Region Overview

Regional Overview

Thailand has in total 76 provinces and is broken into four very distinct geographic areas :- North, Northeast, Central, and Southern Thailand.

The north of the country is particularly mountainous, and includes Thailands highest peak - Doi Intanon, at 2565 meters above sea level. The northeast of the country includes the province of Isan, and runs up the Mekong river in the South East. This area is in the shape of a large saucer shaped plateau. Central Thailand is often called the central plains, as it is a vast flat area through which the main river basin of the Chao Prayah river flows. This area is normally subject to flooding during the monsoon periods during to its very flat profile. The central area follows the river on its path to the sea, and includes the present capital Bangkok. Southern Thailand includes the thin strip of land running up to the Malaysian border. It also includes the many islands located in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, including Phuket, Samui and Krabi.

Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya is home the Historic City of Ayutthaya which today is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The province of Ayutthaya of which Ayutthaya is its capital is only 76 kilometers north of Bangkok. This city was the previous capital (until 1767), when it was destroyed by invading Burmese armies.

The ruins of the old city gives a very good appreciation of the grandeur of this city in its heyday, and a very important link in the history of the Royal Dynasties of the time.

Kanchanburi

Kanchanburi is the third largest of the provinces of Thailand, and is home to many of Thailands wonderful tourist attractions. Situated only 129 kilometers west of Bangkok, the province forms the Western border with Myanmar.

There are of course many more attractions - temples, war museums, etc. and about 200 kilometers further, on the Thai Myanmar border, you will be able to visit the Three Pagoda’s Pass which formed the last line of defence in the many battles between the invading Burmese armies and the defending Thai armies. A one day visa can be purchased at the border, allowing tourists the opportunity to live the feeling of those ancient times.

However, this is not the only attraction worth visiting. Amongst the many natural attractions and national parks is the Erawan National Park. A visit to this park should include the Erawan Falls, which is deemed to be the best in the whole of Asia. The waterfall runs over seven different levels as it makes its way down through the lush jungle vegetation.

Probable the most famous of the attractions is the Bridge of the River Kwai. This bridge which was built by prisoners of war during World War II, and has been portrayed in both a book (Pierre Boulle) and a film makes for a very moving visit. A visit to the bridge must also include a walk through the Hell Fire Pass, which stands as guard to the access to the river. A spectacular light show is held annually at the bridge during November and December is remembrance of the lives that were lost during this period.

Nakhon Nayok

The most striking features of the province of Nakhon Nayok, is the mountainous north, which forms part of the Sankhamphaeng mountain range and the Khao Yai National Park. The highest peak of the 1292 meter Yod Khao Kiew.

The Khao Yai National Park, although the second largest in Thailand, is probably the most visited due to its large variety of fauna and flora (estimated to be well over 3000). The fantastic bird life, the unique animal life, and the spectacular natural beauty including the 80 meter high Heo Narok waterfall make a visit to this park a must do when one visits the province of Nakhon Nayok.