Nature - Encounter the sheer beauty of Thai nature
ECOTOURISM - EDUCATION AND EXCITEMENT
Leave all your luxurious vehicles behind, climb up on the back of an elephant, and ride through the forests, enjoying the magnificence of these creatures. Relax as they move through the undergrowth and provide you with a new perspective of the surrounding landscape. Marvel at the bond that exists between animals and mahouts as the elephants respond to their masters' commands. A variety of activities and destinations are waiting for those who seek environmentally-friendly recreation and insights into indigenous peoples, diverse cultures, and rich nature.
Visitors can stay overnight in homestay accommodation with different ethnic groups, such as the Hmong, Akha, Karen, and Lisu groups in the north of the country. This exposes guests to the traditional everyday skills of these people, for example, weaving and rice planting, and also allows them to participate in the spiritual aspect of community life, such as celebrations of the New Rice Ceremony and the Swing Ceremony.
Let yourself feel in harmony with nature as you drift gently on a bamboo raft along a peaceful stretch of river. Stay on board overnight, with kerosene lamps providing a magical and unfor-gettable atmosphere, and ap-preciate and absorb some of the natural heritage of Thailand.
After this, visitors can relax and enjoy the taste of a fine grade of Oolong tea from High Mountain at Doi Mae Salong, Chiang Rai province. Here, you not only savor the flavors, but also trace the origins, observe, and even join in harvesting the tea leaves on the plantation.
Another intriguing natural activity is bird-watching in the heart of the jungle of Khao Yai National Park. This is a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site, with an amazing number of birds, both rare and common, such as hornbill, cuckoo, pheasant and blue pitta. As well as a paradise for bird-watchers, there are opportunities for sightings of various forms of other wildlife.
If you are seeking out more physically deman-ding activities, then sea-kayaking, rock-climbing, and abseiling are challenging adventures that have no detrimental effect on the environment. Seakayaking in Khao Sok National Park, Surat Thani province, is possible, even if you've never paddled before. During the kayaking trips you experience the team spirit as you work with other members of the group, and you are able to enjoy a completely new perspective of the environment and its creatures. Rock-climbing at Rai Le Beach, Krabi province, and abseiling at Than Rattana Waterfall, Nakhon Nayok province, are other examples of demanding physical activities for those who like to be challenged physically and mentally.
WILDLIFE AND CONSERVATION
For those who wish to watch and learn more about wildlife, especially almost extinct animals, then Chiang Dao National Park, and the wildlife sanctuaries at Umphang, Thung Yai Naresuan, and Huai Kha Khaeng are necessary attractions. Thung Yai Naresuan and Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries have been declared UNESCO World Natural Heritage sites and their areas form the largest protected wildlife location in Southeast Asia. You can discover numerous types of wildlife such as barking deer, banteng, chipmunks, goral, guar, langurs, porcupines, and many kinds of birds. Moreover, Thung Yai Forest acts as a major source of clean and clear air for the surrounding region.
SERENE AND SCENIC NATURAL PARADISES
The country is full of wonderful natural paradises. The north is an ideal destination, having a cool climate and magnificent mountain ranges, such as Doi Luang Chiang Dao and Phu Chee Fah. With determination and effort, you can conquer the highest point in Thailand, Doi Inthanon in Chiang Mai province, and be greeted by the ultimate prize of an ocean of mist punctured by emerging peaks. In Chiang Rai, the beauty of Phu Chi Fa is exquisite, full of colorful flowering shrubs and breathtaking views of spectacular mountains. Phu Kradueng, located in Loei province in the region of Isan, is a sandstone mountain with a dramatic assortment of plants. After a lengthy journey to the top of the moun tain, you can find an expansive mesa where you can pitch your tent, become immersed in the natural setting, and recover your energy in preparation for the views at first light at sunrise and the possibility of an eerie thick blanket of early morning fog.
The southern regions of the country have a large number of scenic islands and magnificent marine environments, many forming worldrenowned tourist attractions. Phi Phi Islands in Krabi province are one of the world's most beautiful collection of islands, with spectacular cliffs rising vertically from clear seas and beautiful lagoons enclosed by rock walls. Phi Phi Don boasts picturesque beaches with clear greenishblue seawater and multicolored underwater scenery. Phi Phi Le has staggering cliffs, huge rocks, and the prominent Viking Cave. Here, visitors can be taken back in time by witnessing stories of old through ancient wall drawings.
To jolt you back to the present, explore the stunning mountain scenery and idyllic islands of Phang-nga Bay. You can relish every minute as you cruise through the astonishing landscape of over 100 islands that make up this area. You can even discover James Bond's Phing Kan Island where The Man With the Golden Gun was filmed.
UNDERWATER WORLDS AND MARINE NATIONAL PARKS
People have called Thailand the tropical paradise of diving or divers' heaven. You'll find more marine life and more variety than anywhere else in the world. Ko Tao, the Similan Island, Surin Island, Lanta Island, and Chang Island are some of beautiful dive sites that can be found in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. The Similan Archipelago in Phang-nga province is rated as one of the world's top 10 dive sites, bringing you the wonders of another world waiting beneath the surface of the clear blue sea - reefs, brightly colored fish, and corals.
Visitors are able to dive and observe manta rays and whale sharks at Ko Bon and Ko Tachai in Phang-nga province. At Ko Tao in Surat Thani province - the most stunning dive site in the Gulf of Thailand - you may catch glimpses of rare species of spotted rays, giant trigger fish, and harmless whale sharks. Can you imagine diving and swimming near a whale shark?
There are a number of unforgettable marine national parks. Adang-Rawi in Satun province is a group of islands with sparkling clear blue water, superb coral reefs, and scores of multi-colored fish. Muko Ang Thong Marine National Park in Surat Thani province is an ideal place for snorkeling and scuba-diving to discover beautiful coral and a large number of marine creatures. Here, there are also opportunities to explore the forests and have a picnic on the beach as you recover from your aquatic exertions. In the east of the country, in Trat province, Muko Chang Marine National Park offers you the chance to dive and observe the variety of marine life and colorful corals, or throw in a line and idle away your time.
Whatever you desire, whether it's the education and excitement of ecotourism, the fascination of the wildlife and conservation, the attractions of the natural paradises, or the mysteries and magnificence of the marine worlds, you can find it in all its forms and varieties throughout the country of Thailand.
