HIGHLIGHTS
Bangkok
At the centre of Rattanakosin, the old royal city, is the Grand Palace and the mystical Emerald Buddha of Wat Phra Kaeo. Just outside the palace grounds are the sacred Wat Po and Lak Muang. To the North of the city is Dusit, with the modern palace and Thailand's parliament. South is Chinatown and the old foreigners' district. East is the clutter and the high-rises of a modern city. Khao Yai
Thailand's oldest national park, lies 200 km northeast of the capital.
Erawan National Park
Home to one of Thailand's most popular waterfalls, this park lies about 80 km from Kanchanaburi. Beyond Erawan to the northeast are two limestone caves, Tham Phra That and Tham Wang Badan, as well as Huay Khamin Falls, with large, deep pools.
Ayutthaya
Built by 33 monarchs over 400 years ago, this historic city is located 85 km north of Bangkok at the junction of three rivers.
Lopburi
The former summer capital of Siam lies 10 km north of Ayutthaya. Artifacts from the Neolithic and bronze ages have been found in large quantity in Lopburi, testifying to the great antiquity of the city.
Sukhothai
Much of this ancient city remains at the northern extent of the central plains. A short distance from Kamphaenghak Gate is the Ramkamhaeng National Museum, a good starting point for a tour of the city.
Chiang Mai
Despite its increasingly rapid urbanization, 700-year-old Chiang Mai remains prized as a pleasant, cool-season escape from the sticky humidity of Bangkok. It is situated 300 metres above sea level in a broad valley divided by the picturesque 650-km long Mae Nam Ping.
Nan Valley
This may be Thailand's last great undiscovered tourist territory. The Nan Valley has lovely mountain scenery, the full complement of hill tribes, a new national park, and a friendly population not yet jaded by exposure to foreign travellers.
Ko Samui
About three million tourists descend upon this stunning island every year. Despite that, Ko Samui retains much natural beauty.
Tanboke Koranee National Park
About 50 km southeast of Phang Nga, this is the one of the most beautiful parks in Thailand.
Ko Phi Phi
One of the most beautiful islands in Asia, arguably surpassing the better-known Phuket. Where Phuket is undulating, physically sociable and with a sizeable population, Phi Phi is geologically dramatic, its population confined to low-lying sandbars below towering rocks.
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