., 14 times a day. There are daily express trains (Sprinters) departing from Phitsanulok to Bangkok from 2.05 a.m. to 11.00 p.m., 4 times a day.

By Air

Thai Airways International operates several direct flights daily from Bangkok to Phitsanulok. The trip takes 40-45 minutes. For more information, contact the Bangkok Office at tel. 0 2280 0060, 0 2628 2000, Phitsanulok Office at tel. 0 5525 8020 or visit www.thaiairways.com

By Rental Car

For visitors interested in touring Phitsanulok independently, Budget has a small operation at the airport. Call tel. 05525-8556 for reservations and information. Avis operates out of an office adjoining the Phitsanulok Youth Hostel.

Travelling around the city is easy as the town is relatively compact. Sam lor will cost 30-50 baht/person, depending on the destination and city buses are also available (4-6 baht/person, non air-conditioned). The station is located on Thammabucha Road, near the train station.

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