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Chinatown
The area dominated by the Warorot and Ton Lam Yai markets doubles as the citys small Chinatown, marked by a flamboyant Chinese welcome gate across Th Chang Moi. Dotted around the bazaar area are several small Confucian temples, a handful of Chinese apothecaries and lots of Chinese
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Sao Ching
This spindly red arch – a symbol of Bangkok – formerly hosted a Brahman festival in honour of Shiva, in which participants would swing in ever higher arcs in an effort to reach a bag of gold suspended from a 15m-high bamboo pole. Whoever grabbed the gold could keep it, but that was
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Phra Ram Ratchaniwet
An incredible art nouveau creation, construction of this elegant summer palace began in 1910 at the behest of Rama V (who died just after the project was started). It was designed by German architects, who used the opportunity to showcase contemporary design innovations; inside the
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Wat Bowonniwet
Founded in 1826, Wat Bowonniwet (known colloquially as Wat Bowon) is the national headquarters for the Thammayut monastic sect, a reformed version of Thai Buddhism. The rest of us should visit the temple for the noteworthy murals in its bòht (ordination hall), which include Thai de
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Golden Mount
Even if youre wát-ed out, you should tackle the brisk ascent to the Golden Mount. Serpentine steps wind through an artificial hill shaded by gnarled trees, some of which are signed in English, and past graves and pictures of wealthy benefactors. At the peak, youll find a breezy 360
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Ban Moken
Ban Moken on east Ko Surin Tai welcomes visitors. Post-tsunami, the Moken (from the Sea Gypsy ethnic group) have re-settled in this sheltered bay, where a major ancestral worship ceremony, Loi Reua takes place each April. The colourfully carved labong poles dotted around embody Mok
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Kaeng Tana National Park
Along the road to Khong Jiam you can cross the Pak Mun Dam to this park. After circling thickly forested Don Tana (Tana Island), linked to the mainland by two long suspension bridges, the Mun River roils through the parks beautiful namesake rapids and passes below some photogenic c
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Kuiburi National Park
Want to see herds of wild elephants enjoying an evening bath surrounded by jungle sounds? Although urbanised Thailand seems hundreds of kilometres away from such a natural state, Kuiburi National Park, southwest of Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, shelters one of the country’s large
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Chiang Mai Zoo
Chiang Mai Zoo is better than many zoos in the region when it comes to animal welfare, and the setting, sprawled across the forested slopes of Doi Suthep, is gorgeous. As well as animals from across the globe, including penguins in their own refrigerated ice-house, the zoo has seve
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Mae Sam Laep
The riverside trading village of Mae Sam Laep is nearly at the end of a 50km winding mountain road from Mae Sariang, within the boundaries of Salawin National Park. Populated by Burmese refugees, the town has a raw, border-town fee. The village acts as a launching point for boat t
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Doi Phu Kha National Park
This national park is centred on 2000m-high Doi Phu Kha, the province’s highest peak, in Amphoe Pua and Amphoe Bo Kleua, about 75km northeast of Nan. There are several Htin, Mien, Hmong and Thai Lü villages in the park and vicinity, as well as a couple of caves and waterfalls, and
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Nan National Museum
Housed in the 1903 vintage palace of Nan’s last two feudal lords, this museum first opened its doors in 1973. In terms of collection and content, it’s one of the country’s better provincial museums, and has English labels for most items. It was closed for renovations when we were i
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Sathorn Unique Tower
Known colloquially as the Ghost Tower, as locals believe the plot of land it occupies to be a former cemetery, construction began on Sathorn Unique in 1990. In 1997, with an estimated 75% of the tower completed, the Asian crisis reached its peak, funds disappeared, and construction
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Phra Chudadhut Palace
This former royal palace was used by Rama V (King Chulalongkorn) over the summer months, but was abandoned when the French briefly occupied the island in 1893. The main throne hall – a magnificent golden teak structure known as Vimanmek Teak Mansion – was moved to Bangkok in 1910.
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Wat Ban Na Meuang
Wat Sa Prasan Suk, as its also known, stands out from other temples in many ways. Most famously, the bòht sits on a boat: a ceramic-encrusted replica of King Rama IXs royal barge Suphannahong, complete with crew. The wí·hăhn also has a boat-shaped base, this one resembling the seco
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Khao Luang National Park
Known for its beautiful mountain and forest walks, cool streams, waterfalls and orchards, Khao Luang National Park surrounds the 1835m peak of Khao Luang. A soaring mountain range covered in virgin forest and a habitat for a plethora of bird species, its a good spot for any budding
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Wat Nong Bua
The neat and tidy Thai Lü village of Nong Bua, near the town of Tha Wang Pha, approximately 30km north of Nan, is famous for the Lü-style Wat Nong Bua. Featuring a typical two-tiered roof and carved wooden portico, the wí·hăhn design is simple yet striking – note the carved naga he
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Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park
The park covers about 307 sq km of rugged mountains and forest, much of it covered by rocks and wildflowers. The elevation at park headquarters is about 1000m, so the area is refreshingly cool even in the hot season. The main attractions don’t tend to stray too far from the main ro
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Gem Market
Every weekend, the normally quiet streets near Th Si Chan (or Gem Road) burst into life as gem traders arrive to bustle and bargain. Incongruously humble considering the value of commodities on offer, people cluster around makeshift tables examining small piles of unset stones. Buy
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Wat U Mong Thera Jan
Not to be confused with the small Wat U Mong in the old city, this historic forest wát is famed for its sylvan setting in the forest, and its ancient chedi, which rises above a brick platform wormholed with passageways, built around 1380 for the mad monk Thera Jan. As you wander th
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