discover thailand - lonely...
TRANSCRIPT
-
discover
THAILAND
CHINA WILLIAMS MARK BEALES, TIM BEWER, CATHERINE BODRY,
AUSTIN BUSH, BRANDON PRESSER
00a-prelims-dc-tha1.indd 1 20/11/2009 4:15:29 PM
-
p279COAST
ANDAMAN
p239GULF COAST
p217THAILAND
SOUTHEASTERNp51
BANGKOK
p123THAILANDCENTRAL
p191THAILAND
NORTHEASTERN
p97CHIANG MAI
p143THAILANDNORTHERN
2
00a-prelims-dc-tha1.indd 2 20/11/2009 4:15:34 PM
-
DISCOVER THAILAND
Andaman Coast (p279) Dramatically punc-tuated with limestone mountains and cliffs, and home to top-tier beach resorts.
Gulf Coast (p239) Beaches of all shapes and sizes await, from matronly Hua Hin to youthful Ko Tao.
Southeastern Thailand (p217) Fishing towns and jungle islands provide week-end getaways from Bangkok.
Northeastern Thailand (p191) Peppered with Khmer ruins, old-folk ways and sleepy Mekong towns.
Northern Thailand (p143) Historic cities, isolated mountain towns, hill-tribe villages and partying Pai.
Central Thailand (p123) With ancient ruins, WWII sites and the rugged western frontier.
Bangkok (p51) Thailand’s hip and hap-pening city has it all: temples, super-sized shopping and 24/7 entertainment.
Chiang Mai (p97) Provides cultural pursuits, mountain escapes and historic temples.
3
00a-prelims-dc-tha1.indd 3 20/11/2009 4:15:39 PM
-
CONTENTS
4
00a-prelims-dc-tha1.indd 4 20/11/2009 4:15:53 PM
-
THIS IS THAILAND 10
THAILAND’S TOP 25 EXPERIENCES 13
THAILAND’S TOP ITINERARIES 31
PLANNING YOUR TRIP 39
BANGKOK 51BANGKOK HIGHLIGHTS 54BANGKOK’S BEST… 60THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW 61DISCOVER BANGKOK 62Sights 63Activities 70Walking Tour 71Courses 72Bangkok for Children 72Tours 73Sleeping 73Eating 82Drinking 86Entertainment 87Shopping 90Getting There & Away 92Getting Around 94
CHIANG MAI 97CHIANG MAI HIGHLIGHTS 100CHIANG MAI’S BEST… 104THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW 105DISCOVER CHIANG MAI 106Sights 106Walking Tour 112Activities 112Courses 113Sleeping 114Eating 116Drinking 118Entertainment 119Shopping 119
Getting There & Away 120Getting Around 122
CENTRAL THAILAND 123CENTRAL THAILAND HIGHLIGHTS 126CENTRAL THAILAND’S BEST… 130THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW 131CENTRAL THAILAND ITINERARIES 132DISCOVER CENTRAL THAILAND 134AYUTHAYA PROVINCE 134Ayuthaya 134LOPBURI PROVINCE 137Lopburi 137KANCHANABURI PROVINCE 138Kanchanaburi 138Around Kanchanaburi 139Thong Pha Phum 141Sangkhlaburi 141Around Sangkhlaburi 142
NORTHERN THAILAND 143NORTHERN THAILAND HIGHLIGHTS 146NORTHERN THAILAND’S BEST… 150THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW 151NORTHERN THAILAND ITINERARIES 152DISCOVER NORTHERN THAILAND 154LAMPHUN PROVINCE 154Lamphun 154LAMPANG PROVINCE 154Lampang 154CHIANG RAI PROVINCE 157Chiang Rai 157Around Chiang Rai 162Mae Salong (Santikhiri) 162Mae Sai 164Around Mae Sai 165Chiang Saen 165PHITSANULOK PROVINCE 167Phitsanulok 167SUKHOTHAI PROVINCE 171Sukhothai 171Around Sukhothai 177
5
00a-prelims-dc-tha1.indd 5 20/11/2009 4:15:56 PM
-
KAMPHAENG PHET PROVINCE 178Kamphaeng Phet 178MAE HONG SON PROVINCE 180Mae Hong Son 180Pai 184Soppong & Around 188Mae Sariang 188
NORTHEASTERN THAILAND 191NORTHEASTERN THAILAND HIGHLIGHTS 194NORTHEASTERN THAILAND’S BEST… 198THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW 199NORTHEASTERN THAILAND ITINERARIES 200DISCOVER NORTHEASTERN THAILAND 202NAKHON RATCHASIMA PROVINCE 202Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat) 202Around Nakhon Ratchasima 203Khao Yai National Park 205BURIRAM PROVINCE 207Nang Rong 207SURIN & SI SAKET PROVINCES 208Surin 208Around Surin 211UBON RATCHATHANI PROVINCE 211Ubon Ratchathani 211NONG KHAI PROVINCE 214Nong Khai 214
SOUTHEASTERN THAILAND 217SOUTHEASTERN THAILAND HIGHLIGHTS 220SOUTHEASTERN THAILAND’S BEST… 224THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW 225SOUTHEASTERN THAILAND ITINERARIES 226DISCOVER SOUTHEASTERN THAILAND 228CHONBURI PROVINCE 228Si Racha 228Ko Si Chang 228Ban Phe 229RAYONG PROVINCE 229
Ko Samet 229CHANTHABURI PROVINCE 232Chanthaburi 232TRAT PROVINCE 233Trat 233Ko Chang 233Around Ko Chang 237
GULF COAST 239GULF COAST HIGHLIGHTS 242GULF COAST’S BEST… 246THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW 247GULF COAST ITINERARIES 248DISCOVER THE GULF COAST 250PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN PROVINCE 250Hua Hin 250Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park 252Prachuap Khiri Khan 252CHUMPHON PROVINCE 253Chumphon 253SURAT THANI PROVINCE 254Ko Samui 254Ko Pha-Ngan 264Ko Tao 272Surat Thani 276
ANDAMAN COAST 279ANDAMAN COAST HIGHLIGHTS 282ANDAMAN COAST’S BEST… 288THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW 289ANDAMAN COAST ITINERARIES 290DISCOVER THE ANDAMAN COAST 292PHANG-NGA PROVINCE 292Khao Sok National Park 292Khao Lak & Around 292Surin Islands Marine National Park 294Similan Islands Marine National Park 295PHUKET PROVINCE 295Phuket 295KRABI PROVINCE 309Krabi Town 309Ao Nang 310
6
00a-prelims-dc-tha1.indd 6 20/11/2009 4:15:57 PM
-
Railay 311Ko Phi-Phi Don 313Ko Phi-Phi Leh 316Ko Lanta 316
THAILAND IN FOCUS 321ARCHITECTURE 322ARTS 326CULTURE & CUSTOMS 334ENVIRONMENT 339FAMILY TRAVEL 343FOOD & DRINK 345HISTORY 350RELIGION 361
DIRECTORY & TRANSPORT 367
GLOSSARY 392
BEHIND THE SCENES 394
INDEX 400
MAP LEGEND 408
p279COAST
ANDAMAN
p239GULF COAST
p217THAILAND
SOUTHEASTERNp51BANGKOK
p123THAILANDCENTRAL
p191THAILAND
NORTHEASTERN
p97CHIANG MAI
p143THAILANDNORTHERN
7
00a-prelims-dc-tha1.indd 7 20/11/2009 4:15:57 PM
-
Gul
f of
Tonk
in
Gul
f of
Mar
taba
n
Paks
e
Luan
gPr
aban
g
Chi
ang
Khon
g
Nan
Chi
ang
Kham
Vang
Vie
ng
Nak
hon
Kan
Udo
n
Non
g Kh
aiBeu
ng
Sakh
onN
akho
n
Than
i
Muk
daha
n
Phan
om Ubo
n
Am
nat
Cha
roen War
inC
ham
rap
Yaso
thon
Surin
Mah
asar
akha
mRo
i Et
Ratc
hath
ani
Si S
aket
Kala
sin
Si
Loei
Khan
Chi
ang
Uta
radi
t
Phra
e
Phits
anul
ok
Phic
hit
Lom
Sak
Ratc
hasi
ma
(Kho
rat)
Nak
hon
Lopb
uri
Sara
buri
Phet
chab
un
Cha
iyap
hum
Khon
Kae
n Phim
ai
Pak
Thon
g C
hai
Chi
angm
ai
VIE
NTI
AN
E
Burir
am
FangTh
a To
n
Mae
Sai
Mae
Sal
ong
Chi
ang
Mai
Lam
phun
Pai
Mae
Hon
gSo
n
Tak
Saw
ankh
alok
Mae
Saria
ng
Mya
wad
i
Mae
Phet
Kam
phae
ng
Nak
hon
Saw
anU
thai
Tha
ni
Um
Pha
ng
Cha
inat
Suph
anbu
ri
Sang
khla
buri
Maw
lam
yain
gSo
t
YAN
GO
N(R
AN
GO
ON
)
Lam
pang
Sing
buri
Ang
Tho
ng
Chi
ang
Saen
Chi
ang
Rai
Sukh
otha
i
Den
Cha
i
Prac
hinb
uri
Sam
utAyu
thay
a
Sakh
on
BAN
GK
OK
Cha
choe
ngsa
o
Si R
acha
Cho
nbur
i
Ara
nya
Prat
het
Nak
hon
Path
om
Ratc
habu
ri
Phet
chab
uri
Tavo
yKa
ncha
nabu
ri
Sam
ut S
ongk
hram
Path
umTh
ani
Nam
Tok
Nak
hon
Nay
ok
Tha
Khae
k
Sava
nnak
het
Cho
ngM
ek
Wat
Ang
kor
His
toric
al P
ark
Phan
om R
ung
Phu
Phan
Nat
iona
l Par
k
Park
Phu
Kra
dung
Nat
iona
l Par
k
Nam
Nao
Nat
iona
l
Kha
o Y
aiN
atio
nal P
ark
Doi
Sut
hep-
Pui
Nat
iona
l Par
k
Lan
g Sa
nN
atio
nal P
ark
Nat
iona
l Par
k
Era
wan
Nat
iona
l Par
k
Doi
Inth
anon
Thr
eePa
goda
sPa
ss
20º N
18º N
16º N
14º N
Khe
uan
Lam
Pao
Khe
uan
Ubo
nR
atan
a
Khe
uan
Siri
kit
Chu
labh
olK
heua
n
Khe
uan
Mae
Won
g
Kke
uan
Phum
ipho
n
Si N
akha
rin
Res
ervo
ir
Kha
o
Res
ervo
irLa
em
Mek
ong
Riv
er
m
L A
O S
L A
O S
M Y
A N
M A
R(B
U R
M A
)V
I E
T N
A M
Hua
y Ko
n
Doi
Inth
anon
(256
5m)
1148
222
212
213
2
22
23
24
215
219
214
209
210
12
203
225
2
21
11
205
101
107
111
8
108
11
101
105
1
323
317
p-P
p-PP
p-P
p-P arr
An
artis
tic c
ity o
f tem
ples
and
hand
icra
fts
CHIA
NG
MA
Ip9
7C
hC
hiEc
o-m
inde
d tr
ekki
ng, c
ount
ry
scen
ery
and
the
infa
mou
s G
olde
n Tr
iang
le
CHIA
NG
RA
IPR
OV
INCE
p157
Sere
ne B
uddh
as m
edita
te
amon
g tim
e-w
orn
ruin
s fr
om a
n ea
rly T
hai k
ingd
om
SUK
HO
THA
I HIS
TORI
CAL
PARK
p171
hon
Path
khaka
A c
ity o
f ext
rem
es: c
row
ded,
co
lour
ful,
chao
tic a
nd c
harm
ing
BA
NG
KO
Kp5
0
nth
ani
ani
aniii
ani
Si S
a
A c
ousi
n of
Ang
kor W
at, b
uilt
whe
n th
e Kh
mer
s ru
led
Sout
heas
t Asi
a
PHA
NO
M R
UN
GH
ISTO
RICA
L PA
RKp2
09
HH
A ju
ngle
-cov
ered
hill
that
sh
elte
rs b
irds,
mon
keys
and
w
ater
falls
KH
AO
YA
IN
ATIO
NA
L PA
RKp2
05
Patt
aya
Kae
ng
M
00a-prelims-dc-tha1.indd 8 20/11/2009 4:15:57 PM
-
Si R
acha
Phet
chab
uri
317
G U
L F
O
F
T H
A I
L A
N D
S O
U T
H
S E
A
C H
I N
A
A N
D A
M A
N
S E
A
I N D
I A
N
O C
E A
N
(SA
IGO
N)
MIN
H C
ITY
HO
CH
IPH
NO
MPE
NH
Siha
nouk
ville
Satt
ahip
Patt
aya Ra
yong
Trat
Cha
ntha
buri
Nar
athi
wat
Rano
tPh
atta
lung So
ngkh
la
Sada
o
Alo
r Set
ar
Hat
Yai
Beto
ngYala
Patt
ani
Kota
Bha
ru
Mer
gui
Chu
mph
on
Krab
i
Than
iSu
rat
Rano
ng
Khao
Lak
Phan
g-N
ga
Cha
iya
Song
Kant
ang
Tran
g
Satu
n
Raila
yTh
ung
Phuk
et
Cha
-am
Hua
Hin
Khiri
Kha
nPr
achu
ap
Thap
Sak
ae
Bang
Sap
han
Tham
mar
atN
akho
n Si Su
ngai
Pet
ani
Kero
h
Park
Kae
ng
Nat
iona
lK
rach
an
Nat
iona
l Par
kK
hao
Sok
Tha
leh
Ban
Nat
iona
l Par
k
Nat
iona
l Par
kA
ng T
hong
Mar
ine
106º
E
12º N
10º N
6º N
8º N
104º
E98
º E10
0º E
Sap
Tonl
é
Thal
ehLu
ang
Ko
Sam
et
Ko
Kut
Ko
Cha
ng
Ko
Sam
uiK
o Ph
a-N
gan
Lan
taK
o
Lan
gkaw
i
Ko
Phi-P
hi
Sim
ilan
Isla
nds
Isla
nds
Suri
n
Ko
Tao
ofIs
thm
us
Kra
Mekong River
V I
E T
N A
M
M A
L A
Y S
I A
C A
M B
O D
I A
Nat
iona
l Par
kK
o T
arut
ao M
arin
e
ELEV
ATIO
N
1000
m
500m
200m
100m
0
LEG
END
Railw
aySe
cond
ary
Road
Prim
ary
Road
Free
way
90 m
iles
150
km00
3
42
4
4
41
401
4
4
408
atitKK
Stun
ning
land
scap
e of
azu
re
seas
, too
thy
kars
t mou
ntai
ns
and
knot
ted
man
grov
es
KRA
BI P
ROV
INCE
p309
Thai
land
's n
umbe
r-on
e be
ach
reso
rt fo
r sea
and
sun
dow
ners
PHU
KET
p295
A g
loba
l bea
ch s
uper
lativ
e w
ith
post
card
-per
fect
vis
tas
KO
PH
I-PH
Ip3
13
Lear
n to
div
e am
ong
the
fish
at th
is u
nder
wat
er p
layg
roun
d
KO
TA
Op2
72
A c
hille
d-ou
t isl
and
for d
oing
a
who
le lo
t of n
othi
ng
KO
PH
A-N
GA
Np2
64
A c
heer
ful b
each
reso
rt fo
r go
od ti
mes
on
sea
and
land
KO
SA
MU
Ip2
54
00a-prelims-dc-tha1.indd 9 20/11/2009 4:16:00 PM
-
Thailand is lucky. It has the looks, the temperament and the attractions to capture the world’s imagination for an exotic escape. It is mysterious and confounding but approachable and inviting. Hospitality is a genuine art, crafted by a culture that takes pride in putting people at ease.
The tranquil southern coastlines, with their picturesque interplay of sand and sea, mas-sage away modern worries like only tropical isles can. And the culture that has been napping under these coconut trees for generations has a knack for fun.
The charismatic culture pulls visitors away from the islands and the exciting city of Bangkok to ancient kingdoms where surviving Buddha figures meditate serenely amongst the wreckage of war and gravity. The trail leads to Chiang Mai, a historic city at the threshold of the northern mountains that fuses Thailand to its ancestral roots in southern China. The tropics become tempered among the mountains where cool-weather flowers flourish and where nationless minority hill tribes eke out a subsistence existence. The interplay of border cultures, the quiet misty mornings and the daily
THIS IS THAILAND
10
00b-this-is-dc-tha1.indd 10 19/11/2009 1:33:27 PM
-
routines compel visitors to trundle through Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son Provinces absorbing the landscape through a bus window.
In the northeastern corner of the country, the landscape extends to the horizon in a checkerboard of rice fields. This is Thailand’s most traditional region, best viewed dur-ing a local festival when the folk beliefs are on full display. The Khmer empire built an ancient high-way of remarkable monuments through this rural region, leaving the local people to credit some sort of supernatural force. The Mekong River carves out another thoroughfare that is dotted by riverside towns mimicking its languid character.
In every corner of the kingdom, Thais concoct a flavourful feast from simple ingredients and demonstrate daily examples of how to be at peace with the world around them. Those who come only for themselves leave with memories of gratitude and generosity imparted by their hosts.
‘The southern coastlines massage away modern worries like only tropical isles can’
11
00b-this-is-dc-tha1.indd 11 19/11/2009 1:33:30 PM