Thailand has some great holiday home accommodation that holiday makers can rent while staying in Thailand on their vacations. Some holiday makers rent luxurious villas with swimming pools on one of Thailand’s many clean beautiful beaches. Some holiday makers stay in self catering holiday apartments in Thailand.
A rich and colourful country, Thailand is a land of exotic monuments, splendid beaches, temples, shrines, waterfalls and lush green landscapes. Thailand is flanked by Myanmar, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos and the Gulf of Thailand. The country’s tradition, culture and heritage attract many tourists from around the world. Visitors can get an up and close view of the Thailand and its people with boat rides and rice-barge cruises. Thailand is a blend of both traditional and modern.
Bangkok, the capital city is a popular destination for tourists. The city is the business centre and the hub of economic and political affairs. It is referred to as Krung Thep. Many holiday makers stay in a holiday apartment in Bangkok and experience the night life to the full of this capital city of Thailand.
The river Chao Phraya flows through the city. The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo, the temple complex which is home to the Emerald Buddha, are also found in Bangkok. The city has drastically changed and become a slick, prosperous and modern place. The city is also home to around 300 Buddhist temples and shrines. The Temple of the Reclining Buddha is the most famous temple in the city. The floating market, modern night clubs, and many historically important buildings make this city such a popular tourist destination.
Chiang Mai is the second-largest city in Thailand and has many interesting views to offer in the form of ancient and beautiful temples, teak forests, elephants, caves, waterfalls and a visit to the hill tribes. Doi Suthep temple and elephant trekking are very popular with tourists staying here. Doi Suthep another famous temple in Thailand that is located on a hilltop. Elephant trekking allows the tourists to get a closer look at the natural splendour and wonderful places of the city.
Kanchanaburi province is filled with jungle clad hills and waterways. The town is the original site of the popular and historically famous Bridge over the River Kwai where allied prisoners of war and Thai labourers were killed by the Japanese. Train trips are arranged for a visit across the post war bridge and this is a very moving and emotional experience.
The Phang Nga Bey is located near to Phuket. The bay shot to international fame after the area featured in the James Bond movie, The Man with the Golden Gun. Around 3500 islands are scattered in this bay. The islands are home to fauna and flora. For many decades the islands were considered impenetrable but now canoe trips are arranged for the tourists and the locals through the tunnels and the cracks in the rocks. There are some stunning holiday villas in this part of Thailand.
Ko Phi Phi Islands are yet another place to visit on your holidays in Thailand. The twin islands are full of natural splendour. The largest of the two, Ko Phi Phi Don, is dumbbell shaped and has a coastline that is full of white beaches and further inland tropical rainforest.
It does not matter if you want to stay at the hill tribe villages, go elephant trekking, adventurous boat rides or admiring the stunning seascapes and landscapes, Thailand can provide them all. Many holiday makers choose to rent a holiday villa or stay in a self catering apartment during their holiday in Thailand and use them as a base to explore this stunning country.
By: Andrew Gibson
Archive for October, 2009
Chiang Mai – Rose of the Northern Thailand
October 8th, 2009The beautiful city of Chiang Mai, located in Northern Thailand is surrounded by mountains and lush green countryside area. As per its mesmerizing beauty and wonderful location the city is often called as, “Rose of the North”. As the fifth-largest city of Thailand, Chiang Mai is much greener and composed in comparison to other centers of the country that even includes capital city Bangkok. Being the core of Northern Thailand, this city is swarmed by countless number of visitors every year. It offers magnificent attractions to visitors which leave them spell-bound. With good hospitality services offered by Chiang Mai Hotels like D2 hotel, Veranda hotel, and the Holiday Inn, tourists experience pleasant visit to the city. So, splendid locations with good accommodation facilities, Chiang Mai offer an amusing retreat to the tourists.
Chiang Mai has gained a splendor image and is a storehouse of wonderful locations like museums, temples, hot springs, waterfalls, shopping areas and other attractions. These spots provide opportunity to tourists to come and experience the world which is entirely different. Chiang Mai hotels are located at convenient areas, around all the major attractions which allow tourists to visit them easily without any hassle.
After visiting the vivacious locations tourist doesn’t leave the city without appreciating its compelling beauty. Some of the major attractions of Chiang Mai are Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Chet Yot, Wat Chiang Man, Wat Tha Ton, Wat Lok Moli, Chiang Mai National Museum, Hilltribe Museum, Khruba Siwichai Monument, Bhubing Palace, Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden, Taeng Dao Elephant Camp, Twin Royal Pagodas, Mae Klang Waterfall, Mae Sa Waterfall, Mae Ya Waterfall, Fang Hot Springs, San Kamphaeng Hot Springs, Doi Inthanon National Park, Doi Suthep & Doi Pui National Park, Doi Tao Lake, Night Bazaar, Muang Kung Earthenware Village, Ban Thawai Woodcarving Village, Ban Rai Phai Ngam Cotton Weaving Village, Bo Sang Umbrella Village and San Kamphaeng Cotton & Silk Weaving Village.
Chiang Mai also hosts various colourful festivals like Bo Sang Umbrella Festival, Flower Festival, Chiang Mai Art & Culture Festival, Songkran Festival and Lantern Festival & Loi Krathong Festival. These festivals taking place in different months of the year are held in their own unique way. Visitors are highly fascinated by these festivals which attract them to participate. With the beauty of culture in Chiang Mai, you will also find here the opportunity to try hand at adventurous activities like trekking, elephant riding, bungee jumping, rafting, cruising, mountain biking, golfing, swimming and tennis.
While enjoying all these things, you can avail the good hospitality services offered by Chiang Mai Hotels, which are available in each and every range. Moderate, budget and luxury hotels in Chiang Mai allow the tourists to choose a hotel of their choice according to their need and budget. Good facilities are provided by these hotels which make tourists feel like home and have a wonderful journey.
By: Ritu Raj Mishra
Off the Beatn Path Islands for Your Next Holiday in Thailand
October 3rd, 2009Thailand is one of the greatest vacation spots in the world It is cheap, has welcoming people, trasty food, a diverse culture and an amazing variety of sites to visit. You can rest on wide sand beaches, climb tropical mountains, dive fantastic coral reefs, discover ancient historical sites, explore great caves, and hang out in crazy and fast paced cities. Most travelers come to Thailand for the beaches and, these tropical islands are the best reason to come to Thailand. However, Thailand has hundreds of tropical islands to choose from. Most tourists stick go to a few popular Thai islands and with good reason. They wouldn’t be popular if they weren’t good. However, despite Thailand being firmly on the tourist trail, there are still many undiscovered islands in Thailand. Here are seven tropical Thai islands that are relatively not very touristy:
Ko Lipe is a tiny island located in the southern Thai province of Satun and is situated in the Andaman Sea. The island is part of the Tarutao National Marine Park. The name “Ko Lipe” means paper island in the local Chao Ley language. Though this destination is slowly becoming more touristy, it is still a relatively quite place for now. There are coral reefs right off the island for diving, white sand beaches, cheap food, and very friendly people. Most places only have electricity until midnight, giving you a place to watch the stars at night. Avoid the holiday season when the crowds peak.
Ko Tarutao National Marine Park is made of 51 islands located in the Andaman Sea. Ko Tarutao is the main island and is where the park headquarters is located. There are no lodges, resorts, restaurants, or bars on the island. There is just the park’s canteen and a small store that is only open until 8pm. Accommodation here is simply cheap bungalows or tents. For those looking for a cheap and secluded island in Thailand, this place is it.
The island of Ko Chang is a tropical marine national park. Situated in the east near the Cambodian border, it’s Thailand’s second largest island after Phuket. Recently, with the surge in development and popularity, Ko Chang is Thailand’s new popular tourist destination. With its chain of white sandy coves and beaches, pristine rain forests, abundant wildlife, coral reefs, high mountain peaks, waterfalls, and great nightlife, Ko Chang is one of Thailand’s most sought after holiday destinations. If you stick to the east side of the island, there is very little development and you can still enjoy a holiday away from the crowds.
Surin National Park is found some 60 km off the west coast of Phang Nga province. The excellent diving, snorkeling, hiking and game fishing are what most visitors come for, and those hoping to find a quiet refuge from the tourist traps will be delighted with the lack of “development.” Surin Nuea is also home to a community of around 150 Moken, or “sea gypsies”, who have settled there on a semi-permanent basis for several decades. The islands are protected and can only be visited by organized tours, which helps keep the diving good and the crowds thin.
The Similan Islands are composed of nine granite islands washed by a clear blue tropical ocean and blessed with some of the world’s finest beaches. Despite a rough start, the Similians and all its reefs have recovered from earlier calamities and overuse. Boats entering the Similan Islands have to follow strict rules imposed and controlled by the national park officials, have to use the moorings prepared by the national park and use closed waste water systems to avoid any pollution.
Ko Lanta is popular with tourists seeking a holiday away from the parties. It’s popular with a more relaxed crowd than nearby Ko Phi Phi: more walking on the beach and watching the sunset than drinking and dancing. And even when the island is at its fullest, there will be a quiet place for you to relax – the beaches are never full.
Ko Mak is one of Thailand’s best kept treasures. It is an ideal destination for visitors who want a tranquil environment unspoiled by mass tourism. Amongst 10,000 palm trees, there’s a temple, three fishing community villages, rubber plantations, and two uninhabited beaches. Hardly anyone comes here, except couples and divers. Koh Mak is the perfect place to relax, explore, calm your mind and soothe your senses.
Trips to these Thai islands will give you serenity, quiet, empty beaches, clear water, and not a lot of people. Let’s keep this secret between us though so the islands stay that way for as long as possible, otherwise these tropical island treasure will be ruined at a quick pace.
By: Matthew Kepnes
