Tourist Attractions & Monuments Thailand

During the construction of the Hotel Erawan (adjoining the sanctuary and now the Grand Hyatt Erawan) in the early 1950s, there were a series of accidents on the construction site. Even the ship bringing the marble from Italy sank. The case was getting serious. Astrologers were consulted, without success. It was then that a Brahmin declared that the spirits of the place were unhappy with the disturbance and that an altar had to be built to Brahma (Thao Maha Phrom, in Thai), the Hindu god of creation. As soon as said, as soon as done. And construction could resume in serenity. Legend also has it that in the 1960s, the wife of a poor police general promised Thao Maha Phrom to dance naked in front of him if she won the lottery. She won. White cloths were put up around the altar, and the lady performed her vows. Every day the faithful lay garlands of flowers and incense sticks, and asked for their vows to be performed. Due to the success of this sanctuary, many large hotels and office buildings have built Brahmanic altars. In 2006, a ceremony presided over by Prime Minister Taksin took place to have the statue of Thao Maha Phrom returned to the centre of the shrine. 1,000 people had gathered for the occasion. On August 17, 2015, this place was the target of a terrorist, and 20 people died, including many Chinese tourists. This date has become an anniversary date and many people from all over Asia come to visit.

A short visit is required after having visited the Phimai Historical Park, as a complement.

The museum is the cultural heritage centre of the northeast of the country and displays objects found on site but also throughout southern Isaan. The collection includes: jewellery, ceramics, pottery, bronze statuettes, and beautiful carved lintels from the nearby ruins. The centrepiece of the collection is the stone statue of King Jayavarman VII of Angkor Thom that was found in Prang Bhramadhatta of Prasat Hin.

This small market, colorful and lively, is a must, located in front of the Tsunami Memorial Park. There are clothes, fresh produce, Thai food stalls, fresh juices, bars, restaurants... We wander nonchalantly between the different stands, we come here to eat, drink a beer and chat with other travellers in the evening. It's the great entertainment and the place of predilection of the fans of shopping of Khao Lak, everyone meets there. It is mainly frequented by families, the atmosphere is good-natured.

Located on top of a hill overlooking the city, this Burmese style temple founded in 1860 has two chedi, two viharn, and a statue of Buddha sitting on a pedestal, in the Mara position. There is nothing exceptional about the architecture, but the view over the valley is magnificent. Come there by motorbike or even on foot. No athletic performance is required: a half hour of quiet climbing from Wat Phra Non or Wat Muo Taw.

Located in the northeast of the city, this temple is located in the middle of a water retention basin. It was built in 1827 by Thao Suranari and her husband and received the prize for the most beautiful avant-garde religious building in 1973 from the Society of Architects of Siam. The prayer room evokes a Chinese junk in the middle of the waves (a little imagination, what the hell!). It houses a large white statue of Buddha standing upright. Near the entrance to the temple, do not miss the plaster statue of Thao Suranari, sitting and praying in front of a pond.

To enjoy a panoramic view of the valley and river, it is interesting to climb the hill that dominates the agglomeration. At the middle of the temples, at the level of the temples, the view already embraces the landscape and it only requires a quarter of an hour of effort. From the foot of the Buddha statue, you can see clearly the last meanders of the river that leads to mountain foothills before conquering in the plain.

In the heart of the historic park, in the old town. Plan and documentation for most paying.

An agency that has a very good contact and offers similar excursions to other agencies but with competent staff. Plus, the two-day trek and one night in the discovery of a Karen village. In the programme, 6 hour trek in the jungle, elephant dos, bamboo rafting, visit the Hell Fire Memorial and the bridge of the river Kwai with part by train, night in the village, traditional meals, song, dance, in brief. This looks like what is happening in the North, for those who don't have time to go to Chiang Mai. Don't look at prices on the Internet, you need to see directly on the spot to the Agency: prices are 3 times cheaper.

This beautiful royal temple is one of the most important Buddhist centres in the country. It consists of two important buildings. The viharn, surprisingly graceful in its proportions, is a very good example of the architecture of Rattanakosin's style. The Buddha statue, which comes from Wat Mahathat of Sukhothai and was brought back by Rama I, dates from the 13th century. The bot is especially interesting for its mural frescoes and especially those between the windows that represent the episodes of Buddha's life. In front of the temple is the large swing.

An exceptional panorama is available from the heights of the island. The climb takes place from the village of Ta Sai on the beach side of Loh Dalum. The path (the staircase, in fact) starts not far from the new reception office of Maya Tour (the itinerary is signposted), with 25 min of «intensive» ascent. The first view is at the top of a long house occupied by a Thai family that has since opened a restaurant. Since the viewpoint is located on private property, the right of passage must be fulfilled. Provide good shoes and water. It is by continuing the same path as you can access Relax Beach and Loh Bakao Bay, among others.

From the rocks in above, unobstructed on the beaches of Loh Dalam and Ta Sai, and the cliffs plunging into the sea opposite. The beauty of the site seems unreal. It is preferable to climb around 16 h 30 rather than at the moment of the setting (18 h) when the colored rock walls still receive sunlight.

A second point of view is 500 m from there, in the north, following a small path that flows through the trees, descending first and then moving towards the main ridge. Here, installed all the top, a guesthouse has been set up: a long house with a wooden terrace. You can spend the night there. On the edge of the slope, a tiny terrace offers a different panorama, by a ditch in the middle of the trees. A third is a step further, by entering the forest.

The road is called n°12 green road because it provides access to various natural parks and waterfalls, the occasion for a nice trip of one or two days around the city. It is possible to get a menu with detailed information from the Tourist Office plan your itinerary.

Opened in 2008, this history museum traces nearly 3 000 years of the history of Siam and therefore of Thailand by leading a course through the development of the Thai people and culture. Fun and intuitive course where visitors is brought to have doubts and find also in different rooms of the museum, especially on the history of the traditions and the origins of the people of southeast Asia, the interactions between the different regions and the different ethnic groups that make it. Informative.

Near where the three borders meet, a huge golden Buddha statue and elephant monument dominate the city and the Mekong River. The seated Buddha statue stands on a massive boat-shaped platform, adorned with colorful stained glass and gilding. The Buddha's full name is Phra Chiang Saen Si Phaendin, and it was built by a Sino-Thai foundation. It is an emblematic monument in the heart of the Golden Triangle. A few small shops can be found on the other side of the street.

A nice little Buddhist temple with pleasant architecture. This Wat contains one of the great attractions of the island: the mummy in perfect condition of a monk with an exemplary life, Loung Por Ruam. It was after his death that his students discovered with amazement that his body had not decomposed but remained mummified and thus remarkably well preserved. You can see him behind a glass cage wearing sunglasses, in a meditation position. The features are taut and you can even make out some rare hairs!

The temple is housed in a cavern accessible by a long red staircase, flanked by dragon (mangkon) carvings on either side, with 95 steps. The temple has a small museum displaying a variety of ancient objects found in the area. The temple's popularity, however, is due to a Buddhist nun who, from time to time, performs a plank in a deep pool, assuming various poses of contemplation. It's more carnival than meditation, but the Thais love it!

This site has been classified as a historical heritage site by UNESCO since 1991. The old fortifications mark the boundaries of the old town, established according to the same concept as Sukhothai. Most of the remains are located in this area, but some monuments are also 2 km from the city centre in an area called the Aranyik Area. It is necessary to pay the entry fee for each zone. The park extends into a vast wooded area where one can visit the ruins of several temples, often with only the brick terraces and several laterite Buddha statues, more or less damaged by the bad weather. Not to be missed is Wat Phra Kaew, the royal temple, the highlight of any visit to Kamphaeng Phet. Its three very well preserved Buddhas, two seated and one lying, are with the standing Buddha of Wat Phra Si Ariyabot the most striking elements of the Historical Park. The Wat Chang Rop chedi, supported by elephant statues, also attracts attention. Excavations are still ongoing to uncover areas of fortifications buried under the slopes. The main area is easy to visit on foot while you will need a bicycle or a vehicle for the second area (Arunyk Area), located outside the boundaries of the old city in the forest. Allow about 3 hours for a full tour of the historic park. If you have to choose between the two, this park is more interesting than Si Satchanalai.

The Ton Sai falls are to be seen during the monsoon season (May to October). The same is true for Bang Pae. It is near these that the famous gibbon rehabilitation centre is located.

It's impossible not to see him in the middle of a roundabout on Ratchadamnoen Road. This imposing work was commissioned in 1939 to symbolize the revolution that marked the transition from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. The sculptures at the base of the monument were made by an Italian sculptor. Each of the 4 wings measures 24 m high to recall the date of June 24, and the 75 cannons, the year 2475 (1932 in our calendar). The monument is sometimes used as a gathering place for certain protests.

Located north of the main beach of Paramaribo, this hill dominates the surrounding area and the panorama of the bay - but also on the border with Myanmar just about kilometres away - is worth a visit. To access it, close to 400 steps to climb by taking care not to get teased, or worse, by the countless macaques who have invaded the place. Some may be aggressive (dominant males or mothers with small children), so attention with children. At the top is the temple Thammikaram, with mystical charm.