Insight Guides: Thailand

How To Use This E-Book

Getting around the e-book

This Insight Guide e-book is designed to give you inspiration for your visit to Thailand, as well as comprehensive planning advice to make sure you have the best travel experience. The guide begins with our selection of Top Attractions, as well as our Editors Choice categories of activities and experiences. Detailed features on history, people and culture paint a vivid portrait of contemporary life in Thailand. The extensive Places chapters give a complete guide to all the sights and areas worth visiting. The Travel Tips provide full information on getting around, activities from culture to shopping to sport, plus a wealth of practical information to help you plan your trip.

In the Table of Contents and throughout this e-book you will see hyperlinked references. Just tap a hyperlink once to skip to the section you would like to read. Practical information and listings are also hyperlinked, so as long as you have an external connection to the internet, you can tap a link to go directly to the website for more information.

Maps

All key attractions and sights in Thailand are numbered and cross-referenced to high-quality maps. Wherever you see the reference [map] just tap this to go straight to the related map. You can also double-tap any map for a zoom view.

Images

Youll find hundreds of beautiful high-resolution images that capture the essence of Thailand. Simply double-tap on an image to see it full-screen.

About Insight Guides

Insight Guides have more than 40 years experience of publishing high-quality, visual travel guides. We produce 400 full-colour titles, in both print and digital form, covering more than 200 destinations across the globe, in a variety of formats to meet your different needs.

Insight Guides are written by local authors, whose expertise is evident in the extensive historical and cultural background features. Each destination is carefully researched by regional experts to ensure our guides provide the very latest information. All the reviews in Insight Guides are independent; we strive to maintain an impartial view. Our reviews are carefully selected to guide you to the best places to eat, go out and shop, so you can be confident that when we say a place is special, we really mean it.

2016 Apa Digital (CH) AG and Apa Publications (UK) Ltd

Thailands Top 10 Attractions

From buzzing Bangkok and mist-shrouded Mae Hong Son to the paradise beaches of Phuket and rambling ruins of Ayutthaya, this is a rundown of the best that Thailand has to offer.

Top Attraction 1

Bangkok . Thailands capital is a modern Asian city with an array of hip dining and nightlife options, but thankfully, its more traditional charms like golden-spired Buddhist temples, serpentine canals and a colourful street life are still quite evident. For more information, .

Peter Stuckings/Apa Publications

Top Attraction 2

Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat) Province . This province in northeast Thailand is a treasure trove of Khmer-era temple ruins and the pristine Khao Yai National Park. For more information, .

Peter Stuckings/Apa Publications

Top Attraction 3

Similan Islands Marine National Park . Easily accessed from Phuket, the crystal-clear waters at this marine park attract both divers and snorkellers. For more information, .

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Top Attraction 4

Chiang Mai . With its distinctive Lanna-style wooden temples, superb handicrafts and gracious people, Chiang Mai in north Thailand is also a centre for treks to hill tribe villages. For more information, .

David Henley/Apa Publications

Top Attraction 5

Phuket . With its spectacular white-sand beaches, luxury resort hotels, plentiful seafood and buzzing nightlife, Phuket is a natural choice for anyone seeking a relaxing holiday. For more information, .

Nikt Wong/Apa Publications

Top Attraction 6

Mae Hong Son . Hemmed in by high mountains and bordering Myanmar (Burma), Mae Hong Son in the far north is a good starting point for treks to see colourful hill tribes in the surrounding region. For more information, .

Peter Stuckings/Apa Publications

Top Attraction 7

Sukhothai . This ancient city, to the north of Bangkok, is associated with the golden era of Thai history. This magnificent collection of buildings has been awarded Unesco World Heritage status. For more information, .

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Top Attraction 8

Ko Samui, Ko Phangan and Ko Tao . Principal rival to Phuket and the west-coast beaches, the white-sands on the resort island of Ko Samui are lapped by the clear waters of the Gulf of Thailand. Nearby Ko Phangan and Ko Tao offer yet more perfect beaches, wild nightlife and fabulous diving. For more information, .

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Top Attraction 9

Krabi . This town and its surrounding islands in south Thailand have stunning beaches, lush national parks, excellent diving and snorkelling, and a fiery southern cuisine to sample. For more information, .

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Top Attraction 10

Ayutthaya . Another Unesco World Heritage site and former capital of Thailand, Ayutthaya is easily accessed from Bangkok by coach or by boat along the Chao Phraya River. For more information, .