Description
Book SynopsisAt the heart of Southeast Asia, the kingdom of Thailand is full of diversity, created by its long history and successive kingdoms. Renowned for food, beaches, friendly people and a relaxed lifestyle, Thailand shows just how much there is to explore. With 40,000 temples throughout the country and 97 per cent of the population being Theravada Buddhists, the religion pervades everyday life.
From the sophistication of modern Bangkok to the ruins of the ancient Hindu temples at Prasat Hin Phimai and Muang Tham, from the beaches of Koh Samui and Cha-am to the mountains of Chiang Mai to verdant national parks such as Kaeng Krachan, Thailand tours the country’s most interesting destinations, region by region. Each region of Thailand is very different, from the mountainous north and northeast, to the historic sites of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya in the centre, and glorious beaches in the east, west and south. Thailand is a biodiversity hotspot and the national parks are a lesser-known delight.
Featuring street markets and floating markets, riding an elephant to travelling by tuk-tuk, idyllic beaches to ancient cities and historic temples, Thailand is packed with more than 200 spectacular photographs.
Table of ContentsContents include:
Introduction
Bangkok
Grand Palace & Wat Prakeaw
Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
Chinatown
Wat Pho
Chao Phraya River
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Khao San Road
Jim Thompson’s House
The Sky Train
Sathorn Unique Tower
Vertigo Roof Top Bar at the Banyan Tree Hotel
Songkran Water Festival
Street Food
Spirit House Offerings
Erawan Shrine
Travelling by Tuk-Tuk
National Museum
Royal Barge Museum
North
Chiang Mai – Sunday Walking Street; Warorot Market
Guan Im, Chiang Rai
Tea plantations, Chiang Rai
Wat Doi Suthep
Lantern Festival – Wat Doi Suthep
Wat Phra That Lampang Luang
Doi Inthanon
Doi Chiang Dao
Sukhothai Historical Park – Wat Si Chum, Wat Sa Si, Wat Mahathat
Loy Kratong Festival
Karen weavers, Chiang Mai
Pai, Mae Hong Son province
Handicrafts – lacquer making, umbrella painting, wood carving, ceramics
Northeast
Sakon Nakhon – The lotus park and the Naga statue
Dan Sai Ghost Festival
Rocket Festival, Yasothorn province
Phimai Khmer temple
Phnom Rung Khmer temple
Elephants, Chang Village Phu Prabat Historical Park
Erawan Cave
Phu Kradung National Park
Silk village, Sawang Daen Din village
Wat Non Kum
Sai Ngam (Ancient Banyan Tree)
West & Central Thailand
Ayutthaya Historical Park
Burma ‘Death Railway’ and Kanchanaburi
Lopburi – and its monkeys
Amphawa Floating Market, Samut
Songkhram Erawan Waterfall
Cha-am and Hua Hin Beaches
Wat Phra Dhammakaya
East
Fish farming
Bang Phra Lake
Pattaya
Koh Kut
Koh Chang
Trat
Ko Samet
Khao Laem Ya-Mu Ko Samet National Park
Wing Kwai, Chonburi – Water Buffalo Festival
Boat racing, Pataya
Southern Thailand
Ao Phang Nga National Park Koh Phi Phi
Koh Lanta
Khao Sok National Park
Khao Lak National Park
Bang Niang night market
Koh Samui
Tapi River
Phuket
Songkhla – old town, lake and birdlife
Songkhla Central Mosque
Bird Singing Contest – Songkhla
Nang Talung shadow puppet
Thale Noi Non-Hunting Area
Wat Phra Mahathat, Nakhon Si Thammarat
Buddha Statue Park, Thung Yai
