Fondly known as 'the land of smiles', Thailand is commonly associated with gorgeous golden sand, palm-lined beaches, warm aquamarine waters, glorious temples and verdant jungle-clad mountains. With sixteen million foreigners flying into the country each year, Thailand is the primary travel hub of Southeast Asia, offering a diverse range attractions and activities to suit all tastes and budgets. Whether exploring the teeming metropolis of Bangkok, relaxing on the tropical beaches of the southern islands, scuba diving in the underwater wonderland off the coast of Koh Tao, jungle trekking in the North, or discovering the ancient cities of Chiang Mai, Thailand is filled with attractions to satisfy any interest.
Dubbed 'The Rose of the North', Thailand’s northern capital is far smaller and more serene than Bangkok. Despite this, the city has seen extensive development in the last decade that has transformed it from a low-key, old-world city into a modern hub, complete with top-notch restaurants and five-star hotels. A walk around the inner-city moat will take you past the array of glittering temples, aromatic food markets and eclectic shops of Chiang Mai’s downtown, while just five minutes away is the popular Night Bazaar – a shopping Mecca for tourists. Other highlight attractions include a visit to the trendy Nimmanhemin district, with its upmarket bars and shopping outlets, and a trip up Suthep Mountain, to see the hilltop temple and take in panoramic views of the city below.
The little town of Tha-ton in Thailand’s far north has earned a place on the tourist track for being the kick-off point for river cruises to Chiang Rai, but it has remained wonderfully authentic and unassuming. It’s a beguiling spot to spend a few days, exploring the local villages, hiking or biking along the banks of the Mae Kok, or taking in the emerald brilliance of the rice fields and surrounding jungle. For those not wanting to go as far as Chiang Rai, there are also boat trips to various nearby destinations, including several hill tribe settlements and the Burmese border.
Thailand’s northernmost province, Chiang Rai, is a wild, mountainous region of jungles and rivers home to many different tribes of indigenous peoples. Bordering Myanmar in the north, Laos in the East and the Chiang Mai province in the west, the province is part of the area known as the Golden Triangle, making it an ideal base from which to travel to the surrounding countries. Chiang Rai’s diverse traditional villages are the main drawcard; however, nature lovers and history enthusiasts also find a wealth of attractions to explore. Visitors can meander through the exquisitely landscaped garden at the Doi Tung Royal Villa, once the 'summer' home of the late Princess Mother, and see a prolific number of temples more than 1000 years’ old. Tea lovers will enjoy visits to the many plantations and excellent tea tastings.
This charming, sleepy city is the more laid-back alternative to bustling Chiang Mai and the capital of Chiang Rai province. Besides its beguilingly slow pace, friendly locals and beautiful setting amidst rolling rainforest-covered hills, Chiang Rai also encompasses a treasure chest of cultural and historical gems. Don’t miss a visit to Wat Rong Khun (The White Temple) – a contemporary architectural highlight with an exquisitely ornate, snow-coloured façade – or to the historic Wat Phra Sin, with its traditional Lanna-style interior. There are also several interesting museums to explore, including the quirky Oub Kham Museum, with its collection of fascinating and often bizarre historical relics from the wider Lanna region, and the Hilltribe Museum and Education Centre, which provides excellent insight into the various hilltribe ethnicities in the area.
