TOP TEN NEW AND UNEXPLORED DESTINATIONS IN THAILAND

1. Koh Kood



       Koh Kood covers A hundred and five square kilometres, making it the second biggest island in the area after Koh Chang. Visitors to the island can enjoy the lazy beach life but the beautiful waters just off shore in the Koh Chang National Marine Park have become increasingly popular for snorkeling and scuba diving. The finest sites are on the western side of the island and southern tip. Koh Kood has some lovely beaches tapped by crystal clear waters. The island's interior is mainly forested or coconut and rubber tree plantations. There are several excellent resorts on the island.

2. Wang Nam Keow





        Located at the eastern extremity of Khao Yai National Park, the Wang Nam Keow Valley is a beautiful area and a popular destination for Thai holidaymakers. The valley is scattered with farms, resorts, vineyards and nature trails. Visitors can also enjoy rowing, fishing and watching sunset set at Lam Pra Pleung Dam or go bird watching, canoeing or mountain biking in Khao Puluang Forest.

3. Koh Sichang



        If you are looking for a quick escape route from Bangkok for the weekend, forget popular Pattaya beach, head for Koh Sichang, a rough-cut diamond cast into the Gulf of Thailand.              Just one hour south of Bangkok this peaceful island has somehow managed to escape the ravages of mass tourism. Despite its diminutive size Koh Sichang offers enough of interest for several relaxation-filled days.


4. Thale Waek



         Thale Waek or the "separated sea" is situated along Koh Dam Khwan, Krabi. As the tide recedes, a white sand and limestone beach appears, connecting the two islands at low tide. The best time to visit Thale Waek is five days before and after the full moon from December to beginning of May.

5. Koh Tarutao



         Koh Tarutao was made famous as the location for the American TV series, Survivor. It is one of 50 islands set with the Koh Tarutao National Park, the first to be given such status in Thailand. It is around 40 kilometres from the southern Thai town of Satun or 22 kilometres off the shore from the Pak Bara Pier. To the north, the park borders the Muko Phetra National Park, and to the south, it borders the boundary waters between Malaysia and Thailand. Most of island is mountainous and covered with evergreen forest. There are many bays, both small and large, with beautiful beaches. The waters surrounding the island are teeming with marine life including four endangered species of sea turtle.


6. Koh Lipe



            Koh Lipe is a small island within the spectacularly beautiful Tarutao National Marine Park in southern Thai province of Satun. Set in the crystal clear waters of the Andaman Sea, The island is a vision of a true paradise. Koh Lipe is one of a group of ten small island located 50 kilometres off the mainland but there are in fact over 70 islands other islands within the National Park. These islands can be visited on day trips from Koh Lipe.


7. Phanom Rung Historical Park, Buriram



         Prasaat Phanom Rung is regarded as one of the most significant Khmer ruins in Thailand. Built during the 10th to 13th centuries A.D., Phanom Rung was a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Shiva. The main tower is adorned with lintels depicting episodes from Hindu legends including the dancing Shiva and Vishnu in the reclining position. The setting of Phanom Rung is extremely pretty but as one of the most visited temples sites in the northeast. It does get very busy. It is best visited early in the morning. Nearby Muang Tam with its five towers and lotus ponds is also worth visiting Phanom Rung Historical Park opens everyday from 06.00-18.00hrs. Admission fee is fourty Baht per person. For further information call +6644631711


8. Sangkhlaburi



        Sangkhlaburi is located in the far north-west corner of Kanchanaburi Province and is known for the Three Pagodas Pass. The area has a strong Burmese influence and is also the site of the longest wooden bridge in Thailand.

       Phra Chedi Sam Ong or the Three Pagodas Pass was once the route into. Thailand for invading Burmese arrives as well as traders from India. It is believed that the pagodas date back to the 4th century and are fairly small but hold great sway with the locals as peace symbols. Visitors are allowed to cross into Burma with a day pass and wander around the town of Pyathonzu. Here there is an interesting border market selling wood carvings, ornaments, jade and textiles.

9. Hot Springs, Lampang




          Chae Son National Park in the Mueang Pan district of Lampang is a lush forested and mountainous region with a seventy-three Celsius hot spring set in rocky terrain. It provides a misty and pictureque scene particularly in the morning. There are bathing facilities for health purpose.

         One kilometre away is a clear, cool brook where tourists can take a dip in water fed by the 6-level Chae Son waterfall. There are accommodations and camping areas for visitors. For more information, call +6654229000

10. Pai



          Not so long ago Pai was a tiny, inaccessible backwater but now it seems everyone wants a slice. When the door opened on Thailand's souffle economy back in 1997 a sprinkling of Bangkok's young and trendy decided that Pai would be easier to stomach and headed north. The result was the blossoming of a colourful little town with a steady pace of life and relaxed atmosphere. Today, it continues to develop. For some it is heaven, to others everything that is wrong with backpacker culture and the negative effect it can have on local towns. On offer is good accommodation, coffee shops, restaurants, bars with good live music, rafting, trekking and the ever-popular Thai massage.

THE NORTH OF THAILAND

The north of Thailand, steeped in history and culture, is blessed with beautiful sceneries of forests and mountains and rivers and waterfalls abound. Its fertile land and cool climate produce much of Thailand's fruits and vegetables. The region is also home to the hill tribes - the people whose conventions and customs differ from the mainstream Thai culture. This is also a center of adventure such as white water rafting, trekking, mountain biking and safaris and the place to pick up authentic handicrafts and souvenirs.
Northern Thailand, home of ancient Lanna Kingdom, offers a great diversity of activities. The old Lanna capitals of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai are filled with ancient monuments and museums, and markets selling the distinctive local textiles and handicrafts, Smaller towns, such as Nan and Lamphun, offer a more low-key charm. Away from the main settlements, forests (some of them teak), rice fields set in verdant valleys and several spectacular national parks. The more adventurous visitor can join a trek to remote villages inhabited by hill tribes where elements of lifestyle have changed little in hundreds of years.

CHIANG MAI Province Thailand

Chiang Mai, the hub of the north and Thailand's second largest city is the former capital of the ancient Lanna Kingdom. The Night Bazaar, a shopper's comucapia, and Doi Suthep, a temple sixteen Kilometers outside of town that provides magnificent views of Chiang Mai, are favorites spots for tourists.Overview

         The city's Nimanhemin Road area has become a hot spot for trendy furnishings and design items for up-market homes and villas. And for the kids, the Chiang Mai Night Safari with its wide selection of animals is a big hit. The pandas in the Zoo are a must:::

        Chiang Mai is the jump-off point for all destinations to the far north of Thailand for those heading to Chiang Rai, a half-day, long-tail boat trip from Tha Ton (located due north of Chiang Mai) to just outside of Chiang Rai is a fun and alternative means of travel.

        The Chiang Mai to Pai and Mae Hong Son route has long been popular with backpackers, but now that the road has been paved it's much more accessible for everyone. And Pai has now established itself as the trekking capital of northern Thailand.

       Thailand's largest peak, Doi inthanon, situated in a national park, is a popular drive for many visiting Chiang Mai. It's a favorite for birdwatchers and naturalists because of its many species of plants, animals and birds. Nearby, the meditation retreat at Wat Phra That Si Chom is quite popular and draws students from all over Thailand.

       Many superb five-star resorts and hotels such as the Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, and the four seasons Chiang Mai have opened in and around Chiang Mai proper. Others of note include the Sofitel Riverside Chiang Mai, the Sukanthara Cascade Resort&Spa, the Imperial Mae Ping Hotel, the Maninarakorn Hotel, Proud Phu Fah, Kaomailanna, the Bulun Buri Resort, the Ratchanamkha, the Deva Montra Resort & Spa and Belle Ville.

HIGHLIGHTS AND ATTRACTIONS

PICTURE PERFECT

       Lying 16Km out of town is Doi Suthep, famous for its 14th century Wat Phrathat, which provides glorious views out over the city of Chiang Mai, Once you reach the base of the temple, there a 290-step staircase or a funicular to take you to the top. The Royal Family's northern residence, Phuping Palace, lies 4km north of Wat Phratat - its gardens are open to public Fri-Sun. also There's and authentic, Hmong hilltribe village called Doi Pui, a couple kilometers past the royal palace.
ARTS & CULTUREChiang Mai is said to be home to 1,000 temples, so picking which ones to visit can be difficult, but Phrasingh Temple on Ratchadamnern Road is probably the most revered and well-known as its home to the holy Buddha image. Phra Buddha Singh. The Xiangman Temple containing a 1,800-year-old white Emerald Buddha is also quite popular.

ACTIVITIES
Chiang Mai has become a destination for many to study Thai massage. Thai Cooking, Thai language, yoga and vipassana(insight meditation) as many prefer its laid-back feel to that of frenzied Bangkok. The city also has one of the greatest concentrations of cottage industries in the world ranging from paper umbrellas to lacquerware, celadon pottery, silverware, woodcarving silk weaving and traditional handicrafts.

DINNING OUT
Along the west bank of the Ping River, just north of the Nawarat Bridge lies a trendy area featuring the Good View, Gallery, Mahanga and Riverside eateries, all are worth a gander as is the nightclub La Brasserie. The city is also famous for its kao soy(soft & crispy noodles in curry soup, served with either chicken, meat or pork), nam prik noom(shredded green peppers) and khantoke(assorted northern snacks).

NEARBY ENVIRONSChiang Mai has long been known for its elephant camps and treks and 100km south, just outside of Lampang, lies the Elephant Conservation Centre, where you can learn to be a mahout, and the world's first elephant hospital, run by Soraida Salvala. Lampang is also the only town in Thailand to still offer horse - drawn carts as a mode of transportation.

WALKSThe old town itself is surrounded by a moat, entered by 5 now restored gates: Suan Dork Gate in the west, Ta Pae Gate in the east. Chang Puak Gate in the north and Chaing Mai & Suan Prang Gates in the south. It lends itself to great walking tours; maps of which are easily accessible at most guest houses and hotels.

SHOPPING
Just outside of town, the Bo Sang umbrella making Centre, started by a monk is popular with tourists - you can see sa paper made there from mulberry bark. Also popular is Baan Roi An Phan Yang, where you can see intricate antiques and wood carving crafted by some of the region's best craftsmen, The Baan Tawai Handicraft Village is also a good spot to sample local products, and at the nearby Shinawatra Thai Silk shop, you can play with all kinds of silk.

Free of Charge

Well, It's not exactly free, because you are going to have to pay with gas or bus fare, but as mentioned Chiang Mai is a great jumping off point to see northern Thailand, the circular drive from Chiang Mai past Chom Tong (the entrance to Doi inthanon), to Mae Sariang, on to Mae Hong Son, through Pai, then back to Chaiang Mai takes you through all kinds of spectacular scenery. And a couple hours south of Mae Sariang in the Mae Sot area lie a number of Karen and Burmese refugee camps, where many volunteers have offered their services over the years.

Loy Krothong in Chiang Mai - November

          On the night of November's full moon in Chiang Mai, local people celebrate Yi Peng, the northern version of the Loy Krathong festival. Thousands of lanterns are launched into the night sky in the belief that as they float away so does the troubles of the community. The traditional practice of setting adrift krathongs, tiny decorative candlelit rafts, into rivers is also observed on the same night in northern Thailand.

Northern Fruit and Art Festivals - August
Two northern towns, Lamphun and Chiang Mai stage cultural events as these towns are noted for their culture, art and heritage. They are also recognized for a variety of fruits.

Only in Chiang Mai
Songkran, or Buddhist New Year, has a history of being wet, wild and wholly in Chiang Mai as everybody gets into a gigantic water fight for three or four days in mid-April, this is possibly be the biggest water fight in the world.

Local Knowledge:

       Public transport. - It is convenient to travel around Chiang Mai by riding the popular tuk tuk or a songtaew, a red pick up truck with a canopy and twin rows of bench seats which go around the city center and other routes. Considered to be a practical way to getting around is by hiring a motorcycle or go around by foot. It is also possible to rent cars while traveling around. 053 is the Local area code used to dial to Chiang Mai

Seasons in Chiang Mai

      Chiang Mai is the gateway to the north. The cool season is the best time to enjoy for those who wish to experience trekking in the mountains. The morning can be very cool but temperatures quickly rise and the afternoons can be hot, only to plummet again at night. During the hot season, the north can experience very high temperatures; when the wet season comes some of the dirt tracks leading to the hill tribes are impassable and flooding is common.

How to go to Chiang Mai?

     The city has an international airport and a number of budget airlines service it domestically. Chiang Mai is serviced by regular bus service from the Mochit terminal in Bangkok (an 8-9 hour trip) and the overnight 700 km train journey from the Hualampong train terminus in Bangkok is great fun.

WAT PAK BO

WAT PAK BO

           Location 28 Moo 4 Tambon Chaiyamongkon 

Amphoe Muang SamutSakon SamutSakon Province.