Asian Paradises

THAILAND is any perceived disrespect to the king or Buddhism. Constitutional since 1932, the monarchy is revered almost as much as when kings were chakravartin, or 'lords of life'. Buddhism is the dominant religion and orange-robed monks and gold, marble and stone Buddhas are common. Nature One-quarter of Thailand is covered by monsoon forest or rainforest, and the country has an incredible variety of fruit trees, bamboo and tropical hardwoods. National parks and wildlife sanctuaries cover 11 percent of the country and contain more than 850 resident and migratory species of birds and dwindling numbers of tigers, leopards, elephants and Asiatic black bears. The sights The Chao Phraya River, 'river of kings', is Thailand's most important waterway, draining some of the country's fertile 184 www.paradisesonline.com rice growing land, and providing another means of travel in Bangkok. A few kilometres inland from Bang Saen, a beach resort popular with Bangkok residents, is the Khao Kheow Open Zoo, which has more than 50 wildlife species roaming its spacious, semi-free enclosures. Stretching north from Bangkok are the picturesque Central Plains with their checkered patterns of green rice paddies. In the heart of this region is Ayutthaya, the nation's second capital. Buddhamanthon, a Buddhist park, lies on the western edge of Bangkok. Featuring a 16.25-metre statue of Buddha, the park commemorates the 2500th anniversary of the religion. Further west is the world's tallest Buddhist monument at Nakhon Pathom. Not far from there is the infamous Bridge over the River Kwai as is the newly popular "Tiger Temple" or Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua. South from Chiang Mai are the numerous ruined temples of Thailand's first capital, Sukothai, founded in the early 13th century. Further north from Chiang Mai is teak country where elephants used to work in the forests. Elephants can still be seen displaying their forestry skills at several training camps. Chiang Rai is a good centre for exploring the far north, where visitors will find stunning jungle covered mountains, hilltribe villages, and Doi Tung, a mountain where Her Royal Highness the Princess Mother has a hilltop palace. Where to stay While Bangkok offers some of the most superb hotels in the world, Thailand and its capital have a wealth of accommodation options, from luxury and reasonable resort accommodation, to simple comforts on islands or beaches. There are also bungalows, guesthouses and more basic native-style hotels in regions such as

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