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Thailand : Top Destinations
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Koh Chang the largest among the 52 islands of Trat, is also the nation's second largest island, after Phuket. Covering an area of 429 sq. kms., it features fine beaches, coral reefs, and plentiful marine life. It is also rich in natural resources, teeming with hills, forests, waterfalls and streams, the latter being an important source of freshwater. Dotting the island are many fruit orchards.
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Most of the scenic beaches and bays are located on the western side, extending from the north to the south. They include Ao Khlong Son , Hat Sai Khao , Hat Khlong Phrao and Hat Kai Bae . A road cuts through the western shore almost all the way to Hat Kai Bae. From here, a nature trail through Ao Bai Lan and Ao Kruat meanders through wet forestland to Ban Bang Bao, a fishing community located at the foot of the hill in the south.
To the east are Ao Sapparot , where a ferry landing is situated, and Ao Salak Khok. Along the eastern shoreline is a road that cuts through to Ao Salak Phet, a community and a boat pier in the south of the island. However, care should be exercised while driving for the roads on Koh Chang are unpaved, with steep hills in some sections. The best places for viewing coral reefs are at Ao Khlong Son , near Koh Chang Noi , and around the islands to the south of Koh Chang.
On Koh Chang itself are several accessible waterfalls. The Khlong Phlu waterfall is located 3 kms. from Ao Khlong Phrao and a further 20 minutes walk from the parking lot. The Khlong Nonsi waterfall is a 4-km. walk from the park headquarter, while the Khiriphet and Khlong Nung waterfalls are about 3 kms. from Ban Salakphet.
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The Tarutao National Marine Park is the most southwestern part of Thailand, it is only 8 km from the Malaysian island of Langkawi. Tarutao is renowned for its superb diving sites, considered to be among the best in the world. Offshore sightings of whales, dugongs, and dolphins are common. There is a rich concentration of fish life, with about 92 species of all the coral fishes in the world here.For many centuries, the islands had a sinister reputation as a pirate’s lair that was finally curtailed by the British Royal Navy in 1960s. In 1974, it became Thailand’s first marine national park, containing spectacular, unspoiled scenery and marine ecosystem, and a wide variety of wildlife and marine animals.
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| The park is only accessible during mid-November to mid-May because of monsoon seasons. Consists of 51 islands, the major attractions are Tarutao Islands, the Adang-Rawi Islands and Lipey Island.
The largest island in the group is the 26-km long Koh Tarutao. It offers the greatest scenic variety, with semi-evergreens covering most of the surface and wonderful, pristine beaches on the western coast, where most accommodations and facilities are located. Popular excursions include a visit to see the remnants of a large, former Thai prison camp, the half-hour climb to To-Bo Cliff to watch the sunset and a boat trip to stalagmite-filled Crocodile Cave, though no crocodiles inhabit the place anymore.
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Trang or Muang Thap Thiang used to be a port involved in foreign trade. It was the first city where rubber was planted. Phraya Ratsadanupradit Mahison Phakdi brought rubber from Malaysia and planted it here before anywhere else in southern Thailand in 1899. Rubber is now considered an important commodity of Thailand. The important Trang River flows through the province from its origin in the Khao Luang mountain range and the Palian River from the Banthat mountain range.more... |
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The ancient city of Ayutthaya, or Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, The Thai capital for 417 years, is one of Thailand’s major tourist attractions. Many ancient ruins and art works can be seen in a city that was founded in 1350 by King U - Thong when the Thais were forced southwards by northern neighbours. During the period of Ayutthaya being the Thai capital, 33 kings of different dynasties ruled the kingdom until it was sacked by the Burmese in 1767. more...
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ound in the 13th century, Sukhothai (literally means “Dawn of Happiness” ) was the first truly independent Thai Kingdom, which enjoyed a golden age under King Ramkhamhaeng, credited with creating the Thai alphabet. The superb temples and monuments of this great city have been lovingly restored in Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-see for all travellers. more... |
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