Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 10, 2007 - (Page 21)

years. Here visitors will find evidence of the ancient civilizations of Hariphunchai, Lanna and Burma. Lampang is the only province in Thailand that still retains horse-drawn carriages as a means of transport within city limits. Visitors can hire carriages for a leisurely tour of the city’s colorful markets, numerous temples, and traditional houses along the river bank. Another major tourism draw is the Thai Elephants Conservation Center, located in the Thung Kwian forest park in Hang Chat district, about 19 miles from Lampang on the route to Chiang Mai. The center is the only facility in the world devoted to the training of elephants for logging work, using these mighty creatures as laborers. It’s not all work - there are also performances and training demonstrations. Visitors can feed these mighty pachyderms by hand, and for an even more intimate experience they can ride them along nature trails. The Khun Than mountain range of the Doi Khun Than National Park forms a natural boundary between Lamphun and Lampang provinces. Hikers can choose to walk from the Khun Than Station up the mountain, a distance of about 3.5 miles. There are rest areas on the way, and visitors have the option of camping overnight, but must provide their own food. The best time to take the trip is between November and February when the weather is cool. Lampang doesn’t have its own airport; regular trains depart daily from Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Railway Station to Lampang. Chiang Rai is rich in handicraft items such as handwoven cotton materials, dresses and hill tribe silver ornaments, as well as woodcarving products. Trekking options range from one-day, all-inclusive tours to multi-day, overnight treks. Many tours include rafting and elephant riding. There are also a variety of accommodations, including the upscale Four Seasons T Tented Camp Golden Triangle, Thailand. Daily flights are available from Bangkok. CHIANG RAI Further north still is Chiang Rai, the northernmost province in Thailand. Chiang Rai is also the name of the major tourism city in the province. Other notable cities include Phayao, Nan and Phrae. The region is a center for rafting, trekking and tours of tribal villages. The nomadic hill people of the region comprise six main tribal groups, Karen, Hmong, Lahu, Mien, Akha and Lisu, each having unique customs and clothing. SUKHOTHAI History buffs will want to visit Thailand's original capital, Sukhothai, located on the lower edge of the northern region, 180 miles south of Chiang Mai. The former capital’s temples and monuments have been restored in Sukhothai Historical Park, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A total of eight kings ruled Sukhothai. The end of this first Thai kingdom occurred in 1365 when it became a vassal state of Ayutthaya, a rising power to the south. Ayutthaya became the capital of Thailand before yielding the title to Thon Buri and then eventually to Bangkok. Bangkok Airways flies from Bangkok to Sukhothai daily, a 60 minute flight. www.tourismthailand.org/la | 21 http://www.tourismthailand.org/la

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 10, 2007

Contents Make the Most of Amazing Thailand, Land of Heritage and History Planning a Trip to Thailand: Essential Information Transportation: Convenient Options, from Tuk Tuks to Skytrains Thailand's Vibrant Culture: Experience the Art of Thai Living Sampling Thailand’s Top 20 Delights Hotel Choices: From Luxury to Budget-Friendly Map of Thailand Overview of Thailand’s Regions Central Thailand: The Delights of Bangkok and Beyond Northeastern Thailand: A Distinct Culture All Its Own Northern Thailand: Experience the Iconic Heritage Southern Thailand: Balmy and Beautiful Days International Festivities in Thailand: Let Yourself Be Enchanted Water Sports: The Fun, Sun, Surf and Serenity of Thai Beaches Ecotourism: Encounter the Sheer Beauty of Thai Nature The Beauty of Wellness and Wellbeing in Thailand Shopping: Excite Yourself with a Myriad of Thai Trends

Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 10, 2007

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.