AYUTTHAYA :
The ancient city Ayutthaya, or Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, was the capital of

Siam for 417 years, and remains one of Thailand's majior tourist attractions.

Founded by 'King U-Thong or Ramathibodi I' in 1350, the city possesses many

ancient ruins and art which were left behind when the Thais were forced

southwards after being sacked by the Burmese in 1767.
CHA-AM :
This beautiful beach, twinned with Hua Hin of Phrachuap Khiri Khan, is

located 40 kms. south of the town or 20 kms. north of Hua Hin. Cha-Am was

originally a small fishing village. After a Royal Palace was built near Hua Hin in

the reign of King Rama VI, the land was occupied by the Royal Family and the

elite. Today, it is very popular among Thais who love superb seafood and

comfortable hotel or bungalow accommodation.
CHIANG MAI :
Chiang Mai is blessed with stunning natural beauty and a unique indigenous

cultural identity. Founded in 1296 by King Mengrai the Great, it was the capital

of the Lanna Thai Kingdom by merging the various city- states in the region,

Chiang Mai is today the economic, communications, cultural and tourism centre

of Northern Thailand. This pre- eminent regional status has been obtained

without losing the essence of its natural environment and culture. The terrain

consists mainly of mountainous jungles, parts of which are within fertile and

verdant national parks full of all kinds of flora and fauna. Additionally, many

sites and locations still exist where tourists can still witness the lifestyle and

traditions of the ancient hill tribe people. Chiang Mai is also Thailand's main

centre for quality handicrafts. Artisans hone their art in the outlying villages

where authentic cottage industries thrive. In particular, along the Bo Sang-San

Kamphaeng Road, such handicraft-producing factories give visitors a glimpse

of the traditional methods still in use today.
CHIANG RAI :
Chiang Rai is situated in the Kok River basin 416 m above sea level in the

northernmost province of Thailand about 785 kilometres from Bangkok. With

an area of some 11,678 sq km, the mostly mountainous expanse touches the

Mekong River to the north, and borders both Myanmar and Laos. The province

is rich in tourism resources, in terms of natural attractions and antiquities,

which serve as reminders of an ancient civilisation. It is also home to several

hilltribes who lead simple, albeit fascinating, ways of life.
HAT YAI :
Situated 1289 km. southwest of Bangkok, Hat Yai is Thailand's most popular

destination for travellers because of its strategic location as the southern

geteway to Thailand. The city finds fame as a focal point for vigorous cross-

border trading, enjoying the support form Thai folk from all over the country

who clamour for Malaysian produce, such as tropical fruit ; pears, apples,

Muscat grapes, and products including assorted Western biscuits and

chocolates, cosmetics and many other items. Nevertheless, Hat Yai owes much

of its charm and attraction to its vibrant, vivacious nightlife which revolves

around the nightclubs, bars, pubs, discotheques, karaoke lounges, shopping

malls and cinemas.
HUA-HIN :
This beach city located 200 km. south of Bangkok, became popular as a rainy

season retreat in the 1920s with the construction of the railway line form

Bangkok. Also during this time, King Rama VII selected a special piece of

beachfront property to build the Klai Kangwon Palace, or literally 'Haven Far

From Worries'. The fact that this palace remains in frequent use by the Royal

Family today lends this town an atmosphere quite different from other beach

areas in Thailand.
KANCHANABURI :
The mountainous province of Kanchanaburi, Thailand's third largest, covers

some 19,473 sq km, and borders Myanmar (Burma) to the west of Bangkok.

The compact provincial capital, some 130 km or a comfortable two-hour drive

from Bangkok, is both the site of the world-famous 'Bridge Over The Rive

Kwai', immortalised in books and movies, as well as the gateway to a region of

rugged natural beauty. The countryside beyond the provincial capital is

characterised by mountains and fertile river valleys where a labyrinth of

dammed reservoirs province's natural beauty.
KHAO YAI :
Khao Yai National Park is Thailand's second largest, covering 2,168 sq km,

encompassing 11 districts and 4 provinces; Sara Buri, Nakhon Ratchasima,

Prachin Buri, and Nakhon Nayok. It was thailand's first National Park, and was

established on September 18, 1962. The park encompasses a wide variety of

habitats, including evergreen forests and grasslands. There are also several

mountains as tall as a 1,000 m including Khao Khieo. It is host to almost 2,500

plant species, 67 different kinds of mammals and over 300 species of birds.

The entire area is criss-crossed by hiking trails, ranging in length from one and

a half to eight km In addition, there are many waterfalls, the tallest and most

spectacular of which is Haew Narok at 80 m Another waterfall, Haeo Suwat, is

located along the upper reaches of the Lam Takhong River.
KHON KAEN :
Khon Kaen boasts a lengthy history and claims to be the birthplace of so many

thriving civilisations and cultures. This is an area where the first dinosaur

fossils were found in Thailand. Once the quiet capital ofone of the poorest

provinces in the Northeast, it has undergone dramatic changes and is now a

prosperous, bustling town. Situated right in the heart of the region, Khon Kaen

is the focal point of many regional development projects, including the site of

the region's largest public universty.
KOH CHANG :
This island prradise is located in Trat province near the border of Cambodia,

and lies approximately 315 km. from Bangkok . This wonderful island is

thankfully not as exploited as some of Thailand's other islands and remains

unpolluted, with white sandy beaches. King Rama V, King Rama VI and King

Rama VII usde to holiday on the island and even the present ruler, Kiung

Bhumibhol Adulyadej, plans occasional visits. Besides a relaxed beach vacation

Koh Chang has various leisure offers for active holidaymakers e.g. snorkelliing,

diving or mountain-biking. Many resorts rent out kayaks and arrange jungle

treks as well as all day boat tours to the surrounding islands. Islands such as

Koh Nham, Koh Sai Kao, Koh Laoya, Koh Vai, Koh Kam, Koh Mak and Koh

Kradard also offer tranquillty and natural-beauty. Coral reefs offer diving and

snorking on Koh Vai, Koh Kra and the Rang group of islands.
KOH SAMUI :
Thailand's 3rd largest island is a palm-fringed paradise with coastal roads

encircling the whole island. Aside from the lovely beaches and coral beds, it is

plentiful in coconut plantations and forested hills. The more popular beaches

are on the northern and eastern coasts, namely Chaweng Beach, known for its

party scene and a combination of luxury accommodations and Lamai Beach.

Many international diving schools have been established on nearby Koh Tao

(Turtle Island) because of its pristine beaches and abundant coralreefs which

contribute to its reputation as the best scuba diving spot in the Gulf of

Thailand.
KRABI :
One of the most attractive destinations in Thailand covers an area of 4,709 sq

km and is located 814 km south of Bangkok. Krabi's major attractions are

located largely along its extensive coastline with several well-known beaches

and bays, and numerous offshore tropical islands.
Krabi's mountainous physical landscape is broken only by appearances of

highlands and plains on the mainland. Natural forest cover is chiefly Mangrove

and Cassia trees. The Krabi River flows 5 km through the town and falls into

the Andaman Sea at Tambon Pak Nam.