Phetchaburi in Central Thailand

As archaeological evidence suggests, Phetchaburi province has an ancient history with evidence that the area has been inhabited since the Dvaravati Period. Phetchaburi had key importance during the periods of the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya kingdoms and given its history, the province is awash with remains and artefacts from bygone ages. Many of these items have found their way into the area’s museums which also display valuable works of art. One destination of particular interest to visitors is Cha-am, a resort town that began life as a royal resort and features an excellent beach. Given its close location to Bangkok, Cha-am is a favourite with weekend day-trippers from the capital. The province also houses Thailand’s largest national park - Kaeng Krachan National Park.

Phetchaburi in Central Thailand

As archaeological evidence suggests, Phetchaburi province has an ancient history with evidence that the area has been inhabited since the Dvaravati Period. Phetchaburi had key importance during the periods of the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya kingdoms and given its history, the province is awash with remains and artefacts from bygone ages. Many of these items have found their way into the area’s museums which also display valuable works of art. One destination of particular interest to visitors is Cha-am, a resort town that began life as a royal resort and features an excellent beach. Given its close location to Bangkok, Cha-am is a favourite with weekend day-trippers from the capital. The province also houses Thailand’s largest national park - Kaeng Krachan National Park.

Kanchanaburi in Central Thailand

At around 19,500 square kilometres Kanchanaburi is Thailand’s third largest province. Bordering Myanmar, the province is famed for its mountains and hills. Only 130 kilometres from Bangkok it takes two hours to get to Kanchanaburi by bus making it a popular destination for day trippers from the capital. 150 kilometres west of Bangkok, the region is especially famed for the Bridge Over the River Kwae, scene of numerous war atrocities during the Japanese administration of Thailand. The building of the bridge led to the deaths of 80,000 Asian labourers and 13,000 Allied Prisoners of War. Kanchanaburi’s landscapes are at once rugged and picturesque.  Kanchanaburi's national parks are ideal for adventures into the province’s natural beauty. The area has hydro-electric power and a series of dammed reservoirs which provide opportunities for activities such as boating and fishing. Kanchanaburi is home to the Erawan Waterfall – a 7-tier fall of astounding beauty, as well as Sai Yok Waterfalls - the focal point of the 500-square-kilometre Sai Yok National Park comprising evergreen, bamboo and teak forest against a mountainous backdrop. The area is famed for activities like trekking, cave exploration, elephant riding and canoeing.

Bangkok in Central Thailand

For many, Bangkok, Thailand is the ultimate travel destination. A heady blend of modernity and tradition, Bangkok has something to offer everyone. Modern Bangkok is a large, bustling city of some 6 million people. The capital of Thailand, it is the administrative centre and the heart of the country. It is a city where skyscrapers and modern buildings jostle for space against the Bangkok skyline. It is also very much a city of entertainment and fun. Above all, Bangkok is a city of extremes. Despite its modern trappings, Bangkok is firmly embedded in tradition. All aspects of Thai culture are revered here, as they are in any rural or less urban part of the country. Rituals are carried out on a daily basis. Like elsewhere in the country, Monks accept their daily alms and people of all ages pray and make merit at one of countless temples. In Bangkok you can at one moment be in the 21st century, the next walking through antiquity. Thailand’s capital has everything the modern traveller enjoys. The city has a wide range of world-class accommodation, from ‘6-star’ hotels, to moderately priced guesthouses for those on a more limited budget. Bangkok also offers some of the best food on the planet – authentic Thai cuisine alongside the very best dishes from almost every part of the world. Of course, Bangkok’s nightlife is legendary and offers an unparalleled range of entertainment - bars and go-go, shows, concerts, and cinema – almost everything you could possibly want is available here. As Thailand is a regional hub, Bangkok has become one of the most important cities in the region. As with the rest of the country, banking services are efficient and reliable, and telecommunications services are equally good. An international standard telephone network and high speed Internet facilities help you keep in touch, whether you are here on holiday or in Bangkok on business. With the introduction of the BTS ‘Sky Train’ elevated railway (and the more recent introduction of the MRT ‘Subway’ underground railway) alongside development of expressways and elevated toll ways, travelling around Bangkok is now as convenient as travelling in any major city. Bangkok is not just a city to visit briefly on your way to somewhere else. It is a place so rich in experience you will want to visit it time and time again. To help you get the most out of your trip to Bangkok, ThailTravelInfo gives you the information you need to have the best time you can!

Ayutthaya in Central Thailand

This central Thailand province is home to Ayutthaya – Thailand’s former capital and one of the country’s leading tourist attractions. Easily accessible from Thailand’s current capital (just 86 kilometers north of Bangkok) and rich in historical significance, the ancient city of Ayutthaya (or, more formerly, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya) was founded in 1350 by King U-Thong and remained the country’s capital until 1767. During this period 33 kings from a variety of dynasties ruled Thailand from Ayutthaya until it was invaded by the Burmese in 1767. Today’s Ayutthaya has been on UNESCO’s world heritage list since 1991 and is full of important reminders of the area’s former glory. With three rivers and a large canal encircling Ayutthaya, boats (particularly long tail boats) represent an ideal way to access the city’s various historical sites. They are also by far the best way to appreciate the province’s 2,556 square kilometers of landscapes and views. Being so close to the capital, Ayutthaya can be approached as a day out or an extended visit. Numerous tours are available to the area, most originating in Bangkok.

Nong Khai in North-eastern Thailand

The province features delightful scenery comprising forests and sweeping landscapes, as well as a series of small towns situated on the banks of the Mekong River that make excellent visits. The province also features a range of attractions for visitors which include temples and the Tha Sadet market town.

Nakhon Ratchasima in North-eastern Thailand

Known locally as “Khorat”, Nakhon Ratchasima is a large north-eastern province in the heart of ‘Issan’. Around 260 kilometres from Bangkok, this is a large province which is steeped in history, especially that which relates to the Khmer kingdom. As a result there are numerous sites covering all aspects of Khmer culture. The province is rich in nature with forests, mountains, waterfalls and reservoirs. The province also supports traditional ways of life, especially well reflected at Dan Kwian – a traditional community based around the production of clay pottery products. Nakhon Ratchasima’s museums are excellent, housing findings from a variety of archaeological digs that bear witness to the region’s pre-history and the Dvaravati and Khmer cultures that strongly influenced it. Attractions in the area include Khao Yai National Park – an especially good park protecting birds and animals (tigers, elephants, etc.) and Prasat Hin Phimai National Historical Park, one of the best in Thailand.