These days, the Memorial Bridge in Pai (Saphan Prawatsart Pai) seems to be a compulsory stop for tourists to pose for selfies, but the steel bridge and the original wooden structures that preceded it have an interesting history. During World … [Read more...]
Chao Phraya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital and Thai Traditional Medicine Museum, Prachinburi
A hospital isn't an obvious tourist attraction, but when it's got royal connections and is at the forefront of promoting traditional Thai medicine, it's easy to understand why hundreds of Thai tourists visit Chao Phraya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital every … [Read more...]
Marukhathaiyawan Teakwood Palace (near Hua Hin)
Located halfway between Hua Hin and Cha Am, Marukhathaiyawan Palace was built in 1923 as a summer residence for King Rama VI (King Vajiravudh). With sea views and shady gardens to enjoy, it's not difficult to imagine why King Rama VI would want to … [Read more...]
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Chanthaburi
Often described as the most beautiful church in Thailand, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is one of the highlights of a visit to Chanthaburi regardless of whether you are religious or not. There has been a Catholic church in Chanthaburi … [Read more...]
Elephant’s World Sanctuary, Kanchanaburi
Over the years I've been fortunate enough to experience some memorable moments in Thailand. Moments that will stay with me forever. Seeing shooting stars above Samui, launching khom-loy lanterns in Chiang Mai, gazing out over the turquoise sea to Ko … [Read more...]
Phra That Phanom, Nakhon Phanom
The holiest stupa in Isaan (north-east Thailand) is a site that is revered not just by Thai Buddhists, but also by those across the Mekong River in Laos. The tower is said to contain a chest bone relic from the Lord Buddha in addition to many other … [Read more...]
Phra Nakhon Khiri Royal Palace (Khao Wang), Phetchaburi
With the beaches of Hua Hin and the Gulf of Thailand calling, relatively few overseas tourists stop at the small town of Phetchaburi to the south of Bangkok. But for those interested in architecture or Thai history, the summer palace that was built … [Read more...]
Hua Hin Hills Vineyard (Monsoon Valley)
A vineyard in Thailand? Really? Whilst the tropical climate of Thailand might not appear to be conducive to wine-making, there are a few locations in the country which are able to use their unique surroundings to produce quality grapes. One such … [Read more...]
Royal Pavilion at Phraya Nakhon Cave
Hua Hin is best known for its beaches and seafood restaurants, but a short drive south brings visitors to the beautiful scenery and diverse nature of Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park. One of the highlights in the park is a cave known in Thai as Tham … [Read more...]
Krabi’s Twin Mountains: Khao Khanap Nam
Forming a dramatic backdrop to the town of Krabi, the twin limestone mountains known as Khao Khanap Nam straddle the Krabi River. Approximately 100 metres high, the mountains form one of the most distinctive landmarks in southern Thailand. … [Read more...]
Wat Srisuphan: Chiang Mai’s Silver Temple
To the south of Chiang Mai's walled Old Town lies the traditional silver-making district of the city. Centring on Wualai Road, this area is dotted with silver shops, but is probably best known to tourists as the location of the Saturday Walking … [Read more...]
Pattaya Viewpoint
If you've seen photos of Pattaya in holiday brochures and travel guides there's one image that they all tend to use; an aerial view of Pattaya Bay showing the curved outline of the bay and the city beyond. The vantage point that gives this … [Read more...]
Wat Phumin, Nan
If you visit Nan there is one must-see attraction above all others; Wat Phumin. This royal temple was built by the ruler of Nan, Prachao Chetabut Phrommin, in 1596. Originally named after him and written in the local language as Wat Phrommin, … [Read more...]
Wat Phra That Khao Noi, Nan
The standing golden Buddha image looking down from a hill to the valley and mountains beyond is one of the images that often features in travel guides and articles about Nan. The site of this picture-postcard image is just outside the main city … [Read more...]
Wongburi House (Ban Vongburi), Phrae
One of the most distinctive buildings in Phrae, the pink and white Wongburi House (also written as Vongburi) was constructed between 1897 and 1907. Although the teakwood house is now open to the public as a museum, part of the complex is still … [Read more...]
Art in Paradise (Illusion Art Museum), Chiang Mai
Surfing giant waves? Easy. Crossing wobbly wooden bridges across waterfalls? Piece of cake. Fighting off dinosaurs? Walk in the park. Billed as the largest interactive art museum in the world, Art in Paradise opened in Chiang Mai in July 2013. And … [Read more...]
Baan Dam (Black House) Chiang Rai
A short drive from the middle of Chiang Rai city, Baan Dam (Black House) is the unique creation of national artist, Thawan Duchanee. Part art studio, part museum, part home, Baan Dam is an eclectic mix of traditional northern Thai buildings … [Read more...]
M.R. Kukrit’s Heritage Home, Bangkok
It's not every day that you get the chance to look around a former prime minister's residence, so if you are interested in traditional Thai culture and looking for somewhere off the main Bangkok tourist trail, head over to M.R. Kukrit's Heritage Home … [Read more...]
Getting a Thai Massage at Wat Pho, Bangkok
Bangkok's Wat Pho has a long association with traditional Thai medicine which includes Thai massage. The original temple here was founded in the seventh century with the name Wat Phodoram, but before that the location was used as a centre for … [Read more...]
Democracy Monument, Bangkok
Erected to commemorate the 1932 coup which brought about the end of the absolute monarchy in Siam, the Democracy Monument (Anusawari Prachathipatai) certainly isn't one of Bangkok's more attractive landmarks. It is, however, one of the most symbolic … [Read more...]
Chiang Rai’s Golden Clocktower
Designed by Thai artist Chalermchai Khositpipat and unveiled in 2008 in honour of His Majesty the King, Chiang Rai's elaborate golden clocktower (Hoh Nalika Chalerm Prakiat) is a work of art and tourist attraction in its own right. Chalermchai was … [Read more...]
The Emerald Buddha
For more than 200 years the most important Buddha image in Thailand has resided at the temple of Wat Phra Kaeo in Bangkok. But the 66cm high statue has not always been kept in Bangkok, nor has it always been in Thailand. Phra Kaeo Morakot (Emerald … [Read more...]
Nong Nooch Botanical Gardens, Pattaya
A trip to Nong Nooch gardens makes for an excellent half-day or full-day excursion for those staying in the nearby beach resort of Pattaya. With its scenic setting, the family-friendly Nong Nooch tropical gardens have enough attractions to keep … [Read more...]
Khao Tao, Hua Hin
A 20-minute drive to the south of Hua Hin sits Khao Tao, a name which translates as Turtle Hill. Khao Tao tends to be better-known amongst Thai tourists than foreign visitors and with two beaches close by, an inland lake, a small fishing village, … [Read more...]
Phra Sumen Fort and Park, Bangkok
It might need a stretch of the imagination for today's visitors to the Thai capital to picture it, but when Bangkok was founded in 1782 it was a compact walled city with fortifications to protect it from invaders. That original area of Bangkok, also … [Read more...]
Wat Chaiwatthanaram, Ayutthaya
One of the most impressive ancient temples in Ayutthaya, Wat Chaiwatthanaram was established in 1630 A.D. during the reign of King Prasatthong. There are a number of different theories for why the temple was built. Some believe that the king … [Read more...]
Bangkok City Pillar Shrine
Sitting at the very heart of Bangkok, the Lak Mueang or 'city pillar' is often overlooked by overseas visitors who come to see the better known attractions nearby such as the Grand Palace, Temple of the Emerald Buddha and Wat Pho. The Bangkok City … [Read more...]
Saranrom Royal Garden and Public Park, Bangkok
Despite its proximity to the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo, the public park at Saranrom Royal Garden doesnt usually merit a visit from the tourists who flock to the other more celebrated sights nearby. But the loss of those on whistle-stop tours of … [Read more...]
Elephant Parade House, Chiang Mai
Bringing a whole new meaning to the phrase 'the elephant in the room', the Elephant Parade House in Chiang Mai is a unique venue that I personally recommend putting on your must-see list if you are planning a trip to northern Thailand. Part boutique, … [Read more...]
Royal Elephant National Museum, Bangkok
One of Bangkok's smallest and least well-known museums, the site dedicated to Thailand's royal elephants enjoys a picturesque setting in the grounds of the Dusit Palace complex. The museum consists of two buildings, both of which were former elephant … [Read more...]
Phuket Fantasea
Described by the owners as a '140-acre cultural theme park', Phuket Fantasea (written as FantaSea by the owners) has rapidly established itself as one of the most popular visitor attractions on Phuket island. Built at a cost of over USD 100 million, … [Read more...]
The Sea Dragon that Protects Phuket
According to an ancient Chinese legend, the island of Phuket is a golden sea dragon known as Hai Leng Ong. For those that believe in such things, Hai Leng Ong is regarded as the protector of Phuket. Hai Leng Ong Statue at Queen Sirikit Park, Phuket … [Read more...]
The Marble Temple: Wat Benchamabophit, Bangkok
Wat Benchamabophit Dusitwanaran is often referred to by Bangkok locals as 'Wat Ben', but overseas visitors may know it better as the Marble Temple. Wat Benchamabophit is one of Thailand's most famous temples and features on the back of Thailand's … [Read more...]
Bangkok’s Shrine to Love: Trimurti Shrine
The outside of a Bangkok shopping mall isn't most people's idea of a romantic setting. Flanked by the traffic-choked Ratchadamri Road on one side and the modern glitz of the Central World Plaza, Isetan and Zen department stores on the other, the … [Read more...]
Wat Saphan Hin, Sukhothai
Situated on a hill that rises 200 metres from the plane below, Wat Saphan Hin is the highlight of the sites in the western zone of the Sukhothai Historical Park. There may not be much of the original temple left, but it's still an atmospheric … [Read more...]
Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, Bangkok
One of Bangkok's most notable landmarks, the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall has played an important role in Thai history. Formerly a reception hall within the Dusit Palace complex, the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall was used as the headquarters of the … [Read more...]
Thai Elephant Conservation Centre, Lampang (near Chiang Mai)
Thailand's only state-owned elephant camp, the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre (TECC) was established in 1993 and currently cares for more than 50 Asian elephants. Although it's a popular tourist attraction, it's also an important facility for … [Read more...]
Sukhothai Historical Park
Arguably the most impressive set of ruins in Thailand, Sukhothai Historical Park was awarded Unesco World Heritage status in 1991. Many of the temples here date back almost 800 years and with a picturesque natural setting it is a wonderful place to … [Read more...]
Suan Pakkad Palace and Museum, Bangkok
They may be amongst the Thai capital's least well-known attractions, but the gardens and traditional buildings of Suan Pakkad Palace (known in Thai as 'Wang Suan Pakkad') are well worth seeking out if you want to get off the main tourist trail during … [Read more...]
Bangkok Art and Culture Centre
In all the time I've spent travelling around Bangkok I'd never been to the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC). It's been on my 'to do list' for far too long, but I finally made it there last week and it rapidly established itself as one of my … [Read more...]
Phya Thai Palace, Bangkok
Phya Thai Palace isn't one of Bangkok's must-see attractions, but if you have an interest in architecture or just want to get off the main tourist trail, the palace and grounds are worth a look. Constructed in the early 1900s by King Rama V (King … [Read more...]
Why are there Statues of Giants, Mermaids and Pipers on Ko Samet?
If you visit Ko Samet, there is a good chance you will seen at least one of these statues which feature a flute-playing prince, a mermaid and a female giant. So, what's the story behind them? Well, they are there because they are all characters from … [Read more...]
Erawan Shrine, Bangkok
At first glance, the Erawan Shrine (known in Thai as Saan Phra Phrom) might seem to be in an incongruous setting with its backdrop of hotels, shopping malls, busy roads and skytrains and it's easy for tourists to pass this Bangkok landmark without … [Read more...]
Vimanmek Teak Mansion (Palace), Bangkok
Vimanmek Mansion was originally built in the late 1800s by King Rama V (King Chulalongkorn) and was located on the small island of Ko Si Chang, just to the south of Bangkok in the Gulf of Thailand. When Rama V had the idea of creating the new royal … [Read more...]
Equestrian Statue of King Rama V (King Chulalongkorn), Bangkok
One of the most revered figures in Thailand's history, King Chulalongkorn the Great (Rama V) is regarded as a 'royal father' of the nation. His portrait, alongside that of the current king, can often be seen hanging up inside homes and business … [Read more...]
Golden Mount and Wat Saket, Bangkok
It might lack the fame of other more celebrated sites like the Grand Palace, but the Golden Mount is one landmark that's well worth seeking out if you are visiting Bangkok. Although it is now dwarfed in comparison to Bangkok's modern-day buildings … [Read more...]
Top 10 Things to See and Do in Bangkok
Bangkok has a host of sights and attractions and any 'best of Bangkok list' is always going to be subject to individual taste and opinion. I've listed below some personal highlights of Thailand's capital city that I've enjoyed by myself or with … [Read more...]
Ancient Siam Park (Muang Boran Ancient City), Bangkok
If you are visiting Bangkok and looking for a family attraction away from the tourist crowds, pay a visit to the highly recommended Ancient Siam park. Located just outside of Bangkok, this attraction may still be referred to by its original name of … [Read more...]
Wat Chedi Luang, Chiang Mai
The temple grounds at Wat Chedi Luang are home to a number of important buildings and Buddha images, but it is the ancient chedi or pagoda at the rear of complex that is the most striking feature of Wat Chedi Luang. In its heyday the pagoda was … [Read more...]
Hin Ta & Hin Yai (Grandfather & Grandmother Rock) Ko Samui
There is a rocky outcrop at the south end of Lamai Bay which features on all Ko Samui day tours. Thai and overseas tourists alike smile and line up to have their photographs taken at Hin Ta (Grandfather Rock) and Hin Yai (Grandmother Rock). These two … [Read more...]
