Southeast Asia - Thailand - Five Days in Phuket, Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang-mai

Important things to see. Beach - Islands - Dam - Wax museum - Shooting range - Mangrove forest - Kayaking - Market - Floating market - Palace - Museum - Wax museum - park - Tropical garden - Art - Miniature city - waterfall - botanic garden Elephant sanctuary - Petting tiger - farm visit - winery - UNESCO Sites -
Suvarnabhumi International airport

2 Days at Phuket

Cape Phrom Thep
Cape Phrom Thep: Great ocean view, small trekking, best for sunset
Phuket Shooting Range
Phuket Shooting Range: Rifle 10 bullets ฿890, Automatic pistol 10 bullets 1180 http://phuketshooting.com/
The Big Buddha Phuket
The Big Buddha, Phuket: Cool place to view around (nothing inside) - spend 15 min
Kata Karon Beach Viewpoint
Kata Karon Beach Viewpoint: Amazing view of beach from mountain, next to big buddha.
Karon Beach
Karon Beach: Best beach in Phuket (other beaches Freedom Beach, Patong Beach)
Green Elephant Sanctuary
Green Elephant Sanctuary: ฿2500/ person for half day visit with pick and drop
https://www.green-elephantsanctuarypark.com/en/
Ao Phang Nga National Park
Phang Nga Bay / Ao Phang Nga National Park: This large area of mangrove forest & coast with several small islands at Phang Nga Bay (Andaman Sea). Entry ฿300
Boating 1
Boating 2
Phang Nga Bay / Lot cave Phang Nga: Only way to reach there by canoe which costs ฿300/ person. Maximum 3 persons are allowed in one canoe. stop there for pictures. carry tips
Ko Tapu | James Bond Island
Phang Nga Bay / Ko Tapu (James Bond Island) Khao Phing Kan: Access via speed boat - island might be crowded. you may buy souvenirs there. "The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)" movie filmed there.

Surat Thani

Rajjaprapha | Cheow Lan
Cheow Lan lake (Rajjaprapha) - Khao Sok National Park: transparent blue water lake/dam site, beautiful mountains. It is considered the rainiest spot in Thailand, consists mainly of rainforest and jungle, which helps to support a wide diversity of plants and animals. In addition to hundreds of bird species, the park has wildcats, deer, tapirs, elephants and boar. You will spend most of your time traveling by motorboat not walking, carry hat, sunscreen.
Entry ฿320 + boat ride ฿1700 for 2 or ฿2000 for 4 people

The largest and rare flower Rafflesia kerrii found only in Khao Sok, flowering season falls between November and April.

Prachuap Khiri Khan

(thinnest area)

Half day at Ratchaburi

Tiger World, Ratchaburi: Open since 2013, a zoo where visitors can pet the tame, hand-reared rescue tigers.
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market: Damnoen Saduak has been Thailand's best known floating market (James bond movie "The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)" filmed here) the popularity of Damnoen Saduak attracts many fruit sellers rowing their boats along the narrow canals.

Nakhon Pathom

Thai Human Imagery Museum: a wax museum since 1989 in Nakhon Pathom Province, Thailand with fiberglass sculptures depicting famous figures in Thai history and culture.

2 days at Bangkok

2hrs / 150kms from Pattaya
Wat Arun Ratchawararam (Temple of dawn): Built in 1851 the main feature of Wat Arun is its central prang, which is encrusted with colourful porcelain.
Entry ฿100. ฿5 to cross river by boat to Wat Pho
Wat Pho (Wat Phra Chetuphon): Built in 1848, its a large landmark temple offering serene grounds with a giant reclining Buddha, historic art and statues.
Entry ฿200
Temple of the Emerald Buddha: Built in 1783.
Entry ฿500 includes the Grand Palace, Museum and the Thai theatre show.
The Grand Palace: Built in 1782, this ornate royal palace complex now houses a museum & is open to visitors.
Wat Phra Kaew Museum
Wat Phra Kaew Museum (Royal Palace)
Ong Ang Canal - watch on the way
Wat Traimit Withayaram Worawihan and Golden Buddha (solid gold)
Entry ฿140 (museum and statue) | 2.5kms away
Wat Benchamabophit Dusitwanaram (also known as Marble temple): It typifies Bangkok's ornate style of high gables, stepped-out roofs and elaborate finials.
Built in 1899 | Entry ฿50 | 4kms away
Jim Thompson House Museum: housing the art collection of American businessman Jim.
Entry฿200 | 4kms away
Madame Tussauds Bangkok: Madame Tussauds is popular around the world for a real wax museum.
Entry ฿900
Lumphini Park
Built 1925| Entry FREE | 5am-8pm| 2.5km
Chatuchak Weekend Market map
Chatuchak Weekend Market: Wednesday and Thursday 7am-6pm (Plant section only)
Friday 6pm-12pm (Wholesale only)
Saturday and Sunday 9am-6pm (Whole Market open)
there are over 15,000 stalls to search through | 15kms
Safari World: consists of two parks named Marine Park and Safari Park, operated by Safari World Public Limited. The park was opened in 1988 with a total area of 480 acres for its open zoo and 180 acres for its bird park.
9-4:30pm | Entry ฿750 | Spend 4-6hrs | 30kms from market

1 day at Pattaya

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Great place to get horror experience and to see some interesting events.
Book in advance | spend 1-2 hours indoor
Art In Paradise Pattaya: Unique hands-on museum with dioramas, dinosaurs, 3-D safari and ocean-themed scenes & other exhibits.
Entry ฿400 | spend 2hrs
via Klook ฿225
Gems gallery Pattaya: The ultimate shopping experience for jewelry products, they also have a tram tour to know the origin of diamond
Mini Siam: Attraction housing miniature models of renowned Thai & international monuments, with on-site cafe. https://www.facebook.com/MiniSiam1988
Entry ฿300 | 8am-6pm | spend 3hrs
via Klook ฿245
Sanctuary of Truth Museum: is an unfinished museum made as a hybrid of a temple and a castle that is themed on the Ayutthaya Kingdom. The building is notably constructed entirely out of wood. Inside this sanctuary there are wood statue and wood carving piece that tell the philosophy of life. Construction first began in 1981 and is still in construction, though visitors are permitted inside with hard hats. https://sanctuaryoftruthmuseum.com/
Entry ฿500 | spend 2-3hrs
Nong Nooch Tropical Garden: is a 500-acre botanical garden with variety of cactus, palm, giant olive-trees, bonsai, topiary, French garden, etc. It also have 'valley of the dinosaurs', 'animal kingdom (statues)', Stonehenge, waterfalls, temples, Car garden (amazing trucks/cars).
Better to take a internal bus ride between locations, each bus drop at locations and catch next bus for the next destination. (Note: difficult to get return taxi)
Entry+sightseeing bus 700B
via klook ฿520

Kanchanaburi

Erawan National Park: The centerpiece of the park, the seven-tiered Erawan Falls, is a sight to behold.

Half day at Nakhon Nayok

Haew Narok Waterfall; Khao Yai National Park is among the best and the first national park in the country. Park covers more than 2,000 square kilometers of forest and grassland in central Thailand. Its many waterfalls include 150m-tall Haew Narok and 20m-tall Haew Suwat, immortalized in the Danny Boyle film 'The Beach'.
Farm Chokchai: Huge farm with flower garden, souvenir shop, burger and steak restaurant, farm animals(cows, sheep, goat, pony, rabbits, elephant feeding stations), cowboy show, milking and bottling stations, ice cream making.. (zoo & museum also there, but not good)
Entry ฿80 | spend 2 hours
PB Valley Khaoyai Winery: Four wine tours daily with 3 wine tasting ฿350. They also have Mango, passion fruit, mulberry.


UNESCO world heritages sites

Central Thailand has two popular UNESCO world heritages sites, both the homes of former ruling dynasties in the history of Thailand. Sukhothai(1248-1438 AD), and succeeded by Ayutthaya(1351–1767 AD). Both sites, on the face of it are pretty similar and both are close to the well-trodden train route between Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

Sukhothai can be seen in one full day. The majority of the sites are set in a three square kilometre central zone, with one entrance fee. Further afield in the northern zone, the imposing golden thirty-six foot Buddha at Wat Si Chum is well worth seeing. Entrance to each zone costs around ฿100 (2.60 USD) -or- you can purchase a pass to all five zones for ฿350 (9.09 USD). However, the passes are only good for one day only. Bicycles can be rented from the main gates for less than ฿50 per day.
Sukhothai is around 480kms away from Bangkok and it may take around 7hours to reach.

At Ayutthaya you can take many days to see everything this big site has to offer, two full days is probably ideal. Ayutthaya on the other hand, is comparatively buzzing, a huge sprawling historical centre with the roads of the city intwined within it. Wats (temples) and ruins line most of the busier roads in and around the city. Ayutthaya Tourist Center opens on Wednesday to Sunday 9.00 a.m.-4.00 p.m. Free admission fee. However, some of the temples and sites in the historical park would ask for an entrance fee separately, ranging from ฿20 to ฿50. The best way to get around it is by bicycle.
Ayutthaya is only 80kms away / a two hour journey time from Bangkoks central Hua Lampong train station, at a cheap ฿30 fare which makes it really accessible for a day trip or overnighter from Bangkok.

Half day at Ayutthaya

Visit the ancient city of Ayutthaya, which was once the capital of the Thai kingdom. Visit the ruins of the old city UNESCO World Heritage, including Wat Mahathat and Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon.
Wat Mahathat: Entry ฿50
Wat Phra Si Sanphet Built in 1491. Entry ฿20
Wat Chaiwatthanaram: built in 1630. Entry ฿50
Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon: built in 1357AD and chedi (pagoda) added in 1592AD | Entry ฿20

Sukhothai

Sukhothai Historical Park: (UNESCO World Heritage Site) covers the ruins of Sukhothai, literally 'dawn of happiness', capital of the Sukhothai Kingdom in the 13th and 14th centuries, in north central Thailand. Entry ฿150

2 days at Chiang Mai

There are over 300 temples in Chiang Mai and many of them are located inside the historic old city. Most temples open around 6 AM, better to reach early to avoid the crowd. (Note Sleeveless dress and shoes not allowed inside.)

Chiang Mai Old City

Tha Phae Gate was originally built around 1296. However, the present-day gate is a reconstruction, as the original was eroded over the centuries.
city moat adorned with beautiful fountains

Chiang Mai City Arts & Cultural Center is a museum dedicated to the history and culture of the city. It is located in the old city behind the Three Kings Monument.
Built 1924 | 
Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan Buddhist temple boasting gold and copper Buddhas, murals and ancient manuscripts.
Built 1345 | Entry ฿20
Wat Chedi Luang
built 1475 | 5am-10pm | ฿40

Wat Chiang Man
built 1297| Free entry
Wat Lok Moli
built 1367 | 6am-7pm | Entry Free
Chang Phuak Gate Night Market best places for street food in Chiang Mai, most dishes cost around ฿40-50
Wat Phra That Doi Kham - Temple of the Golden Mountain
Wat Phra That Doi Kham:literally means “Temple of the Golden Mountain”, Temple atop a forested mountain featuring ornate gold carvings and a 17-m. sitting Buddha statue.
Built 687 | Entry ฿50
Royal Park Rajapruek: Landscaped grounds featuring flowers, plants & sculptures, plus an elegant commemorative chapel. Entry ฿200
Wachirathan Waterfall
Mon Jodd: It’s several hectares of land with a lake in the middle that blends flower-farming with vintage cars with a yacht in the middle of the lake with so many beautiful spots for photography that you can spend an entire day and be able to produce several photobooks.
Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden, canopy walk
Built 1993 | 8:30am to 5:30pm | Entry ฿40
Wat Rong Khun White Temple Built 1997 | 8am to 6pm | Entry ฿50
Wild Himalayan Cherry Sakura Blossom at Khun Chang Khian
Wild Himalayan Cherry Sakura Blossom at Khun Chang Khian Each year in January(from late January to early February), the mountain peaks surrounding Chiang Mai turn into a sea of pink flowers. The Wild Himalayan Cherry Sakura Blossom will make the hills look like a picturesque winter wonderland. Khun Chang Khian is the best place to see the Sakura Blossom near Chiang Mai. It is a traditional Hmong tribal village near the peak of Doi Pui mountain.
Chiang Mai Night Safari: Get close with wild animals in an enclosed tram ride at night. Take a look at a wide variety of over 1,400 large and small animals from 134 species.
Chiang Mai Flower Festival, three days on the first weekend of February
During Loy Krathong, locals will gather around lakes, rivers and canals to release beautiful lotus-shaped rafts that are decorated with candles, incense and flowers. The word 'krathong' refers to a small vessel or basket and 'loy' means to float.
Yee Peng is a festival about floating lanterns into the sky. Both celebrated on the full moon of the twelfth month of the Thai lunar calendar for the most part in November.
Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
Elephant Nature Park
Chiang mai International airport

Floating markets in Thailand

Vendors sell their wares from boats, ranging from fresh fruits and vegetables to cooked food, clothing and souvenirs. The markets are popular tourist attractions and a great way to experience the traditional way of life in Thailand. Some of the most famous floating markets in Thailand include the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market in Ratchaburi Province, Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market in Bangkok, Tha Kha Floating Market in Samut Songkhram Province, and Taling Chan Floating Market in Bangkok.
1 Damnoen Saduak Floating Market: Damnoen Saduak has been Thailand's best known floating market (James bond movie filmed here) the popularity of Damnoen Saduak attracts many fruit sellers rowing their boats along the narrow canals.
2 Amphawa Floating Market: with many little wooden houses neatly lined up along the canal, selling souvenirs, snacks and sweets. Visit before noon to avoid crowd.
3 Taling Chan Floating Market: Taling Chan is open all day and has just enough boats to be called a floating market, plus a large local market attached to it.
4 Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market: is a medium-sized floating market located really close to Bangkok.
5 Bang Nam Phueng Floating Market: is one of the smallest floating market.
6 Tha Kha Floating Market: another smaller floating market.
REF: https://www.hotels.com/go/thailand/bangkok-floating-markets

Animal parks and sanctuaries in Thailand

If you're visiting Thailand, your trip will not be complete without seeing majestic elephants. And with over 70 elephant camps in Thailand with 3500-4000 elephants, you're spoilt for choice. (Carry practical clothes that may get muddy or torn. Long trousers are best suited for the high grasses and bushes. Carry waterproof sandals/shoes. Also carry sunscreen/hat for the heat. insect repellent without DEET.) Few famous sanctuaries are: Elephants World - Kanchanaburi, Elephant Haven - Kanchanaburi, Elephant Nature Park - Chiang Mai, Burm and Emily's Elephant Sanctuary (BEES) Chiang Mai, Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary - Chiang Mai, Phuket Elephant Sanctuary, FAE's Elephant Hospital - Lampang, Save Elephant Foundation- Surin project, Elephant Hills Thailand's First Luxury Tented Camps

REF: http://www.responsiblethailand.co.uk/green-tourism/ethical-elephant-experiences-thailand/,
https://tourismteacher.com/ethical-elephant-sanctuaries-in-thailand/
Green Elephant Sanctuary
Green Elephant Sanctuary: ฿2500/ person for half day visit with pick and drop
https://www.green-elephantsanctuarypark.com/en/
Chiang Mai Night Safari: Get close with wild animals in an enclosed tram ride at night. Take a look at a wide variety of over 1,400 large and small animals from 134 species.
Tiger World, Ratchaburi: Open since 2013, a zoo where visitors can pet the tame, hand-reared rescue tigers.
AlpacaHill is Thailand's first and only alpaca breeding farm started in 2012. You can feed, cuddle, and pat a wide variety of friendly animals including Alpacas, Wallabies, Flemish Giants, Rabbits and much more. Entry by booking https://www.alpacahill.com/en/admission/
Safari World: consists of two parks named Marine Park and Safari Park, operated by Safari World Public Limited. The park was opened in 1988 with a total area of 480 acres for its open zoo and 180 acres for its bird park.
Khao Kheow Open Zoo: is a large zoological park located in Chonburi Province, Thailand. It covers an area of over 2,000 acres and houses more than 7,000 animals of over 200 species.
https://khaokheow.zoothailand.org/
In Eld’s Deer Park visitors can take a car and drive through, or take the Auto Tram to enjoy the park; you may feed the deer also. African Savanna to visit African animals like giraffes, zebras, ostriches, rhinoceros, springboks, oryxs, impalas, bestbok. Lemur land to visit and feed ring - tailed lemur closely on weekend and holiday only. Cats complex for wild animals.
Tiger Kingdom - Phuket: If you want to touch the tiger like a dog, come to the Tiger Kingdom Phuket, a zoo and a restaurant featuring close interaction with tigers in caged enclosures. The primary residents here are Sumatra tigers and Cheetahs. Visitors can choose the type or animal sizes to interact with, such as small, medium, large and giant. https://www.tigerkingdom.com/phuket
Dolphinarium Pattaya: Marine life entertainment complex with shows, swimming & up-close encounters with seals and dolphins.
Sea Life Bangkok Ocean Park (It is the largest aquarium in Southeast Asia, and therefore, it attracts a lot of tourist attraction. Covering almost 10000 square meters, this mammoth of an aquarium hosts more than 500 different species of aquatic life in 5,000,000 liters of ocean water.)
Bai Orchid and Butterfly Farm: is a small family owned farm dedicated to the preservation of rare orchids and butterflies, and is home to more than 130 species of orchids, as well as a variety of other flowers, plants, and butterflies. 07:30am-05:00pm | Entry ฿40 | spend 1hr
Chiang Mai Zoo and Aquarium: It is the largest zoo in Thailand and the second oldest zoo in the country. The Chiang Mai Zoo & Aquarium is home to over 400 species of animals, including tigers, lions, orangutans, monkeys, giant panda, koala, elephants, and more. The zoo also houses an aquarium, a botanical garden, a butterfly garden, and a children's zoo. | https://chiangmai.zoothailand.org/en/ Zoo entry ฿150, Panda visit ฿100, Penguins ฿250, Aqarium ฿450, Bus ฿60

Farms to visit in Thailand

Farm Chokchai: Huge farm with flower garden, souvenir shop, burger & steak restaurant, farm animals, cowboy show. Can spend 2-3 hours. Either drive by paying ฿80 per vehicle and entry fee ฿80/ adult or get 2hrs farm tour, first 45min go through cow breeding, milking and bottling stations shifting via tractor tram. Cows, sheep, goat, pony, rabbits, elephant feeding stations there ฿100/food basket. (zoo & museum also there, but not good)
The Scenery Vintage Farm: There are mountain goats, sheep, dwarf horses, mini piglets, ducks which you can feed. The tickets will entitle you to 1 portion of free grass and drinks discounts. There is also a sheep dog show. Don't miss their cafe which has a beautiful garden and water roof. https://sceneryvintagefarm.com/
Inthanon Hydrangea Field - Khun Thong Dee Garden: The roads are bit bumpy steep gravel road with potholes bouncing around 4 km. Ask for pickup from farm, for 350/vehicle - some are open roof. There is an entrance fee of 50/person, village maintenance fee of 20/person. if you want a basket to take a photo, 20/bag.
Aunty Nok Aeang Flower Farm: Each zone have different flowers. Entry ฿50
I love flower farm
I love flower farm: Well maintained flower farm in Chiang Mai. You can also hire photographers; dress to take nice photo shoot
Entry ฿100 includes herbal ice tea and thai sweet
Kuv Niam Hydenyia: It features a hydrangea field over three rai (0.48 hectares), surrounded by mountains and a sea of mist in the morning. It is about a 40-miniute drive from Chiang Mai downtown and it provides shuttle bus services for tourists from downtown.
Sixflowers Garden: This garden features long strips of celosia flowers in bright colours of yellow, red, orange, pink, green and purple. Entry ฿60
Yingyong Flower Garden ยิ่งยงสวนดอกไม้: The garden features red salvia flowers, they also have purple and white salvia flowers.
Ang Khang Royal Agricultural Station: Fully blooming flowers all around. Specially in winter time. There are so many types of garden from fruits, flowers to tea (cherry and plum blossom in Jan). The high season is on Dec-Mar. Entry ฿50
Thanathon Orchard: Dont forget to buy some banana chips (only 10 bht) and some fresh orange juice. Entry FREE, ฿40 for tram pick

National parks in Thailand

are defined as an area that contains natural resources of ecological importance or unique beauty. As of 2019 Thailand's protected areas included 156 national parks, 58 wildlife sanctuaries, 67 non-hunting areas, and 120 forest parks.

For spectacular coastal landscapes and iconic limestone formations head to Ao Phang Nga National Park. For the misty mountains, pick Doi Inthanon(Doi Intanon Mountain is Thailand’s highest at 2,565 meters). For dreamy waterfalls – Erawan National Park. For the best wildlife watching, spend a couple of days in Khao Yai. And to get off the beaten path, journey to Thi Lo Su waterfall in Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary.

Price structure:
Category 4: covers Mu Koh Similan National Park and Mu Koh Surin National Park in PHANG-NGA.
Foreign adults – 500 baht

Category 3: comprises nine parks including Kaeng Krachan in PHETCHABURI, Doi Inthanon in CHIANG MAI, Sai Yok in KANCHANABURI, Than Bok Khorani in KRABI, and Ao Phang Nga National Park in PHANG-NGA.
Foreign adults – 300 baht

Category 2: covers 55 national parks including Khao Yai in Nakhon Ratchasima, Kui Buri in PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN, Khao Khitchakut in CHANTHABURI, Khao Phra Wihan in SI SA KET, and Khao Sok National Park in SURAT THANI.
Foreign adults – 200 baht

Category 1: covers 67 national parks including Khao Kho in PHETCHABUN, Doi Suthep-Pui in CHIANG MAI, and Khao Lak-Lam Ru in PHANG-NGA.
Foreign adults – 100 baht
Ao Phang Nga National Park
Ao Phang Nga National Park: This large area of mangrove forest & coast with several small islands at Phang Nga Bay (Andaman Sea). Entry fee 300 Baht
Erawan National Park: The centerpiece of the park, the seven-tiered Erawan Falls, is a sight to behold.
Haew Narok Waterfall; Khao Yai National Park is among the best and the first national park in the country. Park covers more than 2,000 square kilometers of forest and grassland in central Thailand. Its many waterfalls include 150m-tall Haew Narok and 20m-tall Haew Suwat, immortalized in the Danny Boyle film 'The Beach'.

Wax museums in Thailand

Madame Tussauds, Bangkok: Madame Tussauds is popular around the world for a real wax museum.
Thai Human Imagery Museum, Nakhon Pathom: a wax museum since 1989 in Nakhon Pathom Province, Thailand with fiberglass sculptures depicting famous figures in Thai history and culture.
Louis Tussaud's Waxworks, Pattaya: Louis Tussaud was the great grandson of Marie Tussaud who started the Madame Tussauds wax museums.
https://www.renown-travel.com/daytripspattaya/louistussauds.html

Shooting Ranges

Phuket Shooting Range
Phuket Shooting Range: Rifle 10 bullets ฿890, Automatic pistol 10 bullets 1180 http://phuketshooting.com/
Territorial Defense Shooting Range: https://shootingtdsr.com/
Entry ฿100. They have Glock 9mm, Colt .45, Revolver .38 and semi-auto CZ Scorpion.
Bangkok Shooting Range: https://bangkokshootingrange.com/

Festivals

Songkran Festival, Songkran Splendours, is the Thai New Year's national holiday. Songkran is on 13 April every year, but the holiday period extends to 15 April. The idea behind splashing during Songkran water festival is to cleanse one another of bad things as we enter the new year.
Chiang Mai Flower Festival, three days on the first weekend of February
During Loy Krathong, locals will gather around lakes, rivers and canals to release beautiful lotus-shaped rafts that are decorated with candles, incense and flowers. The word 'krathong' refers to a small vessel or basket and 'loy' means to float.
Yee Peng is a festival about floating lanterns into the sky. Both celebrated on the full moon of the twelfth month of the Thai lunar calendar for the most part in November.

Bo Sang Umbrella Festival is held for three days during the third weekend of January, commencing on Friday morning and continuing through until Sunday evening.


Currency: Thai Baht THB ฿. It is divided into 100 satang



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