Thailand - The Land of Smiles
Thailand, or the ‘land of smiles‘, is one of the most exotic places to visit for tourists on the face of the planet. Thailand will definitely be in the list of ‘10 places to visit before I die’ for many. Why is Thailand so popular and one of the most visited countries in the world? There is more than one reason for that.
Not for nothing do they call Thailand the ‘land of smiles‘. There is a good reason why the country has by christened by that name. Thai’s are one of those who are known for their hospitality and well mannered behavior. These people are very good at heart and make sure that all the people who visit their country have the best time of their life. This is a very good reason to visit Thailand but there are more in the list of ‘why you should visit Thailand’.
The rich culture and history that Thailand flaunts is another factor that makes it traveled by number of people every year. There are numerous temples beholding some unique history within them. The Grand Palace and the temple of Emerald Buddha in Bangkok are worth a visit. From there, weather you travel North to the Chiang Mai or South towards Phuket, you will come across temples with distinct history that teaches various aspects of Thai culture. Ayutthaya ruins is another major tourist spot and is UNESCO’s world heritage spot. However there are more than temples and ruins in Thailand to visit.
Mountainous rainforest of the north thrills many. If you are interested in trekking Jungles and looking for some real adventure, you can get it in Chiang Mai. You will also have the privilege to visit small but beautiful Thai villages with people who may go out of their way to make your Thailand experience a one to remember. If you are looking for some serenity, you better head towards South. Southern Thailand offers you some of the most pristine beaches you will ever come across in the East. Koh Phi Phi is one of the most popular beaches in Thailand. This is the same beach that has been portrayed in the Di Caprio starring movie, The Beach.
Shopping is another reason why people would visit Thailand. Bangkok is becoming shoppers stop for many around the world. There are gigantic shopping malls all around the city with some great prices that they offer for their products. Siam, Paragon and Central World are the names of the biggest shopping malls in Bangkok, if you want to do some branded shopping. Having been done with the malls, do not forget to miss out the weekend Chatuchak market, which is the biggest open market in the world with more than 15,000 stalls and hundreds of thousands of people visiting the market.
All these factors attract visitors from all around the world and there is no wonder that Thailand is such a ‘must visit’ place. Everyone should visit Thailand at least once in their lifetime.
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Yukorn Chanmanee - http://www.thailandinfomation.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yukorn_Chanmanee |
Koh Phi Phi
● Travel to the Phi Phi Islands
Koh Phi Phi can be reached by boat either from Krabi or Phuket.
The boat leaves for Koh Phi Phi daily. Boat tickets are available
at the pier or from travel agents in the town. It takes about 2 hours
and a half for the journey. Regular boats from Ao Nang to Koh Phi Phi are also
An archipelago of six islands consists of Koh Phi Phi Don and Koh Phi Phi Le as
the major islands. The superb scenery of the islands includes high hills with jutting cliffs
surrounded by marvelous beaches and emerald sea, hiding underneath
a bank of coral reefs and colorful marine life. Places to visit of Mu Koh Phi Phi include
Koh Phi Phi Don
covers a total area of 28 square kilometers : 8 kilometers in length and 3.5
at its broadest point. At the north end is Cape Laem Thong, where there is a Chao Ley,
or sea gipsy village. These sea gypsies emigrated from Koh Lipeh in Tarutao National Park,
near the border with Malaysia. Diving at Laem Thong is excellent,
as it is also at Hua Rah Ket to the extreme south. There are long beaches with rocks
scattered about. Two curving bays are especially beautiful : Ton Sai and Loh Dalam.
This is also where accommodations and tourist services are found. Unfortunately this
area has become a party place with lots of bars playing music until the early morning hours.
For a quieter vacation it is advised to go to the other beaches which only
can be reached by longtail boat or a jungle walk over the hills
Koh Phi Phi Le
is 6.6 square kilometers in total area : 3 kilometers in length and 1 at its broadest point.
The island is entirely limestone and steep cliffs rising from the sea very nearly ring it.
Surrounding waters average about 20 meters in depth, reaching 34 meters at
the deepest point off the island’s southern tip. Phi Phi Ley has several beautiful bays : Pileh,
Maya and Loh Samah ; Ao Pileh is very nearly enclosed by the limestone walls of the island’s cliffs,
so that the water appears almost to be an island sea. On Phi Phi Ley’s northeast is
the famous Viking Cave; this was renamed by H.M.Rama IX when he visited it in 1972,
Tam Pya Nak, from the shape of a particular boulder, which resembles in shape
the head of the great serpent of Buddhist legend, the Naga.
It is a place much revered by the local people who come there to collect the swift’s nests used
to make Bird’s Nest Soup, a Chinese delicacy. On the eastern and southern walls of
the cave are colored drawings dating from historic times. There are pictures of elephants
and also of various boats : European, Arab and Chinese sailing ships ; baroques, motorboats,
and steamships. It is theorized that these pirates who paused in their travels from west to east,
sheltering in the cave to escape the monsoon winds, transfer cargo, or make repairs.
Travel to the Phi Phi Islands Tour operators in both Phuket and Krabi provide transport
and tour packages to this popular destination. Regular boat service is available
form Jao Fah pier in Krabi
Koh Phai
lies also to the north of Phi Phi Don, not far from Koh Yung. Sandy beaches
are on the north and east sides of the island. Broad coral reefs stretch away into the south
Koh Yung
lies to the north of Phi Phi Don. There is a rocky beach on the east side,
and a smaller strand of sand in a fold of the hill. Many beautiful and various corals are found there
