Central and East of Thailand

There are 26 provinces that make up Central and Eastern Thailand, and Bangkok is one of them. Geographically, this is Thailand’s heartland, extending from Lop Buri in the north and covering the rice bowl of the Central Plains around the Chao Phraya River. Further south, the area embraces the east and west coasts of the upper Gulf of Thailand.

This is Thailand’s most fertile farming area, a wide-ranging landscape of paddy fields, orchards and plantations. More than 1,000 years ago Thai settlers moved down from the north, gradually replacing Mon and Khmer influences and establishing communities at Lop CENTRAL & EAST COAST Buri then at Sukhothai, before founding a kingdom that lasted 417 years with Ayutthaya as its capital. When the Burmese destroyed Ayutthaya in 1767, the capital moved to Bangkok.

The Central region has a dramatic history, and its heritage of ancient temples, battlefields and ruins and two capitals, Ayutthaya and Bangkok, are a continuing fascination for visitors. The east and west sea coasts at the region’s southern end also draw huge numbers of visitors every year. Bangkok residents spend long weekends enjoying the relaxing seaside atmosphere, while holiday-makers from around the world to discover the delights of the tropical beach life

The 26 provinces of Central and East Coast are Ang Thong, Bangkok, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat,Chanthaburi, Chon Buri ( Koh Khangkhao, Koh Larn, Koh Sichung ), Kanchanaburi, Lop Buri, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phetchaburi, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Prachin Buri,Prachuap Khiri Khan ( Koh Talu ), Ratchaburi,Rayong ( Koh Kudi , Koh Munklang, Koh Munnai, Koh Munnork, Koh Semed ), Sa Kaeo, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Saraburi, Sing Buri, Suphan Buri andTrat ( Koh Chang, Koh Kham , Koh Kood , Koh Kradard, Koh Lhaoya, Koh Mak, Koh Ngam, Koh Wai )

The North of Thailand

The North is the birthplace of the earliest Thai civilisation and has many sites of archaeological and cultural interest. Northern people are famous for their courtesy and hospitality, and the region is also noted for its variety of cultural traditions. Many tourists from the surrounding provinces converge on Chiang Mai for the annual Songkran Festival, and to Sukhothai for Loi Krathong.

The region has three seasons, hot from March to May, wet from June to November and cool from December to February. High up in the mountains, though, “cool” may often mean extremely cold.

The 17 provinces that comprise the North are Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Tak, Kamphaeng Phet, Lampang, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Nakhon Sawan, Nan, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phichit, Uthai Thani, Phitsanulok, Phrae, Sukhothai, and Uttaradit.

The Northeast of Thailand

The Northeast ,a vast plateau covering nearly one third of the country, is usually known as Isan. It extends northwards to the Mekong River which divides Thailand from Laos, and to the south and it ends at the Dong Rek mountain range along the border with Cambodia.

The Northeast consists of 19 provinces: Amnat Charoen, Buri Ram, Chaiyaphum, Kalasin, Khon Kaen, Loei, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Roi Et, Sakon Nakhon, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani and Yasothon

The South of Thailand

This region extends southward along a narrow peninsula lying between the Andaman Sea its west side and the South China Sea on the east. It is a rich land in terms of the abundance of its natural resources, the fertility of its soil, the diversity of its people and its commercial viability.

The coastline attracts most tourists, though Samui island in the Gulf of Thailand is growing in popularity as a laid-back holiday spot with first class diving opportunities nearby on Tao and Pha-ngan islands.

The Andaman Sea coast offers more sophisticated choices in the island province of Phuket, Thailand’s premier holiday resort. However, the fascinating rock formations and offshore islands at Phang-nga, Krabi and Trang are extremely popular for the diving and sailing opportunities they offer.

The mountains, rivers and forests in the national parks in the interior of the peninsula are also gaining popularity with eco-tourists, as can be seen with the growing numbers of safari expeditions on foot, by elephant and in canoes.

The South of Thailand consists of 14 provinces: Chumphon ( Koh Khai, Koh Samet ), Krabi ( Koh Hong, Koh Lanta, Koh Ngai, Koh Phi-Phi , Koh Poda, Koh Rok ) , Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Pattani, Phang-nga ( Koh Phrathong, Koh Stork, Koh Hong, Koh khai, Koh Panyi, Koh Si, Koh Similan, Koh Surin, Koh Yao ) , Phatthalung, Phuket ( Koh Hay, Koh Maithon, Koh Kaew ) , Ranong ( Koh Chang, Koh Lhao ,Koh Phayam ) , Satun ( Koh Adang, Koh Lipe, Koh Rawi, Koh Tarutao ) , Songkhla, Surat Thani ( Koh Nangyuan, Koh Phangan, Koh Samui, Koh Taen, Koh Tao, Koh Wuatalab ) , Trang ( Koh Kradan, Koh Lhaoliang, Koh Libong, Koh Mar, Koh Mook )and Yala.

GULF AND ANDAMAN ,THAILAND

There are many idyllic island in Thailand which hold the greatest appeal for tourists, and, whether you are looking for solitude or sophisticated nightlife, there is plenty of choice. Island in Thailand is a rich land in terms of the plenty of natural resources, clear water and the abundance of extensive coral reefs around the offshore islands.

The Andaman coastline, to the west of the Kra Isthmus, boasts fabulous scenery and dazzling beaches. The largest and best-known of the Thailand Island is Phuket, which has been attracting tourists for a number of years and is now in danger of becoming over-developed as high-rise hotels appear inexorably above the palm trees. Further south, the beautiful Phi Phi Island( Koh Phi Phi ) and islands in Krabi are still mostly geared to independent travelers, while the more remote Lanta Island ( Koh Lanta ) is now opened up to tourism.

In the Gulf of Thailand, on the other side of the Kra Isthmus, the best-known destination is the island of Koh Samui; other islands within the Samui Archipelago, such as Phangan Island( Koh Phangan ) and Tao Island ( Koh Tao ), are also popular. To the east of Bangkok, the beach resort of Pattaya bears little resemblance to the real Thailand and has a notorious reputation, but further east still there are several gorgeous islands eagerly awaiting international travelers – Chang Island ( Koh Chang ), for instance, which is the country’s second largest island in Thailand offers miles of beaches and unexplored forest.