|
Welcome
to Thailand's Great Outdoors
 For
the active traveller, Thailand presents endless
opportunities for new and exciting adventure.
Hiking, jungle treks, scuba diving, birdwatching,
whitewater rafting, rock climbing, are just some
of the ways to explore the country's immense natural
and cultural wealth. On the map, Thailand has
the shape of an axe with a long, narrow handle.
From the topmost part to the butt end is a length
of some 1,650 kilometres, roughly the distance
between New York and Miami.
Thanks to its extraordinary length, the country
has the most diverse climate in Southeast Asia.
In the mountainous North, wintertime temperatures
can drop below freezing point while in the Peninsula
South it stays balmy all year round. Geographically
Thailand is divided into four regions, and the
landscape varies from one to the other. The Central
Plains, which includes the national capital of
Bangkok, is flat and fertile.
 The
North is marked by forested mountains while the
high plateau of the Northeast is relatively dry.
The Southern Peninsula, flanked by the Gulf of
Thailand to the East and the Andaman Sea to the
West, has beaches and wetlands either side of
its lush central mountain range. The country has
2,700 kilometres of coastline, making it one of
the top destinations for beach and sun lovers.
Thailand's location at the heart of Southeast
Asia means the array of plant and wildlife it
supports is very diverse. The mountains of the
North form the southerly tip of the Himalayan
range , making them a natural habitat for high-altitude
species not seen in other parts of the country.
The Southern Peninsula, on the other hand, is
home to flora and fauna similar to those in Malaysia
and Indonesia.
If a large part of the country's charm is the
work of nature, the cultural diversity that exists
here is responsible for the rest. Village life
varies from one place to another, and the ethnic
tribes and native people of each region have their
own distinct traditions and ways of life. Trips
to their homes will enable you to explore both
the beautiful landscape and the people's amazing
customs and lifestyles.
 To
do all and see all that the country has to offer,
you will need months or even years, but if you
are planning an adventure holiday, you will probably
have to choose from the wide range of choice.
For beach and sun: Pattaya and other beach resorts
on the Eastern Seaboard; Phuket, Phangnga and
Krabi in the South; and the islands in the Gulf
of Thailand and the Andaman.
For diving and marine life: Islands in the Gulf
of Thailand and the Andaman Sea especially Koh
Tao, Koh Pangan, Koh Phi Phi and Koh Similan.
 For
trekking, mountain hiking and hilltribe culture:
The mountains of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong
Son and the forest land on the Western border
with Myanmar, in Tak and Kanchanaburi.
For animal spotting and bird watching: Khao Yai
to the North of Bangkok, Doi Inthanon in Chiang
Mai and other wildlife sanctuaries around the
country. |
|
