Sukhothai in Northern Thailand

Located in the valley of the Yom River, Sukhothai (meaning “Dawn of Happiness”) is a province in northern Thailand which verges on the central regions. It is around 427 kilometres north of Bangkok and covers around 6,600 square kilometres. The province was founded in the 13th century and was the first independent Thai Kingdom - the Sukhothai kingdom. It is most famous for the historic city of Sukhothai, the kingdom’s capital. The province’s temples and monuments have been restored to their former glory and Sukhothai Historical Park – a place with countless sites of historical interest – made into a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other places of interest include Ramkhamhaeng National Museum, Ramkhamhaeng National Park, Sri Satchanalai National Park and The Royal Palace and Wat Mahathat.

Sri Satchanalai (National Park)
Sukhothai is generally recognised as a place of historical significance. However, it is also home to a very beautiful National Park. Sri Satchanalai National Park is around 300 acres of flowers, greenery and wildlife with mountains throughout the parks length. One of the focal points of the park is Tad Dao – a 40-meter high waterfall. Others are Kang Kao cave, Tad Dean Waterfall and Pong Nam Dean. The one of the highest peaks in the park is Wang Chang which offers some tremendous views from its summit. The park also houses a number of ruins, comparable to those available at Sukothai Historical Park, although of another era. Although a World Heritage site like Sukothai Historical Park, Sri Satchanalai’s ruins are not as well restored, but this adds to the its charm and authentic feel. Some of the key sites to visit inside the park include:

• Wat Chang Lom
• Wat Khao Phanon Phloeng
• Wat Chedi Jet Thaew
• Wat Nang Phaya
• Wat Phra Si Ratanan Mahatat
• Wat Chao Chan
• Chaliang - an ancient city to the southeast of the park with two temples

Details: The park is open 08:00 to 18:00 and admission is 40 Baht. If you are have a vehicle you will be charged for that, too. The fees are 40 Baht for a car, 30 Baht for a motorcycle and 10 Baht for a bicycle.

How to get there: The following buses will get you there from Sukothai town:

Bus number: 27B

Air-conditioned Bus Number: 38B

You will need to ask the driver to drop you off so give him/her this:

Sri Satchanalai National Park written in Thai

Contact:
Sri Satchanalai National Park
P.O.Box 10 Tambol Bannkang
Amphur Sri Satchanalai
Sukothai Province
64130
Tel: (055) 619-214-5


Sri Satchanalai National Park
Sukhothai is generally recognised as a place of historical significance. However, it is also home to a very beautiful National Park. Sri Satchanalai National Park is around 300 acres of flowers, greenery and wildlife with mountains throughout the parks length. One of the focal points of the park is Tad Dao – a 40-meter high waterfall. Others are Kang Kao cave, Tad Dean Waterfall and Pong Nam Dean. The one of the highest peaks in the park is Wang Chang which offers some tremendous views from its summit. The park also houses a number of ruins, comparable to those available at Sukothai Historical Park, although of another era. Although a World Heritage site like Sukothai Historical Park, Sri Satchanalai’s ruins are not as well restored, but this adds to the its charm and authentic feel. Some of the key sites to visit inside the park include:

• Wat Chang Lom
• Wat Khao Phanon Phloeng
• Wat Chedi Jet Thaew
• Wat Nang Phaya
• Wat Phra Si Ratanan Mahatat
• Wat Chao Chan
• Chaliang - an ancient city to the southeast of the park with two temples

Details: The park is open 08:00 to 18:00 and admission is 40 Baht. If you are have a vehicle you will be charged for that, too. The fees are 40 Baht for a car, 30 Baht for a motorcycle and 10 Baht for a bicycle.

How to get there: The following buses will get you there from Sukothai town:

Bus number: 27B

Air-conditioned Bus Number: 38B

Contact:
Sri Satchanalai National Park
P.O.Box 10 Tambol Bannkang
Amphur Sri Satchanalai
Sukothai Province
64130
Tel: (055) 619-214-5


Sukhothai Historical Park
Sukhothai Historical Park is the main attraction in Sukothai Province. Located 12 kilometres from Sukothai town on the Sukhothai-Tak Highway, the Historical Park is a place of ruins and temples although certainly part of Thailand’s heritage, it also regarded as a World Heritage site under the auspices of UNESCO and the Thai Fine Arts Department. The capital of Thailand’s first Kingdom (founded in 1238), Sukothai has considerable historical significance and is a pleasure to visit. There the original city was surrounded by walls with 4 city gates. Today the walls house a number of sites worthy to visit. These include:

• The Royal Palace
• Wat Mahathat,
• The Ramkhamhaeng National Museum
• The Ramkhamhaeng Monument
• Wat Si Sawai
• Wat Traphang Ngoen
• Wat Traphang Thong
• Wat Chana Songkhram,
• Wat Sa Si
• Wat Mai
• San Ta Pha Daeng (the Deity Shrine)

Alongside these a further seventy worthy sites lie in the immediate vicinity. Sukhothai Historical Park ranks alongside Wap Phra Kaew as one of Thailand’s premier places to visit. As such, if you plan to visit the area, this is one place you ‘must see’.

Details: The site is open daily from 08.30 to 16.30. It is separated into five zones (north, south, east, west and central) and admission to each is 30 Baht, with the exception of the central zone where the admission fee is 40 Baht. Probably the easiest way to move around the zones is by rented bicycle which are available from the park at 20 Baht a day. However, a tram also moves from site to site and costs on 20 Baht per person.

How to get there: Possibly the easiest way to get to the ‘Old’ City from ‘New’ Sukothai is Songtaew – the fare is around 10 Baht from Jarot Withithong Road near the Yom River. Many people stop off at Sukhothai City Walls and Gates to take a look before moving on the Historical Park.

Contact:
Sukhothai Historical Park
Sukhothai
Amphoe Mueang - Muang Kao District
Sukhothai Historical Park
Sukothai
Tel. (055) 613-241 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (055) 613-241 end_of_the_skype_highlighting (Tourist Service Center: (055) 613-241 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (055) 613-241 end_of_the_skype_highlighting)


The Royal Palace / Wat Mahathat
The Royal Palace is in the centre of old Sukothai. This is a large site covering around 160,000 square meters containing two main compounds and completely surrounded by a water moat. The first of the main compounds is Noen Phrasat (the Royal Building), a site containing a stone inscribed by King Ramhamhaeng. The second is Wat Mahathat, Sukhothai's largest temple. The temple’s main ‘chedi’ is intact showing the traditional ‘Lotus’ style which demonstrates the Khmer influence particular to this area. The chedi sports Buddha images on its pedestal and images of a number of Buddhist disciples in adoration at its foot. Inside the temple's ‘viharn’ is an 8-metre-high Bronze Buddha image. The site also features figures of demons and animals with angels riding on their backs. The temple offers authentic Sukothai art and its crypt has a number of excellent murals. Wat Mahathat is a very important temple, supposedly the spiritual centre of the old Sukhothai. There are around 200 chedis within the temple compound and so there’s plenty to see and wander around. Well worth a visit.

Details: Sukhothai Historical Park is open daily from 08.30 to 16.30. The Royal Palace / Wat Mahathat are in the central zone and admission is 40 Baht.

How to get there: Possibly the easiest way to get to the ‘Old’ City from ‘New’ Sukothai is Songtaew – the fare is around 10 Baht from Jarot Withithong Road near the Yom River. Many people stop off at Sukhothai City Walls and Gates to take a look before moving on the Historical Park.

Contact:
Sukhothai Historical Park
Sukhothai
Amphoe Mueang - Muang Kao District
Sukhothai Historical Park
Sukothai
Tel. (055) 613-241 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (055) 613-241 end_of_the_skype_highlighting (Tourist Service Center: (055) 613-241 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (055) 613-241 end_of_the_skype_highlighting)

Article Source: http://www.discoverythailand.com/Sukhothai.asp

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Tao Island (Ko Tao)

Tao Island is composed of 21 kms of rocks and coconut trees, surrounded by shallow beaches. It is located 45 kms north of Samui and 40 kms east of Chumphon. On the west coast Mae Nam, the main town, is the residence of most of the local population. The busiest beach is Sairee Beach north of Mae Haad where you can have the widest choice of accommodation. The second most famous beach is Ao Chalok Ban Kao south of Mae Hadd. Other small bays and beaches are difficult to access by road.

Ko Tao, meaning turtle island, is named after the topography of its central mountain which resembles a turtle's back. The small tropical island amid the deep blue sea is encircled by miles of coral reefs and pinnacles where you can find some large, deep-water fishes such as mantas and whale sharks.

Most tourists come here for diving as its diving industry is reaching a higher and higher peak. Yet, Tao Island still has other charms of a tropical island; beautiful and quiet coves, wide stretches of sand, transparent seas, cheap accommodation, and a peaceful atmosphere. However, the beaches are not nice and the sea is too shallow for swimming.

Although there are a variety of choices of accommodation to choose from, the facilities on the island are simple and basic, but are improving. Electricity on the island comes from the generator which is shut down at 7 pm. However, most bungalows and resorts provide 24 hour electricity service and some have air-con rooms.

How to get there
From Samui: There are speedboats leaving Bophut and Maenam piers at 8.30 am for the price of 450 baht. Speedboats leave Nathon at 12.00 am and it takes a half hour to get to Ko Tao. Or else you can take Songserm Express boats from Nathon leaving at 12.00 to Mae Haad via Phangan for the cost of 450 baht. For cheaper transport, there are slow boats running from Maenam - departure at 9.30 am to Mae Haad via Thongsala for 100 baht.

From Phangan: Speedboats run from Thongsala to Mae Haad leaving 8.30 and 12.30 am for a fare of 250 baht.

From Chumphon: There are speedboats leaving Chumphon pier at 7.00 and 8.00 taking almost 2 hours to Mae Haad with a fare of 500 baht. Another alternative is Songserm Express boats leaving at 7.30 am for the cost of 400 baht.

Article Source: http://www.thailand.com/

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Muay Thai

Muay Thai or Thai Boxing is the Thai name for a indigenous form of martial art practiced in Thailand and several southeast Asian countries including Cambodia (where it is known as Pradal Serey) and Myanmar where it is generally known as Lethwei.

Traditional Muay Thai has a long history in Thailand as a martial art used by the military. The military style of Muay Thai is called Lerdrit, while today's "Sport Muay Thai" slightly varies from the original art and uses kicks and punches in a ring and with gloves similar to those used in boxing. Muay Thai is referred to as "The Science of Eight Limbs", as the hands, feet, elbows, and knees are all

The training of a Thai boxer and particularly the relationship between boxer and trainer is highly ritualised. When a boxer is considered ready for the ring, he is usually given a new name by his trainer, usually with the name of the training camp as his surname. For the public, the relationship is perhaps best expressed in the ram muay (ritual dance) that takes place before every match.

The ram muay ceremony usually lasts about five minutes and expresses obeisance to the fighter's guru (khru), as well as to the guardian spirit of Thai Boxing. This is done through a series of gestures and body movements performed in rhythm to the ringside musical accompaniment of Thai oboe (pii) and percussion. Each boxer works out his own dance, in conjunction with his trainer and in accordance with the style of his particular camp.

The woven headbands and armbands worn in the ring by fighters are sacred ornaments which bestow blessings and divine protection: the headband is removed after the ram muay ceremony, but the armband, which actually contains a small Buddha image, is worn throughout the fight. After the fight begins the fighters continue to bob and weave in rhythm until the action begins to heat up. The musicians continue to play throughout the match and the volume and tempo of the music rise and fall along with the events in the ring.



Published At: www.Isnare.com

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Buffalo Racing

You could be forgiven for thinking that a domesticated buffalo is not built for sprinting, but in Chonburi town, the gateway to resorts along the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, farmers have managed to tweak a turn of speed from these working animals that is nothing short of amazing.

The annual Buffalo races, 13 October, are a hotly contested series of sprints across on an open space in front of the town’s municipal offices.
Tourists and the town’s residents turn out for these amazing races that have been featured in the past on CNN and the BBC as a must-see event.

The races are taken very seriously by the owners of the buffaloes. Prizes for the first nose past the finishing line guarantee owners go to considerable lengths to ensure their buffaloes are in tip-top condition.
Clouds of dust rise as these hefty animals pound down the short course at an alarming speed, reminiscent of a stampede. The crowd roars in support of the favourites and the atmosphere is as an enthralling as watching thoroughbred race horses.
Admittedly, mites slower than a race horse, but the buffaloes are no slouches when it comes to making a short dash for glory.

Although this day of fun and competition would succeed with just the buffaloes as the celebrities, there are other activities to make it a worthwhile outing for families.
A fair with food stalls and handicrafts appeals to visitors who love authentic Thai food, snacks and sweets. Then there are the rides for children, concerts of folk music and, of course, a beauty contest where the prize is the honour of being declared Miss Buffalo.
Not exactly the most adhering of titles for an aspiring beauty queen, but it does not seem to deter contestants from seeking the limelight of the catwalk.
Here is a festival that provides photo opportunities to capture an unusual adaptation of the 100-metre dash. Well worth seeing, is always the conclusion of those who make the effort to travel to Chonburi.

If the more traditional version of four-legged races is more appealing then the venue should be the Horse Show, 23 October at the Sanctuary of Truth, also in Chonburi province, on the outskirts of Pattaya The show is organised to commemorate the reign of King Rama V, the Great, on a day set aside as a national holiday to honour a ruler who initiated many of the developments that ultimately encouraged the economic and social transformation of the nation.

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Travel with Khao Sam Roi Yod Mountain Thailand.

Khao Sam Roi Yod Mountain Prachup Khiri Khan Province Thailand.

Khao Sam Roi Yod, The height from M.S.L. : 605 meters

Location : Kiu Buri District and Kho Sam Roi Yod Sub-District, Prachup Khiri Khan Province.

Thung Sam Roi Yod is a big pond this is the habitat of various kinds of bird, both local and migrated ones, altogether about 316 kinds.

Khao Daeng scenic viewpoint is around 400 meters away from The National Park-5.00 P.M is the best time to do so, as you can see the sunset and watch birds returning to their Sanctuaries in the evening.

This spot is 1.5 kilometers away from The National Park Headquarter.
Praya Nakhon Cave Praya Nakhon Cave is big and beautiful. At its roof, there is a hole where the sunlight can get in through. The most outstanding thing in there could be "Koo Ha Karue Had Pavillion" with four gable wall.
Laem Sala Beach Laem Sala Beach is the sand beach nearby "Ban Bang Pu". You can reach there in 2 ways :
- By Boat : Take a boat Ban Bang Pu for about 20 minutes.
- By Foot : From Ban Bang Pu intersection go to Khao Thien. Walk across the mountain for around 530 meters from Wat Bang Pu Temple.Mountain surround the beach.

Keaw Cave Keaw Cave is around 13 kilometers away from Headquarter. In the cave you will see beautiful Stalagmite and Stalactite.

Sai Cave Sai Cave is another beautiful cave in this area. It is in "Kung Ta-nod" village, 9 kilometers from Headquarter. You can park the footthill and walk further for about 280 meters.


Source: ArticleTrader.com

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