Thung Wua Laen Beach
A popular tourist attraction, Thung Wua Laen beach can become crowded with local people who go there at holiday times. A long, wide stretch of sand, the beach is ideal for swimming and water sports. Outside of holiday periods, the beach is generally quiet although it is visited more than neighboring beaches. At the southern end of the beach in front of Chumphon Cabana Resort, there is an underwater rocky area, which is a fertile spot for sponge seaweed, sea flowers and various species of fish – a popular place for diving.

Facilities : This is a lively beach with a number of restaurants, shops, restrooms, motorcycles for rent, and a police station. Chumphon Cabana Resort offers a one-day package tour, touring Chumphon’s islands, and a diving course.

Koh Ngam Yai and Koh Ngam Noi
About 17 km offshore from Thung Wua Laen Beach, a visit to the islands of Koh Ngam Yai and Koh Ngam Noi, just 300m apart, is the highlight of Chumphon’s island tours. The topography of the islands is steep, rocky limestone cliffs encircled by a variety of fertile coral reefs with colorful fish, and spots suitable for snorkeling or scuba diving. The islands, deserted except for workers looking after the bird’s nest concessions, are among the most popular in the sea off Chumphon.

There aren’t any suitable, overnight facilities so the one-day tour is recommended. Boats can be rented from Chumphon estuary for individual use, or tourists can use the package tour of Chumphon Cabana Resort with diving facilities, buoy and lunch.

Koh Chorakhe
Location: The island of Koh Chorakhe is about 11 km from Thung Wua Laen Beach One of the islands seen in the distance from Thung Wua Laen beach, Koh Chorakhe is rocky with steep cliffs and is uninhabited. But around the island there are coral reefs, sea flowers and colorful fish, which can be viewed both by scuba diving and snorkeling because of the differing sea depths. This is a good place to spend time diving and fishing from morning till evening, returning to stay overnight at Thung Wua Laen beach.

Facilities: As there is no accommodation on the island, tourists usually stay in accommodation around Thung Wua Laen beach and take the one-hour trip there and back. Boats can be rented from Chumphon estuary and a full dive program is available from Chumphon Cabana Resort , Thung Wua Laen beach.

Boat Pier to Koh Tao at Pak Nam Chumphon (Chumphon Estuary)
Location: The pier is in Tha Yang sub district of Muang district, about 7 km from Chumphon town and 13 km from Chumphon estuary.

Boats leave Tha Yang pier everyday for Koh Tao and are similarly priced whether you travel on a boat with sleeping accommodation or by speedboat.

The new pier at Chumphon estuary is the most important pier in the economic life of Chumphon as it supports the large fishing community there. At the end of the road is Pak Nam Chumphon police station near Pak Nam beach and a wide beach area that offers panoramic views out to sea and Koh Ma Ta Pon close to the mainland, where the lighthouse is located.

A boat service operates between the old and new piers in Chumphon estuary. A village in the area of the old pier in Chumphon estuary is well known for preserved seafood, which tourists can buy to take home as keepsakes.

Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, or locally called as Doi Suthep, is arguably a landmark of Chiang Mai. It is a Buddhist temple located on top of a 1676-meter high mountain with the same name. It is one of the most sacred sites in Thailand.

The temple has gone through several renovations for the past 600 years but remains its charms. The original copper plated spire shrine (chedi) is the centerpiece of this Buddhist monastery. The monastery compound consists of pagodas, ornate Buddha statues, bell towers, Hindu shrines and monks’ assembly hall. Mural paintings on the wall depict Buddha’s life and his teaching. Metal bells that line the outside wall of the temple’s buildings are believed to bring blessing to those who ring them. There is also a model of the Emerald Buddha and a statue of the Hindu God.

Doi Suthep temple is about 15 km from the city of Chiang Mai. To reach the temple requires a climb up a Naga (Serpent) staircase of 309 steps. There is a large market of food stalls, jade factories and souvenir shops at the base of the stair. Visitors are requested to take off their shoes when entering the holy square where the spire Chedi is located.

From the temple impressive views of Chiang Mai can be seen from the temple’s terrace. Nowadays, the temple is an important sight that first-time visitors to Chiang Mai shouldn’t miss. Views of Chiang Mai can be seen on the other side of the temple.

Wat Phra Kaew, home of the much revered Emerald Buddha, is the spirtual center of Thailand. It is one of the must-see places when visiting Bangkok. This royal temple showcases a masterpiece of Thai architecture in modern era.

Wat Phra Kaew or formally known the Temple of the Emerald Buddha is regarded as the most important Buddhist temple in Thailand. Located on the bank of Chao Phraya River in the old quarter of Bangkok, the stunning temple was completed two years after King Rama I the first king of the current dynasty, founded the capital in 1784. It is a royal temple under the patronage of the king that has the highest rank of all temples in the country and is the only temple in Thailand without a resident monk.

The 18^th century temple has numerous brightly colored buildings, golden spires, ornate chambers and galleries and glittering mosaics. It is located next to the Grand Palace, which makes it main attraction of Bangkok. The centerpiece of the temple is the gorgeous Emerald Buddha image. The petite 45 cm tall statue is indeed made of jade. Enshrined in the main chapel of the temple complex, the statue is placed on a multi-tiered pedestal and surrounded by several gold plastered Buddha statues in different postures.

The statue has a mysterious origin. The legend has it that the statue was made about 400 BC in India and sent across several countries (Sri Lanka, Burma, Cambodia, Laos) before it was found in the Thai Kingdom in the 15th century. However, some historians argue that the statue was made in the style that was similar other statues originated in the Lanna Kingdom in northern Thailand.

The statue has his cloths changed by the king three times each year at the start of each season: a diamond encrusted gold robe in summer, a solid gold robe in the cool season and a gilded monk’s robe in the rainy season.
In addition to the Emerald Buddha, there are many other Buddha images and buildings worth visiting. The inner wall surrounding the temple compound has a beautiful mural painting depicting scenes from the Ramakian, the Thai version of the famous Indian epic ‘Ramayana’. Several characters from the epic can be seen as imposing giant statues guarding the entrance of the buildings. Most of the buildings in the compound are delicately adorned with stained glasses, green and orange tiled roof, gold plastered figurines and mother of pearl inlaid door panels, showing magnificent Thai craftsmanship. The Royal Pantheon Hall exhibits copies of revered Buddhist scriptures and life size statues of eight kings of the current Dynasty.

Visitors are not allowed to wear sandals, shorts and sleeveless shirts or tops inside the compound.

Approximately an hour’s drive from Chiang Mai, the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre provides treatments for sick and maimed elephants. Under the Royal Patronage, the 500-hectare sanctuary is the only elephant hospital in the world. Captured wild and discarded out-of-work domesticated elephants are looked after here.

The center, whose main objective is to conserve Thai elephants, works on a variety of academic and veterinary projects such as Biogas Producing System from Elephant Dung, an Education Center for Veterinary Students, Elephant Sperm Bank Project, Elephant adoption, Elephant Nursery Center and Elephant Mobile Clinic.

Visitors can watch elephant shows, have a ride on elephant’s back, join an elephant trek or even live and learn about elephants. The latter is a program called the “mahout training program”. This 10-day homestay program offers elephant lovers to experience the life of a mahout and his elephant. Participants will stay at the same house as the mahout and join in various communal activities from bathing an elephant to learning how to instruct the elephant to haul logs. The program also includes cooking and dining in northern Khan Tok style.

http://www.thailandelephant.org/eng/veterinary3.php3
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The Sukhothai Historical Park covers an area of the former capital of the Sukhothai Kingdom, an ancient city that thrived between the 13th and 14th centuries.

Founded in 1238 AD, Sukhothai is considered the first capital of Thailand. The kingdom had prospered for 200 years until it was takend over by Ayutthaya. Sukhothai Historical Park is the main attraction in Sukhothai province.

Located 12 km from Sukhothai town, the park, which is surrounded by a city gate and a moat, is not only a place of temple ruins but a quintessence of a pinnacle of Thailand’s architectural marvel. Many buidlings and religious artefacts created during its era are uniquely beautiful and elegant.

Registered as a World Heritage site under the auspices of UNESCO, the shady park features a number of Buddhist shrines, Buddha statues, former palaces and temples. Among ancient monuments within the city wall, the largest and most impressive is Wat Mahathat. It is the place where the first stone inscription was discovered. The square rock contains Thai letters that are believed to be invented by King Ramkamheang, who is one of the greatest kings in Thailand. Main chedi (stupa), vihara (assembly hall), mandapa, ordination hall (uposatha), approximately 200 subordinate chedis and some fine Buddha images can be found in the same area. These stupas represent various architectural influences from different kingdoms such as Hariphunchai, Lanna and Sri Langka. Two impressive statues of the 12-meter tall standing Buddha, Phra Attharot, enshrines the mandapa on both sides of the principle chedi.

Situated about 427 kilometers north of Bangkok, the park sees thousands of visitor each year, who admire at the ancient Buddha figures, palace buildings and ruins temples. The park is easily toured by bicycle or even of foot. It is also famous for the site of the Loi Krathong celebration which is held every year in October or November.

Regarded by travelers as one of the world’s most beautiful tropical islands, Phi Phi Islands is the most desired place of visit, besides Phuket, in the southwestern coast of Thailand. The islands have long been famous for their exotic appearance and gorgeous fine sandy bays.

The islands are part of a National Marine Park in Krabi Province. They are surrounded by azure deep crystal clear water and rich in marine lives and coral reefs. It is the most popular place in the south of Thailand for snorkeling and scuba diving. Your best bet is to see green and hawksbill turtles munching on bubble corals, black and white banded sea snakes, squid, angelfish, black-tip reef sharks and leopard (zebra) sharks.

The island group is composed of two rocky, tree-covered islets Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le. Phi Phi Don, the larger islet to the north, is well known for its beautiful beaches and coral formations. The 28-square kilometer island is inhabited by sea gypsies who emigrate from Koh Lipeh in the Tarutao National Park near the Malaysia water. The island’s best diving spots are located at the northern end at Cape Laem and the southern tip at Hua Rah Ket. There are long beaches with rocks scattered about. Ton Sai and Loh Dalam are the most attractive beaches on this island. Tourist facilities and accommodations and tourist services can be found here. Small tour shops here offer diving and snorkeling trips that will take you to nearby islands such as Koh Phi Phi Le, Koh Yung and Koh Mai Phai.

Located nearby Phi Phi Don is Phi Phi Le. The small island is entirely limestone and steep cliffs jutting from the sea. Surrounding waters average about 20 meters in depth, reaching 34 meters at the deepest point off the island’s southern tip. It has several beautiful bays, including Pileh, Maya and Loh Samah. Ao Pileh is a lovely cove enclosed by limestone walls of the island’s cliffs. Ao Maya, which is the shooting site of Leonardo Di Caprio film ‘The Beach’, is a small charming beach with fine soft sand while Ao Lo Sama has a good snorkeling place.

In addition, a neighboring island of Koh Yung north of Koh Phi Phi Don has a stone beach on the east and small sandy beaches amid valleys. The island is teeming with diverse colorful coral reefs. Koh Phai, another island near Koh Yung, has spectacular beaches in its northern and eastern sides. The bank of coral reefs comprised mainly of antler corals stretching from the north to the south of the island.

With its emerald crystal sea, secluded beaches, mountain cliffs, colorful coral reefs and undersea life, Phi Phi is a paradise in the Andaman Sea. The best time to visit Phi Phi Islands starts from November to April when the sea is calm. The islands can be accessed by boat from Phuket and Krabi, with an approximate journey time of 2 hours.

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.

Koh Tao or the Turtle Island when translated in Thai boasts the best diving spot in the Gulf of Thailand. Located northwest of Koh Pha Ngan, it has unspoiled coral reefs and a wealth of marine life that attract thousands of divers from around the world.

Located around 120 kilometers from the Surat Thani province, Koh Tao is in the same neighborhood of Koh Nang Yuan. Altogether they occupy almost 18 square kilometers. The island has eight kilometers of coral reefs around its shore.

It hosts a number of diving schools and shops that can cater to specific needs of divers, whether you are looking for tranquil shallow-water coral gardens or close encounters with whale sharks. There are more than 20 dive sites around the island. Many of them are in the vicinity of the shore. Aquatic lives you can expect to see are sea anemones, batfish, schools of pelagics and iridescent barracuda. If lucky, you might spot the Spanish mackerel or scorpionfish. Diving is possible almost year-round, with a short exception during the monsoon season between November and December.
Onshore, the island is teeming with small sandy bays franked by palm trees. The island’s half-moon-shaped western coast is where most of the beaches are found. The most popular beach is Had Sairee on the west side. Its white sandy beach stretches 1.7 km and is interrupted only by a few big boulders. Resorts, bungalows and guesthouses are available in almost every beach.

It is convenient to go to Koh Tao from Chumphon Province. The island is only one hour ride on a high-speed catamaran from Ao Makham Noi Pier in Chumphon – a speed boat from Koh Samui takes you around 3 hours to get to Koh Tao. Nowadays, more travelers choose Chumphon as their starting-off point.

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.