Krabi : Heaven on the beach

Krabi is located 814 kms. from Bangkok along Highway No.4 via Phetchaburi, Prachuap Kiri Khan, Chumporn, Ranong and Phangnga. Five kilometers before the township area the highway is paralled to Krabi River featuring so beautiful scenery of a river flowing between the two mountains ranges. Krabi is located on the coastline of the Indian Ocean bordering on Amphoe Phra Saeng of Surat Thani and Tab Put of Phangnga to the north, Trang and Andaman Sea to the south, Nakhon Sri Thammarat and Trang to the east, and Phangnga and Andaman Sea to the west. General geographic condition is mountain, hills plains and more than 30 small island off the coast.

Attraction

Khao Khanap Nam (เขาขนาบน้ำ)
These mountains, walling the river in between, are some what the entrance of Krabi. It is accessible by a few minutes boat trip from the provincial the pro vincial landing. Beautiful caves worth seeing are also located there.

Hat Noppharat Thara - Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติหาดนพรัตน์ธารา - หมู่เกาะพีพี)
Located in the are of Tambon Nong Thale, Tambon Saithai, Tambon Ao Nang and Tambon Pak Nam, Amphoe Muang Krabi. The National Park comprise:

Hat Nopparat Thara (หาดนพรัตน์ธารา)
A famous and very beautiful beach which is line up with pine trees and coconut groves. Accommodatians are available.

Ao Nang (อ่าวนาง)
It is located approximately 6 kms. from Hat Nopparat Thara. There are 83 small island in the bay having various size and shape. A boat trip for a sightseeing tour can be made through Ao Nang Village. The attractions in Ao Nang are : Hat Rai Le (หาดไร่เล), Hat Phranang (หาดพระนาง), Tham Phranang (ถ้ำพระนาง), Sa Phranang (สระพระนาง), Koh Poda (เกาะปอดะ), Koh Thap (เกาะทัพ), etc.

Mu Koh Phi Phi (หมู่เกาะพีพี)

It comprise six islands : Koh Phi Phi Don (เกาะพีพีดอน), Koh Phi Phi Le (เกาะพีพีเล), Koh Bida Nok (เกาะบิด๊ะนอก), Koh Bida Nai (เกาะบิด๊ะใน), Koh Yung (เกาะยูง), and Koh Phai (เกาะไผ่), lie at some distance off coast-line. The superb scenery of the islands include high hill with jutting cliffs surrounded by beaches of silvery sand and emerald green sea, hiding underneath a bank of coral reefs and colorful marine life which are unrivalled in this whole wide area. Phi Phi Le offers many attractions : Tham Viking (ถ้ำไวกิ้ง) a large cave full of bird’s nests as well as ancient color painting of Vikings’boat, thus giving the cave its exotic name, Ao Pi Le and Ao Lo Sa Ma (อ่าวปิเละและอ่าวโละซามะ) which are suitable fot scuba diving, and Ao Maya (อ่าวมาหยา) ,a white sandy beach. Accomodations are available on Phi Phi Don where on avillage is situated.


Mu Koh Lanta Narional Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติหมู่เกาะลันตา)
Comprises of many different-sized island, some of which are surrounded by beautiful coral reefs such as Koh Ha (เกาะห้า), Koh Rok (เกาะรอก), and Koh Hai (เกาะไหง). The main island in the park is Koh Lanta Yai (เกาะลันตาใหญ่), where the National Park’s office is situated. This is also home of “Chao Le” oe sea gypsies. To visits to Koh Lanta should be made from October – April because there is no monsoom during this period. There are two piers : Bo Muang pier, Amphoe Khlong Thom, the trip takes about 45 minutes and Chao Fa pier, Amphoe Muang, the trip takes about 2 – 3 hours.

Mu Koh Hong (หมู่เกาะห้อง)
It comprises large and small islands as: Koh Hong or Koh Lao Pi Le (เกาะห้องหรือเกาะเหลาปิและ), Koh Laka or Koh Saka (เกาะหลากาหรือเกาะซากา), Koh Lao Riam (เกาะเหลาเหรียม), Koh Pak Ka (เกาะปากกะ), etc. Koh Hong is the largest island. This limestone island has a beach and coral reefs in both deep and shallow water levels. To get to the island takes about one hour by boat from Ao Nang.
Besides, there are prehistoric paintings of the cliff and cave walls on some other island, such as: Tham Chao Le (ถ้ำชาวเล), Laem Tai Rad (แหลมท้ายแรด), Koh Garose (เกาะกาโรส), Laem Fai Mai (แหลมไฟไฟม้). Some cave also have beautiful stalactites and stalagmites, such as: Tham Hua Kalok Nai or Tham Bunmak (ถ้ำหัวกะโหลกในหรือถ้ำบุญมาก), Tham Toe Luang (ถ้ำโต๊ะหลวง), Tham Sua Nok or Tham Thep Nimit (ถ้ำเสือนอกหรือถ้ำเทพนิมิต), etc.

Phuket : Pearl of Andaman

Phuket, a large island in the Indian Ocean , is 862 kms. From Bangkok. It is the only island having provincial status, and was aregional headquarters as well, with a rich and colorful history. The surrounding waters contains a lot of colorful marine life. It is a very attractive island for the sightseer, with lovely seahore, limestone cliffs, and forested hillsides. Phuket Island has a long shape from the north to the south and its general geographic characteristics are rolling hills alternating with basin and having 32 smaller outlying islands. Phuket, the smallest southern province occupies 543 square kms. The overall length from north to south is 48 kms. and is 21 kms. at its widest part. Phuket borders Phangnga Bay to the north at the 490 metres wide Pak Phra Channel, joined to the mainland by the 660 metres Sarasin Bridge linking Chatchai landing of Phuket and Tha Nun Landing of Phangnga. To the south and west lies the Andaman Sea, and the Krabi Sea to the east. It is administratively divided into three Amphoes: Thailand and Krathu. The main occupation of the population is rubber plant cultivation while the rest are engaged in the cultivations of coconuts, fruits and fishing.

Attraction

Khao Rang (เขารัง)
It is a small hill, located behind the township area, maintained as a public park by the Municipality. It is also the location of Radio and Television Station operated by Department of Public Relation.

Leam Phrom Thep (แหลมพรมเทพ)
This cape has the most beautiful sunset view in Phuket. It is located 18 kms. from Phuket town, otherwise called by the local people “Leam Chao” where from best scenery of Phuket can be seen.

Ao Patong (อ่าวป่าตอง)
This bay has a beautiful long beach totaling a distance of several kilometers, suitable for swimming. It is located 13 kms. from Phuket township area in Amphoe Krathu.

Ao Kata (อ่าวกะตะ)
This bay is located 18 kms. fromship area, divided in to two bays: Kata Noi and Kata Yai , having beautiful beaches suitable for smimming.

Ao Karon (อ่าวกะรน)
This bay is located 1 kilometre from Ao Kata.

Hat Surin (หาดสุรินทร์)
This is the most famous beach in Phuket, located 26 kms. from the township are. However, the beach shelf is steep and the fairly heavy surf renders it unsuitable for swimming. There is a golf course above the beach line.

Laem Sing (แหลมสิงห์)
Sing Cape is located 1 kilometre beyond Hat Surin features beautiful rocky reefs.

Hat Nai Yang National park (อุทยานแห่งชาติหาดในยาง)
It is located on the road to airport, 37 kms. from Phuket town. The park covers an area of 90 square kilometers and has long secluded stretch of beaches fringed by casuarinas trees. There are ; Hat Nai Thon (หาดในทอน), Hat nau Yang (หาดในยาง), Hat Mai Khao (หาดไม้ขาว), and Hat Sai Kaew (หาดทรายแก้ว). From November to February gigantic sea turggle ashore to lay there eggs there. For accommodation contact the National Park Division, Royal Forestry Department.

Vegetarian festival (งานเทศกาลกินเจ)
This festival falls in September – October every year. It originated among immigrant workers in the 19th century and is one of the major events of Phuket’s year. Residents of Chinese ancestry go on a ten-day vegetarian diet and there are ceremonies at local Chinese temples as well as parades the feature remarkable feats by ascetic believer.

Pattaya : Thailand's Premier beach resort

Located 147 kilometres southeast of Bangkok or only two-hour drive, Pattaya is Thailand's premier beach resort and annually attracts hundreds of thousands of pleasure-seeking tourist from all over the world.

Visitors can windsurf, water ski, swim, sunbath, snorkel, sail, or take trip to offshore coral island. They can rent water scooter to explore Pattya bay, and motorcycles and jeeps tp explore nighbouring-beaches such as the increasingly Hat Chom Thian (หาดจอมเทียน) just south of Pattaya,where accommodation is also available.
. Tennis enthusiasts can enjoy themselves at leadings hotel’s courts,and golfers can visit beautifully-landscaped and challenging golf courses around Pattaya.
Bowling alleys, snooker hall, shooting galleriers and archery offer furter entertainment while Tiffany and Alcazar Cabarets offer fascinating night show with broard popular appeal.
Pattaya boats an incredible choice of accommodation to suit every pocket. Facilities range from airconditioned opulence to basic simplicity. Essentially, the visitor has the choice of luxury hotels with private beach ; bayside hotel and bungalows ; and “inland” economy-class hotel and guest houses.
. Pattaya offers some Thailand’s choicest seafood in several specialty restaurant. Steak houses and fastfood outlets provide attractives alternatives and gourmets and gourmands alike find satisfaction in restaurants featuring French, Italian, Swiss, German, Hungari an, Scandinavian, English, Indian, Moslem, Japanese, Chinese and Thai Cuisine.
From familities to individual visitors, Pattaya offers something for everyone and all the ingredients for a truly memorable holiday.

Attractions

Pattaya Beach ( หาดพัทยา)
. About 4 kilometres long,has a beach road running parallel to the beach from the north to the south. The northern part is a more quiet area of the resort while the southern part is hustling and lively section, where on both sides of the street line up with shops of all kind, department stores, restaurant, discotheques, bars and nightclubs.

Koh Lan (เกาะล้าน)
45 minutes offshore by tourist boat or 15 minutes by speed boat, is the largest of Pattaya’s archipelago. Major attraction include viewing coral reefs from glassbottomed boats, snorkeling, scuba diving, windsurfing, skiing and parasailing. There are a lot of seafood restaurants on the island’s main beaches. Deep sea fishing can be arranged to Ko Lan’s neighbouring island such as Ko Khrok and Ko Sak.
Beyond Ko Lan another 40 minutes sail is Ko Phai (เกาะไผ่) an island under the care of the Rayal Navy. Visitor are not allowed to stay over night here, but it has fine deserted beaches that are open during the day.
All the nearby islands are easy to get and charters can be arranged through the hotel tour desk or by negotiating a price direct with the boat owners.

Hat Jomtien (หาดจอมเทียน)

Located 2 kilometres from south Pattaya, is good for swimming. The beach has become more and more popular for water and activities because it has a long straight coastline and there are less boat anchored in the are. Reasonable accommodation is also available.

Mini Siam & Mini Europe (เมืองจำลอง)
Located near Pattaya Klang, is Thailand’s first wonder displaying Thai and Europeean heritage on aminiature scaid. This is the third miniature town in the world after Netherlands and Taiwan that brings together models of important objects and historical sites of different culture, and civilization of various periods from the ancient time till present. More than 100 models, each on scale of 1: 25, are displaied in an 29 rai, surrounded by natural scenaries blended with different types of well selected trees. Open from 7.00 – 22.00 hrs.

Ripley’s Museum Belive it or not. (พิพิธภัณฑ์ริบลีย์เชื่อหรือไม่)
Is located on the 3rd floor of Royal Plaza Building, Beach Road. Odd stories and objects are collected from around the world and exhibited here. The museum is open daily during 11.00 – 24.00 hrs.

Million Years Stone Park & Crocodile Farm (อุทยานหินล้านปีและฟาร์มจระเข้พัทยา)
Located some 9 kilometres form Pattaya township, comprises breeding pens with moret than 1,000 crocodiles, a zoo, and a bonsai garden decorated with rock formations. Open daily from 8.30 – 18.00 hrs. There are crocodile shows at 10.00, 11.00, 14.00, 15.30, and 17.00 hrs.

Suan Nong Nooch (สวนนงนุช)
About 15 kilometres from South Pattaya, is a Thai-village-style recreation-cumvacation park. The entr\ire are of some 500 acres is beautifully landscaped, with orchid nursery and other botanical gardens. There are also cultural and traditional performance and elephant show. Accommodation in park is available.

Pattaya Festival (งานเทศกาลพัทยา)
Thailand’s world famous seaside resort puts on its most festival face for this annual event, held in April at the height of summer season. Food and floral floats, beauty contests, stalls selling local delicacies, and a spectacular display of fireworks on the beach are only a few of highlights that attract merry-maker.