Provinces in Northern Thailand

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CHIANG MAI

CHIANG RAI

MAE HONG SON

PHITSANULOK

SUKHOTHAI

Chiang Mai, 761 kms. by rail (approximately 700 kms. by road) north of Bangkok, with an area of 20,107 sq.kms is Thailand’s second largest city and the capital of northern Thailand.

CLIMATE: Cool Season: (late October to end of February) average temperature 21C and much cooler at nignt. The coolest months are December and January. Hot Season: (early March to end of May). Average temperature 29.9C . The hottest month is April Rainy Season: (early June to end of October). Average temperature 25.5C. The wettest month is September.

CULTURE: Perhaps the most important asset Chiang Mai can claim is its people. Their beauty, hospitality and good manners are legendary throughout Thailand. In the past, Chiang Mai has been a city of economic, religious and political importance. Present-day culture has very deep roots. Chiang Mai has its own dialect and its own cuisine. These have given it a sense of culture security.

FESTIVALS: Chiang Mai celebrates many annual festivals which are lively and lovely. These are the “Flower Carnival”: the first Friday, Saturday and Sunday of every February. “Songkran,” 13-15 April each year. And “Yi Peng” on the full moon day of the twelfth lunar month, generally mid-November.

THE FLOWER CARNIVAL celebrates the period when Chiang Mai’s temperate and tropical flowers are in full bloom and is characterised by colourful floral floats and parades.
SONGKRAN celebrates the traditional Thai New Year. Chiang Mai celebrates Songkran with special elation in a 3-day carousel of religious merit-market, pilgrimages, beauty parades, dancing and uninhibited, good-natured water throwing.
YI PENG is Thailand’s loveliest festival when, under the full moon, people float away onto rivers, canals, lakes and streams banana-leaf boats bearing a lighted candle, incense, a flower and small coin to honour water spirits and to float away the past year’s sins.

ATTRACTIONS IN CHIANG MAI

WAT CHIANG MAI
Is situated in the town. It was the first temple built in Chiang Mai around 1300 A.D. Formerly it was the residence of King Mengrai, the founder of Chiang Mai. There are two famous Buddha images in this temple.

WAT PHRA SING
Has the most complete version of Lanna chapel and is home to Phra Buddha Sihing, considered Chiang Mai’s important and sacred Buddha image.

CHIANG MAI NATIONAL MUSEUM
Situated near Wat Chet Yot, contains ancient Buddhist statues and weapons.

FANG HOT SPRING
Is at Amphoe Fang, 163 kms. north of Chiang Mai along the Chiang Mai - The Ton Road (Highway No.107, turn left at kms. 153 for 11 kms. to Ban Pin). In a 10-acre forest clearing, there are about 5 hot springs. Three boil continuously with a strong smell of sulphur. Water heat ranges between 90C and 100C.

MAE SA SNAKE FARM
Is situated on Mae Rim-Samoeng Road at km. 3. The farm displays snakes from all over Thailand and studies snake breeding as well. Snake shows and an extraction of venom from snakes are demonstrated for visitors.

DOI SUTHEP - DOI PUI NATIONAL PARK
Is in the area of Amphoe Mae Rim Dong and Amphoe Muang, covering 262.5 square kms. The office of the park is on Doi Suthep route near Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. The attractions in the area of the park are :

Namtok Huai Kaeo -- is the waterfall near Chiang Mai Zoo, 6 kms. from town. It’s delightful atmosphere makes it an ideal place for picnics. Khruba Siwichai Monument is situated near Namtok Huai Kaeo. The monument was built to commemorate Khruba Sivichai who initiated a plan to construct a hillside road to the monastery on Doi Suthep.
Wat Phra Borommathat Doi Suthep -- there is a large golden pagoda in the center of the temple containing a part of the holy relics of the Lord Buddha. It is a holy spot visited throughout the year by Buddhist pilgrims from all over the the world. This temple was built by King Gue-Na in 1383 A.D.
Phu Ping Palace is on Doi Buak Ha, about 4 kms. from Doi Suthep. Phu Phing Palace is the winter palace and open to the pulic on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays as well as holidays, when the Thai Royal Family is not in residence.
Hmong Hilltribe Village, Doi Pui is located about half an hour from Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep.

DOI INTHANON NATIONAL PARK
Doi Inthanon is one of Thailand’s most famous National Parks and one of the best equipped to welcome visitor. It is situated in the areas of three Amphoes: Chom Thong, San Pa Tong and Mae Chaem and covers some 1,005 square kms. It offers marvellous natural scenery. Hunting, fishing or causing damage to trees, plants and animal is strictly forbidden.

BO SANG UMBRELLA-MAKING VILLAGE
Is 9 kms. from town where artisans make umbrellas with accuracy and speed. People there make paper products by an ancient process and produce charmingly painted umbrellas.

COTTON AND SILK WEAVING VILLAGE

Is in San Kamphaeng, 13 kms. from town. Silk and cotton materials are woven by local folks on traditional looms.
Cottages industries on both sides along this road, there are many factories of handicrafts; silverware, lacquerware, wood carving etc. The people are settled into communities, each working at their own crafts. For those interested in crafts, endless time can be spent visiting the communities and watching the delicate workmanship. The craftmen are friendly people and they are proud to show visitors around, whether they buy their wares or not.

ORCHID FARM
Along Mae Rim - Samoeng Road, is the centre of all northern orchids. The two nearby orchid farms, Mountain Orchid and Sai Nam Phung Orchid Nursery provide an opportunity for visitors to admire “The Queen of the Forest” that blooms all year round.

MAE SA BUTTERFLY FARM
Is located at Km. 5 on Mae Rim - Samoeng Road.

TAENG DOA ELEPHANT SHOW
Can be reached at kilometer 56 along the route of Chiang Mai - Fang. There is demonstration of elephants skills: pushing and hauling logs from the forest. Elephants are also provided for tourists who enjoy elephant riding.

CHIANG RAI	.
Chiang Rai, Thailand’s furthest northern province, is about 785 kms. from Bangkok and 580 meters above sea level. Its area, mostly covered with mountains, is 11,678 square kms. The most important river is Mae Kok; which is about 130 kms long. Administration is divided into 13 Amphoes and 3 khing-amphoes. Chinag Rai was founded in 1262 A.D. by King Mengrai, whose statue can be easily seen on the way to Mae Chan. It used to be the capital of the Lanna Kingdom and later was conquered by Burma briefly. It was not until 1786 that Chiang Rai became Thai territory and proclaimed a province during the reign of King Rama VI in 1910 A.D. Nowadays Chiang Rai is famous for its tasty lychees and the Golden Tringle in Amphoe Chiang Saen.
ATTRACTIONS IN CHIANG RAI	..
GOLDEN TRIANGLE The most famous attraction where the borders of the three countries; Laos, Thailand and Myanmar meet. It is about 9 kms. north of Chiang Saen. From this place, The Laotian and Myanmar border can be seen through Mae Khong and Ruak River respecitively. Accommodations are available for tourists who want to stay overnight. Boats can be rented for trips along the Khong River. MAE KOK (Rafting) The Mae kok River, 130 kms long, running through the heart of Chiang Rai, is said to be one of the most beautiful and unspoiled rivers of the world. It flows gently along jungle banks and towering mountain cliffs. Along its route lie several hilltribes and jungle-tribes of Chiang Rai. The people are friendly and the life aboard the raft relaxing. There are regular well-organized rafting trips to and from Chiang Rai to many interesting destinations: a popular rafting tour from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, or vice versa. HILLTRIBE There are many main hilltribes around Chiang Rai, Mae Chan, Mae Sai and along Mae Kok River such as the Yao, the Akha, The Blue and White Maeo, Lisu, Lahu, Lahu Shi and Skaw and Karen. Each group speaks its own language, follows animistic customs (based on belief in spirits) as well as adhering to other more recently adopted religious beliefs. Each of the main tribes language, custom and souvenirs production attracts tourists by its own mysterious charm. There is the Hilltribe Developments and Welfare Center in Amphoe Mae Chan, along the route to Doi Mae Salong. Hand-made handicraft including woven cloth products and silverware are for sale at the centre. MAE SAI Is Thailand’s northern-most border district to Myanmar. The Myanmar atmosphere is prevalent in the area and also Myanmar goods and handicrafts can be purchased.

MAE HONG SON	.
Mae Hong Sorn, Thailand’s second northern-most provincial city, is sheltered by several high mountains and enjoys a cool climate almost all year round. In the past, the town was isolated from the outside world for lack of good transportation and communications. The provice is bordered by Myanmer to the North and West, and a strong Burmese influence can be seen in the provincial capital’s temple and building style. Mae Hong Son is administratively divided into 6 Amphoes and khing-amphoe.
ATTRACTIONS IN MAE HONG SON	.
WAI PHRATHAT DOI KONG MU Is a Burmese-style temple which dominates the provincial capital. Constructed by Phraya Singhanatracha, the first King of Mae Hong Son, the hilltop temple affords a wonderful view of the capital and surrounding mountains and valleys. LONG-NECK KAREN Is a hilltribe living deep inside Myanmar border with Thailand’s Ban Nam Phiang Din. Women of the tribe wear brass rings on their necks and limbs. The number of the rings increases according to their ages. Their shoulder-blades are pressed lower while their necks seem to become longer and longer. MAEO HILLTRIBE VILLAGES Is a peaceful tribal village, located about 35 kms. Further up the track to Namtok Pha Sua, near the Thai-Mynmar border. MUANG PAENG HOT SPRING Located from Amphoe Pai about 35 kms along Highway No.1095 and No.1265. Water temperature is around 90C. RAFTING ALONG PAI RIVER With its approximate length of 180 kms, 30m width and 7m depth, the Pai River is the biggest and longest river in Mae Hong Son. This challenges the adventure lovers to raft along this river. Source of the River to Amphoe Pai : Starting from Huai Chang Kaeo, 16 kms. from Amphoe Pai to Wiang Nua Bridge or Ban Chomphon near Amphoe Pai, taking about 6 hours. From Amphoe Pai to Amphoe Muang : Staring from Ban Mo Paeng 30 kms from Amphoe Pai to Ban Pang Mu in Amphoe Muang. The distance of this route is about 70 kms and takes at least 5 days of rafting, and due to much difference in water level at one point of the Pai River along this route, a raft change is required. More information of rafting along this route can be obtained from the Pai District Office.

PHITSANULOK	.
Phitsanulok is 377 kms by road from Bangkok. It is one of the most interesting provinces in the North, serving as a center for commerce, transportation and communication. It is situated on the geopraphical and administrational line that divides the Central region from the Northern region of Thailand. The climate of Phitsanulok is generally hot and humid. It borders with Uttaradit to the North, Pichit to the South, Loei and Phetchabun to the East, Kamphaeng Phet and Sukhothai to the West. Covering an area of 10,815.8 square kms., the province is divided into 9 Amphoes.
ATTRACTIONS IN PHITSANULOK	.
WAT PHRA SI RATTANA MAHATHAT This monastery commonly called by the locals as “Wat Yai”, is the most important monastery of Phitsanulok, the home of the famous Phra Buddha Chinnarat. It is located at the foot of Naresuan Bridge on the city-side bank of the river. The monastery was built during the reign of Phra Maha Thamma Racha I (Phraya Lithai) in 1537 A.D. It houses the Phra Buddha Chinnarat, regarded as the most beautiful Buddha image in Thailand. It is cast in the meditation posture of subduing evil. Later, in 1631, King Ekatosarot graciously bestowed some of his gold regalia to be melted into gold-plate, which the applied on the image with his own hands, creating this most stunning Buddha image. There are many other beautiful and noteworthy items in the monastery compound. The mother-of-pearl inlaid wooden doors of the Vihara are especially splendid, and were built by King Boromkot in 1756 as dedication to Phra Buddha Chinnarat. Behind the Vihara, there is a large Prang 36 meters high, with a staircase leading up to the niche containing the Buddha relics. In front of the Phra Attharos, and on the 9-room Vihara slope, there remains only the newly-renovated Buddha image.

SUKHOTHAI (TRAVEX TOUR)	.
Sukhothai literally means “Dawn of Happiness”. It has an area of 6,596 sq.kms (267 miles north of Bangkok), and was founded in the year 1238 A.D. Sukhothai was capital of Thailand for approximately 120 years. It is administratively divided into 9 Amphoes.
ATTRACTIONS IN SUKHOTHAI	.
WAT SI SAWAI Situated among magnificent scenery southwest of Wat Mahathat is Wat Si Sawai. Three Prangs are surrounded by a laterite wall. Inside the wall, the Vihara in the west, built of laterite, is separate from the main Prang which was constructed in Lopburi or Hindu-style but the others also constructed beside the Prangs, are Buddhist Viharas. The Crown Prince (King Rama IV), found a trace of Hindu sculpture Sayomphu, the greatest Hindu God in this sanctuary. His belief was this ruin was once a Hindu shrine, but was later converted into a Buddhist monastery. WAT SA SI Situated to the north of Wat Mahathat is Wat Chana Songkhram. Its main sanctuary is round Singhalese-style, on an inland in the middle of Traphang Trakuan pond. A large Vihara contains a stucco Buddha image. To the south, stands nine Chedis of different sizes. WAT SI CHUM This lies about 1,500 meters north of Wat Mahathat and was originally surrounded by a moat. A square Mondop is the main sanctuary and contains a monumental stucco-over-brick Buddha image in the medition posture of Subduing Mara, called “Phra Achana.” This Buddha measures 11.30 meters from knee to knee. The Mondop is 32 meters square and 15 meters high, and the walls are 3 meters thick. There is a passageway in the left inner wall itself which leads to the above crossbeam. On the ceiling of the passageway are more than fifty engraved slate slabs illustrating Jataka scenes.

Information contained herein courtesy of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). For further information regarding Thailand, please send e-mail to info@travexnet.com .