Thailand Travel Guide

The north, which was once a separate independent mountainous kingdom called Lanna, is one the most modest and humble places to live in. The culture and identity of the northern area is reflected from the overall personality of the locals. The language, Kum Muang, is a softer and slower version of the Thai language and is still spoken by millions of people.

From the three seasons in the north, winter is the most popular. Local people from around the country always flock to the north during the winter time (October – February) to stay in the mountains where they enjoy the chilly weather and the cool, clean air.

The highlight is always the view of the sunrise in the morning when the fog, called ‘talay mok’ (the sea of mist) by the locals, starts to cover the green mountain tops before descending into the valleys below, softly being penetrated by the first rays of sunlight as it vanishes. This in combination with the singing of the birds, the smell of blooming rhododendrons and the pure oxygen will make this a perfect wakeup place.

North Thailand is also famous for its well-preserved culture and traditions. Various hill tribes still live on the mountain tops and ridges and practice ‘slash and burn’ agriculture on the steep slopes whilst the Thais prefer to live in the valleys below along the major rivers. Exquisite temples, some of them centuries old, can be found around the region from the biggest to the tiniest. Lanna style dancing is also very unique and is still performed at festivals, big restaurants and hotels.

The most popular provinces in the north are Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai and they attract most of the visitors whilst the province of Mae Hong Son is Lanna’s best kept secret.

The northern food is a must-try, whatever the occasion. The local cuisine is called ‘kantoke’ which translates as a small round table with short legs made from wood. The food is usually a combination of Lanna and Shan ingredients served with glutinous rice. People in northern Thailand traditionally sit on the floor when eating. When the food is ready, it is poured into cups and placed on the ‘kantoke’ to be enjoyed by all.

Widely referred to as Isan, this is the biggest region in Thailand comprising of 20 provinces and is located on the top right of the map. It shares borders with Cambodia and Laos and it is adjacent to the right bank of the Mekong river over hundreds of kilometers. People in this region mainly have an agricultural background, especially focusing on rice cultivation. The world famous Jasmin rice has its origins in this region.

Isan houses parts of the Khao Yai National Park in Nakhon Ratchasima province. Khao Yai, with its 2.168 square kilometers being the biggest National park of Thailand, covers a vast area of subtropical jungle, grasslands and marches. It is sometimes called ‘The lung of the country’ and is home to various species of birds, mammals and vegetation. It is a popular hiking destination all year round and many resorts, villas and camping grounds can also be found in and around the park.

Apart from the chill spots in Khao Yai, there is a place which the locals claim as to be the coldest point of Thailand during winter, Phu Ruea, in Loei province. This 1.365 meter high mountain top sometimes has a temperature of lower than zero degree celsius. However, during winter time, certain elevated points of Isan (and the North) always reach less than 10 degrees celsius, which attracts hordes of local tourists to experience these shivering temperatures.

Following the recent discovery of dinosaur bones and foot prints in many provinces across this region, Isan has a new attraction to offer. The prehistoric museum consist of ancient creatures aged 5-16 million years old, prehistorical flora of 800.000 – 320 million years old, different types of dinosaurs as well as ancient turtles, monkeys and apes.

In the countryside of Isan, the people commonly speak Lao and still follow their local culture and beliefs. Isan tradition is very colorful and also unique. You can find traditional dancing and music in many touristic venues spread out across the region.

Isan food is well-known across the country thanks to its flavor and spiciness. The main dishes, such as som tam (papaya salad), lab moo (minced pork salad), tom sap (hot and sour soup), nam tok moo (grilled pork salad) and pla duk yan (snakehead fish) can be found everywhere in Thailand. Less popular with foreign tourists but a big hit with the locals are dishes like ant egg salads, beetles and various types of bugs.

The central region of Thailand is located in the broad alluvial plain of the Chao Phraya River. It houses the capital Bangkok and other former capital cities such as Ayutthaya and Sukhothai which gave the center of Thailand a lot of antique charm on the history trail. The debris of ancient cities in Sukhothai and Ayutthaya provinces are still available to visit. The walls and remains from several wars stills keep the memories and stories. These ruined cities still attract a lot of tourists, locals and foreigners alike.

The central region is also home to Bangkok, the vibrant capital and the country’s most populated city. Bangkok is a place to go all urban: flashy shopping malls, high-rise posh apartment buildings, contemporary art galleries and hidden local markets are tucked away all over the city.

The sky train and subway make transportation in this big city convenient and fast, even though there are some other must-try ways of traveling like tuk tuks, long tail boats and motorbike taxis. On Rattanakosin Island, the birthplace of Bangkok, the exquisite Emerald Temple (Wat Phra Keo) and the Grand Palace attract visitors all year round. For hungry ghosts small eateries and street food is abundant and tiny but chic cafes and bars line up in their designated barrios.

Bangkok is also the hub for domestic travel by plane, bus and train. Far away from the urban vibe you can also discover the calm and tranquility of local lifestyle and nature in the surrounding provinces. Uthaithani with its old town market, the foggy mountain top of Phu Tub Berk in Petchaboon province or Ancient Siam, the world’s largest outdoor museum in Samut Prakan are just a few to be named.