Bangkok : Where is, history and other tourist information to visit this place.

Bangkok, located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, is the dynamic capital of Thailand. It is also the largest city in the country with about 7,000,000 inhabitants. This wealthy city, which is the 22nd most populated city in the world, receives about 15 million visitors annually.
Bangkok is characterised by a tropical climate which remains humid for a major part of the year. The city experiences alternate periods of dry and wet seasons. Dry seasons are warm with high humidity levels while it gets pleasant in the nights.
Historically, the city of Bangkok was a small trading centre which has now developed into an important economic and financial hub in Southeast Asia. Interestingly, the full name of the city is listed as the world’s longest name of a place in the Guinness Book of Records.


Ayutthaya
The historic city of Ayutthaya is an ancient, yet modern, city on an island in the Central Plains of Thailand. It is the capital city of the Ayutthaya province and is around 90 km from Bangkok. It lies at the junction of the Chao Phraya, Lopburi and Pa Sak Rivers.
With a population of more than 75,000 people, the city experiences temperatures ranging from approximately 20°C–37°C; November–February is considered as the best time to visit.
Ayutthaya was destroyed in 1767 by the Burmese army, but its ruins still remain at the Ayutthaya Historical Park, with the modern town being set among the ruins. The city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.
The cheapest and most scenic way to get to Ayutthaya is by train. However, minibuses and regular coaches from Bangkok are also available.


Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is the second largest and one of the most significant cities in Thailand. Located on the Ping River, it is also the capital of the Chiang Mai Province. Home to a population of about 170,000 inhabitants, Chiang Mai is regarded as one of the premiere destinations in Asia owing to its mix of modern and traditional charm.
The climate in Chiang Mai is equatorial in nature with hot, humid summers and pleasant, cool winters. During July to October, monsoon rains bring forth the lush greenery. Winters are the best time to visit as this is when the climate is mild with bright sunshine and blooming flowers.
Chiang Mai was founded in 1296 and was a significant centre for pottery, carving and other arts. The city has still retained its glory in the various art and crafts shops. Today, it is a rapidly developing city in Thailand.


Hua Hin
Hua Hin is a famous beach resort town in the northern Malay Peninsula of Thailand. The town is 200 km south of the capital city Bangkok and lies on the western coast of the Gulf of Thailand.
Hua Hin is easily accessible from the capital city via the Hua Hin airport which presently caters to domestic flights. The train station is conveniently located in the centre of town.
Characterised by a hot and tropical climate, Hua Hin has the lowest rainfall in Thailand. The warm season is usually from November–April, with ocean breezes alleviating temperatures.
The population of Hua Hin is around 85,000. The King of Thailand has a summer palace in Hua Hin, which he uses regularly, and as a result, there is quite a lot of security in this region. It is also a good weekend getaway for locals and a lovely retirement option for foreigners.

Koh Samui
Koh Samui is the third largest island in the Kingdom of Thailand. It is located in the Surat Thani province and lies more than 500 km south of Bangkok. The tropical island, roughly circular in shape, is situated in the Gulf of Thailand.
Koh Samui has an airport with daily flights to Bangkok, but many tourists prefer using the night train, buses and ferries to avail of cheaper options to reach the island.
The island has a temperate climate with warm sunny temperatures that usually stay above 25°C. February to May is considered the hottest time of the year, and October to December generally isn’t advisable for a visit owing to the heavy monsoon.
Koh Samui has a population of nearly 50,000 people. It is surrounded by at least 60 sister islands which constitute the Ang Thong National Marine Park.

Mae Hong Son
Mae Hong Son is the capital of the province of Mae Hong Son, Thailand. This small and sleepy town lies on the banks of the River Pai and is located close to the Myanmar border. It is also said to be Thailand’s second northernmost provincial capital.
The town is served by the Mae Hong Son Airport, although it is possible to reach the town by road from the nearby tourist city of Chiang Mai.
Climate in Mae Hong Son is much cooler than the rest of Thailand. The town is covered with mist most of the year and earns a nickname of ‘the City of Three Mists’ because of the dewy mist in winter, the rain mist in the monsoons and the forest fire mist in summer. The best and most scenic time to visit is between November and April.
The population of Mae Hong Son is more than 6,000 people, which includes various hill tribe communities living in the region.

Rayong
Rayong is a scenic city in Thailand and the capital of the Rayong Province. Located close to the Gulf of Thailand, Rayong is a major agricultural and industrial centre of the country. Home to a population of about 54,000, the city is also a favoured tourist destination.
The city is defined by a tropical climate which is humid in nature. Frequent rains are experienced in this region. Although the temperatures are high, cool breezes temper the heat to a great extent. November to February is the best period to visit for the pleasant climate.
Historically, Rayong has been witness to various battles and takeovers. However, it continued to develop its economy relying heavily on fishing and agriculture. Today, it is a major industrial centre with rubber, manufacturing and the port industry being the main components.

Ubon Ratchathani
Ubon Ratchathani, also called Ubon, is the capital city of Ubon Ratchathani Province in Thailand. The city is located south-east of the Isaan region and lies on the banks of the Mun River. Ubon is one of the country’s largest provincial capitals and is more than 600 km north-east of Bangkok.
The Ubon Ratchathani-Muang Ubon Airport in the north of the city is a dual international airport and a Royal Thai Air Force Base. There are daily rail connections with Bangkok.
Ubon lies around 100 m above sea level and has average temperatures of around 25°C. However, during summers temperatures can rise up to 30°C or more.
The population of Ubon is estimated to be more than 100,000 people. With its natural wonders, heritage attractions and silk producing centres, Ubon Ratchathani is a popular Thai tourist destination.

Phi Phi Islands
Phi Phi Islands, known as the ‘Jewels of the Andaman Sea’, are a tiny group of islands located between the large island of Phuket and the western coast of mainland South Thailand.
The islands, home to around 2,000 people, are divided into two parts: Phi Phi Don (the larger group and the principal of the two) and the smaller Phi Phi Leh; together they comprise the Phi Phi National Marine Park and form an extension of the mainland Krabi province.
Destination Air Shuttle, the country’s sole seaplane shuttle, flies to Phi Phi from the Phuket International Airport. You can also take a pleasant boat ride from Krabi’s Chao Fah Bridge Pier.
The summer season in Phi Phi is between November and April, while the laden monsoon rains fall from May to October. Average temperatures are between 17°C–37°C.