Take a daytrip to Samut Songkhram

Samut Songkhram is commonly known as Mae Klong and is a large market town on the outskirts of Pattaya. Although geographically the smallest of all the Thai provinces, Samut Songkhram has a lot to offer the independent traveler who has a strong sense of adventure and curiosity.

The area was turned into a province during the reign of King Taksin and was the birth place of Queen Amarindra, wife of King Rama I. The area is also famous for a more unusual reason; Chang and Eng Bunker, the first ever recorded Siamese twins were born in the province.
Within easy travelling distance of the mighty metropolis of Bangkok, Samut Songkhram is a good place to get a real feel for the Thai way of life and the people. This is where you will find genuine smiles, warm welcomes as well as sights, sounds and smells that you can’t quite find on the usual tourist trail.

The area’s markets are extremely lively and good places to meet people and find out the local gossip. Most markets work under a bartering system, so don’t forget to try to negotiate a price on the latest counterfeit Levis or watches. The markets are also good places to get a cheap, tasty meal.
Samut Songkhram is situated at the mouth of the Mae Klong River. There is a widespread network of canals, which can easily be explored by boat or by hiring a bicycle and following the footpaths along the canal banks.
There are many interesting attractions in the area. Many people visit on a day trip from Bangkok in order to see Doi Hot Lot, which is a bank of fossilized shells.

Another point of interest is the huge Wat Phet Samut Worawihan, which contains a large Buddha image know as Luang Wat Ban Laem.
Not to be missed is Wat Satthatham. This beautiful golden teak temple is decorated with mother-of-pearly inlay costing an incredible 60 million baht.

A great place to relax and find some shade in the heat of the day, the King Buddhalertla Napalai Memorial Park is dedicated to the memory of King Rama II.

Explore Phetchaburi

Located in the central region of Thailand, Phetchaburi Province can be found approximately 160 kilometers south of Bangkok. This is an area of rich historical and archeological interest as well as surrounding nature such as caves, waterfalls and beautiful sandy beaches. Phetchaburi, also known as Phetburi, is the capital of the Phetchaburi Province. This old royal city dates back to the Mon period of the 8th century. The style of the buildings in the city and surrounding area can be seen to reflect the style of the ancient Mon people, the Khmers and also the traditional Thai style.

Phetchaburi province is well known for its large number of beautiful caves. Particularly of interest are the Khao Luang caves, which are located 5 kilometers north of the capital city. There are several Buddha statues inside the caves including a magnificent large reclining Buddha statue.

The area is also well known for the mysterious cave of Khao Wang and the Phra Nakhon Kriri Historical Park, which includes King Mongkut’s Palace. A great way to explore the Historical Park and to conserve energy is to make use of the quaint tram which circuits the large park area.

Phra Ratchawang Ban Peun is an interesting temple located 1 kilometre south of the city inside a military base, whilst the local night market is a great place to get a good meal and do some shopping.

Many people stop off in the province in order to visit the beautiful beach resort of Cha-am, with its sparkling sea and inviting golden sand, just a 40 minute bus ride from the city of Petchaburi. Cha-am is very popular on the weekends and during holidays, but visitors will find that it can be very peaceful during the week.

Another great day trip is the Kaeng Krachan National Park, which features the amazing Pa La-U waterfalls and with its lush jungles is a good place to go trekking and discover some of the area’s rich flora and fauna.

Take the time to explore Trat

Trat is a small province to the very east of Thailand near the Cambodian border and can be reached in just a couple of hours from Pattaya. Many travellers stop in the province capital town of Trat on their way to one of the surrounding islands and beaches. Indeed, Trat Province contains over fifty islands of various sizes and popularity, all of them featuring long, white sandy beaches and amazingly colourful coral.

There are regular buses to Trat from many parts of Thailand, and a direct journey from Bangkok should take 5-6 hours.

Particularly of interest to visitors is the immensely beautiful island of Ko Chang, part of the Mu Chang Marine National Park and the smaller but no less attractive Ko Kood. There are both regular ferry and speedboat services to the surrounding islands, and both Ko Chang and Ko Kood can be reached in an hour or less.

The smaller and less visited islands of Ko Kham, Ko Mak and Ko Phi can also be found in Trat Province. These islands are all exceptionally beautiful, although somewhat less developed, and make a good option for those who want to slow down a pace or two and simply relax on the beach.

But the town of Trat itself, although often neglected by travellers, has many interesting features and is definitely worth a second look. Trat is most famous for its gemstone mining and trading, and many a good bargain can be picked up at one of the town’s gem stores. There are also some excellent restaurants in the town, serving fresh seafood expertly cooked in a range of Thai and Western styles.

Trat’s vibrant night market is a good place to pick up a bargain and get a good, cheap meal cooked in the local style, and whilst in the town you can pay a visit to the pretty temple of Wat Plai Khlong.

check out Nakhon Nayak

Welcome to Nakhon Nayok Province, an ancient site of the Dvaravati civilisation, which dates back more than 900 years. The province capital, Nakhon Nayok town was originally established as an eastern fort town of Ayutthaya during the reign of King U Thong and is located 106 kilometres from Bangkok.

There is a lot in Nakhon Nayak for lovers of nature to see and explore. The northern part of the province is situated amongst the colossal Dong Phaya Yen mountain range, and most of that area is covered by the lush green jungle of the spectacularly beautiful Khao Yai National Park.

In the central part of the province you will find the flowing waters of the Nakhon Nayok River. There are many opportunities to hire various kinds of boats around the area as this river is perfect for kayaking and canoeing. You can take out kayaks and canoes for the entire day and use your craft to explore the narrow tributaries at Khlong Wang Takhrai, which lead through a vast coffee plantation.

A short bus ride away from town is the Wang Takhrai Botanical Garden and the popular Wang Takhrai waterfall. There are also many other waterfalls to discover in the province such as Nam Tok Nang Rong, the nine-tiered Sarika waterfall and also the stunning Lan Rak waterfall. Another beautiful waterfall is Nam Tok Heo Narok, where the water cascades from a 200 metre cliff.

For those interested in the rich history of the area, a visit to the Dong Lakhon Ancient City should be high on the agenda. Located 9 kilometres south of the town, this is an ancient town of the Dvaravati period (about 6th-13th centuries). Don’t forget to pay a visit to the local museum to discover more about the area’s interesting past and to see well labelled displays of ancient Buddha images.

Worth looking out for are the long awaited Nakhon Nayok Canoe Races, which commence at the Wang Takhrai Canal Bridge in Tambon Sarika and end in the Nakhon Nayok River near the provincial capital, a distance of 5 kilometres. The races take place at various times throughout the year and tourists are welcome to join in the fun and try to beat the local contestants.

All around Rayong Province

Rayong is a pretty province which contains a whole host of interesting islands and beaches where you can escape the frantic pace of the city and unwind while catching the sun and dining on delicious seafood as you watch the sun set. The province contains over 100 kilometres of coastline to explore and is easily reachable in just a few hours by bus from Bangkok’s Ekamai bus terminal.

There are many popular tourist destinations in the province, including Ko Samet, Ko Mun and Ko Kodi. All of these islands feature stretches of golden sand, beach bars and a variety of western and Thai food.

Naturally, snorkeling and scuba diving are major activities in this province, whilst many people like to go on a boat tour of the islands. Other smaller sun kissed islands which are just waiting to be explored include Ko Man Klang, Ko Man Nok and the often overlooked Ko Man Nai.

While in the area, pay a visit to the Khao Chamao/Khao Wong National Park. Here you will find several pretty waterfalls where you can swim amongst the fish, as well as seeing tigers, wild elephants and bears.

Nearby is the Rayong Turtle Conservation Centre, which cares for the area’s endangered sea turtles with a view to releasing them back into the wild. You can learn more about the now rare and beautiful turtles at the visitors’ centre, which contains pictures of the turtles and shells from their eggs.

Suan Son ‘Pine Park’ is situated just 5 kilometers from the pretty port of Ban Phe. This is a great place to spend a couple of hours walking when you need a break from the beach. Incidentally, Ban Phe is the port from which to catch the ferry to the large and beautiful island of Ko Samet.

11 kilometers east at Suan Wang Keaw you will find yet more sandy beaches and the island of Ko Thalu, which is particularly good for diving as the waters are home to some pretty colourful coral and shoals of exotic fish. This is also a great place to hang out if you happen to arrive on the weekend and want to avoid the crowds that tend to congregate on many of the other islands and beaches at the end of the working week.

Explore Elephant Island

Located in Trat Province on the east cost, Ko Chang is the second largest island in Thailand. 310 kilometers from Bangkok, the island is easily reachable by a combined bus and ferry journey and makes an excellent stop on the way to Cambodia. The island is extremely popular with both international visitors and Thais and receives around 655,000 visitors annually.

The name Koh Chang means Elephant Island in Thai and people interested in the island’s elephants should visit the Ban Kwan Elephant Camp or Ban Khlong Son Elephant Camp, where you can interact with the animals and go elephant trekking through the jungle. Animal lovers can also volunteer at the Koh Chang Animal Foundation.

With its many mountains, sparkling waterfalls and rainforest, Ko Chang is an island of intense natural beauty and is part of the Mu Ko Chang Marine National Park, which comprises a total of 52 islands.

There are many beautiful beaches where visitors can chill out and catch some rays or play in the water. Most of the beaches are located along the west cost of the island. Check out Lonely Beach, Hat Kaibae, Hat Klong Makok and Hat Kai Mook for beautiful stretches of sun lined with palm trees and beach bars. Generally, the further south you head the more secluded the beach, and there are some virtually untouched beaches at the very bottom of the island. A good example is Hat Wai Chek, which is unreachable by road, making this the perfect trekking destination.

This is a great area for snorkeling and scuba diving as the coral is beautiful and the water clear. There are lots of small islands to explore such as Ko Kut, Ko Mak, Ko Wai and Ko Kham and basic accommodation is available on most if you decide to stay for a day or two.

Ko Chang also offers plenty of opportunities for self improvement. The Koh Chang Cookery School is a good place to learn to create all the delicious food you’ll have been sampling. You can study the Japanese art of reiki healing at Jungle Way, whilst yoga and healing classes are available at Baan Zen.

But Ko Chang is also the perfect place to be lazy for a few days. There are excellent bars, restaurants and spas all around the island, so just put up your feet and relax for a while.

Explore Chonburi Province

Chonburi is a province full of beautiful sandy beaches, enchanting tropical islands, abundant natural resources and delicious fresh seafood. This is a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the busy city for a while and relax on the beach. The capital town of Chonburi is the nearest seaside town to Bangkok. Located on the eastern coast of the Gulf of Thailand, Chonburi is just 80 kilometres from Bangkok and very popular with residents of Bangkok on weekends and holidays.

Chonburi province contains many places of interest for visitors. Particularly well known throughout the world is the seaside town of Pattaya, while the town Si Racha is famous throughout Thailand for its spicy chilli sauce.

Particularly of interest in the area is the picturesque island of Ko Si Chang, which was made popular when King Rama IV, Rama V and Rama VI visited the island for some much deserved rest and relaxation. King Rama V initiated the construction the first palace for royal home-stay in the summer, and the idea proved popular with subsequent rulers and people of note.

There are many beautiful beaches and other places of interest on Ko Si Chang. The meditation caves at the Tham Yai Phrik Vipassana Monastery are a good place to get in touch with nature while learning the art of meditation.

There are plenty of great places on the island to swim, such as the picturesque Hat Tham Phang (Fallen Cave Beach), Hat Sai Kaew and Hat Tha Wang Palace, which is a great picnic spot.

The San Jao Phaw Khao Yai Chinese Temple is located high on a cliff top overlooking the sea and offers spectacular views over the ocean, and the limestone cave of Tham Saowapha is definitely worth a visit, although don’t forget to take a torch.

There are a number of small islands located around Ko Si Chang such as Ko Khaam Noi, Ko Ran Dok Mai and Ko Prong. A good way to explore them is to rent a sea kayak, go scuba diving or go on a snorkeling trip to the nearby Ko Khaang Khaow (Bat Island).
Ko Si Chang is a great place to sample the abundant local seafood, and what could be better than eating fresh barbecued seafood on the beach whilst you drink and cold beer and watch the sun slowly set.

The ancient city of Ayutthaya

Just one hour from Pattaya, the ancient city of Ayutthaya is a key destination for anyone interested in history, culture and architecture. This former capital of Thailand is steeped in history and is a great place to spend a couple of days.

Formerly known as Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, the city was founded by King U-Thong in 1350 and kept its status as the nation’s capital until it was sacked by the Burmese in 1767. Ayutthaya was once one of the richest cities in Asia by the 1600s, as its vast array of temples still testifies.

Most visitors come to explore The Ayutthaya historical park, which contains most of the magnificent ruins of the ancient city and was declared a UNESCO World heritage site in 1981. Over 400 hundred temples were originally built in Ayutthaya, and the fact that they were built by various rules means that they comprise an interesting range of designs and styles.

Many of the temples from Ayutthaya’s glory period still exist today, although in various states of preservation. Wat Mahathat is by far Ayutthaya’s most photographed temple, made famous by the head of a large Buddha statue which has become entangled in the roots of a giant banyan tree.

Other temples of note include Wat Lokayasutharam (also known as the temple of the Reclining Buddha), Wat Chaiwatthanaram, Wat Mongkhon Bophit and Wat Naphrameru.

Ayutthaya’s temples cover an area of several kilometres, and many people choose to explore the area by hiring a bicycle or a tuk-tuk for the day. You can learn more about Ayutthaya’s rich and interesting history at the Chantharakasem National Museum.

But there is much more to Ayutthaya than simply temples. The Ayutthaya Elephant Camp provides visitors with the perfect opportunity to find out more about these mighty beasts and rides can be arranged around the scenic area.

Splash around in Pattaya

For those who are travelling with children, or adults who just want to beat the heat, splashing around in Pattaya Water Park is a great way to cool down on a sunny day. Featuring thrilling waterslides, whirlpools and a private beach, this is one only water park in the area and a great place to relax and unwind for a while.

Pattaya Water Park is situated at Jomtien and features enormous sliders and am observation tower housing a revolving restaurant. This is a great place get gain a new perspective of the city as those who climb to the top of this giant structure will be treated to a panoramic view of the whole of Pattaya, neon sign and all.

Pattaya Water Park has a large number of attractions and is specially arranged in order to cater for to the various interests of different kinds of tourists. This is an ideal place to take the kids to enjoy their holidays in Thailand.

In addition to the water-based attractions, there are also a number of other rides such as a Ferris wheel, dodgems and a carousel. All of these attractions cost extra, although they are still reasonably priced compared to what families would expect to pay in Western country.

Pattaya Water Park is located at 345 Jomtien Beach, Pattaya City, Cholburi 20150 Thailand. For more information, call +66 038 251201-8 or +66 038 364110-20 or send an email to reservation@pattayapark.com

Going for speed on the go-karting track

Those who feel the need for speed can head on over to the Pattaya Kart Speedway, which is the oldest and most established go-kart racing circuit in Pattaya. Visitors get the chance to live out fantasies of being a racing driver on this 800-meter asphalt track in a 4-stroke engine car.

Not for the faint of heart, negotiating the angles of the track is an exciting experience and visitors have the choice of either driving alone or with one other person in the car. Groups of friends can also race together, which adds to the fun of this electric experience.
Pattaya Kart Speedway also offers an Off-Road Track, where racers can hurtle along a dirt track in either an off-road kart or on the back of a motorbike.

Information:
Pattaya Kart Speedway can be found at 248/2 Moo 12 Soi Thepprasit, Nongprue, Banglamung
Karts cost 500 baht per race and driving time is around 20 minutes, although special rates are also available for parties.
To book, call +66 1938-0982 or email info@karting-parts.com