Lao, Vietnamese and, in the capital, Chinese influences dominate Nakhon Phanom, a province bordered by the Mekong and dotted with Lao-style thâat. Though just about every person you see working in the rice fields or herding buffalo along the road is ethni
Nakhon Pathom is a typical provincial Thai city, with Phra Pathom Chedi as a visible link to Nakhon Pathom’s claim as the country’s oldest city. The town also proudly wears its first-born status within its name, which derives from the Pali ‘Nagara Pathama
Rimming a picturesque bay only a few kilometres south of Kata, this beach at the near southern tip of the island is less developed than neighbouring strips of sand. This is partly due to topography, but also to the presence of Samnak Song Nai Han, a monas
Although little more than a speck of a reserve at just 48 sq km, hilly Mukdahan National Park (0 4260 1753, reservations 0 2562 0760; admission 400B; 5am-6pm), also known as Phu Pha Thoep National Park, has some beautiful landscapes and is scattered with
On the banks of the Mekong, directly opposite the Lao city of Savannakhet, Mukdahan is one of the region’s prettier towns. Known for its riverfront Talat Indojin (Indochina Market), which stretches under as well as along the riverfront park, Mukdahan is m
Mae Sot is a Burmese-Chinese-Karen-Thai trading outpost that has become a small but simmering tourist destination. Although there aren’t many formal sites to see in Mae Sot, and most tourists just come for a visa run, many end up staying longer than expec
Many of the hill-tribe settlements in Mae Hong Son province are concentrated in the districts and towns of Khun Yuam, Mae La Noi and Mae Sariang, which are good departure points for treks to Hmong, Karen and Shan villages. Of these three small towns, Mae
Aside from Bangkok’s Amphoe Yaowarat, Mae Salong is Thailand’s most Chinalike community. The atmosphere here is reminiscent of a small Chinese mountain village. The combination of pack horses, a mainly Yunnanese population, hill tribes (Akha, Lahu, Shan,
Thailand’s northernmost town, Mae Sai can be used as a starting point for exploring the Golden Triangle, Doi Tung and Mae Salong. It’s also a good spot to observe border life, as Mae Sai is one of the few official overland crossings between Myanmar and Th
This forested loop northwest of Chiang Mai via Mae Rim and/or Hang Dong makes a good day or overnight trip. Although dotted with tourist developments – resorts, orchid farms, butterfly parks, elephant camps, snake farms, botanic gardens, antique and handi