




The uniquely Thai Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaeo
The splendid Grand Palace enclosure is home to many ornate temples and buildings with a variety of architectural styles. Gold leaf, reflective tiling, and Buddha images are seen everywhere. The magnificent Wat Phra Kaeo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) is a treasure trove of Thai arts and home to the Emerald Buddha, Thailand’s most revered Buddha image. Much is still to be seen in the Grand Palace compound, such as the Royal Thai Decorations and Coin Pavilion, where a permanent exhibition of royal regalia, decorations, medals, and coins dating back to the early 11th century are on display.
Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm and Zoo in Samut Prakan
Built in 1950, Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm and Zoo in Samut Prakan is the world’s largest crocodile farm. The farm has over 60,000 crocodiles of different varieties in numerous pits, with daily shows featuring handlers catching crocodiles barehanded. Visitors will also enjoy shows starring the other animals in the zoo: elephants, gibbons, turtles, boa constrictors, pythons, birds, camels, hippopotamuses, and various species of fishes. There is also another crocodile show at the Samphran Elephant Ground and Zoo in Nakhon Pathom. See a thrilling crocodile show featuring a master crocodile catcher wrestling crocodiles in the tradition of Krai Thong, the most famous crocodile hunter in Thai legend
The best diving spots for experts and amateurs alike
More than 70 islands surround Samui, and the nearby islands of Ko Pha-ngan and Ko Tao make this area one of the most famous dive sites in Thailand. Samui is also the best place to learn how to dive. Experienced divers, meanwhile, can encounter large creatures, like the whale sharks, manta rays, potato cods, and more.
Sunny Samui beaches
Many visitors are content to lounge their days away on the beach, while soaking up the sun and cooling off in the turquoise waters. Chaweng Beach on Samui’s east coast is the longest and most beautiful, with plenty of accommodations for guests. Just south of Chaweng Beach, are the playful waters of Lamai Beach, virtually a surfers’ paradise, while Hin Ta and Hin Yai’s unusual rock formations are Samui’s most photographed features. For those who want to get away from it all, there are Maenam, Bophut, Bang Rak and other beaches on the north coast, as well as beaches on the south and the west, including the renowned Taling Ngam.
Many visitors are content to lounge their days away on the beach, while soaking up the sun and cooling off in the turquoise waters. Chaweng Beach on Samui’s east coast is the longest and most beautiful, with plenty of accommodations for guests. Just south of Chaweng Beach, are the playful waters of Lamai Beach, virtually a surfers’ paradise, while Hin Ta and Hin Yai’s unusual rock formations are Samui’s most photographed features. For those who want to get away from it all, there are Maenam, Bophut, Bang Rak and other beaches on the north coast, as well as beaches on the south and the west, including the renowned Taling Ngam.
SURAT THANI / KO SAMUI : The Gulf Paradise
Surrounded by other gems like Ko Pha-ngan and Ko Tao, Samui sits snugly in the gulf of Thailand, and is located 52 miles east of Surat Thani, the provincial capital on the mainland. With soft sandy beaches shaded by towering palms, delicious fresh seafood and a vibrant nightlife, Samui has a magical formula that seems to cast its spell on everyone.
PHANG-NGA : Thailand’s Best Scuba-Dive Site
Phang-nga is a province with two elements—land and sea—and is packed with national parks that border magnificent scenery with immensely different attractions. The island groups of Surin and Similan, renowned for their beautiful unspoiled beaches and spectacular underwater scenery, attract divers from around the world. While Phang-nga Bay is extremely sheltered, it is ideal for sea canoe expeditions to explore the many fascinating caverns with their own eco-systems.
KRABI : Andaman Sea’s Treasure
Krabi is an ideal getaway destination rich with natural attractions, including white sandy beaches, fascinating coral reefs, numerous islands, and verdant forests with caves and waterfalls. Krabi attracts people from all over the world, with popular spots including the Ao Nang, Hat Rai Le and the Phi Phi Islands, where ‘The Beach’ was filmed.
Phetchaburi / HUA HIN / CHA-AM : Thailand’s Oldest Beach Resorts
Cha-am and Hua Hin are both closely associated with Thai royalty, and located on the Gulf of Thailand, some 3 hours southwest of Bangkok. These are quiet and relaxing seaside resorts, ideal for family vacations. Merely 15 miles apart, Cha-am in Phetchaburi and Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan enjoy a wealth of satellite attractions. Prominent among these are national parks and historic cities.
KANCHANABURI : Historic and Natural Beauty
Kanchanaburi is Thailand’s third-largest province, stretching far west of the border with Myanmar. The province boasts of some of the country’s most beautiful waterfalls and caves, as well as the historic bridge over the River Kwai. The hills and valleys are scattered with intriguing temples, historical sites, and the lush, wooded landscapes are ideal for cycling, trekking, and raft trips.
TRAT/KO CHANG : The Hidden Gems
TTrat is Thailand’s eastern-most province. With its 52 large and small offshore islands, long white sandy beaches and unspoiled coral reefs, Trat offers delightful scenery and a tranquil hideout for nature lovers. It also serves as a major fruit growing and fishing area, as well as a starting point for Ko Chang, one of the most popular attractions of the east coast. November to March is the best time to visit Ko Chang and Trat.