Amazing Thailand
Thailand is a country at the center of the Indochinese peninsula in Southeast Asia. With a total area of approximately 513,115 km2, Thailand is the world’s 50th-largest country. It is the 20th-most-populous country in the world, with around 66 million people. The official language of Thailand is Thai. Thailand’s prevalent religion is Theravada Buddhism, which is an integral part of Thai identity and culture. Active participation in Buddhism is among the highest in the world. According to the 2000 census, 94.6% of the country’s population self-identified as Buddhists of the Theravada tradition. Muslims constitute the second largest religious group in Thailand, comprising 4.9% of the population.
Bangkok is always among the world’s top tourist destinations. The city is a true tourist paradise, proved by the growing number of travelers coming each year. Besides the city itself, Bangkok is also surrounded by many interesting provinces worth visiting. Bangkok is called as City of Angels, great city of immortals, magnificent city of the nine gems, city of royal palaces, and home of gods incarnate.
Phuket is located in Southern Thailand. It is the biggest island of Thailand and sits on the Andaman Sea. Being a big island, Phuket is surrounded by many magnificent beaches such as Rawai, Patong, Karon, Kamala, Kata Yai, Kata Noi, and Mai Khao. Laem Phromthep Viewpoint is said to feature the most beautiful sunsets in Thailand.
The charm of ancient city of Ayutthaya continues to gain tourists’ attention as a historic attraction. Not only the old moments but also the new things that shine. The province is only 76 kilometers away from Bangkok. This makes it easy to take a one-day trip for those who have limited time for a visit. When it comes to historical buildings, Ayutthaya travel is well known for temples and palaces.
Pattaya, which is placed in eastside of Thailand, is a popular place for both Thais and foreigners because the city has everything tourists need. Traveling there is easy as you can take your own car or ride a bus, a van, or a cab from Bangkok. There is also a ferry service from Hua Hin to Pattaya, which takes about an hour. There are many things you can do in Pattaya such as water sports, sunbathing, go-karting, bungee jumping, horse riding, golf playing, diving, cabaret show watching, and many more. During the night time, all the way down Pattaya road is full of various entertainment options.
Now, let’s go to Chiang Mai where ICGHIT 2018 will be held.
Chiang Mai – Northern Rose of Cultural Heritage with Heavenly Nature
Chiang Mai is in Northern Thailand. The Chiang Mai weather is always cooler than the rest of the country, with a mean temperature of 25°C throughout the year. The city has plethora of things to see and things to do. The beauty of the mountains, hill tribe villages, and botanical gardens attracts millions of tourists to Chiang Mai every year. You can also enjoy a zoo and aquarium, a nocturnal zoo, and classic Northern Thai temples and architecture which are a fusion of Lanna, Mon, and Burmese styles. Located in a lush valley surrounded by some of Thailand’s highest mountains, Chiang Mai is endowed with pristine natural resources from soaring mountains, lush green rainforests, and cascading waterfalls. Surprisingly, you can enjoy all these attractions within a day.
Chiang Mai is center of education in Thailand – ideal places for both teachers and students. Chiang Mai is home to five universities, including one Rajabhat university, Buddhist and Christian seminaries, technical colleges, four international English language schools and one German one. There are also many private language schools as well as the AUA, the British Council, Australian and New Zealand centers, and the Alliance Francaise.
1) Maetaeng Elephant Park – A Touching Encounter with Maetaeng Elephants, Mammoth Offsprings
The Maetaeng Elephant Park & Free Elephant Clinic has been pivotal in the care and welfare of all the elephants in the Maetaeng area. The elephant park is constantly changing and discovering different and unique ways to increase the care and welfare and long term sustainability for the asian elephant in Thailand. The park provides a tour program which consists of elephant show, elephant trekking, oxen cart riding and bamboo rafting, each taking 30 mins. If you plan your travel for 1~2 days, you can spend a night at hill tribe villages.
1-1) Elephant Show – Joyful Moments with Gifted Elephants
A group of elephants dance to musics. After dancing, they draw pictures of flowers and elephants. Then, they don’t forget to sign their autographs on their own pictures by putting their name initials such as ‘N’, ‘M’, and ‘NT’. The show is a worldwide unique program which people of all ages can enjoy in Chiang Mai only.
1-2) Trekking on Elephants’ Backs
As the name implies, you can ride an elephant, cross a stream, and proceed through the jungle forests. Surrounding jungle forests feature the mystery of ancient nature. The elephants range from small ones through big ones of mammoth size. Imagine you move forward against the stream in a row on a big elephant’s back. What an extremely attractive moment!
1-3) Oxen Cart Riding – Longing for Ancient Farming
You can experience ancient agricultural societies by riding an oxen-led cart.
1-4) Bamboo Rafting – Rowing along the Maetaeng River through Forest Jungles
You can enjoy bamboo rafting down along the Maetaeng River.
2) Long Necked Beautiful Women in Hill Tribe Village
Learn the lifestyle of hill tribe people such as Lahu, Padong and the Long Neck Karen. Every tribe has its own culture, distinct colorful dress and language, which only exists in the spoken form. The hill tribe people live a nomadic lifestyle and originate from Tibet and China. Traditionally, they are engaged in farming using slash and burn tactics, where the forest is cut down and burnt. When the land is exhausted, they move on to the next area. You will be amazed with their native talents including daily farm work such as making scarecrows, ridding weeds in the paddy fields, and demonstrating rice pouring from the watermill.
3) Grand Canyon – A Fantastic Oasis with Exciting Water Park
Grand Canyon Chiang Mai is located in Hangdong district, 17 km Southwest of downtown Chiang Mai. It is about 30 mins drive, not so far from Chaing Mai city. It’s actually an abandoned soil mine which later became a pond. Tourists walk along a very steep bank of the ‘Grand Canyon Chiang Mai’. The reservoir has now become a relaxing place for those looking for some peace and quiet. If you want to swim here, make sure you are strong enough as the water is 32m deep. Spend the day at this glorious and amazing place. The food in the restaurant is tasteful.
4) Wat Phra That Doi Suthep – A Splendid Golden Temple
This mountaintop temple is a must-see in Chiang Mai. Wat Doi Suthep’s central shrine contains a much-revered, seated Buddha, and is one of the most popular attractions in the city. You can reach the temple by hiking up the mountain (a sweaty but surely memorable endeavor), renting a motorbike, or taking a cable car. The drive is a short one, so you can do this whole trip in about two hours. Brace yourself for the climb because the staircase is steep, but the effort is well worth it. Statues of two demons guard the entrance to the temple precinct. Generally only two of the six gates leading to the gallery and the chedis are open. The gallery is adorned with statues of Buddha in the Chiang Mai and Sukhothai styles. The temple itself is ornate, with many representations of the Buddha, detailed dragon statues, and elephant carvings. There is also a small museum on the premises. On a clear day (and most of them are clear, unless you’re visiting during the rainy or burning seasons), you can look out over the entire city. It is advised to cover your shoulders and your legs at least past your knees when visiting any temple. There is a small fee to enter the temple complex.
5) Umbrella Village
San Kamphaeng Road, about 10 km to the south-east of Chiang Mai, is the most famous handicraft center. All along San Kamphaeng Road, you will find pottery, stoneware, silverware, lacquerware, paperware, sculptures, jewellery, wood carvings and silk products. Bo Sang Umbrella Village is also situated on this road. Here the local artisans make the world famous paper umbrellas and parasols that will be a treasured gift for either yourself or someone special. You can watch the whole process of umbrella making from start to end – from making the bamboo struts, covering them with paper, putting them out to dry and then hand painting them. There are many shops in the village selling a huge variety of exquisitely painted umbrellas and parasols along with other handicraft products.
6) Chiang Mai University
Chiang Mai University is a public research university in Northern Thailand founded in 1964. It has earned a reputation as a veritable institution maintaining high academic standards. It is ranked in the top 100 university’s in Asia at 92 by the by the “QS Asian Universities Ranking 2014”. Its vision is to become a research-oriented institution of higher education and producing graduates with high moral and ethical standards. It has a strong emphasis on engineering, science, agriculture, and medicine. Its main campus, beautiful and spacious, lies between Chiang Mai downtown and Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai Province. The university operates a fleet of 32 electric-powered vehicles which run on set routes around the campus.
7) Night Bazaar
Chiang Mai is a shoppers’ paradise, and nothing beats shopping for a bargain more than in the famous Chiang Mai Night Bazaar. The Night Bazaar, on the east side of the old walled city, is approximately 1km long on Chang Khlan Road. The Night Bazaar is open every day of the year regardless of the weather from dusk till around midnight.
8) Saenkham Terrace – A Restaurant with Unique Flavor of Highest Quality
The concept of interior designer incorporated an elevated level on each side of the dining hall to create the feeling of dining on a terrace. All furniture is made of woven rattan and reminds guests of feel of the woven baskets that warm every Lanna terrace. Every little thing here has its own story to tell. And together they make up the Saenkham Terrace legend. It is part of a ‘clubhouse’ complex, which has a swimming pool, tennis courts, and coffee bar. Food is uniquely great in presentation and taste. This coupled with the great service and views from the very comfortable seating makes it a meal to remember. If you seek a place to convey your true love to your lover or family, or to express your deep gratitude to your friends or acquaintances, this is the right place.
9) Play Golf in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is often referred to as the “Rose of the North” because of its amazing flowers, tropical jungle, and mountainous terrain encompassing the entire region. This backdrop provides you with some unique scenery to enjoy during your Thailand golf vacation. You can enjoy various styles of golf courses at decent prices.