The Top 10 Places in Thailand One of the most popular tourism destinations in Southeast Asia, Thailand is a country with a

fascinating history, a devout Buddhist culture and beautiful scenery that lures travelers from all

over the world. For many cultural travelers it is a land of ancient temples, glittering spires and

beautiful palaces. For sun-seeking hedonists it is a place to rejuvenate on palm-studded beaches

that rim idyllic bays and islands. For international foodies it is a culinary mecca whose

restaurants and sidewalk food stands keep coming back for more

Bangkok, a huge metropolis replete with traffic and shopping centers worthy of any international

capital, contrasts sharply with the rice paddies out on the plains, the idyllic villages in the hills

and mountains or the beach-side reggae bars in Phuket. Bit it’s this very diversity that’s makes

the country so appealing for so many, from burned-out executives who jet here to unwind at

sybaritic five-star resorts, to backpackers who wander through to experience the local culture

while staying at low-cost guesthouses in Bohemian-like Chiang Mai.

Below is a listing of the “Top 10″ most-visited places in Thailand.

1. Bangkok

As the political, economic, cultural, culinary, and spiritual capital of Thailand, Bangkok features

both old-world charm and modern convenience. Invariably, every Thailand holiday includes a

visit to the kingdom’s capital city, Bangkok, or Krung Thep, “the city of angels” as it’s known to

the locals. Many first-time visitors to the city are overwhelmed by its sheer size; others by the

vast number of attractions scattered about the city, the result of more than two centuries of rapid

development following the city’s founding in 1782. Today Bangkok is a cosmopolitan, 21st

century city of more than ten million inhabitants.

2. Chiang Mai

Thailand’s “Rose of the North” contains both cultural and natural diversity, a multitude of

attractions, and welcoming hospitality. Chiang Mai literally means “new city” and has retained

the name despite celebrating its 700th anniversary in 1996. King Meng Rai the Great, a very

religious leader who founded many of the city’s temples, created the city as the capital of the

Lanna Kingdom around the same time as the establishment of the Sukhothai Kingdom. Chiang

Mai not only became the capital and cultural core of the Lanna Kingdom, but also the center of

Buddhism in northern Thailand.

3. Phuket

When travelers to Thailand talk about sea, sun and sand, Phuket is often the first place that

comes to mind. Catapulted to international attention by the James Bond movie “The Man with

the Golden Gun” back in 1974, the entire area today boasts many hotels and resorts, which offer

all sorts of tourism facilities for travelers.

4. Ayutthaya

Once considered the most spectacular city on Earth, the ruins of the capital of the Kingdom

Ayutthaya are now a major tourist attraction easily accessible from Bangkok by car, train, or

boat as either a daytrip or overnight excursion. A regional power for 417 years, the ancient city

its apex in the 16th century, when the Kingdom’s territory extended into and beyond present-day

Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar. Ayutthaya had diplomatic relations with Louis XIV of France

and was courted by Dutch, Portuguese, English, Chinese and Japanese merchants.

5. Kanchanaburi

Kanchanaburi has become a major tourist destination, with a focus on the outdoors due to its

magnificent landscape and charming beauty. Only two hours from Bangkok, Kanchanaburi is

accessible by road or rail, and is popular for fishing, rafting, canoeing, mountain biking, bird-

watching, star-gazing, golfing and elephant and jungle trekking. The area boasts several well-

known waterfalls, caves that were once inhabited by Neolithic man, national parks, tranquil

rivers, virgin forests, and several large reservoirs.

6. Krabi

a province on southern Thailand’s Andaman coast, is an almost otherworldly region of

labyrinthine archipelagos, where islands seem to erupt vertically out of the sea and secluded

beaches are only accessible by colorfully adorned long tail boats. Krabi’s myriad of bays and

coves have sheltered pirates, merchants, and sea gypsies for thousands of years and

archaeological evidence indicates that Krabi was originally inhabited as early as 25,000 – 35,000

years ago.

7. Ratchaburi

Ratchaburi’s premier attraction is the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, a destination visited by

a large percentage of tourists who visit Bangkok. Vendors in the market sell their wares by

paddling boats along Ratchaburi’s canals. Every morning, hundreds of boats crowd the market,

paddled by women in straw hats. For a few hundred baht visitors can hire their own boats and

explore the canals while shopping for everything from vegetables and fruits to freshly-cooked

noodles and souvenirs.

8. Chon Buri

Chonburi, Bangkok’s nearest seaside town, is located on the eastern coast of the Gulf of

Thailand, about 50 miles from the capital. The area boasts abundant natural resources, making it

a popular coastal province among Bangkokians who seek a weekend. Particularly popular is the

seaside resort of Pattaya, though Chonburi’s smaller, quieter seaside towns are also quite popular

with foreigners and Thais alike.

9. Sukhothai

Founded in the 13th century, Sukhothai, which literally means “Dawn of Happiness”, was the

first truly independent Thai Kingdom and enjoyed a golden age under King Ramkhamhaeng,

who is credited with creating the Thai alphabet. The superb temples and monuments of this great

city have been lovingly restored, and Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage

Site, is popular with travelers, particularly on those occasional nights the park when the park

remains open and the graceful Buddhas are illuminated by lights.

10. Phang nga

Phang Nga province renowned for its beautiful land, spectacular bay, amazing islands and good

diving. Most famous is Phang Nga Bay National Park, a geological wonder filled with islets,

sunken caverns, and startling rock formations rising vertically out of the sea. The bay is

extremely sheltered and therefore ideal for expeditions on sea kayaks to explore the many

fascinating caverns and islands throughout the bay.

About Fortune Tours

Fortune Destination Management India Pvt Ltd. a.k.a Fortune Tours is a professionally run

Package Tour Operator functioning under the Indian Company’s Act. In a more greener words,

Fortune Tours are a Group of Recognized and Renowned Travel and Holiday Experts Who

Offers Way beyond than What One Can Envisage.

The expertise of Fortune Tours lies in conducting packaged tours to all popular Indian and

International destinations. Fortune Tours specialize in providing the entire gamut of travel-

related services under one roof. Under this umbrella, Fortune Tours offer right from

exploratory Group Expeditions to mesmerizing Honeymoon packages to ready-made tour

packages and even allow one to develop an amazing customized tour program.

Fortune Tours are a company led by professionals with years of experience in the trade under

same belt, with an assurance of superior quality services and a guarantee for value for money to

esteemed customers.

Everlasting Honeymoon packages, remarkable Holidays packages, poetic pilgrim packages,

aesthetic House boat cruise, hereditary Ayurvedic retreats and Rent-A-Car service throughout the

Kerala are some of focal features of Fortune Tours. For Fortune Tours travellers are not only

guests but also friends too. Fortune Tours never miss the chance to treat their friends in a

charming atmosphere.

Today clientele of Fortune Tours includes the idyllic family tour, the energetic adventure tours,

the serene beach packages, the ayurvedic therapeutic holidays, the corporate outings and the

honeymooner’s special among others. Fortune Tours experience of the industry and knowledge

of the terrain has helped us design end to end itineries and packages that ensures that you do not

miss out on anything that mother nature or human hands has to offer. The scintillating natural

splendor, culture, hospitality, deep routed traditions and cuisines will leave an indelible

impression on your mind and a lifetime of memories to linger on.