| 1. James Bond Island |
Known locally as Ko Tapu or Nail Island the island found international fame through the 1974 James Bond film ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’ The film starred Roger Moore and Christopher Lee but it was the fantastical scenery that helped make the film into a Bond favourite. It also turned the previously unknown Phang Nga Bay into a major tourist attraction. The bay has many similar islands formed of limestone whose bases are gradually being eaten away leaving the mushroom or inverted shapes. Whether you are a Bond fan or not, seeing the bay and its islands is an unforgettable experience.
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| 2. Koh Samui |
It was only in the 1970s that backpackers ventured as far as Koh Samui but then found its powder white sandy beaches irresistible. Snorkelling and diving they discovered the pristine coral reefs. Behind the beautiful beaches, languid lagoons with stunning wildlife stretched back to the emerald forests. At that time the only industry was the growing of coconuts but now that comes a poor second to the stream of tourists who are photographed by picturesque waterfalls. The island is still beautiful and relatively unspoilt.
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| 3. Phuket |
A lot more commercialised than the other islands, there is little left here of the original and true Thailand. Only in the five star hotels that litter the coastline will you be treated to traditional dances, music and theatre whilst the once pristine beaches are now no more than a daytime dormitory for the millions who visit. Still if you want to be bathed in luxury at a top hotel and have all the comforts of home there is much to recommend Phuket
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| 4. Visit a Buddhist Temple |
You can’t visit Thailand without making a trip to a Buddhist temple. You won’t have any excuse that you couldn’t find one as there are over 30,000 nationwide. Here you’ll get in touch with the cultural and religious aspects of the nation and in observing Thais at prayer, see how revered the Buddha still is. Many of the temples have huge statues of the Buddha, often covered in gold or gems. Each temple can be slightly different in design with influences from all over south east Asia.
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| 5. Scuba Diving |
Thailand is renowned for its coral reefs and underwater world so it’s no surprise to find that it’s one of the world’s top countries for scuba diving. Almost everywhere on the coast are dive sites with myriad colourful fishes, underwater caves and caverns, wrecks and more. The industry supporting diving is very well established and professional operators will show you a brand new world whilst assuring you of your safety. The reefs around Thailand are generally clean and undamaged. Some tour companies now offer cruise and dive holidays taking you around the best and sometimes undiscovered sites of the country.
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| 6. Hill Trekking |
If you’re staying in the north of the country, the scenery is stunning with gently rolling hills covered in dense vegetation. Here amongst the hill villages you’ll see a more traditional Thai way of life based on farming and the true extent of Thai hospitality. Here too along the tracks that link farms and villages you’ll be able to trek safely, meeting new friends along the way. It’s the perfect way to see the best of Thailand.
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| 7. Pattaya |
The party capital of Thailand but also home to many family attractions too. Pattaya started life as a tourist destination for US soldiers in the Vietnam War but exploded in popularity in the nineties. Here you can play on any of 21 golf courses, visit zoos, do go-kart racing and visit theme parks. At night the city really comes into its own but again be careful. The entertainment isn’t always what it seems.
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| 8. Vimantaitalay tourist submarine |
If snorkelling and scuba diving aren’t really your thing but you want to get up close and personal with the marine life around Thailand, take a trip on the Vimataitalay Tourist Submarine. From the comfort of your own seat, the submarine will take you three kilometres offshore to visit a coral reef and spend an hour or so looking at the fish that rely on the reef for survival.
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| 9. Visit an Orchid Farm |
Everywhere you go in Thailand you’ll see orchids for sale in boxes. They are the national flower of Thailand and you can even buy them in duty free at the airport. They look stunning, almost unreal but the best place to see then is on an orchid farm. One of the best is Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden about 15 kilometres south of Pattaya. Spread over 500 acres are botanical gardens and an orchid nursery. Here you’ll see how high tech the orchid industry is in terms of propagation of new colours and will be able to buy your own developing orchid cells to take home and grow.
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| 10. The Elephant Village |
Just outside Pattaya is the Pattaya Elephant Village. In the past elephants were relied upon for much of the heavy work on farms and in the forests. The Elephant village celebrates that history with care for elephants plus training to help them show off their skills and intelligence. It focuses on daily life of elephants and the relationship with their masters. There’s regular stage shows demonstrating how to catch wild elephants. Another shows how elephants work in the jungle and for a bit of fun there’s an elephant’s football match and a grand elephant’s parade.
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