Thailand Overview
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THAILAND OVERVIEW MAP OF NORTH THAILAND CHIANG MAI CHIANG MAI • Chiang Mai sometimes written as "Chiengmai" or "Chiangmai", is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. It was a former capital of the Kingdom of Lanna (1296–1768), which became a tribute state of the Kingdom of Chiang Mai from 1774–1939. • It is 700 km (435 mi) north of Bangkok, among the highest mountains in the country. The city sits astride the Ping River, a major tributary of the Chao Phraya River. • Chiang Mai means "new city" and was so-named because it became the new capital of the Lanna kingdom when it was founded in 1296, succeeding Chiang Rai, the former capital founded in 1262. HOW TO GET THERE • Flight from Bangkok (1.15 hours) by Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Air Asia…) • Car from Bangkok (700km) • Train from BKK to CNX (11 hours) • Flights from other major airports in Asia are also available Recommended length of stay: Minimum 2 nights Best for what type of clients: Everyone Best time to visit: November - April CHIANG MAI CITY HIGHLIGHTS Wat Phra That on Doi Suthep Alms Giving Bo Sang Umbrella Village Chiang Mai Cotton Museum TAILOR MADE EXPERIENCES Street Food Tour Sights and Sounds Night Safari Khan Toke Dinner & Show TAILOR MADE EXPERIENCES Flight of the Gibbon Patara Elephant Camp Cycling Cooking class ELEPHANT CAMP AT CHIANG MAI ELEPHANT AT CHIANG MAI Mae Sa Elephant Camp Patara Elephant Camp with Picnic Lunch ELEPHANT AT CHIANG MAI Elephant Nature Park, there is NO elephant entertainment (riding/show) Program from SGL visit, overnight visit and weekly volunteer TAILOR MADE EXPERIENCES Lampang Elephant Hospital Cooking Class on the Organic Farm FESTIVALS AT CHIANG MAI Loy Krathong Festival Yipeng Lattern Festival (Full Moon of the 12th Month) Chiang Mai Flower Festival Bo Sang Umbrella Fair (First Week of February) CHIANG RAI CHIANG RAI • Chiang Rai is the northernmost large city in Thailand. It was established as a capital city in the reign of King Mangrai, in 1262 CE and became the capital of the Mangrai Dynasty. • Subsequently, Chiang Rai was conquered by Burma and remained under Burmese rule for several hundred years. • It was not until 1786 that Chiang Rai became a Chiang Mai vassal. Siam (Thailand) annexed Chiang Mai in 1899, and Chiang Rai was proclaimed a province of Thailand in 1933. HOW TO GET THERE • Flight from Bangkok (1.15 hours) by Thai Airways, Air Asia and Orient Thai Airlines • Car from Bangkok (790km) • Car from Chiang Mai (4 hours – 200km) • Train 9 hours to Lampang/11 hours to CNX Recommended length of stay: Minimum 2 nights Best for what type of clients: Everyone Best time to visit: November - April CHIANG RAI • The northernmost large city in Thailand. • Was conquered by Burma for several hundred years. Then Siam annexed Chiang Mai, and Chiang Rai was proclaimed a province of Thailand in 1933. CHIANG RAI Main Attractions: The quieter neighbor of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai is a land of outstanding natural beauty, where visitors looking to avoid the hordes can visit remote hill tribes, spot exotic wildlife, and check out the golden triangle, the former center of the world’s opium trade. CITY HIGHLIGHTS Wat Phra That Doi Chom Thong Mae Fah Luang Art & Culture Park Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) Wat Phra Kaew CITY HIGHLIGHTS Akha & Yao Hill Tribe Village Hall of Opium Museum Golden Triangle Mae Sa Border CITY HIGHLIGHTS Doi Tung Botanical Gardens Chiang Saen and Chiang Khong Doi Mae Salong Doi Mae Salong TRANSER FROM CNX - CEI There are 2 options by Car: 1. Southern Route (blue marked, 201km) Fastest way to CEI, actual duration maximum 3.5 hours without any stops 2. Northern Route (grey marked, 264km) Actual duration around 4-5hours without any stops 1. SOUTHERN ROUTE DIRECTION: CNX APT > TIME TO BE ADDED CEI APT TRF Duration (without stops) 3.30 hrs. Possible stops on the way: Hot Spring (Short Break & + 30 min. coffee) White Temple + 1 hr. Recommend: - Southern Route only - Southern Route + Hot Spring +Lunch = FULL DAY TOUR 2. NORTHERN ROUTE DIRECTION: CNX APT > CEI APT TIME TO BE ADDED TRF Duration (without stops) 4-5 hrs. Possible stops on the way: Chiang Dao Cave & Temple + 1 hr. Hmong Hill tribe Village & Market + 30 min. Mae Sa Border Market + 2 hrs. Longneck Village (touristy) 1 hr. Lunch in local Res. + 1.30 hrs Boat ride from/to CEI + 3-4 hrs. Recommend: - Northern Route + Chiang Dao Cave + Lunch = FULL DAY TOUR - Not recommend for visiting hill tribes villages TRANSFER FROM CNX - CEI Options by Car and Boat: • 3 hours driving to Tha Ton • 3 - 3.5 hours by long tail boat to Chiang Rai MAE HONG SON MAE HONG SON • Remote setting and surrounding mountains, “a real northern Thai city should be”. • Burmese influence and a border-town feel don't clash with this image, and best of all, there's hardly a Tuk Tuk or tout to be seen. • The city's potential for activities, from spa treatment to trekking, your visit can be quite “unlike anyone else's”. HOW TO GET THERE • Car from Chiang Mai (5 hours) • Flight from Chiang Mai (45-minutes) by Kan Air – 3 flights per day Recommended length of stay: Minimum 2 nights Best for what type of clients: Couples, Families, Adventures Best time to visit: November - February MAE HONG SON Main Attractions: • Mae Hong Son is a fascinating province of Burmese and Lanna style temples, hot springs, hill tribe villages, trekking, rafting, national parks, and even an annual reggae festival. • In addition to a charming capital in Mae Hong Son town, the town of Pai is also a traveler favorite. • Many people come to Mae Hong Son and Pai to experience the natural beauty of Northern Thailand MAE HONG SON TOURIST MAP MAE HONG SON • Interact with some “real hill tribe” and tasty foods • Long neck tribe in Ban Nai Soi TAILOR MADE EXPERIENCES Long neck tribe in Ban Nai Soi Cycling / Biking Trekking Interact with some “real hill tribe” and tasty foods MAE HONG SON Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu Wat Chong Klang MAE HONG SON Elephant Camp Bua Tong Fields at Doi Mae U-Kho MAE HONG SON Pha Bong Hot Spring Pai Town ASIAN OASIS PACKAGES (SIC) Chiang Mai: • Khum Lanna Lodge • Lisu Lodge • Lahu & Akha Outpost Chiang Rai: • Lanjia Lodge PCMs: • Min 2 pax & max 6 pax • Not allowed outside guide to join programs due to limited accommodation. Assistance of AO English speaking guide is included and provided for all programs. KHUM LANNA LODGE LISU LODGE LANJIA LODGE LAHU & AKHA OUTPOST CENTRAL THAILAND MAP BANGKOK BANGKOK • Capital city of Thailand • Population of 9 million people • Means “city of angels” • Capital since mid 18th century • Political, social & economic center of Thailand • Bangkok airport is a 45 minute drive from downtown • Recommended stay is 2-3 nights CITY HIGHLIGHTS China Town Wat Arun Thoburi Canals Grand Palace TAILORED EXPERIENCE COLLECTIONS River of The King Bangkok City by Helicopter Apsara Dinner Cruise TAILORED EXPERIENCE COLLECTIONS Chef’s Table at The Siam Chef’s Table at Blue Elephant Progressive Dinner De Lux Progressive Dinner & Walk KANCHANABURI KANCHANABURI • Set at convergence of Khwae (Kwai) Large & Small Rivers • Famous for WW2 railway built here by Japanese conquering forces using allied POWs • Sight of famous “Bridge over the River Kwai” CITY HIGHLIGHTS Bridge over River Kwai Death Railway Bridge Hellfire Pass AYUTTHAYA AYUTTHAYA • Capital of Siam from 14th to 18th century • World Heritage Historical Site • Amazing ruins of ancient Buddhist Temples • Most often explored as a day-trip from Bangkok CITY HIGHLIGHTS Wat Prasisanpet Ayutthaya Historical Park Bang Pa In SUKHOTHAI SUKHOTHAI • 5 hours drive from Bangkok (422 km) • Plane: 45 minutes • Train: arrive Phitsanulok then drive to Sukhothai (50 km) • Stop over for land transfer from BKK to CEI HUA HIN HUA HIN • Province: Phetchaburi • Hua Hin – associated with the Thai Royalty HUA HIN • Hua Hin is a beach resort destination in Thailand, in the northern part of the Malay Peninsula nearly 200 km south of Bangkok. • Hua Hin is closely associated with the Thai royalty and very popular for Thais during the weekend. HOW TO GET THERE • How to get there: (1)By Car from BKK 2 – 2.5 hours (2)By train from Bangkok 3.5 – 4 hours (3)By air from Bangkok 35 minutes • Recommended length of stay: Minimum 2 nights. • Best for what type of clients: Couples, Families, Elder traveller • Most popular beaches: Hua Hin • Best time to visit: November - April HOW TO GET THERE BKK – HHD by Car BKK – HHD by Train HUA HIN Main Attractions: • Popular activities in Hua Hin include fishing, boating, kite-boarding, fitness, martial arts, elephant camping, Thai massage, spa, cooking courses, trekking, walking, cycling, diving, snorkeling, arts, water sports, pony-riding, and golf. • Golf in particular is becoming especially popular, with Hua Hin increasingly being recognized as one of Thailand's premier golfing destinations. DESTINATION COMBINE FOR HD TOUR Hua Hin Train Station The Maruekatayawan Palace Khao Takieb Plern Wan Shopping Village DESTINATION FOR FD TOUR Pa-La-U Waterfall Kaeng Krachan National Park Phraya Nakhon Cave Kayaking at Khao Deang (Sam Roi Yod National Park) DESTINATION FOR FD TOUR Prachuab Khiri Khan (Huay Yang Waterfall) Koh Talu (Snorkeling) Petchaburi (Prang of Wat Mahathat) Petchaburi (Khao Luang Cave) SOUTHERN THAILAND KOH SAMUI KOH SAMUI • Beach Resort Island in the Gulf of Thailand • One-hour flight from Bangkok – many daily flights • 1.5 hours – 4 hours from Surat Thani by ferry • Snorkeling, diving, watersports, etc – all services available. KOH SAMUI MAP CITY HIGHLIGHTS Na – Muang Waterfalls Beach Big Buddha FERRY – SOUTH AT THAILAND 4 Stars Hotel BURI RASA VILLAGE SAMUI • Buri Rasa Village Koh Samui is a luxury hotel in a paradise island of Koh Samui.