Attractions from Thailand

Bangkok

Grand Palace

Grand Palace was built in 1782 when King Rama I claimed the throne and Bangkok became the capitol. The palace's ground plan is almost identical with that of the palace in Ayutthaya that was burnt down by the Burmese. Special attention has been paid to the details of this beautiful castle that is surrounded by a 1900 metre long white wall.

Jim Thompsons House

This remarkable house belonged to the American Jim Thompson, who came to Thailand during the end of WW2 and founded the country's silk industry. The house that is built without the use of nails or screws is presently a museum that holds Thompson's wonderful collection of Asian art.

Thailands National Museum

The National Museum was built by Rama I in 1782 and was first taken into use in its present function in 1874. The museum consists of three wings that contain exhibitions of historical and religious figurines from the different time periods, as well as artefacts and ethnological items, not only from Thailand, but also from all of Asia.

The Royal Boats

The Royal boats can usually be seen in a hall except for the rare occasions when they are out sailing in procession on the river Chao Phraya. The fleght numbers in all 35 highly ornamented boats. The long narrow wooden boats are painted in fantastic colours and are plated with gold leaf. The most beautiful of them all is the King's 45 metre long boat that's bow is formed like a swan's neck from which a gilded swan's head struts as it holds a golden lamp in its beak.

Wat Arun

Wat Arun means The Temple of the Dawn. The beautiful temple faces Chao Phraya, and from the opposite side of the river the temple looks amazing in the rays of the dawn. The 79 metre high pagoda is covered by multicoloured pieces of porcelain.

Wat Phra Kaeo

Wat Phra Kaeo, The Emerald Buddha's Temple, can be found within the walls of the Grand Palace. The temple was built in 1785 by Rama I and holds several of Thailand's art treasures. Among others the 75 cm. tall emerald Buddha that has been carved out of a piece of jasper.

Wat Po

The extensive temple Wat Po is neighbours with the Grand Palace. In the temple you will find among other things the enormous gilded "Laying Buddha" that is 46 metres long and 15 metres high. Wat Po was the centre for universal knowledge and is sometimes called "Thailand's first University". The building itself is incredibly beautiful and filled with detail.

Wat Sakhet

Wat Sakhet is also known as "The Golden Mountain". This is because of the golden chedi on the mountain's top that dates back to the 18th century. The construction of the building was started by King Rama III, but was not completed until the reign of King Rama V. From The Golden Mountain there is a fantastic view of the old part of Bangkok.

Wat Traimit

In this little modest temple stands the famous Gold Buddha. The statue is 3 metres high and weighs 5,5 tons. Scientists believe that the Buddha is between seven and eight hundred years old and is from the Sukhothai period. The Buddha that until 1933 was covered with plaster was discovered by coincidence while contractors were moving the plaster figure. The cable on the crane snapped and when the figure hit the ground the plaster cracked and revealed the gold that was hidden underneath.

Central Thailand

Khao Yai National Park

Khao Yai National Park is with its 2100 km2 one of the country's largest national parks. The park is covered by a rich rain forest and has both mountains and glorious waterfalls. Tigers, elephants, bears, wild boar, and monkeys are among the many animals that live in the park.

Sukhothai

Sukhothai was Siam's first capitol and was founded in 1238. The city had then an impressive size and ornamentation, and today you can see it in the ruins of the magnificent city. The many beautiful temple ruins testify to the former capitol's glory days.

The Bridge Across the River Kwai

The bridge across the river Kwai is a memorial of the atrocities the Japanese committed against the allied prisoners of war during WW2. The prisoners were forced to build a railroad along the river and it is believed that 16.000 allied and 100.000 Asian prisoners died while working. Every year a show is held in memory of the many who died.

Wat Phra Sri Ratana Mhathat

Wat Phra Sri Ratana Mhathat is situated in the over 500-year-old city of Phitsanulok by the Nan River. The temple holds the famous sitting bronze Buddha Phra Buddha Chinarat. The Buddha is of the Sukhothai style and is from the 14th century. The Buddha is one of the finest examples of this particular style.

Northern Thailand

Chiang Mai Zoo

The zoological garden in Chiang Mai was founded in 1920 and was originally the private collection of an American missionary. He donated the zoo to the city when he retired. There are over 6000 animals in the zoo, among others 12 penguins, the first ever seen in Thailand.

Doi Inthanon National Park

The National Park got its name from Thailand's highest mountain, Doi Inthanon that is also in the park. But it is not the only magnificent natural phenomenon that is hiding in the park. The beautiful waterfalls Mae Klang, Mae Ya, and Vivacharatarn are fantastic as they fall almost straight down the sides of the cliffs and cascades of water spray to all sides.

Elephant Show

The elephant has been used as a work animal in Northern Thailand for centuries, and it is still being used as such. When heavy logs have to be moved the elephants lend a helping trunk. All around in Northern Thailand there are elephant camps where the animals are trained. In most of these camps they put on shows for the tourists, so that they can see how the animals do their work.

Siam Bay

Phetchburi

In this little city north of Hua Hin there are not only several temples, but also the beautiful white palace Khao Wang. King Mongkut built the palace around 1860. From the palace there is a fantastic view of the city and you can even see the boarder to Burma.

Samut Prakarn

Samut Prakarn is the largest crocodile farm in the world and was founded in 1950. Today all wild crocodiles are extinct in Thailand, but at the farm there are over 60.000 animals. It is mainly their skin that is of interest because it is used as skin and for purses.

The Night Market in Hua Hin

The night market is the place where the local population gathers to trade and chat. During the day there is not a trace of the market, but at night all the stands and food vendors open. The food that can be bought at the market is delicious and very cheap.

Thailand

Ayutthaya

King U-Thong founded Ayutthaya in the 14th century. The city was Thailand's capitol until it was totally destroyed in 1767 by the Burmese. Except for walls, colonnades, and brick foundations nothing is left of this once magnificent city. Today all you can see are its ruins. Some of the buildings have been partially restored and these give you a good idea of what the city once looked like.

Jeath Museum

The Jeath Museum is in Kanchanaburi by the bridge across the river Kwai, and it deals with the bridge's horrible history. The prisoners themselves through their own pictures and drawings tell the stories. Visiting the museum can be a tough experience.

Muang Boran

Muang Boran is a gigantic outdoors museum. The museum is "framed" in by a big surrounding park where many copies of Thailand's famous temples and buildings have been erected. The park gives a good impression of how the architecture in Thailand has changed through time.

The Ruins near Phimai

The old ruins near Phimai are a testimony to the extent of the Khmer Kingdom. The city is from the 10th century and was founded by King Jayavarman of Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is in Cambodia and a road, in spite of the fact that there are 240 kilometres between them, once connected the two cities.

Thailand Islands

The Big Buddha

The 12 metres high gold statue of Buddha is in a sitting position and is one of Koh Samui's most popular attractions. You will find the statue in Wat Phra Yai on the island of Koh Fan. The top of the temple has a fantastic view.

The Na Muang Waterfall on Koh Samui

Na Muang is really two waterfalls. The first one is easy to get to and is 18 metres high. At the bottom of the waterfall there is a lovely little "swimming hole" where you can take a refreshing dip. The second waterfall is 80 metres high. The trip to the waterfall is rough so be sure to wear proper shoes.

The Nail and Koh Pannyi

These two islands are situated in the Phang Nga Bay. The Nail came into the world's limelight because some of the scenes from the James Bond movie "The Man With The Golden Gun" were filmed here. Close to The Nail is Koh Pannyi that is a sea gypsy village. The village is right up against a cliff and is built in the water. While sailing in Phang Nga one usually stops on Koh Pannyi to eat.

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