Description of the North with a Map



THE NORTH A completely different travel experience awaits visitors to Thailand’s mountainous north where the climate is more temperate, magical morning mists are commonplace and winter evenings are quite chilly. PHITSANULOK Phitsanulok has long been an important center both for political and strategical reason. It was a recruiting place when Ayutthaya had war with Myanmar. It was a capital of Thailand for 25 years during the reign of King Boromtrailokkanat of Ayutthaya. WAT PHRA SI RATTANA MAHATHAT This monastery commonly called by the inhabitants as “ Wat Yai ”, is the most important monastery of Phitsanulok, the home of the famous Phra Buddha Chinnarat. It is located at the foot of Naresuan Bridge on the city side of the river. SUKHOTHAI Sukhothai, site of the first independent Thai kingdom, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and straddles the area where the northern and central regions meet. Massive stone Buddha dominates ruins dating from the late 13th century. Sukhothai is the favorite setting for the Loi Krathong (Festival of Lights) celebrated each November. THE SUKHOTHAI & SI SATCHANALAI HISTORICAL PARKS Located in Sukhothai, some 250 kms from Bangkok, these are UNESCO-Designated World Heritage Sites. The Sukhothai Historical Park encompasses most of Sukhothai's leading structures. Among the attractions are the remains of the royal palace, several major Buddhist temples, walls, and a complex system of canals and ponds to supply water to the city. Lotus budshaped stupas typify Sukhothai architecture. Si Satchanalai was a satellite city during the Sukhothai period, located on the bank of the Yom River east of the capital. Among the ruins to be seen in the park are Wat Chang Lom, adorned with 39 stucco elephants, buttresses, and Wat Chedi Chet Thaeo. CHIANG MAI Chiang Mai, the former capital of the ancient Lanna kingdom, is the region’s principal city and is less than an hour’s flight north of Bangkok (or overnight on a sleeper train). The city’s distinctive religious architecture, food, dialect, festivals (such as Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year celebrated each April), traditions, handicrafts, setting and customs make it quite different from anywhere else. Visitors can savor Chiang Mai’s historical past by taking a pedicab through ancient city streets to visit temples dating form the last 1200s: its immediate environs by visiting the Doi Suthep mountain, setting for a royal winter palace, and a magnificent temple from where an exhilarating view of the Chiang Mai valley may be enjoyed: its topography by elephant treks that visit jungle waterfalls and exotic hilltribe villages: and its fertile present by agro-tours that transport visitors to hillsides where, in orchards and plantations, everything from apples to asparagus is cultivated in great abundance. WAT PHRA THAT DOI SUTHEP This is undoubtedly the most celebrated of Chiang Mai temples, and is located in the mountain to the west that overlooks the city. The present buildings dated from the 16th century and have been considerably expanded and restored by various Chiang Mai rulers; the gold covered Chedi enshrines sacred Buddhist relics. PHU PHING PALACE Located on Doi Buak Ha, about 4 kms. from Doi Suthep. Phu Phing Palace is the winter Palace and open to the public on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays as well as holidays, when Thai Royal Family is not in residence. OLD CHIANG MAI CULTURAL CENTER Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center gathers the Lanna Thai arts and culture. Within its area, a hilltribe village and a Thai styled house have been erected. Souvenir shops are available. Two attractive events held regularly in the late evening are the Northern style supper called “ Khan Tok ” and folk dancing performances. DOI INTHANON NATIONAL PARK Doi Inthanon is one of Thailand’s most famous National Parks and one of the best equipped to welcome visitors. It is situated in the area of three Amphoes: Chom Thong, San Pa Tong and Mae Chaem and covers some 1,005 square kilometers. It offers marvelous natural scenery. Shooting, fishing and causing damage to trees and plants are strictly forbidden. ORCHID FARM Along Mae Rim – Samoeng Road is the center of all northern orchids. Some orchid farms provide an opportunity for visitors to admire the famous “The Queen of the Forest” that blooms all year round. BO SANG UMBRELLA MAKING VILLAGE 9 kms from town where artisans make umbrellas with accuracy and speed. People there make paper products by an ancient process and produce charmingly painted umbrellas. WAT PHRA SING One of Chiang Mai's most important temples, Wat Phra Sing was built in 1345 to house the ashes of King Kham Fu. The Viharn Laikam, built in late Lanna style around 1806, is considered one of the finest structures in Chiang Mai; it houses the famous Phra Buddha Sihing of Chiangsaen or early Lanna style, and also contains beautiful murals dating from the fourth reign. CHIANG RAI & THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE Chiang Rai, north of Chiang Mai, lies in the heart of the fabled Golden Triangle, the mountainous region where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar (Burma) converge. The area is populated by exotic hilltribes who live at altitudes above 3,000 feet. WAT PHRA THAT DOI TUNG Located near the summit of Doi Tung, Chiang Rai's highest mountain, this temple offers spectacular views of Thailand, Myanmar, and the The Mekong River valley. The golden Chedi enshrines a sacred relic of the Buddha and attracts crowds of devout Buddhists during an annual pilgrimage. PHRA TAMNAK DOI TUNG A beautiful royal residence is built for the Princess Mother on the way to Phrathat Doi Tung. The main attraction is Suan Mae Fa Luang, a very beautiful garden decorated with different kinds of plants and flowers. The garden is open to visitors daily. MAE SAI Thailand’s northern most border district to Myanmar, The Myanmar atmosphere is prevalent in this area and also Myanmar goods and handicrafts can be purchased. GOLDEN TRIANGLE The most famous attraction where the borders of the three countries: Laos Thailand and Myanmar meet. It is about 9 kilometers north of Chiang Saen. From this place, Laotian and Myanmar border can be seen through Mae Khong and Ruak River respectively. Accommodations are available for tourists who want to stay over night. Boats can be rented for trips along the Khong River. CHIANG KHONG Located 114 kilometres northeast of Chiang Rai and 55 kilometres east of Chiang Saen, this is a small district by the khong River. Its fame lies in its cloth weaving at Ban Hat Bai and, in the Khong River, the Pla Buk the world’s largest freshwater cat fish capable of reaching 2.5 metres long and weighing 300 kilograms. Each April celebrations are held when the giant fish are caught. At the Chiang Khong Fishery Station, fertilization of the fish can be witnessed. MAE HONG SON Mae Hong Son, the west, is completely isolated by mountains and has several Burmese style temples of note. Mae Hong Son is a principal center for elephant treks, river-rafting and visits to hilltribe villages. WAT CHONG KHAM Located in Mae Hong Son this temple overlooks a small lake surrounded by a palm grove -perhaps the most picturesque spot in the Mae Hong Son valley. The temple is in Burmese style and offers an impressive display of intricate metal fretwork, patterns of inlaid coloured glass, carved wood, and other characteristic Burmese decorative techniques. THE NORTHEAST (ISAAN) During the 1970s, and archaeological excavation in the tiny hamlet of Ban Chiang, 50 kilometers east of Udon Thani, unearthed indisputable evidence of a Bronze Age civilization that flourished in the area some 5,000 years ago. Ban Chiang now is UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today visitors can inspect the bones, pottery and jewellery that were excavated from local burial mounds. Khao Yai, Phu Kradung, Phu Rua and Kaeng Tana national parks each offer different topography, flora and fauna, and are as distinctive in their own ways as the region’s colorful festivals and traditions. These include the Rocket Festival in Yasothon each May, the Candle Festival in Ubon Ratchathani each July, and the world-famous 2-day Elephant Round-up in Surin each November. Each are celebrated with special élan by a fun loving and warmly hospitable people. KHAO YAI KHAO YAI NATIONAL PARK The park Cover an area of 2,168 sq.km. in four provinces. The Park comprises various mountains, two important rivers of Lam Takhong and Nakhon Nayok, with may rare species of fauna, flora and over 20 waterfalls. KORAT Nakhon Ratchasima, Khorat for short, and adjacent areas, is also steeped in history. One thousand years ago, the area was part of the Angkor-centered Khmer Empire. Prasat Hin (stone castle) temples in Phimai and Phanom Rung are superb examples of classical Khmer architecture. PRASAT HIN PHIMAI Prasat Hin Phimai in Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat) was built in the early 12th century and has been described as the largest Khmer sanctuary in Thailand, and one of the finest examples of classical Khmer architecture. It was once linked by a direct road with Angkor itself. The temple was restored by Bernard Groslier, a French archaeologist. BURI RAM PRASAT PHANOM RUNG Although the Northeast has several Khmer ruins of major archaeological interest, perhaps the best known is Prasat Phanom Rung, an historical park in Buri Ram. This Khmer sanctuary on the peak of a mountain dates from the beginning of the Angkor Wat period, early in the 12th century, and has an impressive 200-metre avenue leading to the main building, adorned with superb stone carvings and friezes. A lintel of Reclining Vishnu, taken from the temple, was recently returned by an American museum.