Joanna James
With its islands, ancient ruins and technological marvels, Thailand has enough to satisfy every traveler who visits the country. But with so many of them, it can be difficult to choose the best!
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this park has a deep history attached to it. The second capital of the country for close to 500 years, Ayutthaya bore the brunt of an attack by the Burmese who tore much of the city down. Most of the remaining structures were hidden underground for centuries. In the more recent years, these ruins have been excavated and the area has been turned into an archaeological park. One can simply stroll amongst the ruins and explore the striking structures from the years long gone. The Ayutthaya Historical Park is only an hour's drive from Bangkok which makes it excellent for a one day trip away from the city.
A massive 218000m2 city that is completely walled off, it consists of royal living quarters, temples and stunning works of art. One can also find statues of previous kings. The city is home to many dramatic buildings but the Royal Monastery of the Emerald Buddha is probably the most eye catching of them all. It is important to dress in an appropriate manner when visiting the Grand Palace as it is an important place of worship for Buddhists. Ladies must ensure the shoulders are covered while men must refrain from sleeveless attires. The entry fee is 400 THB for a single individual.
Chiang Mai is famed for a multitude of reasons but none of them entice travelers from all the nooks and crannies of the world as its buzzing shopping culture. While most night markets open every night, the Sunday Night Walking Street opens only on Sundays and is by far the largest market in the city. Popular among those looking for a discount on goods, the 1km stretch sells more art and handmade products than the usual night markets. It is also easy to find plenty of musicians and other street entertainers proving entertainment for the throngs of crowds. The night market goes on till midnight and is in close proximity to most hotels in Chiang Mai such as Anantara Chiang Mai Resort.
The Elephant Nature Park is quite a unique experience for anyone. A rehabilitation center for old as well as injured elephants, it is home to a herd of thirty elephants that freely roam the park and interact with the guests. Visitors will get the opportunity to learn about how Elephants are exploited in the logging sector and how they are subjected to abuse in the name of street performing. They are also able to understand how they behave in their natural surroundings and get the opportunity to feed them and bathe them. The revenue generated from the ticket sales go towards caring for the elephants and providing food (1 elephant requires hundred pounds).
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a pas...
