Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 15, 2008 - (Page 10) Heritage site. The North comprises two distinct areas: the plains of the lower north from NakhonSawan to Sukhothai, and the mountainous upper north leading to the borders of Myanmar and Laos and the legendary Golden Triangle. Sukhothai Thailand’s original capital, Sukhothai, located on the lower edge of the northern region, 180 miles south of Chiang Mai, is one of the country’s most revered cultural and historical treasures. 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. The former capital’s temples and monuments have been restored in Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can view the site’s Royal Palace and Wat Mahathat, and tour Si Satchanalai Historical Park. Chiang Mai Located about 420 miles from Bangkok, Chiang Mai offers visitors a beguiling blend of history, with centuries-old temples next to modern hotels and colorful night markets. The city, often called “The Rose of the North,” is the second largest in Thailand. Things are quieter in Chiang Mai, a change of pace from frenetic Bangkok. Chiang Mai is a river city, and is still surrounded by a moat, fortified wall and four main gates that lead to Chiang Mai’s Old Town. The city makes an excellent base from which to explore the surrounding area. A must-see attraction is the mountain Doi Suthep, which is topped by Wat Phratat Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai’s most important and famous landmark. Built in 1383, this mountaintop temple is nine miles from town, 3,520 feet above sea level and can be reached via a steep Naga staircase comprised of 290 steps or by railcars. Visitors who reach the top are rewarded with magnificent panoramic views of Chiang Mai and the surrounding countryside. Chiang Mai is famous for the quality of its handicrafts, which include artfully produced items in silk, silver and wood. City attractions include the Chiang Mai National Museum, with exhibits on the art and culture of Chiang Mai and upper northern Thailand, and the Chiang Mai National Museum, which displays information on the history, culture and handicrafts of the various hill tribes in the north. Chiang Mai has more than 300 hotels, resorts and other accommodations for visitors. Familiar brands include Holiday Inn Chiang Mai, Novotel Chiang Mai, and Sofitel Riverside. Lampang 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. Lampang is also famous for its long history of human settlements on the Wang River basin, some of which date back more than 1,000 years. Here visitors will find evidence of the ancient civilizations of Hariphunchai, Lanna and Burma. 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. The elephants also provide performances and training demonstrations, and visitors can feed them by hand and take elephant rides along nature trails. Chiang Rai Once you’ve come this far, you’re in the vicinity of Thailand’s portion of the fabled Golden Triangle. Chiang Rai is also the name of the major tourism city in the province. Other notable cities include Phayao, Nan and Phrae. Chiang Rai 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. These hill tribes provide one of the most remarkable experiences a visitor to Thailand can have, offering a glimpse of hilltribe customs and way of life. Before setting off on a visit, consider stopping into the Hilltribe Museum & Education Center. Sites of interest in Chiang Rai include 10 A M A Z ING THA ILA ND TRAVEL P L A N N E R
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 15, 2008 Special Supplement: Thailand Travel Planner Thainess Treasure Products Beaches Nature Health and Wellness Trendy Festivities Accommodations Map/Thailand’s Four Regions Green Tourism Transportation Fast Facts/Essential Information Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 15, 2008 Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 15, 2008 - Special Supplement: Thailand Travel Planner (Page Cover1) Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 15, 2008 - Special Supplement: Thailand Travel Planner (Page Cover2) Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 15, 2008 - Special Supplement: Thailand Travel Planner (Page 1) Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 15, 2008 - Special Supplement: Thailand Travel Planner (Page 2) Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 15, 2008 - Special Supplement: Thailand Travel Planner (Page 3) Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 15, 2008 - Thainess (Page 4) Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 15, 2008 - Thainess (Page 5) Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 15, 2008 - Thainess (Page 6) Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 15, 2008 - Thainess (Page 7) Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 15, 2008 - Treasure Products (Page 8) Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 15, 2008 - Treasure Products (Page 9) Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 15, 2008 - Treasure Products (Page 10) Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 15, 2008 - Treasure Products (Page 11) Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 15, 2008 - Treasure Products (Page 12) Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 15, 2008 - Treasure Products (Page 13) Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 15, 2008 - Beaches (Page 14) Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 15, 2008 - Beaches (Page 15) Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 15, 2008 - Beaches (Page 16) Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 15, 2008 - Beaches (Page 17) Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 15, 2008 - Nature (Page 18) Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 15, 2008 - Health and Wellness (Page 19) Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 15, 2008 - Trendy (Page 20) Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 15, 2008 - Trendy (Page 21) Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 15, 2008 - Festivities (Page 22) Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 15, 2008 - Festivities (Page 23) Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 15, 2008 - Festivities (Page 24) Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 15, 2008 - Accommodations (Page 25) Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 15, 2008 - Map/Thailand’s Four Regions (Page 26) Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 15, 2008 - Map/Thailand’s Four Regions (Page 27) Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 15, 2008 - Green Tourism (Page 28) Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 15, 2008 - Green Tourism (Page 29) Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 15, 2008 - Transportation (Page 30) Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 15, 2008 - Transportation (Page 31) Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 15, 2008 - Fast Facts/Essential Information (Page 32) Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 15, 2008 - Fast Facts/Essential Information (Page Cover3) Thailand Sales Planner - From Travel Agent September 15, 2008 - Fast Facts/Essential Information (Page Cover4)
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