Thailand travel and tourism to Thailand places of interest is not a matter of a few choices as is the case with many Asia destinations. Thailand is large and diverse with a large selection of travel and holiday options. In 2007 over 14 million tourists visited Thailand
and their
range of interests varied. As Thailand is so large and varied we have
divided this web site into 5 sections, high lighting tourism
opportunities in each of the 5 administrative regions of, Central Thailand, North Thailand,South Thailand and East Thailand and Northeast Thailand ].
Those tourism sites which are National Parks or Marine National Parks
are highlighted on the National Parks
links and Map of Thailand National Parks. Thailandsworld.com also
provides a National perspective on where various types of sites are
located and the distance between these places for planning a visit to
Thailand. More detailed regional links showing these major Thailand places of
interest for tourism can also be found on the 5 regional links.
About North Thailand
The Thailand Government defines North [ Northern ] Thailand as consisting of both [
1 ] the 84,000 square kilometre comprising 8 provinces of Chiang Mai,
Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Lampang, Lamphun, Phrae and Mae Hong Son,
which area originally comprised the Lan Na principalities detailed in
the North Thailand History link [ the Upper North ],
and [ 2 ] the 86,000 square
kilometres of the Lower North, comprising the provinces of Kamphaeng
Phet, Tak, Sukhothai, Uttaradit, Uthai Thani, Nakhon Sawan, Phichit
Phitsanulok and Phetchabun, which area originally comprised the
Kingdoms of Sukhothai and later the northern parts of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya,
Thon Buri and Bangkok Empires. Read More About North Thailand Here.
South Thailand comprises the Southern Peninsula with the Andaman Sea to
the West and the Gulf of Siam to the East. It is a mountainous region
and the Phuket Mountain Range is the most important on the West from
Chumphon to Krabi and to the East is the Nakhon Si Thammarat Mountain
Range from Surat Thani to Satun. Between these ranges are the plains
and limestone hills and to the South the Sannkalakhiri Mountains which
divide Malaysia and Thailand.
The two coastlines on either side of the Peninsula are completely
different. The West Coast was created by the sinking of land and the
creation of the Andaman Islands and the East Coast was created by
lifting of sediment flowing from the rivers.
These geographical differences determined the pattern of
settlement. On the West Coast there were marinas for shipping and on
the East, agriculture. The location of the Peninsula on the ancient
world trade shipping routes determined its history.
The marine attractions are unsurpassed with dramatic scenery
created by limestone Karst, sea caves, pristine white sandy beaches and
coral reefs. Read More About South Thailand Here.
Central Thailand is situated on the central plains of the Chao Phraya
River and the Meklong River valley. The first
substantial civilisation here was that of the Mon people and during the
6th - 9th C its Buddhist Kingdom was referred to in chinese records and
on silver coins as '' Dvaravati ''. Influences from India when merged
with Mon characteristics formed the basis of religion, art,
architecture and public administration.
Later Central Thailand was absorbed into the Khmer Empire
with its Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Then came the Tai from the
North and the region was absorbed into the Empires of Sukhothai, Lop
Buri and Ayutthaya. Read More About Central Thailand Here.
Northeast Thailand is the eastern region of Thailand and comprises the
valleys of the Chi and Mun rivers, the left bank basin of the Mekong
River to its north and east, the sandstone Khorat Plateau and the basin
of the Prachin River which connects to the Dang Raek Mountains on the
border with Cambodia.
Today
the region is divided into 19 Provinces of Thailand.
Historically the area was influenced by the Khmer [ now of Cambodia ]
whose inscriptions found there date from the 7th C. During the 7th -
9th C the Hindu Khmer built numerous temples and roads throughout
Isan. The people then were Buddhist or Hindu. This is reflected in the
art and architecture which remains. The area was also influenced by the
Chams of Champa. Later in the 13th C came the Tai and later again
population movements from Laos, China and Vietnam.
Today's descendants comprise people with Tai Lao, Mon, Cham,
Vietnamese, Khmer and other Tai ancestors. Isan comprises 171,000
square km [ or 6,000 square miles ]. East Thailand' s principal
attractions are the Khmer ruins, the regional Tai art, architecture and
culture today, its natural beauty, prehistoric settlements and
wildlife. Read More About Northeast Thailand Here.
