Loei in North-eastern Thailand

520 kilometres from Bangkok and approximately 400 meters above sea level, Loei province was only relatively recently established as a tourist destination. As a result, it remains authentic and pristine. Bordering Laos, this northeastern province bears many similarities to the north of Thailand, even to the extent that people confuse its location. A place of great natural beauty and natural and cultural attractions, Loei has a rugged landscape featuring low mountains, waterfalls and vast tracts of open, fertile land forming plains that house the province’s municipality and the River Loei (which flows into the Mekong). Loei is also a province of extremes, not least its climate! Loei gets cold… sometimes very cold! The temperature can drop to 0?C in the cool season prompting the fogs and mists more associated with northern parts of the Kingdom. In stark contrast, during the hot season temperatures go off the chart and Loei becomes Thailand’s warmest province. Agriculture drives Loei’s economy and its rural communities remain intact tending crops as diverse as highland rice, Arabica coffee and lychees. As well as physical similarities with the north, Loei shares many cultural similarities that have blended to make the province a culturally unique part of Thailand. The province has excellent National Parks in Phu Kradung and Phu Reua making Loei an excellent place for hiking from mid-October to February. Loei is also home to the famous Bun Phra Wet Festival.

Khon Kaen in North-eastern Thailand

Khon Kaen is the commercial and political centre of north-eastern Thailand. The province is highly regarded for the superior quality silk and materials it produces and it is an extremely important area from a historical perspective. Khon Kaen has been home to a number of civilizations and centre of archaeological digs which have unearthed numerous treasures from bygone eras now stored or on display at Khon Kaen’s museums. The digs have also unearthed evidence of the province’s pre-history with the highest number of dinosaur fossils found in Thailand in this area. These days Khon Kaen is also famous for being the home of tennis star Paradorn Srichaphan and Thailand's 1996 Olympic Gold Medal winning boxer, Somluck Kamsing. Both Laos and Vietnam have consulates in Khon Kaen city where visa applications are processed, and the city also boasts the largest university in ‘Isaan’ - Khon Kaen University.

Buriram in North-eastern Thailand

Meaning “city of peace”, Buriram is a large, highly populated province some 410 kilometres from Bangkok in north-eastern Thailand – an area known as ‘Issan’. The 10,312,435 square kilometre province still has substantial forested areas and a population of about 1.6 million people. The area has major historical significance and features a number of Khmer ruins. Of particular important is Phanom Rung Historical Park, a-thousand-year-old site and one of the most important Khmer sites outside Cambodia. Situated about 120 kilometres from Korat city, Phanom Rung has been brought back to its full glory after nearly two decades of restoration. The result is extremely impressive.

Sukhothai in Northern Thailand

Located in the valley of the Yom River, Sukhothai (meaning “Dawn of Happiness”) is a province in northern Thailand which verges on the central regions. It is around 427 kilometres north of Bangkok and covers around 6,600 square kilometres. The province was founded in the 13th century and was the first independent Thai Kingdom - the Sukhothai kingdom. It is most famous for the historic city of Sukhothai, the kingdom’s capital. The province’s temples and monuments have been restored to their former glory and Sukhothai Historical Park – a place with countless sites of historical interest – made into a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other places of interest include Ramkhamhaeng National Museum, Ramkhamhaeng National Park, Sri Satchanalai National Park and The Royal Palace and Wat Mahathat.

Mae Hong Son in Northern Thailand

Known to some as Thailand’s ‘Switzerland’ because of its excellent scenery, Mae Hong Son is a frontier province bordered by Myanmar and almost entirely surrounded by mountains – it was for a long time almost entirely cut off from the rest of the world. The area is famed for mists and fog that lie in its mountains and valleys throughout most of the year (but particularly in winter). It is also home to waterfalls, forests and national parks. The area has a strong connection with elephants and there are many places where elephants are trained for a variety of tasks. Alongside its beauty and nature, another draw for the tourist is the region’s culture. Home to the ‘Long Neck Women’ Karen tribes, visits to tribal villages make up a key tourist activity in the area. The province also has a good range of temples, many in splendid mountainside locations.

Chiang Rai in Northern Thailand North

Thailand’s most northerly province, Chiang Rai is located 785 kilometres from Bangkok and borders Myanmar in the north and Laos in the east. Built by King Mengrai in 1262 the province has a mainly mountainous terrain and helps form the ‘Golden Triangle’ around the Mekong River. Chiang Rai is a major draw for tourists keen to experience the region’s natural attractions and learn about its place in Thailand’s past. Another key reason for tourism to the area is the local hill tribes. Visits to hill tribe villages are regular events and goods made by the hill tribes (materials, trinkets, etc.) are very popular purchases. The province features a number of key attractions including Mai Sai, Chiang Saen – home of numerous ancient ruins, and Doi Hua Mae Kham - home to a number of hill tribe villages.

Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand

Often referred to as the ‘Rose of the North’, Chiang Mai is the economic and cultural centre of Northern Thailand and the focus of tourism within the region. Located about 700 kilometres from Bangkok, it is one of Thailand’s better known and most visited provinces. Originally the capital of the Lanna Thai kingdom created by King Mengrai in 1296, the province has a played a major part in the development of the country. Situated on the Mae Ping River and around 310 metres above sea level, Chiang Mai is one of the kingdom’s most beautiful provinces, featuring mountain ranges and hills amidst lush greenery and jungle. Climate conditions in the area can create swirls of mist and fog in winter – an unusual sight in a tropical country. The province’s numerous national parks are extremely fertile, have an abundance of flowers, and support a broad range of wildlife (the area is particularly associated with elephants). The province is also famed as being a home to numerous tribal peoples and visits to tribal villages are a key component of the area’s tourism. Some of the main attractions in the area include Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and Doi Intanon – Thailand’s biggest mountain.