Thailand attractions

Throughout more than 700 years of independence, Thailand has displayed an amazing continuity, preserving its heritage to the extent that enduring traditions exemplify a quintessential 'Thainess' which indelibly colours the Kingdom.

Fundamental to that quality of 'Thainess' is an adherence to Theravada Buddhism, which promotes peaceful an harmonious living, and a devotion to the constitutional monarchy, which strengthens traditions and time-honoured values, not least being a belief in personal freedoms and a pronounced sense of hospitality. This, coupled with a democratic government and political stability, make Thailand not only a hospitable environment, but also a safe one where you can readily feel secure and ' at ease.

Such blessed attributes ensure a social and cultural environment in which the quality of life is high, while another endearing Thai trait, that of "sanuk", promises a happy approach to life. Translating as 'fun' or 'having a good time', "sanuk" is ingrained in the culture and most obviously manifest in the joyous celebration of festivals, although it also pervades daily life in which a pleasant, easy-going attitude prevails.

Moreover, it is the enduring quality of national characteristics that allow the Thais' the ability to embrace today's world, with all its modem comforts, while at the same time preserving their cultural heritage. This allows for a rare appreciation of history.

As a sovereign state, the country has a glorious and eventful past stretching back over more than seven hundred years. Before that, the Khmer, the Mons and other early kingdoms, as well as prehistoric civilizations, helped shape the land that was to become Thailand and set patterns to which the Thais became the cultural heirs. Evidence of this intriguing past is readily apparent, not simply in museums, although these are excellent, but in numerous well-preserved historical sites.

Just a short distance west of Bangkok , for example, stands Phra Fathom Chedi, the world's tallest Buddhist monument built on the site of an ancient Mon capital that was one of the earliest centres of Buddhist learning in the region. By contrast, Northeast Thailand offers a glimpse of Khmer civilization which, from its base at Angkor in Cambodia, held sway over the area from around the 10th to the 13th century. Vivid example of this major cultural influence are found in several magnificent temple ruins, such as Phimai and Phanom Rung, which,show the architectural genius of the Khmer. Also in the Northeast are the prehistoric remains of Ban Chiang, a Bronze Age Culture that dates back to 3600 BC.

Moving into the realm of recorded history, the achievements of the Thais can be seen in the remains of numerous ancient cities now preserved as historical parks. Supreme among these are Sukhothai, the Kingdom's first capital founded in the 13th century, and Ayutthaya which was the nation's glorious power centre for more than four years until its eclipse in 1767. Fittingly both these cities are now designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Bangkok may lack the big theatres and galleries of major American or European cities, but there is still plenty of entertainment choices, both traditional and modem, Thai and Western.

The classic Thai entertainment is dance drama, ,performances of which are staged at the National Theatre ( Chao Fa Road , Tel: 02224 1342), while excerpts, along with other traditional and folk dance forms, are featured in the cultural shows offered by various Thai restaurants. The major style of dance is Khon, a masked drama in which the performers, all gorgeously costumed, use graceful, sinuous body and hand movements to express both emotions and actions in the telling of the Ramakian, a moral epic. Classical Thai music accompanies the mute performances, which in their kaleidoscope of colour and movement present an unforgettable spectacle.

:Other traditional entertainments are shadow and string puppet shows, which also relate classic tales. In Bangkok the principal showcase for puppets is the Joe Louis Theatre at Suan Lum Night Bazaar on Wireless Road. Nor is modem and experimental drama overlooked and while these are not regular offerings, there are frequent performances by various drama companies, one of the most active being the Patravadi Theatre (69/1 Soi Wat Rakhang, Arun Amarin, Siriraj, Thon Buri, Bangkok , Tel: 0 2412 7287).

The principle venue for concerts, ballets and other performances, by Asian and Western companies of international renown, is the Thailand Cultural Centre (Ratchadaphisek Road, Tel: 0 2245 7711). Additionally, leading Bangkok hotels quite often host theatre-dinner shows stage by international performers. Bangkok further boasts a vibrant modem art scene, and numerous Bangkok galleries have constantly changing exhibitions of leading and up-and-coming contemporary Thai and other Southeast Asian artists.

Koh Chang Tours

Part of the charm of Koh Chang is the relaxed atmosphere and traditional lifestyle which still carries on. Guests can enjoy a feeling of how the local people live and the area's scenic natural beauty.

All island tour

All island tours, stop at a Chinese style temple, Chao Po Koh Chang or the Godfather of Koh Chang in the north of the island which has particular significance for the inhabitants of the island.

The east of the island should also be visited, it has dramatic rocky beaches rather than the white sands of its western counterparts. Here, there is little development and life continues on the island much as it has for decades, with people living from fishing and small scale farming. Fruit bushes laiden with rambattans, for which the province is famous, bloom at the roadside in season. In the far south, a fishing village, Salak Phet, is nestled in the mangrove with boats lined up waiting to go out to sea and others awaiting repair. Everywhere there is the rhythmic sound of hammering, as essential work is carried out on the boats. Aboard small crafts, women deftly repair the nets, whilst the men store the fish traps on the jettys for use the next day.

A short distance away as the crow flies is Bang Bao, a photogenic fishing village built on stilts and extending out over the water. This can be reached from the western side of the island with a roller coaster of a drive with dramatic views down the shear drop at the side of the road to the beach below.

An island tour could also include a stop at one of the island's waterfalls, with a chance to have a swim and cool down.

Half Day Tours

A great way to explore the interior of the island is by the I island's namesake, a "chang" or I elephant. Actually, the island I was so named because of its shape, and elephants are not ingenious and have, infact, only been recently brought to the island. Nevertheless, it is a pleasant way to spend an hour or two and there is a choice of two starting points for treks. One which takes you through a rubber plantation and into a pomello orchard and the second route is longer and takes you into an inland valley and waterfall in the north of the island.

Bang Bao is the best place on the island to enjoy seafood, with a great selection in the restaurants, which has been freshly caughf that day. The rest~urants also have large tanks as you walk in, filled with different types of live crab, king prawns and other crustacians for you to select. It's a relaxed place to enjoy simple but delicious cuisine and watch the breeze gently blow through the homemade shell mobiles, which are hung from the wooden beams of the restaurants.

Trekking on Foot

Treks of varying lengths and difficulty and be arranged into the rain forest in the island's tropical interior with a local guide.

Island Hopping and Snorkeling

The many small islands surrounding Koh Chang provide many opportunities for a variety of boat trips to different white sand beaches for picnics and snorkeling. Highlights could include a stop a "Koh Nok" or "Bird Island" which has wonderful coloured corals in very shallow waters

Koh Chang Eco Travel

Pristine rain forest covers most of Koh Chang" making the island an eco paradise. The island appears very mountainous from the shore, with the highest peak, Khao Salak Phet (744 meters), in the middle of the island. The rocks are mainly granite and the slopes are rounded rather than sheer cliffs, so that trekking is possible. Mangroves and beach forest line the shores, and the whole island supports a huge diversity of wildlife, including macaques, monitor lizards, pythons an'd barking deer. White-winged terns, night jars and several species of hornbill are some of the indigenous birds and many others migrate here.

Hiking Trails

Koh Chang offers scenic hiking trails that take just a few hours, particularly from Kh/ong Son to Hat Sa; Khao (white Sand Beach) and from there to Hat Khlong Prao. In the south, the harder and longer Kai Bae - Bang Baa trail is a challenging experience and passes through shady rubber and coconut plantations.

Elephant trekking

There are two different elephant treks to try in Koh Chang. The Chang Chutiman company between Klong Prao and Kai Bae has a choice of one or two and a half hour treks which go into a pomello orchard, and then for the longer trek, into the National Park's tropical rain forest to a- waterfall. The Ban Kwan Chang elephant camp in the north of Koh Chang is supported by the Asian Elephant Foundation. There are half day tours, which last from 8:30 am to 11 :30 pm and include a one and a half hour trek into the forest, an elephant show and a chance to watch the animals bath and feed

Koh Chang Waterfalls

Than Mayom Waterfall

This is probably the most famous waterfall on the island, near the Than Mayom pier of the east coast of the island and near the Koh Chang Marine National Park Office. A pathway of about 400m, leads through a durian orchard, to the waterfall. The waterfall is medium sized, with four levels and a large pool at the front. Visitors mostly do not go to the fourth level which is quite far and used as a source of drinking water by the locals. Swimming is allowed at the waterfall and watching sunrise from here can be a real treat.

The three-step Than Mayom Falls, the first of which is less than an hour's walk from Tha Than Mayom, is well worth hiking to. Rocks on the first and third steps bear the engraved initials of Kings Rama VI and Rama VII, and Rama V respectively.

Nang Yom Waterfall

Nang Yom is a small-sized waterfall - You can get there by following a path from Ban the Koh Chang sub-district police station and the trail is long.

Klong Plu Waterfall

This is the most popular and frequently visited of the waterfalls as it is close to both Klang Prao and Kai Bae beaches. It is about a 20 minute hike to the waterfall which is on 3 levels. Most visitors stay on the 1 st level as the 10 metre fall here is already an impressive site and it is quite a slippery climb to get up to the other two levels. The most beautiful spot is up at the top, where there's a large pool for visitors to cool down by taking a dip.

Khiri Phet Waterfall

This medium sized waterfall is about 2 kms from the Salak Phet community, in the south of Koh Chang. During wet season the fall can look as if it is a two-storey waterfall of about 5 meters high, but in the dry season you can climb up to the 7th level. There is water in the falls all year round and a pool to swim .in at the first level.

Klong Nueng Waterfall

Not far from Khiri Phet, this Is the tallest in Koh Chang and an excellent place to take a dip in the chest deep pool, once you have made the hour's hike there. You have to climb across a huge boulder, which blocks the trail, to see the sight of the water cascading down the ravine.

Khlong Nonsi Waterfall

Situated in the north of Ko Chang, you have to pass through Ban Dan Mai, rubber plantations and orchards to reach this small waterfall. Visiting this crystalline cascade is not recommended during the hot season when it dries up.