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:::: Thailand ::::
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Thailand
is a Southeast Asian, predominantly Buddhist kingdom almost equidistant
between India and China. For centuries known by outsiders as Siam,
Thailand has been something of a Southeast Asian migratory, cultural
and religious crossroads.
With an area of some 510,000 square kilometres and a population
of some 60 million, Thailand is approximately the same size as France.
Thailand shares borders with Myanmar to the west and north, Laos
to the northeast, Cambodia to the east, and Malaysia to the south.
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General Information ::::
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| Area
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510,000 sq. km.
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| Population
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60 million
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:::: Temperature ::::
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| Summer |
30.0°C
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| Winter
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25.0°C
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| Rainfall
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Rainy with plenty of sunshine.
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| Languages
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Thai and English
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HOW TO GET THERE ::::
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| Airways |
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Bangkok is Thailand's major gateway. Most visitors
arrive through Bangkok's Don Muang International Airport which
is connected by daily flights to Europe. North America. Asia and
Australasia aboard the world's major airlines. Further international
flights. mostly from Singapore. Kuala Lumpur. Penang and HongKong,
land on a less regular basis at the southern airports of Phuket
and Hat Yai and Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. Charter flights
from Europe and the Orient sometimes land in Bangkok, Phuket,
Chiang Mai, Hat Yai and at U-Taphao for Pattaya.
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| Railways |
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Regular rail services link Singapore and Bangkok.
Intermediary stops include Kuala Lumpur, Butterworth and major
southern Thai towns.
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Overland entrance to Thailand is restricted to
three road crossings on the Thai-Malaysian border in Songkhla,
Yala and Narathiwat.
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There are no regular steamship connections with
Thailand. Cargo ships calling at Bangkok's Klong Toey port sometimes
have passenger cabin facilities. Cruise ships, such as Cunard's
Queen Elizabeth II, Royal Viking, or Pearl of Scandinavia periodically
visit Pattaya.
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Four Star hotel
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The Twin Lotus Hotel
97/8 Patanakarn-Kukwang Road, Nai Muang, Amphoe Muang, Nakhosithammarat
80000, Thailand.
A-One Bangkok
9 Soonwijai 4, New petchburi Rd., Bangkok 10310, Thailand.
Wiang Inn Hotel
893, Phaholyothin Road, Muang District, Chiang Rai, 57000, Thailand
Sunroute Hotel
288 Rama 9 Road, Bangkok 10310 Thailand
Silom City Inn
72 Soi Prachum, Silom Road Bangrak Bangkok 10500 Thailand .
Samui Bayview Villa & Resort
104 Moo 3, Bophut, Koh Samui 84320, Thailand.
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Three Star hotel
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Pattaya Garden Hotel
157/ 77 Pattaya-Naklua Road, Pattaya City, Chonburi 20150, Thailand.
Sandy Resort Koh Samui
177/1 Boput Beach, Koh Samui, Suratthani, Thailand.
Classic Place Hotel
1574-1598 New Petchburi Road, Bangkok 10310 Thailand
Jade Pavilion Hotel
30, Soi 22, Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
S.D. Avenue Hotel
1672/124, Pinklao-Nakornchaisri Road, Bangkoknoi, Bangkok 10700,
Thailand
Manohra Hotel
412 Surawongse Road, Bangkok 10500 Thailand
Khaolak Laguna Resort
27/3 Moo1, Bang Naisie, Takua-Pah, Phang-Nga 82110, Thailand.
SC Park Hotel
474 Ramkhamhaeng 39, Praditmanutham Rd, Wangthaonglang, Bangkok
10310.
First House Hotel
14/20 - 20, Petchburi 19, Phatunam, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
The Park Hotel
6 Soi 7, Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok 10110 Thailand
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Chaweng Beach:
On the east coast of Samui Island lays Chaweng Beach,
a classic tropical beach in all respects. Chaweng Beach
is the longest strip on the island. Stretching for 6 km,
Chaweng is the most popular and offers a wide range of
facilities from the luxurious to the very basic at varying
prices. The strip splits naturally into three sections,
with the resort town located in the central area. In recent
years it has blossomed into the island's second largest
town. It is a magnet for visitors from all over the island.
All the attractions are easily accessed by the road which
runs parallel to the beach. Chaweng is considered as the
center of tourist activities. It is the most developed
area, too. You can find some of the island's best hotels,
together with an endless number of bungalows, beach bars,
restaurants, discos and shops.
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Samui Island:
Samui Island or Ko Samui is the largest of a group of
nearly 100 tropical islands in the Gulf of Thailand along
the east coast of Surat Thani Province. These islands
are known as the Samui archipelago. The most phenomenally
famous tourist destinations, attracting a wide range of
visitors from all over the world, are the three largest
islands: Samui, Phangan, and Tao. Long sandy beaches,
green mountainous interiors, colorful coral reefs, a warm
tropical climate and an easy-going people with a ready
smile clearly define Samui’s appeal.
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Big Buddha
Temple:
The Big Buddha temple, locally called “Wat Phra Yai”,
is named after the 22 m golden Buddha enshrined at the
very far end of the northeast coast. It is really a must
for every visitor to Samui. The temple is located on route
4171 not far from the airport. The Big Buddha sits magnificently
upon the small island, Ko Fan. Usually plenty of tourists
both local and international visit the huge statue. It
is the island’s most prominent landmark. There are a number
of restaurants and souvenir stands around the temple to
serve the visitors.
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Kunaram Temple:
The highly respected Kunaram Temple houses the mummified
body of Samui’s most famous monk, Loungpor Daeng. The
body is on display in a specially constructed building.
Over 20 years ago, he died in the sitting position while
he was performing meditation and his body shows few signs
of any major decay. Wat Khunaram is on the 4169 ring road
between the Na Muang waterfalls and Hua Thanon.
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The Laem Sor
Pagoda:
The pagoda is located on the grounds of Laem Sor Temple.
It sits magnificently at the rocks on the water’s edge.
It is covered in countless small yellow tiles, which appear
golden when viewed from a short distance. At the far south
of the island off the 4170 road between Ban Tale and Ban
Page Ka, you can reach the temple by following the track
with a sign that reads “Waikiki Bungalow.”
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Sumret Temple:
This old temple is the guardian of the ancient White Marble
Buddha, believed by the monks there to be many hundreds
of years old. It also has within its grounds the "Secret
Hall of Buddhas.” This building houses a fine collection
of revered and valuable Buddha images, some of which have
recently been stolen resulting in the temple doors being
locked most of the time. However, the monks will open
them for a request, although a donation will be expected.
Wat Sumret is 200 m down the second concrete road on the
left, West of Hua Thanon on the 4169 ring road.
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Na Muang Waterfalls:
Na Muang Waterfalls, a set of two waterfalls, are the
finest natural scenery on the island. The waterfalls are
located just 10 km south of Nathon near Ban Thurian. The
first level of Na Muang Waterfalls is 18 m high and tourists
can easily take a vehicle to reach there as it is at the
end of the road. The second level of falls is about 80
m high and a 30 minute walk is the only way to reach them.
The second level is less frequently visited even though
they are arguably the prettiest falls on the island and
worth the walk.

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Hin Lad Waterfalls:
Hin Lad Waterfalls with a well-posted sign are a 2 km
walk from the main road just south of Nathon. It is quite
a tough trek so make sure you have decent footwear or
else you may get hurt from the uneven uphill and downhill
track. The falls are really nice as long as there is enough
water, but during the dry season, it is probably not worth
the trek. Within the waterfalls, there is a pool that
you can swim in to cool off.

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Hin Ta and
Hin Yai:
The famous Hin Ta and Hin Yai or Grandfather and Grandmother
rocks are strange natural formations fashioned by the
elements into massive sculptures of male and female genitals.
The strange, scenic spot makes an interesting viewpoint
where the tourists can take great photographs. A local
story has been told generation to generation about an
elderly couple. They sailed a ship and it was wrecked
in the bay. Their bodies were washed ashore to create
the rocks. The rocks are well signposted and can be reached
from the 4169 ring road just south of Lamai.
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Samui’s Butterfly
Park, Bee House and Insect Museum:
For nature enthusiasts interested in tropical insects,
Samui’s Butterfly Park houses many brightly colored butterflies.
They live in a peaceful garden setting within a huge net
cage. It is probably worth visiting for a nature walk
although the price is quite expensive. At Samui’s Butterfly
Park there is also a Bee House. All bees are kept in an
old traditional Thai-style house and visitors are allowed
to observe the activities of bees. Rare insects from Thailand
and other countries are on display in the Insect Musuem.
The Butterfly Park is situated in Laem Set on the southeast
coast of Samui off highway no 4170.
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Pattaya Beach
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Pleasure seekers will revel in the exotic, cosmopolitan
seaside city, famous more for its riotous and intoxicating
nightlife than its less than pristine beach.
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Mu Ko Similan
National Park :
Similan Archipelago National Park is a world famous spot
for diving enthusiasts.
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Bangkok :
Sometimes frenetic and fast-paced, often-times lazy and
laid-back, Bangkok, capital of Thailand, holds the essence
of the Thai spirit, and is very much the heart of the
country, geographically, culturally and economically.
Without a doubt, this cosmopolitan fast-growing metropolis
has something to interest everyone. It is the atypical
steamy tropical city, with mystery and adventure around
every corner. It is a booming, modern capital, complete
with gleaming skyscrapers and skytrains. It is a treasure
trove of Siamese heritage and architecture, the end product
of centuries of culture and art. Bangkok is hardly a City
of Angels. Nor is it the one-time Venice of the East.
But for the visitor, Bangkok adds up to an unforgettable
experience, no trip to Thailand should be without
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Chiang Mai
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Chiang Mai is a city built on the roots of a traditional
heritage that dig deep into the soil of time. Named ‘Rose
of the North’ for the abundance of flowers that thrive
in the cooler mountain climate, it has grown from its
origins as a small northern Lanna capital to become a
city representative of modern Thai culture – with a beautiful
cultural personality of its own. In addition, it has been
blessed with much majestic beauty in nature!
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Phuket :
Phuket's glory is its majestic coastline. Thailand's southern
isle of paradise, Phuket Island is bounteously provided
with a wide array of attractive beaches and idyllic islands
surrounded by the warm turquoise waters of the Andaman
Sea. Beaches range from gentle crescents of sand with
calm waters to rocky headlands pounded by raging surf.
The island's western shore is dotted with dozens of spectacular
beaches, bays, capes, cliffs and coral reefs.
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Racha Islands
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South of Phuket, the Racha Islands promise powdery beaches
like those of the Similan Islands. On the east, at Ao
Kon Kae Bay, is a coral reef where the diving is excellent.
Shoals of several species of game fish, mainly sailfish,
tuna, king mackerel and tiger sharks abound and the Racha
Islands are an ideal destination for deep-sea fishing.
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