Luxury Thailand Holidays

The Kingdom of Thailand draws more visitors than any other country in southeast Asia with its irresistible combination of breathtaking natural beauty, inspiring temples, renowned hospitality, robust cuisine and ruins of fabulous ancient kingdoms. Few tropical countries are so well endowed.

Cliche it may sound, but the Land of Smiles does no more than justice to the home of the hospitable Thais. The Thai mainland offers its own delights, from the remote island-like paradise of Krabi in the south to the distant outpost of Chiang Mai, the setting of the former hill capital, encircled by forested mountains.

The present-day capital, Bangkok, despite congested noisy streets and the vitality of the canal network of klongs with their floating markets, offers a timeless serenity inextricably interwoven with Thai Buddhist heritage.

South from Bangkok is Phuket a fast developing island of tropical plantations and mountain rain forest, with white sand bays flanked by waving palms and the blue Andaman Sea. Like Phuket, the stunning island of Ko Samui is increasingly popular – but still a mercifully unspoilt retreat, cloaked in lush tropical rainforest, dotted with Buddhist shrines and fringed with soft white sands.

Bangkok
The city of Bangkok is the capital, largest urban area and primary city of Thailand. Known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or Krung Thep, it was a small trading post at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River during the Ayutthaya Kingdom and came to the forefront of Thailand when it was given the status as the capital city in 1768 after the burning of Ayutthaya, the former kingdom seat and capital of the Ayuthaya province. It was also ranked by "Travel and Leisure" as the best city in the world for the year 2008. However, the current Rattanakosin Kingdom did not begin until 1782 when the capital was moved across the river after being sacked by the Burmese. The Rattanakosin capital is now more formally called "Phra Nakorn", pertaining to the ancient boundaries in the metropolis' core and the name Bangkok now incorporates the urban build-up since the 18th century which has its own public administration and governor.

Cha Am
Welcome to around Cha Am, your local travel guide to Thailand's premier beach resort, boasting Thailand's longest white sandy beach. Located in Phetchaburi province only 200 km south of Bangkok, you transport yourself into a different world of long, often empty, white sandy beaches, great seafood, blue skies & lazy days. There are plenty of attractions in the area to keep you busy too. Take a break from lazing on the beach to visit Royal palaces, amazing Temples or go for a walk in the surrounding hills. If you like to play golf, you will be spoilt for choice, with six world class courses within a short distance.

Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai, is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand, and is the capital of Chiang Mai Province. It is located some 700 km (435 mi) north of Bangkok, among some of the highest mountains in the country. The city stands on the Ping river, a major tributary of the Chao Phraya river. In recent years, Chiang Mai has become an increasingly modern city; and although it lacks the cosmopolitan nature of Bangkok, it has many attractions for the thousands of foreign visitors who come each year. Chiang Mai's historic importance is derived from its strategic location on an ancient trade route. Long before the modern influx of foreign visitors, the city served as a major centre for handcrafted goods, umbrellas, jewellery (particularly silver) and woodcarving.

Chiang Rai
Mueang Chiang Rai, is a city in Amphoe Mueang Chiang Rai, Changwat Chiang Rai, a northernmost Changwat of Thailand. The city was founded by King Mangrai in 1262 and became the capital of the Mangrai dynasty. However, it lost this status soon after to a new city built by Mangrai at Chiang Mai. Subsequently, Chiang Rai was conquered by Burma and remained under Burmese rule for several hundred years. It was not until 1786 that Chiang Rai became Chiang Mai vassal. After Siam or Thailand annexed Chiang Mai in 1899 Chiang Rai was proclaimed a province of Thailand in 1933.

Golden Triangle
The Golden Triangle is one of Asia's two main illicit opium-producing areas. It is an area of around 350,000 square kilometres that overlaps the mountains of four countries of Southeast Asia: Myanmar (Burma), Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand. (Other interpretations of the Golden Triangle also include a section of Yunnan Province, China.) Along with Afghanistan in the Golden Crescent and Pakistan, it has been one of the most extensive opium-producing areas of Asia and of the world since the 1950s. The Golden Triangle also designates the confluence of the Ruak River and the Mekong river, since the term has been appropriated by the Thai tourist industry to describe the nearby junction of Thailand, Laos, and Burma.

Hua Hin
Hua Hin, is a famous beach resort town in Thailand, in the northern part of the Malay Peninsula, some 200 km south of Bangkok. It has a population of 84,883 in an area of 911 km², and is one of eight districts (Amphoe) of the Prachuap Khiri Khan province. Hua Hin is closely associated with the Thai royalty. Merely 25 kilometers apart, Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan province enjoys a wealth of satellite attractions; prominent among them are national parks and historical cities.

Khao Lak
Khao Lak, is a seaside resort in Thailand, located 80 km north of Phuket International Airport in Takua Pa district, Phang Nga province and popular as a departure point for liveaboard scuba diving trips to the Similan Islands. The pristine coastline is synonymous with beauty. Nearby rubber and palm plantations dot the coastal region and most nearby inland areas. The major national Highway 4 runs north and south and mostly parallel to the coastline. Khao Lak is a thriving tourist destination for backpackers, up-scale tourists, adventure tourists and seasoned scuba enthusiasts. Local peoples are mostly Thai often with some Chinese ancestry. The diversity of ethnic groups and cultural influences within and surrounding Khao Lak makes this region rich in agricultural, fishing and dry good products. Tourism is Khao Lak's revenue generating entity, becoming Thailand's most popular jumping-off point for the world renowned Similan Islands

Khao Sok National Park

Koh Chang
The island of Ko Chang is a tropical marine national park. Its hinterland consists of over 70% virgin rainforest and is the best preserved tourist holiday destination in Thailand. Situated to the east of the country in the province of Trat on the Cambodian border, it's Thailand's second largest island after Phuket.

Koh Lanta
Ko Lanta is an island district off the west coast of Thailand. Like many other destinations in Krabi Province it is known for its diving and long white beaches. Ko Lanta consists of several islands, the two largest of which are Ko Lanta, (Small Lanta Island) and Ko Lanta Yai (Big Lanta Island). However, Ko Lanta Yai is where all the tourist action is, so this article will refer to it simply as "Ko Lanta.

Koh Phangan
Ko Pha Ngan, is an island in the Gulf of Thailand in South East Thailand. It is famous for its full moon party at Haad Rin Beach and as a backpackers destination. Ko Pha Ngan has two sister islands: the larger Ko Samui to the south and the smaller Ko Tao to the north. The Bronze Drum of Dongson Culture (500BC - 100BC) that was found on Ko Samui in 1977 is evidence that there were settlements of people on Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan, and their islets from more than two thousand years ago. Some historians and archaeologists believe that the first group who migrated to Ko Pha Ngan were the Muslim sea Gypsies (Pygmy, Semung, and Proto-Malay) who travelled by boat from the Malay Peninsula.

Koh Phi Phi

Koh Racha
Koh Racha is made up of two twin islands close enough to see from the south end of Phuket. These islands are surrounded by remarkably clear water and close offshore reefs, which make it a popular destination for diving and snorkelling.

Koh Samet
Koh Samet, is one of the Eastern Seaboard Islands of Thailand. It is located in the Gulf of Thailand off the coastline of the Thai province of Rayong, approximately 220 km southeast of Bangkok. Ko Samet is part of the Phe (Thai: à¾) District of the Amphoe Mueang Rayong (Thai: àÁ×ͧÃÐÂͧ, the capital district, or Amphoe Mueang), of Rayong province. Koh Samet is the largest and westernmost of a cluster of islands not far from the coast. The island derives its name from the cajeput tree found throughout the island, as the Thai language word for cajeput is samet. In the past, this island has also been referred to by its colloquial name, Ko Kaew Phitsadan, or the "Magic Crystal Island".

Koh Samui
Ko Samui island of Surat Thani Province (or Koh Samui, Thai: เกาะสมุย), or often, simply Samui as it is referred to by locals, is an island off the east coast of the Kra Isthmus in Thailand, close to the mainland Surat Thani town. It is Thailand's third largest island, with an area of 228.7 km² and a population of over 50,000 (2008). It is rich with natural resources, white sandy beaches, coral reefs and coconut trees.

Koh Yao Noi
Koh Yao Noi is a beautiful and enchanting tropical island, ideally situated in the Bay of Phang Nga, within short distances from Phuket, Krabi and many untouched islets. The Island itself is still a very genuine, quite and peaceful place to live. Surrounded by rain forests, tropical reefs and islands, sandy beaches and mangroves, Koh Yao Noi offers what many other places simply can't: peace and silence, untamed scenery and many natural wonders.

Krabi
Krabi, is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand, at the shore of the Andaman Sea. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Phang Nga, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Trang. The Phuket province to the west is also neighboring, but without any land boundary. The capital of the region is the city of Krabi. The province is located at the shore to the Andaman Sea. Most notable are the solitary limestone hills, both on the land and in the sea as islands. Rock climbers from all over the world travel to Railay Beach to climb. Of about 130 islands belonging to the province, Ko Phi Phi Lee is perhaps the most famous, as it was the set of the movie The Beach. The coast of the province was badly damaged by the tsunami on December 26 2004

Mae Hong Son
Mae Hong Son, is a town (thesaban mueang in north west Thailand, capital of the Mae Hong Son Province. It is located near the border with Burma along the banks of the river Pai. As of 2005, the town has some 6,023 inhabitants. The town covers the tambon Chong Kham of the Mueang Mae Hong Son district. Mae Hong Son is to be reached by car or bus from Chiang Mai by the Mae Hong Son loop. The town is also serviced by the Mae Hong Son Airport

Pattaya
Pattaya, is a city in Thailand, located on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, about 165 km southeast of Bangkok located within but not part of Amphoe Bang Lamung in the province of Chonburi. The city of Pattaya is a self governing municipal area which covers the whole tambon Nong Prue and Na Kluea and parts of Huai Yai and Nong Pla Lai. It is located in the heavily industrial Eastern Seaboard zone, along with Si Racha, Laem Chabang, and Chon Buri. Pattaya is also the center of the Pattaya-Chonburi Metropolitan Area, the conurbation in Chonburi Province.

Phang Nga
Phang Nga, is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand, on the shore to the Andaman Sea. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Ranong, Surat Thani and Krabi. To the south is the Phuket province, but without land boundary to Phang Nga. The province is located on the west side of the Malay Peninsula, and includes many islands of the Phang Nga Bay. The most famous one is the so-called James Bond Island, a needle formed limestone rock in the sea, which featured in the 1974 movie The Man with the Golden Gun. The Ao Phang-Nga (Phang-Nga Bay) National Park was established in 1981 to protect the many fascinating islands. The Similan Islands, one of Thailand's main diving destinations, are also part of Phang Nga province. It is located 788 kilometres from Bangkok and covers an area of 4,170 square kilometres.

Phi Phi Island
The Phi Phi Islands are located in Thailand, between the large island of Phuket and the western Andaman Sea coast of the mainland. Phi Phi Don, the larger and principal of the two Phi Phi islands. Both Phi Phi Don, and Phi Phi Leh, the smaller, are administratively part of Krabi province, most of which is on the mainland. Ko Phi Phi Don, is the largest island of the group, and is the only island with permanent inhabitants, although the beaches of the second largest island, Ko Phi Phi Lee (or "Ko Phi Phi Leh"), are visited by many people as well. There are no accommodation facilities on this island, but it is just a short boat ride from Ko Phi Phi Don. The rest of the islands in the group, including Bida Nok, Bida Noi, and Bamboo Island, are not much more than large limestone rocks jutting out of the sea.

Phuket
Phuket, is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighbouring provinces are (from north clockwise) Phang Nga and Krabi, but as Phuket is an island there are no land boundaries. Phuket is Thailand’s largest island, approximately the size of Singapore. The island is connected to mainland Thailand by a bridge. It is situated off the west coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea. The region has an area of approximately 570sq. kms. and is made up of 1 large and 39 small islands. Phuket formerly derived its wealth from tin and rubber. The island was on one of the major trading routes between India and China, and was frequently mentioned in foreign trader’s ship logs. The region now derives much of its income from tourism

Rayong
Rayong province, is a province (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from west clockwise) Chon Buri and Chanthaburi. To the south is the Gulf of Thailand. The local people still remember that King Taksin (of Thailand) came to Rayong after the fall of Ayutthaya. During a short stay in Rayong he built a navy, and then went on to Chantaburi to collect his arms to fight back against the Burmese. There is a shrine in Rayong where local people pay respects to Taksin.