Bangkok
Bangkok is one of the Orient's most cosmopolitan cities and has attractions to stimulate even the most jaded travelers. Bangkok is one of the Orient's most cosmopolitan cities and has attractions to stimulate even the most jaded travelers.

Bangkok is one of the Orient's most cosmopolitan cities and has attractions to stimulate even the most jaded travelers. Created in 1782 by the first monarch of the present Chakri dynasty, Bangkok is a national treasure house and our spiritual, cultural, political, commercial, educational and diplomatic center.
Some of the main attractions for the visitor in the "City of Angels" include Wat Phra Kaeo, the magnificent Grand Palace and nearby Wat Pho and Wat Arun (The 'Temple of Dawn') across the Chao Phraya river. Also theVimanmek Mansion Museum located behind Bangkok's National Assembly, the National Museum in walking distance of the Grand Palace, and silk entrepreneur Jim Thompson's Thai house at the end of Soi Kasemsan 2 opposite the National Stadium on Rama I Road.

North
Northern Thailand comprises 17 provinces (Changwats) : Chiang Mai,
Chiang Rai, Kamphaengphet, Lampang, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Nakhon Sawan, Nan,Phayao,Phetchabun, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phrae,Sukhothai,Tak,Uthai Thani and Uttaradit.

It occupies an approximate area of 170,000 square kilometers, bordering on the territories of Laos and Myanmar.

The north is the home of our earliest civilization and is famous for its hospitable and courteous people, as well as many sites of archaeological and cultural interest such as the Ancient City of Sukhothai, the first capital of Thailand some 700 years ago and Wat Phra Borommathat Doi Suthep near Chiang Mai, where some relics of Buddha are kept.

Phra Buddha Chinarat, said to be the most beautiful Buddha image in Thailand can be found at Wat Phra Si Ratana- Mahathat in Phitsanulok. The largest dam in Thailand, and the world's seventh largest is the Bhumibol Dam in Tak.

In addition, the northern region is the home to Thailand's many colorful hill tribes such as the Lahu of Tak and the Yao, Akha, Karen, Hmong, and Lisu tribes of the Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai mountain regions. The north is also noted for its rich cultural traditions.

Many tourists from the surrounding provinces flock to Chiang Mai for the annual Songkran Festival and to Sukhothai for Loi Krathong.

South
Southern Thailand consists of 14 provinces (Changwats) : Chumphon, Ranong, Surat Thani, Phangnga, Phuket, Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Satun, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.

The region is located on the peninsula between the Andaman Sea of the Indian Ocean to the West and the South China Sea of the Pacific Ocean to the East.

The South offers some of the most spectacular scenery in our country, with superb beach resorts and lush tropical islands.

Two of the main attractions are the beautiful islands of Phuket and Ko Samui with their dazzling palm-fringed beaches. Other attractions of the south include coral reefs teeming with marine life for the diving enthusiast, remote national parks, mountains, waterfalls, historical sities and scenic wildlife sanctuaries.

Central
consists of 22 provinces (Changwats) : Ang Thong, Bangkok, Chachoengsao,Chai Nat,Kanchanaburi,Lopburi,Nakhon Nayok,Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phetchaburi, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Prachin Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ratchaburi, Sa Kaeo, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Saraburi, Sing Buri and Suphanburi located in a fertile basin where the main activity is rice farming and the area is regarded as the rice bowl of our country.

Besides being the kingdom's most fertile land for rice growing, the Central region is also famous for its tourist attractions which focus on natural resources and ancient historic remains.

Trips to thick forests, high waterfalls, caves and beaches are easily combined with visits to ancient ruined temples or palaces and historical places.

The Eastern part of the region annually attracts hundreds of thousands tourists to the famous beach resorts of Pattaya and Rayong.

The eastern sea coast reaching from Chon Buri to Trat is among the most attractive seaside destinations.

Nature has endowed the area with waterfalls and mountains, beaches and islands, and man has added facilities and conveniences to make this a truly beautiful and enjoyable destination. The Eastern coastal region is also rich in archaeology and history.

Northeast
Known by Thais as I - san (pronounced E - San), the sprawling Northeast Plateau comprises 19 provinces (Changwats) : Amnat Charoen, Buri Ram, Chaiyaphum,Kalasin,Khon Kaen, Loei,Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Phanom, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Nong Khai, Roi Et, Sakon Nakhon, Si Sa Ket, Surin,Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani and Yasothon.

I-san is noted as the center of an age-old civilization dating back to pre-historic time and to the period when the Khmer people held away in the region. Relics and monuments still stand, attesting to the splendors and majesty of the ancient era.

The Phra That Phanom in Nakhon Phanom, the Prasat Hin Khao Phanom Rung in Buri Ram and the Prasat Hin Phimai in Khorat, are some of the most important and interesting structures in the area. Ban Chiang village in Udon Thani, where remains of pre-historic skeletons and tools have been discovered, serves as concrete evidence of a Bronze Age civilization flourishing 5,000 to 7,000 years ago.

The Northeast's ancient traditions and customs are still reflected in fairs and festivals found nowhere else in the country.

These include the colorful Bun Bang Fai (rocket festival), the Candle Procession and the Wax Castle Festival.

Probably the most well - known local products of the Northeast are the world - famous Matmee silk, wickerware, earthenware and edible items such as sausages, Mu Yong and Mu Phaen.