Tourist regions in Thailand
Thailand is located in Southeast Asia and borders Malaysia, Cambodia, Burma and Laos. The Thai name of the country is Prathet Thai, which means 'free land'.
Thailand has a varied landscape with forested mountains, rivers, rainforests and areas of dry land. Striking are the large limestone rocks that rise from the Andaman Sea.
The total area of Thailand including territorial waters is 513.120 km². This makes Thailand about the size of France. However, the shape of Thailand is more elongated. If you look at the map of Thailand, you will see some resemblance to the head of an elephant (see map of Thailand at the bottom of this article).
Bangkok
Bangkok is Thailand's brooding capital. Most visitors to Thailand arrive in Bangkok. The first impression of this metropolis is not always positive. Especially the oppressive heat and the traffic quickly overwhelm. Your body needs some time to get used to the heat and humidity. With a little patience, the willingness to explore the city and its hidden beauties, Bangkok can be a fascinating city to visit.
Central Thailand
North and west of Bangkok lies the central plain of Thailand. This important agricultural area is fed by the kingdom's three main waterways. The Nan River and Ping River flow down from the northern mountains and converge in central Thailand as the Menam River. This river continues to Bangkok. The fertile landscape of the central plains was an important reason for the settlement and establishment of the former capitals of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai.
The East Coast
The east of Bangkok reaches to the border with Cambodia. On the east coast of Thailand you will find the popular resort of Pattaya and the scenic islands of Koh Samet and Koh Chang. The east coast is easily accessible from Bangkok and is therefore not only popular with foreign tourists, but also with Thai holidaymakers.
Northern Thailand
The north of Thailand has a rich history and appealing culture. More than 700 years ago, the ancient kingdom of Lanna (the land of one million rice fields) was founded by King Mengrai. He built Chiang Mai as the new capital of the region. Today, Chiang Mai is still the most important city in the north. Lanna's heritage is still prominent in other places, including Lampang and Chiang Rai.
The north of Thailand is mainly characterized by hills, mountains and valleys and for most of the year it is slightly cooler here than in Bangkok and in the south of the country. Visitors come to the north to enjoy the scenery and participate in various activities such as visiting an elephant camp, trekking and visiting the hill tribes. Northern Thailand is also known for the enthusiasm with which festivals are celebrated here, especially the Thai New Year (Songkran) and the festival of lights known as Loy Krathong.
South
The south of Thailand extends to the border with Malaysia. It borders the Gulf of Thailand to the east and the Andaman Sea to the west. The south of Thailand is home to some of the best beaches in Southeast Asia and is therefore a popular choice for anyone seeking relaxation. Temperatures on both coasts are fairly constant throughout the year. It is only different during the rainy season.
The coast near the Andaman Sea (e.g. Phuket) is influenced by the southwestern one monsoon, which can bring rain from May to October. The Gulf of Thailand coast (e.g. Koh Samui) is affected by the Northeast monsoon, which brings sometimes heavy downpours from October to January.