Phuket FantaSea is arguably the biggest entertainment complex in Phuket. Aimed to highlight Thailand’s history and culture, it conjures up spectacular shows that reflect many aspects of both modern and ancient Thailand.

Phuket FantaSea offers nighttime entertainment on the tropical resort island of Phuket. Built at the cost of over 3,500 million baht (approx 78 million USD), it adds a new dimension to a theme park entertainment in Thailand, presenting the charms of the kingdom and its exotic culture and traditions, legends and myths with the magic of cutting-edge technology and special effects. It consists of the magnificent Palace of the Elephants, a state-of-the-art theatre constructed in the Sukhothai architectural style.

Its “Fantasy of a Kingdom” Culture-illusion Show consists of 9 themed shows, which are Thai culture, magical illusions, 4-dimensional effects, aerial performance, acrobatics, indoor pyrotechnics, special effects, elephant circus and stunts. Many of the technologies used in the shows are obtained from hotels and casinos in Las Vegas which are known for their excellent and innovative shows. The Thai creators however were able to use these technologies and expertise and mixed this with their Thai sense of showmanship. Other attractions include games, plays and exciting surprises for kids as well as traditional carnivals and live music, handicraft demonstrations, and cultural parades and street shows.

Phuket FantaSea is located at Kamala Beach, about 9 km from Patong Beach. This carnival village offers carnivals, games and handicrafts shops. The shows start at 9 pm and lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Thailand’s national museum is originally built on royal collections from the 19th century to cover many aspects of the country’s historical and cultural heritage. The museum stores gold treasure, mother-of-pearl inlay, musical instruments, wood carving, entertainment articles, textiles, ceramics, royal regalia, palanquins, old weapons and stone inscriptions.

The largest museum in Southeast Asia, it is an excellent place to learn something about Thai arts. The Museum was converted from a royal residence of a crown prince of King Rama V (1853 – 1910 AD) to display the private collection of antiquities of the king. In 1926, it was subsequently developed into the National Museum Bangkok when it came under the administration of the Department of Fine Arts in 1934.

A presentation of Thai history begins with Sukhothai (widely believed in Thailand as the first Thai kingdom), Ayutthaya, Thonburi to Rattanakosin period. A collection of pre-Thailand, Thai sculpture, as well as pieces from elsewhere in Asia is featured in two large modern buildings. The history of Thai art is displayed in the north wings of the Sivamokhapiman Hall. This houses the museum’s most famous exhibit, the Inscription No.1 from the Sukhothai era (between 1238 and 1438). This stone inscription is believed to be the first evidence of Thai letters supposedly invented by the great King Ramkhamhaeng of Sukhothai kingdom.
The museum’s southern wing features one of the earliest images of the Buddha from Gandhara in India, which is influenced by classical Greek sculpture. Other artifacts including Royal Cremation Chariots and Ceremonial Objects are exhibited in other buildings within the palace compound. Another historic item displayed in the museum is Phra Buddha Sihing, which is one of the most revered Buddha statues in Thailand. The 15th century bronze statue is enshrined in Buddhaisawan Chapel (known as Wat Buddhaisawan).

Other highlights of the museum are recovered jewelry and traditional costumes, ancient currency, religious sculpture, giant shadow puppets, weapons, ivory, royal possessions, musical instruments, Asian arts and antiques. The museum is open everyday from 9 am to 4 pm. Guided tours by volunteers in English, German, French and Japanese are available upon reservation.

This is a fine example of authentic Thai traditional house, with an impressive collection of Southeast Asian art within. Located at the end of a small road overlooking Saen Saeb canal, the house once belonged to an American silk entrepreneur Jim Thompson, who triumphantly promoted Thai silk to the West.

Jim Thompson was a New York architect who briefly served in the Office of Strategic Services (forerunner of the CIA) in Thailand during WWII. He decided to live in Bangkok after the war and work on developing Thai silk into an international product by sending samples to fashion houses in Europe, building an international clientele.

The Jim Thompson house comprises a group of six traditional Thai-style teak houses that were purchased from different owners from various parts of Thailand. They were put together and the construction was completed in 1959. It is a manifestation of the best-preserved traditional Thai houses in the capital. It features a wide collection of antiques and artworks from Thailand and other countries in Southeast Asia. Outstanding items include blue and white Ming porcelain, the 19th century Vessantara Jataka paintings and the 6th century Dvaravati Buddha image in the garden – believed to be one of the oldest surviving Buddha statues in the world.

Thompson vanished under mysterious circumstances while on a walk in the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia in 1967. He left behind his flourishing business, including this house of historical value as his memorial in Thailand.

The colorful floating markets in Thailand are one of the must-see places in Thailand. The most popular one is the Damnoen Saduak floating market in Ratchaburi. Here you will be amazed with a labyrinth of narrow canals congested with small, wooden boats, paddled mainly by female vendors dressed in traditional indigo colored farmer’s shirts, and conical straw-hats.

Despite its popurarity, it is still an attractive place to see a traditional way of selling and buying fruits, vegetables etc., from small boats. Boat-to-boat trading like this is a common way of life of Thai people who live along the waterways. Its practice almost ceased 20 years ago when most canals were filled up with roads. Now many small floating markets are being revived as tourist attractions and trading places for the locals. The market is lively as these vendors paddle their boats up and down a canal vying for their customers.

The market starts as early as 6 am and fades around 9:30 am. Most of the goods sold are fresh produce such as vegetables, fruits and food. It makes a refreshing morning scene out on the water and gives tourists a chance to try delicious Thai food.

In addition to the market, traditional Thai stilt houses, lush green orchards and palm trees make the trip even more memorable. Local boats are avaialble for hire to explore the villages.

The Damnoen Saduak floating market is located in the south of Bangkok about 1 hour drive. A visit at the floating market is usually combined with a tour at the great Buddhist chedi in Nakhon Pathom or Rose Garden.

On the bank of the Chao Phraya River in Ayuthaya province, north of Bangkok, the Bangsai Arts & Crafts Training Centre has more than 800 students from impoverished families, teaching traditional skills in arts and crafts in 30 schools. Patronized by Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Centre’s main objectives are to encourage farmers to preserve Thai crafts and acquire artistic skills to earn extra income.

The training school starts after the harvest season when the farmers have more free time. Students are given instruction and lodging free of charge and some pocket money for personal expenses during their training. Their training course will be held everyday except on Mondays. Visitors to the school can watch students in their training to make Thai handicraft products in exquisite craftsmanship. These products are later distributed to various branches of Chitrlada shops throughout the country, including the Elephant Pavilion shop located in the Centre.

Besides the training school, the Centre has a freshwater fish aquarium that is home to numerous species of local fish in the country. There is the royal lodge; a group of an elevated stilt house built in conventional style found in Thailand’s central region. Its simple structure reflects the beauty of traditional Thai dwellings. The house is a place where the King and the Queen and other members of the Royal Family stay during their visits to the Centre. Furthermore, a collection of traditional houses from four regions in Thailand is a new addition to the Centre. Called the “The Arts and Crafts Village“, it serves as a place to demonstrate Thailand in various aspects such as architecture, culture, traditional performances, folk arts and crafts. The area features 21 teak red-roofed houses. Furnished with items used in typical Thai families, each house possesses unique architectural and geographical characteristics that reflect different cultures and way of life of people in each region. Demonstrations of handicrafts making and cooking are shown on the ground of the houses.
Another interesting attraction is a large seated statue of Budhisattva, a reincarnated of Buddha. Carved out of a 2000-year-old Indian yellow sandalwood by Chinese artists, the statue weighs about 5 tons and 6 meter high. The shiny statue, whose name is ‘A Thousand Hands and Eyes Avalokitesvara’, sits on a lotus base with a big piece of round wood, carved in a shape of thousands of hands, at the back. It is now enshrined in a red roof pavilion in the Centre compound.

Visiting the Bangsai Arts and Crafts Training Centre is located in the former capital of Ayuthaya province and 1 hour drive north of Bangkok or 30 minutes from the outskirt of Bangkok. This is a good chance to see the creative work of Thai artists in one place.

If you love ancient ruins and old Buddhist temples, you would love Ayutthaya. The city was built on an island surrounded by four rivers. Ancient ruins can be seen scattering all over the place, especially on the western half of the island. Indeed, there are hundreds of aged-old temples dotting in villages and communities throughout the city.

Historically, the kingdom of Ayutthaya dominated Thailand’s central plain region for about 400 years. It was officially founded in 1350 BC by King Ramathibodi I. For centuries, Ayutthaya was a powerful kingdom which traded extensively with the Chinese, the Dutch and the French. Its rulers built a magnificent city, filled with monasteries, canals and monuments.

However, Ayutthaya also had its rival in the nearby kingdom of Burma. Wars between the two kingdoms happened frequently. The Thai city was first seized by King Bayinnaung of Burma in 1569, but regained its independence about a decade later. Prince Naresuan, who led the battle for independence, became one of Thailand’s greatest heroes when he defeated the Crown Prince of Burma in elephant-back combat. The city was unfortunately toppled again in the 18th century after a series of conflicts between its neighboring states such as Burma and Vietnam. Altogether, thirty three monarchs of different dynasties had ruled the kingdom, producing architectural marvels for the next Thai generations. Nowadays, most of culture and traditions formed during its time are still practiced in Thailand.
Ayutthaya Historical Park is accredited as World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The site comprises numerous ruins of temples, religious shrines, pavilions and palaces spreading inside the park. It is located about 80 kilometers north of Bangkok. It can be accessed by boat, car and train. Every year in December, festivities are organized in the former site of the capital to celebrate the glory of its past. The event includes displays of traditional culture and lifestyles, various entertainments and a memorable light and sound show with the backdrop of Ayutthaya’s ancient ruins and temples.

Ancient City is touted as the largest open-air museum in the world. More than 100 of Thailand’s most impressive monuments are erected across 80-hectare (200-acre) of flat land.

Known among Thais as Muang Boran, this is a good place to learn about Thai history in one day. There are numerous reproductions of palace halls, temples, stupas, stone sanctuaries and traditional houses. You can also visit several reconstructed historical buildings, authenticated communities with their inhabitants doing their daily chores and sample villages from all regions of the country. Even though all the buildings and shrines are scaled down, they are proportional and full of details just like the original ones. Indeed the Ancient City is architecturally sophisticated and a preservation site for classical buildings and art forms. It is a place worth your visit if you do not have time to travel to the real place.
The entire grounds are shaped to follow a geographical appearance of Thailand and the monuments are placed accordingly. Below is the highlight of the buildings of each region.

Southern Region: The Land of Buddhism
The southern part of the country has a shape of a small peninsula along the coast. The Stupa of Phra Maha That Nakhon Si Thammarat and Phra Maha That Chaiya are located in this region.

Central Region: The Center of Siamese Local Administration
The Central Region covers the largest river basins where locates Ayutthaya City, Thon Buri and Rattanakosin Cities. This part of the country shows prosperities and Siamese civilization of the country.

Northern Region: The Heart of Lanna Territory
Ancient City of Sukhothai is located in this region. All visitors will have a chance to see fascinating characteristics of Sukhothai arts as well as to sense the unity of Lanna civilization in particular.

Northern Eastern Region: The Source of I-Sarn Civilization
In this region, you can trace the cultures and the civilizations of pre-historic ages as well as of the lively folk arts on this vast plateau of Siam.
Eastern Region: An Outstanding Treasure of Siam
The eastern coast was a significant trade center and a crucial buffer zone for Thai kingdom for many centuries. The towns located on this coast play important parts to the politic and economic of the nation.

Re-Creation Area – The Reflection of Thai talent
This is an additional part of the Ancient City. The architectures in this part reflect the thoughts and the beliefs existing in Thai society. Interesting structures here consists of Buddha statues in the pond, ornately decorated pavilions and decorative pagodas.

A visit to the Ancient City makes an excellent and exhilarating full day outing outside Bangkok. It is recommended to arrive early to be able to explore the place thoroughly.

Despite its popularity, Koh Samui remains one of the country’s most beautiful island destinations.

Popular Resort Areas
Originally settled by Hainanese from China in the mid-19th century, well-developed Koh Samui has a rather different culture to other parts of Thailand. The descendants of those pioneers now live mainly in the villages, as outsiders populate most tourist-oriented resorts. Known as Chao Samui (Samui folk), many of them still do the trade of their forebears – coconut farming. Indeed, the island is covered with palms, and coconut is a common ingredient of many local dishes.

Beaches & Nightlife
Hat Chaweng and Hat Lamai are Samui’s most beautiful and most popular beaches. Both have a huge selection of places to stay, and prices rise from December to July. The nightlife of each is different: Chaweng is better for couples, women and families, while single men predominate amidst the beer bar culture of Lamai. These resorts, as well as Na Thon (Samui’s most beautiful and most popular beaches. Both have a

Thailand’s largest island is a wonderland of wildlife and rainforest fringed by white sand beaches with some of the world’s largest island

Wild Interior
Visitors to Phuket Province generally head for the sea, but the interior is worth exploring for its vivid patchwork of plantations and rice paddies, crowned by the island’s last rainforest in Khao Phra Thaw Royal Wildlife Reserve. Here, rainy season hikes provide the best views of Ton Sai and Bang Pae waterfalls, with possible sightings of resident wildlife such as flying foxes and slow loris: visit the Gibbon Rehabilitation Center near Bang Pae falls and see how they reintroduce captive gibbons to the jungle.

Trading History
Phuket Town was once a trading point for ships from China , India , Arabia , Malaya and Portugal . 19th century Sino-Portuguese shop houses on Phang-Nga, Yaowarat, and Ranong Roads stand testimony to those days, with fine restorations on Deebuk and Thalang Roads. Also on Phang-Nga Road , the mystical Shrine of the Serene Light is a 150-year-old Chinese temple with notable art and a tranquil garden. See the surrounding area from nearby Phuket Hill (Khao Rang).

Vegetarian Festival
A cultural legacy, the Vegetarian Festival ushers in Taoist Lent in September / October, when religious Chinese avoid eating meat. The festivities involve colorful, noisy street parades, with devotees doing penance through pain. Among other things, they pierce their cheeks and tongues with swords.

This collection of islands is populated by sea gypsies, riddled with spectacular caves and features great diving among its coral reefs.

Island Chain
Koh Lanta actually comprises about fifty islands, many with mangrove forests and coral reef beaches. The largest and most popular island is Koh Lanta Yai; the main village is Ban Sala Dan. Tourists stay in guesthouses and bungalows, although nearby islands have camping facilities.

Fishing Village
The people of Koh Lanta are mainly Thai Moslems, many of whom have mixed with sea gypsies. Most work on plantations, but some live from fishing. Ban Sangkha-U, a traditional southern fishing village, is a good place to experience the character of the local people. There are very few cars in the village, as on most of the island, and the main circular road is unpaved.

Marine Life
Koh Lanta’s beaches do not match those of Koh Samui or Phuket, but they are relatively peaceful: all on the west coast, the nicest are on the northern and southern ends. This coast supports plenty of coral, and dive sites at Hin Daeng and Hin Muang offer rich marine life, including the occasional whale shark. Visibility is best from November to April.
Cave Complex
Tham Khao Mai Kaew, in the center of Koh Lanta, is a vast and disparate cave complex with stalactites, stalagmites, a cavern pool and thousands of bats. Taking a guide is recommended; there is a restaurant and guide service near the start of the path to the caves. Some guesthouses arrange transport to the trail. You can get good views of the island from Deer Neck Cape (Laem Khaw Kwang) in the north.