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Top Things To See
• Marvel at Bangkok's glittering Grand Palace (website: www.palaces.thai.net/gp) and Wat Phra Kaeo - a temple complex housing the Emerald Buddha. Upriver are the Royal Barges (website: www.thailandmuseum.com), ornate barges used for special processions on the Chao Phraya River.
• Don't miss Wat Pho (website: www.watpho.com), the oldest and largest temple in Bangkok and home to the Reclining Buddha. The Buddha's statue is enormous at 46m (150ft) long and 15m (49ft) high. • Discover the delightful 81-room Vimanmek Palace (website: www.palaces.thai.net) which was once a royal summer retreat that was rebuilt in Bangkok in 1900. • Travel north to Chiang Mai, Thailand's second-largest city and a centre for excursions to the region's ancient temples, hill tribes and the Golden Triangle. Climb the 300 or so steps to Doi Suthep temple for sweeping views of the city. • Visit Kanchanaburi, inextricably linked with the horrors of WWII and the allied forces who were forced to build the Death Railway and the Bridge over the River Kwai. Use the town as a base to explore the area's waterfalls and jungles, and spend the night on a floating raft house. • Step back in time with a visit to Ayutthaya, once the capital of Thailand. Ramble through the ruined palaces and wats on foot, by bicycle or even on the back of an elephant. • Head to Phang Nga Bay, which is world-famous for its stunning seascape, with its hundreds of limestone islets emerging from a translucent sea. Easily reached from Phuket, many visitors will recognise scenery featured in the James Bond film, The Man with the Golden Gun. • Take time to explore the little-visited northeastern part of Thailand, especially Phimai, one of the most important Khmer historical sites in Thailand, dating from the 11th century. The intricate structures bear some resemblance to Angkor Wat and many lintels depict scenes from the epic Ramayana. The story of Prince Rama is one of the most important literary works from ancient India. • Thailand isn't just beaches and temples. Go on an adventure into Khao Sok National Park in southern Thailand. Here dripping rainforest covers majestic limestone formations laced with sparkling streams and waterfalls. Stay in tree houses or on bamboo rafthouses. See Contact Addresses for further tourist information. |
