Destination Thailand
A unified Thai kingdom was established in the mid-14th century. Known as Siam until 1939, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never to have been taken over by a European power, and fiercely proud of the fact.
• Magical Thailand at-a-glance
» Destination Bangkok
Bangkok (originally Bang Makok) was a small village on the banks of the Chao Phraya river, until a new capital was founded on the west bank (present-day Thonburi) after the fall of Ayutthaya. In 1782, King Rama I built a palace on the east bank and renamed the city as Krung Thep, as it is now known to Thais -- the City of Angels …
» Discover Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand, and is the capital of Chiang Mai Province. It is located some 700 km north of Bangkok, among some of the highest mountains in the country. The city stands on the Ping river, a major tributary of the Chao Phraya river …
» Discover Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai is a city in Amphoe Mueang Chiang Rai, Changwat Chiang Rai. Chiang Rai is the northernmost large city in Thailand. as it was established as a capital city in the reign of King Mangrai, in the year 1262 AD. The city was founded by King Mengrai in 1262 and became the capital of the Mengrai dynasty. Subsequently, Chiang Rai was conquered by Burma …
» Discover Hat Yai
Hat Yai (also Haad Yai or Had Yai) is a city in southern Thailand near the Malaysian border. Hat Yai is the largest city of Songkhla Province, the largest metropolitan area in Southern, and third largest metropolitan area of the country. It is often mistaken as being the capital of the province, but Songkhla is the capital and the center of administration and culture …
» Khon
Khon is a genre of dance drama from Thailand. It is traditionally performed solely in the royal court, by men in masks accompanied by narrators and a traditional piphat ensemble. A variation of this genre with female performers is called khon phu ying. In Cambodia, the analog of the Khon is a less refined version known as Lakhon khol …
» Discover Krabi
Krabi is one of the southern provinces of Thailand, at the shore of the Andaman Sea. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Phang Nga, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Trang. The Phuket province to the west is also neighboring, but without any land boundary. The capital of the region is the city of Krabi …
» Luang Prabang Range
The Luang Prabang Range named after Luang Prabang, is a mountain range straddling northwestern Laos and Northern Thailand. Phu Fa waterfall, the biggest and the tallest waterfall in Nan Province, is also located in these mountains. This range is part of the Luang Prabang montane rain forests ecoregion …
» Discover Nonthaburi
Nonthaburi is the principal city of the district and province of the same name in Thailand. It has city municipality (thesaban nakhon) status and covers five subdistricts (tambon) of Mueang Nonthaburi District: Suan Yai, Talat Khwan, Bang Khen, Bang Kraso and Tha Sai. Due to its location close to Bangkok the city is actually a suburb of Bangkok …
» Discover Pattaya
Pattaya is a city in Thailand, located on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, about 165 km southeast of Bangkok in the province of Chon Buri. It is one of the largest centers of tourism in Thailand, with some 5 million visitors arriving in 2004. Tourists visit Pattaya for many reasons including luxury hotels, beautiful beaches, friendly people …
» Discover Phuket
Phuket is a city in Thailand, located on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, about 165 km southeast of Bangkok in the province of Chon Buri. It is one of the largest centers of tourism in Thailand, with some 5 million visitors arriving in 2004. Tourists visit Pattaya for many reasons including luxury hotels, beautiful beaches, friendly people …
» Thai Cuisine
Thai Cuisine is the national cuisine of Thailand. Blending elements of several Southeast Asian traditions, Thai cooking places emphasis on lightly prepared dishes with strong aromatic components. The spiciness of Thai cuisine is well known. As with other Asian cuisines, balance, detail and variety are of great significance to Thai chefs …
» Theravada Buddhism
Theravada Buddhism literally, "the Teaching of the Elders" or "the Ancient Teaching," is the oldest surviving Buddhist branch. It is relatively conservative, and according to Dr. Rupert Gethin, it is generally closer to early Buddhism than the other existing Buddhist traditions. For many centuries, it has been the predominant religion of Thailand …
» Wat Chaiwatthanaram
Wat Chaiwatthanaram is a Buddhist temple in the city of Ayutthaya, Thailand, on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, outside Ayutthaya island. It is one of Ayutthaya's best known temples and a major tourist attraction. It is a large compound and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It can be reached by road or by boat …
» Wat Phanan Choeng
Wat Phanan Choeng is a Buddhist temple in the city of Ayutthaya, Thailand, on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River at the south-eastern side of the confluence of the Chao Phraya and Pa Sak rivers. Today, as part of the Ayutthaya Historical Park, the temple is a popular tourist attraction. Built in 1324, some 26 years before the city of Ayutthaya was officially founded, the temple must have been partly connected to early settlements in the area …
