Tourism accounts for about 6% of the country’s economy. According to the World Tourism Organization, Thailand was the most visited country in Southeast Asia in 2013.
Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai is a province with the same name of the city in the northern Thailand. In this city is the northernmost point – Mae Sai. It was known like the main gateway to the Golden Triangle, in which 3 states (Thailand, Myanmar and Laos) have borders. In the 1990s, this area was closed to tourists due to the mafia and trade of drugs, as the area was covered with poppy fields and famous worldwide for its opium production. The police suppressed this business, hotel complexes were built, and the door for tourists began to be open. The city is surrounded by nature with mountains and is considered one of the oldest settlements in Thailand. Chiang Rai was originally the capital city of the Lan Na kingdom, but later the center moved to Chiang Mai.
Wat Rong Khun
For tourists, more known as the White Temple is now called the White Temple in Chiang Rai Province, which was opened to the public in 1997. Entrance is free for local people. Tourists pay 50 THB. The complex will have a total of 9 buildings.
The Clock Tower
It was designed by the same Thai artist as Wat Rong Khun. The Clock Tower was finished in 2008 in honor of His Majesty King Bhumibhol Adulyadej (Rama IX.). It serves as a roundabout.
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is also a city and province in northern Thailand. It means a New City in translation and this name has been since 1926. Chiang Mai was a capital city of kingdom Lan Na. Nowadays, it is the second the largest city in Thailand. It is a very famous place for tourists especially digital nomads the last years. We can see a development of the city, a lot of cafes and restaurants, but we can find traditional markets and street foods. There are over 300 Wats and remains of the old walls in the center of the city.
Pattaya
A city is located on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand in the province of Chonburi. It belongs to the group of the most visited places in the Kingdom of Thailand, but until the sixties of the last century, it was only a fishing village. When someone says something about this town, unfortunately, it is about unsightly and dirty beaches, nightclubs, cabarets, go-go bars, discos, high crime and sex tourism with the iconic WALKING STREET. If you want to go here, everyone will find what needs. However, there is the high percentage of the incidence of STDs and AIDS.
The Sanctuary of Truth
It is a full-wood building and full of sculptures based on traditional Buddhist and Hindu motives. It is built to withstand wind and sunlight off the coast. The idea of this project came in 1981 and is not yet complete. The end of the building is scheduled for 2050. The building is built into four wings dedicated to Thai, Khmer, Chinese and Indian religious iconography. The main style is based on Ayutthaya’s Thai architecture. We can see hand-carved wooden sculptures derived from different artistic traditions.
Wang Sam Sien
It is a small China in Pattaya. Wang Sam Sien was founded to present a collection of Chinese art and offers visitors a natural setting with plenty of plants and gardens. The location is a great example of so-called Feng Shui, which is an essential part of Chinese beliefs. Feng means wind and Shui means water. At the back, we can see the hills and the pond in front. Chinese culture believes that wind and water are associated with good health. There is also a beautiful long wall representing 24 stories. This site teaches visitors about significant figures, structures, and events from Chinese history.
Wat Phra Yai
The largest Buddha province of Chonburi is located at the top of Pratamnak Hill. It is officially called Phra Buddha Sukhothai Walai Chonlathan but is also known as Luang Pho Yai. It measures about 18 meters and was built in 1977. There is a long stairway lined with two golden snakes. Above the largest Buddha, there are several other smaller Buddhas.
Bangkok
Bangkok is one of the most visited and popular cities in the world. Thanks to great development and redevelopment in the 1980s, the city was changed to the urban jungle of skyscrapers and it was awarded the 8th highest city in the world in 2016. A special feature of the city is the street market for selling of food, clothing, electronics and there is a many cultural monuments.
Wat Traimit (The Pure Gold Buddha Temple) – It is the world’s largest massive golden sitting Buddha. Buddha is 5 meters high and his weight is five and a half tons.
Wat Pho – It is the largest and oldest Buddhist temple complex south of the Grand Palace. The temple occupies the first place on the list of 6 temples in Thailand, which have been ranked among the highest class of the world’s top royal temples. It is famous mainly for the so-called reclining Buddha. The statue is 15 meters high, 46 meters long and is one of the largest Buddha statues in Thailand.
Grand Palace – is the official place of the Kings of Thailand since 1782 and is still used for several official events, ceremonies and state functions. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Thailand.
Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) – is considered the most sacred Buddhist temple (Wat) in Thailand. The Emerald Buddha located in the temple is a strong religious-political symbol and a protective image of Thailand.
Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya historical park – ruins of the old town of Ayutthaya, which was formerly the capital city of Siam. In 1969, the Fine Arts Department launched the renovation of the ruins. Part of the park was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1991. During its existence, 35 kings ruled in Ayutthaya.
Sukhothai
Sukhothai Historical Park – Ruins of the capital city of the Sukhothai kingdom from the 13th and 14th centuries, in northern central Thailand. There are 193 ruins in 70 km2. You will find the remains of the Royal Palace and twenty-six temples, the largest of which is Wat Mahathat. The park is led by the Department of Fine Arts of Thailand with the support of UNESCO.
Kanchanaburi
In 1942, Kanchanaburi was under Japanese control. There was built the infamous Burmese railroad across the Kwai River – now known as Death Railway. The event is also featured in movies: The Kwai Bridge (1957), The Return of the Kwai River (1989) and The Railway Man (2013). Almost half of the project’s prisoners have died of illness, ill-treatment or accidents. Two museums and a memorial were created to their memory in kanchanaburi.
Koh Lipe
Thai Island in the Andaman Sea near the border with Malaysia. The island is now known for the beautiful underwater environment and sandy beaches. The most popular activities are snorkeling and diving. Many divers would like to see the wreck of Yong Hua, which is located at the bottom of the ocean near the west coast. The 50-meter-long boat sank after a fire in 1996.
