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76 km far from Bangkok, it was founded in 1350 and was the capital of Siam for four centuries. It rises up on an island at the confluence of three rivers. The most important temples are: the Wat Mahathat, the main monument of the city, the Wat Phra Chao Phanam Choeng (1324), with a large picture of the Buddha, the Wat Ratburana (1424), the Viharn Phra Mongkol Bopir, with the biggest image of the Buddha of the whole country, and the Wat Si Sanphet (1424). The National Museum is really interesting, as it is the place where many artistic objects of various styles are conserved. 
With its thousand contrasts, this metropolis has had an impressive building development, but it still preserves the charm for the old Oriental style. As an example, we can take the canals of the center, that are packed with dozens of boats, important communication routes and locations of a picturesque floating market, or the traditional Chinese district. The contrasts can be found also in the modern architectural styles, that coexist with the precious colonial palaces and thousands of temples and Buddhist sanctuaries. With the destruction of the ancient Ayutthaya, in 1767, the Royal residence was transferred at first in the city of Thon Buri, which is in front of Bangkok on the opposite side of the river, and later, in 1782, in the Chinatown district, where it is still situated.
It is a beach resort town along the Gulf of Thailand mostly known by the local people for being a weekend destination not very far from the capital. The district was established in 1897 and in 1914 the its center was moved to Ban Nong Chok. After World War II the government moved the office to tambon Cha-Am and also changed the district name to Cha-Am.
695 km far from Bangkok, it is the main center of the region and it rises up on the banks of the river Ping. It was founded in 1296 by the king Rama Kamheng and it was the capital of the first independent reign of Lan Na. The new city includes an ancient nucleus with a majestic square of walls and its center is beautified by the presence of dozens of temples that date back mainly to 1300. Nowadays most of them have been restructured, like the Wat Phra Sing, one of the most important sanctuaries of the city and the Wat Chedi Luang, which is famous for its huge reliquaries in ruins with a pinnacle on the top. In the surroundings: Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep is the symbolic temple of Chiang Mai and was built in the XVI c. It includes two sanctuaries and a monastery. It is found on a hill 12 km far away from the city, it has a big staircase and the frontons of the sanctuaries are superbly decorated. From here you can enjoy a beautiful landscape of the whole valley. About 20 km far away from Chiang Mai, the Phu Phing palace is the summery residence of the Thai Royal family. Its buildings are not accessible to the public, but in the weekends you can visit its park and gardens. There is an elephant training camp that is 56 km far from Chiang Mai, northward, at the door of the village Ta Yaak.  The Chiang Dao grottos, 70 km far from Chiang Mai, on the way to Fang, contain many statues of the Buddha. Nowadays this place is a destination of pilgrimage. Lamphun, 26 km far from Chiang Mai, rises up on the banks of the river Kwang and was founded in 660 as the capital of the Mon reign of Haripunchai. It is famous for the Wat Phrathat Hariphunchai temple, one of the main temples of the North that was built in 1044, in the place where the Royal palace was situated. Here there is a huge gong made out of cast bronze, dating back to 1860, and an imposing 50-meters-high chedi, covered by copper foils and with a golden umbrella on the top. 
180 km far from Chiang Mai, this modern city is the starting point of the hikes that reach numerous tribal villages of the area. You can visit the temples or have a walk through the market. The cultural Hilltribe Education Centre is very interesting and it exhibits the craftsmanship of the population of the mountain. 
In the surroundings:
Mae Salong is a village populated by Chinese people coming from Yunnan and is also called “Sentikiti” (peace city). In the surroundings there are some villages of the minorities Yao and Akha.  The golden triangle, connected with the plantation, production and contraband of opium, has its center of utmost importance in a village on the banks of the river Mekong, where the boundaries of Thailand, Laos and Burma meet. Worth-seeing is the opium museum, that tells the story of the contraband of this drug. Chiang Saen is a small city on the banks of the river Mekong and is the ex-capital of the Thai reign. It had been the location of a very important bronze casting school for many years, until the king Rama ordered to raze it, so that  it could not fall in the Burmese’ hands. Mae Sai, a village at the border of Burma, is the border post, even though it is not accessible to the tourists. As a tourist attraction there is the At Para Chat Odi Lao, that rises up on a hill from where you can enjoy an amazing view of the Burmese land. There is also a market of precious stones from Burma.  Mae Hong Son, 350 km far from Chiang Mai, near the Burmese border, is a village in a hilly area covered by  the forest of Teck. It is inhabited by the Shan minority and other populations of the mountain. You can visit the temples and, in the surroundings, the numerous villages of the minorities Shan, Lahu, Lisu and Karen. The Karen villages are very famous for the ancient tradition of the women to stretch their necks with the application of rings, added one at a time over the years (this is why they are also called “giraffe women”). Other interesting places to visit are the Tham Pla grotto and the Wat Phra Non temple. Lampang, 90 km far from Chiang Mai, rises up on the banks of the river Wang. It was founded in the VII c., and it preserves the island architectural characteristics. Here you can visit some Lanna-style temples and some Burmese ones.  In the surroundings of the city you can find the temples of the Kokha district and the Young Elephant Training Centre, a famous training camp for elephants. 
Chiang Saen is a small city situated at the northern extreme of the country, at the boundary with Burma and Laos, in the area called “the golden triangle”. It was captured by the Burmese in the 16th century and sacked in 1803. It was left a ghost town for a hundred years and it was repopulated around 1900. Traces of old double city walls and many other antiquities still remain in and outside town.
Lampang is the third most populated city of the northern Thailand. Some other names that are used are Wiang Lakon and Khelang Nakhon. The climate is drier than the one of the near provinces. Lampang is found in the valley of the Wang river, between the mountain chain of the Khun Tan (west) and Phi Pan Nam (east) mounts. The modern city is developed on the southern  bank of the river, while the old city was on the northern one. 
Mae Hong Son is a minor city of Thailand. It is found at 400 m o.s.l. and is touched by the Pai river, in a valley surrounded by the Shan Mounts. The city has become an important passage point for many tourists, mostly the ones who explore the natural beauties and the villages of the various ethnic minorities present in the province and the ones who love trekking. Another touristic attraction is the city atmosphere that is less busy and more relaxed than the one of the other cities of the country. During the cold season, that goes from November to April, there are hot days and nights when the temperatures fall considerably. The next dry season goes from April to June and presents an excessive heat. During the rainy season it is difficult to travel by car, as the paved roads are very few.
Surat Thani is a major city of Thailand. It is found in a plain territory along the eastern coast of the Malay peninsula and is crossed by the Tapi river, that flows into the Bandon bay. It is 617 km south of the capital Bangkok and 361 km north of the boundary with Malaysia. The average highest temperature is 35° in April, during the dry season, with 40° peaks, while the lowest is 21° and is registered in January and February, in the cold season.
Udon Thani is a regional group situated in the north-eastern part of Thailand. It extends for 11.730 km2 and has 1.541.859 inhabitants. The area has been populated since the Neolithic age, as the archeological site of Ban Chiang proves. 
Hua Hin is a city of Thailand situated about 150 km south of Bangkok, that in 2013 was populated by 58.356 people and that is still the most inhabited city of the country. It started to be known in the late 20s of the last century as an exclusive beach for the aristocratic. Many kings of the past built here their Royal summery residences that are still present nowadays. 
This city is 155 km north of Bangkok.  Its origin comes from the Dvaravati period (VI – IX centuries AC.) and it was later admitted in the Khmer empire, that built gorgeous monuments. The main ones are the Phra Narai Ratchaniwet, the palace of the king Narai (XII c.), the Wat Phra Si Ratana Mahathat, the most fascinating temple of the city, the Wat sai Thong Thong (XVII c.) and the San Phra Khan. Not very far from the city there is the Band Pa palace, which is an ancient summery residence of the first Chakri kings, with the magnificent temple Wat Niwt Thamaprawat. 
350 km far from Bangkok, it is one of the ancient capitals of the reign of Sukhothai and it rises up on the bank of the river Ping. Its name, “Diamond Fortress”, comes from the original fortification, which is still intact nowadays. The last king of Sukhothai sought refuge here before the submission of the Ayutthaya reign in 1378. Out of the walls you can visit the Wat Chang Rob, the elephant temple that lies on a platform that is supported by 68 pachyderms, and the Wat Phra Si Iriyabot, that contains four great statues of the Buddha. 
425 km from Bangkok, it is one of the ancient capitals of the Sukhothai reign, that is about 12 km far from the new city. Most of the old temples have been restructured: the Wat Chedi Sung, the imposing Wat Mahathat (XIII c.), which is enriched with four chapels made out of stone and four Khmer-style towers, the Wat Phra Phai Luang, another great example of Khmer art,  the Wat Sra Sri, that was built on an island and the Rama Khamheng Museum, that exhibits important art objects. 
500 km north of Bangkok, it was founded in the XIII century under the Sukhothai viceroy’s employ on the banks of the Yom river. The ancient buildings were mostly religious temples. The main ones are the Wat Changlom (1285), the Wat Phra Si Ratana Mahathat, which was built on one bight of the river, and the Wat Phra Borom That. The ruins of the ancient city of Uttaradit are very beautiful and are only 34 km far away.
53 km south of Sukhothai, this modern city and active commercial center is the main locality of the area. Some temples are a must-visit, the most famous is the Wat Phra Sri Mahathat, with a very large picture of the Buddha made out of bronze (XV c.). Not far away from the center is the Wat Chulamani, that was built with a great influence of the Khmer style. The Thawi Buranket museum contains important collections of folk art.
It is 320 km north-east of Bangkok. The Prasat Hin Phimai temple is very important (XII c.), as it is one of the main examples of the religious Khmer architecture out of Cambodia. 100 km south-east of Nakhon Ratchasima there is the wonderful Prasat Phanom Rung temple, with its Lop-Buri-style (XI c.), that was erected on the top of a hill under one of the Khmer kings’ employ, in homage to Vishnu. From the state capital the city of Surin is easily reachable. 
Koh Phangan is an island situated at the south-western  extreme of the Gulf of Thailand, at a few km north of Koh Samui. The island became one of the favorite vacation localities of some sovereigns of the Chakri dynasty, especially of the king Chulalongkorn, who visited it 14 times. As a prove of it there are many incisions on stones around the island. After living for centuries of fishing and agriculture, the population of this island has had a great demographic increase during the XX century thanks to the tin mines, that are numerous in this area. Starting to the first 70s the tourism has had a great development, becoming nowadays the main sector of the local economy. Fishing and the agriculture are also very important, especially the coconut.
It is part of an archipelago of 80 islands. Koh Samui, with its 247 kmq, is the third main island of Thailand and the greatest of this archipelago. Its territory is occupied by mountains and a rich vegetation. The coast is occupied by villages of fishermen, important tourist resorts and very-thin-sand beaches that dive into a marvelous sea. Amazing excursions by boat let you get to know the backward little islands that are part of the archipelago. 
From Krabi you can go for an excursion by boat and reach the isolated and calm bays, real tropical paradises, like the Phang Nga bay, famous for the possibility to climb the stacks that rise up from the sea and the dry land. Other attractions are the journey through the grottos, the volcanic beaches and the pinnacles covered by the vegetation. 
Pattaya is a city of Thailand situated in the north-eastern coast of the Gulf of Thailand, about 130 km south of Bangkok. It is one of the most frequented touristic localities, with about 5,4 millions of visitors in 2005. The city is found in a very industrialized area of the east coast, however the industries raise up out of the communal boundaries and so it is exclusively a seaside center; the economy of the city benefits the proximity to Bangkok.
Spectacular islands with rare beauty and protected by a national park, reachable from Phuket by boat.
Phang Nga Bay is a 400 km2 bay in the Strait of Malacca near the island of Pucket. Since 1981, an extensive section of the bay has been protected as the Ao Phang Nga National Park. Limestone cliffs with caves, collapsed cave systems, and archaeological sites are found in this area. Phang Nga is the modern Thai translation of the word pangan, literally 'pagan, primitive people,' or as proper noun, Pangan in reference to a generalised tribe or people typically inhabiting jungle areas of the Malay Peninsula and its islands.
With its 50 km of length, it is the largest island of Thailand and it is part of an archipelago of 10 minor islands. It is found in the Andaman Sea, connected to the dry land by a bridge, and the most famous touristic center of the country. It is near gorgeous beaches, mountains and cliffs made out of granite that seem like falling into the sea, forming two very beautiful bays. Its vegetation is protected by the national parks of Pa Pra Taew and Khao Phra Thaeo. The marine park of Hat Nai Tang is wonderful and goes along the west coast. You can also visit the Oceanographic Centre, with its big aquarium. There are many beaches, we suggest Patong, the main and busiest one, Karon, one of the calmest (5 minutes away) and Kata (20 minutes by car from the center of Patong).
Khao Lak is a series of touristic villages in the southern part of Thailand. Its name actually means "Lak mountain", which  is one of the highest  peaks in the hilly small mountain region. It is popular for its nice atmosphere and as a departure point for scuba diving trips to the Similan Islands. Khao Lak is approximately 60 km  north of the Phuket island. What makes this place different form Phuket are its quiet coastal resorts, uncrowded beaches, family-friendly nighttime environment and provincial ordinances that prohibit structures taller than the height of a coconut palm tree, keeping the style of this area very natural.
Koh Lanta is a district in the south of Thailand, situated at about 70 km from Krabi. It is believed that the area was populated by one of the oldest communities in Thailand, dating back to the prehistoric period. This district was established in 1901 and it consists of four island groups : Mu Ko Lanta (170 km2), Mu Ko Klang (162 km2), Mu Ko Rok (3.5 km2), and Mu Ko Ngai (3.6 km2). There are also other small islands. The origin of the name is not clear, but it may originate from the Javanese word "lantas", meaning a type of fish cook. 
Its attractions are a lot: stunning beaches, splendid coconut palms, with endless views of the emerald-green Phang Nga Bay and gorgeous landscapes of the Phuket coastline. Naka island is only 25 minutes from the Phuket International Airport and is accessible only by a short speedboat journey, making it a very private and intimate place.
Ko Yao Yai is the largest island in the Ko Yao Archipelago.  Its name means "big long island". The area of the whole archipelago is 137.6 km2 and the population of Ko Yao Yai is about 8.000 people.
Second greatest island of Thailand, Koh Chang is situated on the West coast of the Siam gulf, at about 330 km from Bangkok, reachable in 30 minutes by boat from Trat. Spectacular waterfalls, splendid beaches and bays surrounded by a crystal clear sea, are protected nowadays in one of the most beautiful national parks of the country, that includes other minor islands. 
On the West coast of the Siam gulf, at 300 km far from Bangkok, reachable in 30 minutes by boat from Rayong. It is protected in a national park and it shows splendid bays and very-thin-sand beaches. 
It is situated on the southern extremity of Thailand near the border with Malaysia. You can reach it flying from Bangkok to Hat Yai. From here it takes about two hours by car to the jetty and then other two hours by boat to arrive to the island. The journey is worth for people who are looking for small and pure paradises. Also known as “Thailand’s Maldives”, it is surrounded by crystal clear water, where there are a lot of corals and numerous species of colorful fish. This province counts over 80 beautiful islands, whose most known one is Tarutao, that is included in the ASEAN Heritage Parks. The high season goes from November to April. Daily ferry-boats connect Koh Lipe to Pakabara, Langkawi and Koh Lanta. 
It is situated at 70 km from Koh Samui, and is really known for the immersions and scuba diving schools in English. 
Ko Yao Yai island is the larger of the two big islands in the Ko Yao Archipelago. The island group is in Phang Nga Bay in Phang Nga Province. Ko Yao Yai means 'big long island'. The other main island of the group is Ko Yao Noi ('little long island'), off Ko Yao Yai's north side and separated from it by a narrow sound. The two islands form Phang Nga's Ko Yao District. The population of Ko Yao is about 18,000 (2018). Ninety percent are Muslims.
The Koh Mak island is part of the Koh Chang archipelago and is found in the Siam gulf, only 12 km far from Koh Samet. It is still unknown to the mass tourism and it boasts 16 km of beaches, a crystal clear sea rich of fish and corals. Being mainly flat and with some hilly landscapes, it is great to travel through this island by bike. The 80% of the territory is covered by rainforest.  The splendid and natural scenarios are protected by a program of sustainable development. 280 km far from Bangkok, it is reachable via land or by plane from the Trat airport and a following transport by boat. 
This is a protected area at 170 km east of Bangkok, covered with rainforests, hosting a rich fauna. In the park there are many waterfalls, reachable by a series of easy paths. It was one of the first national parks of the country and it is the second biggest one in Thailand (2168 km). Here you can find forests of evergreen plants. This park is the house of 3000 species of plants, 320 ones of birds and 67 of mammals. Its waterfalls include the 80-meters-high Haew Naro. In 1984 the park became part of the protected ones by ASEAN, while on the 14th of July 2005, together with other parks situated in the Dong Phayayen mountains, it became an UNESCO World Heritage Site.