Asian Paradises

Land of Smiles Situated midway between India and China in a fertile monsoon belt, Thailand shares its borders with Myanmar (Burma), Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia. Its east coast is on the Gulf of Thailand and the west coast on the Andaman Sea. The country is divided into four main regions: the fertile, Central Plains of the Chao Phraya River; the region of the north-east plateau; the fertile valley and mountains of Northern Thailand; and the rainforested southern peninsula. Each region has its own topographical identity and subtle differences between both the people and dialects. Capitals and major centres It is worth enduring the inevitable traffic jams, pollution and humid weather to experience Bangkok, easily one Phi islands in Krabi are famed for their spectacular landscapes, while the country's largest island, Phuket, lies in the Andaman Sea off the country's south-western coast. All of these places are popular tourist destinations. The people The majority of Thailand's 62 million people are concentrated in the fertile Central Plains and in the capital, Bangkok. An easygoing people, Thais are known for their tolerance of other cultures and friendliness to visitors. Thai people will be offended only if there is any perceived disrespect to the king or Buddhism. Constitutional since 1932, the monarchy is revered almost as much as when kings were chakravatin, or 'lords of life' . Buddhism is the dominant religion and of Asia's most exciting cities. Known in Thai as Krung Thep, the 'City of Angels', Bangkok is the spiritual, symbolic and geographical heart of Thailand, and home to nine million people. Chiang Mai is Thailand's second largest city and an ideal base from which to explore the mountains and villages. The region is famed for its many fine temples and handicrafts. Ban Chiang, found in the north-eastern province of Udon Thani, is most fascinating for its archaeological site which was discovered by accident in 1966. Artefacts on display are thought to date back to around 3600BC. Khorat, or Nakhon Ratchasima, was part of the ancient Khmer empire, and is today a rapidly expanding business centre. Along the east coast, on the Gulf of Thailand, lies Pattaya, which offers many beaches and is popular with families. On the sunrise coast of the Gulf of Thailand are Cha-am and Hua Hin. The former has experienced a dramatic surge in popularity since the mid-'80s and catering mainly for Thais, its quiet village atmosphere has become a lot livelier. Nearby Hua Hin was Thailand's first beach resort and in the 1920s was a popular retreat for minor Thai royalty. Nowadays the King and Queen reside here when they're not in Bangkok. Further south along the east coast, beautiful Koh Samui is covered with coconut plantations and circled by palm-fringed beaches. The twin Phi 148 www.paradisesonline.com 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 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. Buddha Monthon, 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 Prathom. Not far from there is the infamous Bridge over the River Kwai as is the newly popular "Tiger Temple" or Wat Pha Luang Tabua.

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