Thai elephant show

Places of Interest on Your Holidays in Thailand

Thailand has some great holiday home accommodation that holiday makers can rent while staying in Thailand on their vacations. Some holiday makers rent luxurious villas with swimming pools on one of Thailand's many clean beautiful beaches. Some holiday makers stay in self catering holiday apartments in Thailand.
A rich and colourful country, Thailand is a land of exotic monuments, splendid beaches, temples, shrines, waterfalls and lush green landscapes. Thailand is flanked by Myanmar, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos and the Gulf of Thailand. The country's tradition, culture and heritage attract many tourists from around the world. Visitors can get an up and close view of the Thailand and its people with boat rides and rice-barge cruises. Thailand is a blend of both traditional and modern.
Bangkok, the capital city is a popular destination for tourists. The city is the business centre and the hub of economic and political affairs. It is referred to as Krung Thep. Many holiday makers stay in a holiday apartment in Bangkok and experience the night life to the full of this capital city of Thailand.
The river Chao Phraya flows through the city. The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo, the temple complex which is home to the Emerald Buddha, are also found in Bangkok. The city has drastically changed and become a slick, prosperous and modern place. The city is also home to around 300 Buddhist temples and shrines. The Temple of the Reclining Buddha is the most famous temple in the city. The floating market, modern night clubs, and many historically important buildings make this city such a popular tourist destination.
Chiang Mai is the second-largest city in Thailand and has many interesting views to offer in the form of ancient and beautiful temples, teak forests, elephants, caves, waterfalls and a visit to the hill tribes. Doi Suthep temple and elephant trekking are very popular with tourists staying here. Doi Suthep another famous temple in Thailand that is located on a hilltop. Elephant trekking allows the tourists to get a closer look at the natural splendour and wonderful places of the city.
Kanchanaburi province is filled with jungle clad hills and waterways. The town is the original site of the popular and historically famous Bridge over the River Kwai where allied prisoners of war and Thai labourers were killed by the Japanese. Train trips are arranged for a visit across the post war bridge and this is a very moving and emotional experience.
The Phang Nga Bey is located near to Phuket. The bay shot to international fame after the area featured in the James Bond movie, The Man with the Golden Gun. Around 3500 islands are scattered in this bay. The islands are home to fauna and flora. For many decades the islands were considered impenetrable but now canoe trips are arranged for the tourists and the locals through the tunnels and the cracks in the rocks. There are some stunning holiday villas in this part of Thailand.
Ko Phi Phi Islands are yet another place to visit on your holidays in Thailand. The twin islands are full of natural splendour. The largest of the two, Ko Phi Phi Don, is dumbbell shaped and has a coastline that is full of white beaches and further inland tropical rainforest.
It does not matter if you want to stay at the hill tribe villages, go elephant trekking, adventurous boat rides or admiring the stunning seascapes and landscapes, Thailand can provide them all. Many holiday makers choose to rent a holiday villa or stay in a self catering apartment during their holiday in Thailand and use them as a base to explore this stunning country.

The Tiger King Of Ayutthaya In Thailand

Luang Sorasak is one of the Kings who ruled over Ayutthaya. The king ascended to the throne in 1703. The reign of King Luang Sorasak is considered to be the gloomiest and darkest in the history of Ayutthaya.
Luang Sorasak succeeded the King Petraja. When the King was in deathbed he appointed his nephew Pichai Surin as his successor. Knowing this, Luang Sorasak got angry and forcibly took power and ascended to the throne, declaring himself the king. Thus, in 1703, a tyrannical, egotistical man crowned himself as the new King of Siam. The king had a title “The Tiger King”. The title did not mean that he was noble or gracious. The title denoted the king’s cruelty towards his subjects. It is said that the king was very interested in all sort of cruel games especially in kickboxing which was a violent contact sport during those days. Once he disguised himself as a common man and participated in a kickboxing competition where he challenged two men to fight with him. During the fight, he brutally kicked the men to death and won the match.
The King had two sons, the elder son Wang Nah was appointed as the viceroy and the younger was given the title Phra Buntun-Noi. A story has it that the king along with his sons and soldiers were chasing an elephant. However, the sons made a mistake and the elephant escaped. As a result the two sons were brutally punished.
The Tiger King was also infamous for his sexual exploits. If a girl dared to reject him, he would force himself on her, rape her and then kill her. A number of dead bodies were regularly removed from the palace.
Once again peace and dignity prevailed in Ayutthaya after the death of the Tiger King in 1709.

10 Reasons Why You Must Visit Phuket, Thailand

1. The beaches -. Most tourists come for the beautiful white and picturesque beaches of Phuket. Head for the unspoiled white shores of Laem Ka Beach, Nai Thon or Nai Yang to enjoy some peace and quiet or head for Karon or Kata for a more upbeat feel.

2. Traditional Spicy Thai Food - For those who love spice, Thailand would be heaven to you with their range of spicy dishes such as Tom Yam Goong, Som Tham and Pad Thai; all of which are national favourites.

3. Muai Thai - Though you might have seen it on TV or even in some places around the world, no one does Muai Thai like the place it originated from. This fascinating sport is more than just boxing as you get to see the rituals they perform before a fight and even the music that accompanies the matches throughout.

4. An elephant trek - Sure you can ride an elephant almost anywhere in the world, but here comes a unique experience that will sit in your mind forever. Take an elephant ride throughout the forests of Phuket and go on a half day eco trail as your guides bring you to places off the beaten path.

5. Great Snorkelling - The waters surrounding Phuket are a dream come true for snorkelling and for those who've never tried; this would be the perfect place to make your first memory. Take a boat trip to the nearby islands like the coral islands or Similan islands to get a much more magical experience there.

6. Cabaret! - This is a must see for all adults out there. Phuket's Simon Cabaret attracts over a thousand visitors every day and for good reason. Its glamour, originality and fun make it a really enjoyable performance worth seeing. Yet again, no one does Cabaret like the Thais!

7. The Temples - Visit temples such as Wat Chalong, considered by the locals to be the pride of Phuket or go for some of the other equally beautiful and mystical ones such as Wat Prathong or Wat Suwan Khiri Khet.

8. Patong - The one and only place in Phuket where you can play during the day and party the night away. The pulsating nightlife in Patong is so contagious that soon you'll find yourself just letting go and boogying the night away!

9. Cheap Shopping - Seriously one of the cheapest places to shop in the world today, you would regret if you passed up the opportunity to get almost anything and everything here!

10. The best part of Thailand is Phuket. There is no place in Thailand as beautiful or as relaxing and yet fun and vibrant as Phuket.

10 Fun Things to Do in Chiang Mai in Thailand

Chiang Mai in Thailand is a wonderful location visit, be it for the beaches, the delicious foods or to enjoy the local culture. Below we look at ten interesting things to do in Chiang Mai.
1. Visit the walled city - This is a beautiful ancient place that is home to about thirty temples which boast Burmese, Sri Lankan and Lanna Thai influences. Here you can see beautiful carvings, intricately built staircases and golden pagodas.

2. Visit Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep - This is a splendid temple situated on a hillside. It has an intriguing history: The temple site was chosen by an elephant, which was allowed to roam at will. When it reached a particular site, the elephant trumpeted loudly, circled around several times and finally knelt down - an auspicious sign.

3. Take a trip to Maesa Elephant Camp - This is an elephant camp located on the hillside. Here you will be treated to a fascinating elephant show and even have the option to go on elephant rides.

4. Take a stroll around Bhuping Palace - This is a royal winter palace located on a hill. It has wide beautiful gardens and splendid architecture. It is open to the public whenever the royal family is not in residence. You will have to pay a small fee and abide by the dress code.

5. Interact with the animals at Chiangmai Zoo - The zoo is home to more than five thousands animals. These animals are housed in a cheerful open environment which gives you the illusion of actually being in a forest. Definitely a place the kids will enjoy.

6. Relax and go for a Thai Massage - If you want to relax, a Thai massage will definitely help you out in that department. Some massage parlours may be sleazy and dubious, so pay a little more for the legitimate ones that will have clean environment with relaxing music and scents in the background.

7. See Muay Thai fights at Kawila Boxing Stadium - Muay Thai is Thai boxing, and is the national sport of Thailand. The fights feature young amateurs, seasoned fighters as well as matches pitting local boxers against foreign ones.

8. Head for the Royal Floral Exposition - This is an exhibition which features more tens of thousands of species of orchid plants, and will be sure to interest even those who are not orchid lovers.

9. Shop at the Night Bazaar - This is a night market which goes on for miles and miles on Chiang Khlan Road. It is a must for shopping fanatics, who will be delighted with the low prices.
10. Head to Chiang Mai City Arts & Cultural Center - This is a modern multimedia centre which will educate you on the different aspects of Chiang Mai's history and culture.

The Work of the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre

The Thai Elephant Conservation Centre is much more than just a tourist complex. The centre uses tourism as financial ground in order to rehabilitate the elephant in Thai society and thus save the species. The Thai Elephant Conservation Centre hosts each year tourists from all over the world for periods of three days.
Lost in lush greenery 35 kilometres north of Lampang, the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre is a haven of peace for the elephant. Created in 1993, the centre has 70 elephants, collected or born on the spot, and works with a hundred employees working on three sectors, the elephant hospital, and the training centre for mahouts (trainers), and the tourist destiny to amaze and educate the many visitors whose entrance fees contribute to live the centre.
Each day, the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre offers impressive and entertaining performances that reveal the extraordinary capabilities of the elephant and close complicity he may have with the mahout.
The duo engages in demonstrations of force in pushing, rolling and raising trunks of trees. The performances are also held sporting exploits, with the aim of shooting or the balancing act. Some mahouts even put a brush in the tube of their companion to make a figurative painting. It was a mahout who developed the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre. Prasop Tipprasert has devoted his life to majestic pachyderm.
While the place of the elephant in the world of men was increasingly called into question, Prasop managed to find a vein in the tourist, a breeding ground for this refuge and also a great springboard for the rehabilitation of pachyderms.
Retire Thailand is a blog with all the latest news and helpful articles about living in or visiting Thailand.