Bangkok City of Culture

Bangkok was founded in 1782 by the first monarch of the present Chakri dynasty. It is now the country's spiritual, cultural, diplomatic, commercial and educational hub. It covers an area of more than 1,500 square kilometres, and it is home to approximatlely ten million people or more than 10% of the country's population.

Over the last few decades, Thailand's capital city, Bangkok, has changed into a modern, exciting and sophisticated city. It offers to visitors not only the cosmopolitan amenities they would expect from other big cities, but also a unique treasure trove of cultural attractions. Thailand, in the heart of Southeast Asia, was never colonised and thus kept its unique culture and heritage intact. Bangkok offers visitors the opportunity to experience fascinating glimpse of Thailand's gentle culture amidst the bustle of a great and dynamic metropolis. This great city has had astounding success in combining the ancient and modern world.
For tourists, Bangkok has a feast of attractions to offer. The city is dotted with 400 glittering Buddhist temples of great beauty and fascination, magnificent palaces, classical dance extravaganzas, numerous shopping centres and traditional ways of life, especially along the "Venice of the East" timeless canals and the Chao Phraya River of the "River of Kings" winding through the city. It is worth taking a trip along its waters before exploring further into different canals to take a glimpse of old Bangkok.

Bangkok (Krung Thep)
Interestingly, “Krung Thep” is an abbreviated name of the city. Its full name is listed in theGuinness Book of World Records as the longestname of a place:
"Krungthep Maha NakhonAmon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Yutthaya Maha Dilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udom Ratchaniwet Maha Sathan Amon PhimanAwatan Sathit Sakka Thattiya Witsanu KamPrasit".

The meaning of the name is :
“The city of angels, the great city, the eternal jewel city, the impregnable city of God Indra, the grand capital of the world endowed withnine precious gems, the happy city, abounding in an enormous royal palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincarnated God, a city given by Indra and built by Vihnukarn”.

credit : TourismThailand.Org /bma.go.th

Tham Le Khao Kohp (Lae Cave) - Trang

Tham Le Khao Kohp - (Lae Cave) is in Mu 1, Tambon Khao Kohp, about 7 kilometres from the Huai Yot District office on Phetchakasem Road, then turn left and go further for 700 metres to Khao Kohp village. This cave is a truly natural wonder. A stream flows through the cave. The cave itself looks like a high and steep cliff with layers of rocks. A
canal from the Banthat Mountain Range divides into 3 waterways before reaching Khao Kohp, 2 small canals are going around the mountain and the other flowing directly through the cave under the mountain. Stalactites and stalagmites in different shapes which lie along a 4-kilometre walkway are waiting for visitors to explore the cave.Currently the Tambon Khao Kohp Administration provides rowers and rowboats for visitors to conveniently visit the cave and to generate participation from the locals. This arrangement also boosts adventure and eco-tourism activities. The fee is 200 baht for a row boat of 7 persons.

Mook Island and MoraKot Cave - Trang

Mook Island and MoraKot Cave are well known among tourists. There is a large community on the island called Ban Koh Mook, in other words Koh Mook village. The shoreline of the island is full of sea grass which is the best nutrition for dugong. MoraKoht Cave is one of the unseen destinations in the Unseen Thailand campaign of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The cave is located in the west side of the island. An exciting journey to Morakoht Cave begins by swimming through the 80-metre dark tunnel which allows only a small boat to pass through during very low tide. After passing the entrance to the other end, visitors will find large hall which has blue sky as its roof, white sand and emerald green water as its floor. Surrounded by high cliffs and rare species of plants such as Caladium, spurge (Euphorbia antiquorum), what you just see definitely turn into your lifetime memory. To get to Mook Island and MoraKoht Cave, there is a shuttle boat service which leaves Kuan Tung Ku Pier at 08.00 hr everyday. The fee is around 40 baht per person. One trip of chartered boat will cost around 400 baht and takes 30 minutes to Koh Mook. Upon arrival at Sapanyao Pier in front of the island, visitors should rent a long-tailed boat to Morakoht Cave. Another possible way is to rent a boat from Pak Meng Pier straight to Morakoht Cave at Koh Mook (about 40 minutes).

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TRANG

Located approximately 828 kilometers from Bangkok, Trang Province covers an area of 4,941 square kilometers. The province borders on Nakhon Si Thammarat Province to the north, Satun Province and the Indian Ocean (Andaman Sea) to the south, Phatthalung Province to the east and the Indian Ocean and Krabi Province to the west. Trang is considered a magnificent coastal province as it long, beautiful coastline stretches 199 kilometers along the Indian Ocean. In addition, the province has two major rivers flowing through it, the Trang River, which originates in the Khao Luang Mountain Range and Maenam Palian from the Banthat Mountain Range.
Despite the fact that Trang City plays a key role in facilitating trade and communications to Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand's southern commercial hub, Trang is a province less traveled to by tourists. It was only recently that Trang has been poised to establish itself on the international travel map.  

Trang has geographical advantages similar to that of Krabi and Phang-Nga. This includes breathtaking islands and astounding beaches along the coast as well as awe-inspiring inland limestone- propped mountains. The province consists of an archipelago in the Andaman Sea with over 46 islands. Of these, 12 are in Amphoe Kantang, 13 in Amphoe Palian and 21 in Amphoe Sikao. The best time to visit Trang is between December and May.
Trang has both mainland beaches and a whole string of offshore islands. For visitors interested in light-adventure activities such as cruising coastal waters, visiting notable sights such as the enchanting Emerald Cave, which is accessible only by water, will prove to be remarkable experience. Additional attractions include the Mu Ko Petra National Park with beaches and islands lapped by the warm waters of the Andaman Sea. Some of the dive sites in the National Park are world-class. There are also wildlife sanctuaries such as Namtok Khao Chong and Khlong Lamchan Park with waterfalls, nature trails and caves. For those looking for a relaxed, tranquil ambience, Trang is a perfect place to unwind amidst stunning scenery.

With an abundance of blissful attractions mixed with cultural heritage, Trang Province is truly an emerging fascinating tourist destination with numerous jungles, mountains and waterfalls.
The City also has numerous attractions. Walking around Trang City, visitors will be amazed at the mixture of Western, Chinese and Thai cultures reflected in the architecture that range from the Sino- Portuguese shop houses to the Chinese temples and shrines. The Pan-Ya House is the local style of houses in Trang, which offers an insight into the architectural heritage of this town. In addition to architectural attractions there are many parks to stroll through and markets to explore. The main two markets in Trang are Ta Klang and Municipal markets.

History of Trang
Trang or Muang Thap Thiang used to be a port engaged in foreign trade. It was the first city where rubber was planted after Phraya Ratsadanupradit Mahison Phakdi brought it from Malaysia in 1899. Since then, rubber has become Souths major commodity and is now considered an important source of income for farmers.
Todays Trang
Trang has a total area of 4,941 square kilometers and is divided into 10 districts (Amphoe) and 1 sub-district (King Amphoe); Amphoe Muang, Amphoe Kantang, Amphoe Huai Yot, Amphoe Yan Ta Khao, Amphoe Palian, Amphoe Sikao, Amphoe Wang Wiset, Amphoe Na Yong, Amphoe Ratsada, and King Amphoe Hat Samran.

The best time to visit Trang is between December and May. As it is located on the same coastline as Phuket and Krabi Provinces, Trang Province is also influenced by the monsoon. The temperature is generally warm all year round with an average temperature varying from 20 Celsius to 36 Celsius.

In April, the daytime temperature is highest and it is also the hottest period of the year. The rainy season, which is from May to September, has rains and short downpours during the daytime. The monsoon period comes from September to November and then from December onwards the weather generally becomes more pleasant.- TourismThailand.Org

credit : The Official Website (Tourism in Thailand)

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep - Chiang Mai

Locals would say, You havent really gone to Chiang Mai unless youve been to Wat Phratat Doi Suthep. Truly, the place is the most important and famous Chiang Mai landmark. Built in 1383, this mountaintop temple has a chedi (pagoda) that houses holy Buddha relics. The gold-plated chedi lies in the middle of a square marble-tiled courtyard. The four corners of the chedi are adorned with parasols which represent royal regalia. The temples courtyard is lined by a cloister, which contains images and murals depicting Buddhas life. There are also two viharns situated in the middle of the east and west sides of the cloister. This temple is 15 kilometers from town and is 3,520 feet above sea level. It is the perfect place to get a birds eye view of the city. The temple can be reached via a steep Naga staircase comprised of 290 steps or railcars. The temple is open daily from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

- Tourism Thailand