"A Different Thailand - The Non-Standard... " a Thailand Travel Page by AlbuqRay

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Queen's Chedi on Doi Inthanon

Chedi on a Mountain

The vast majority of people who visit Thailand go to well-known, famous places. I did also the first time I was there. I am fortunate enough to have friends to show me around, so I'll try to do some tips and travelogues different from other people. See also my tips and travelogues on Northeast Thailand.

The twin chedis of Phra That Napharmataneedon are an example of a spectacular place that is out of the mainstream tourist destinations. Near the top of the highest mountain in Thailand, Doi Inthanon, there are two huge chedi's. One for the King and one for the Queen. We were one of three cars there. The picture shows the Queen's chedi and gardens as seen from the King's chedi. The climate is cooler at this elevation. You may even need a jacket.

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Approach to Phanom Rung

Isan - The Elephant's Ear

Thailand is said to be shaped like an elephant's head facing west with Bangkok located at the mouth. Isan is the northeast, or elephant's ear. It is a poorer part of Thailand and not many tourists go there. In northern Isan are the Mekong/Mekhong/Mae Khong River and some of the first inhabited sites in Thailand. See Ban Chiang, Ban Pha Taem, and my Si Chiang Mai travelogue under Northeast Thailand).

In southern Isan you find the sites along the former Royal Khmer Road (see my travelogues for Phanom Rung, smaller Khmer sites, Phimai and Muang Tam). The best Khmer site outside of Angkor Wat, Prasat Khao Phra Wihan, is called Preah Vihear in Cambodia. Although it was recently part of Thai territory, the World Court gave it back to Cambodia. Because it is on a high cliff facing Cambodia, it is most easily physically accessible from the Thai side; however, you should always check to see if the border is open before you try to go there from Thailand.

Central Isan has a beautiful mountain top national park with pine trees, Phu Kradung. It is a hard climb to get there but worth the effort. Also be careful of the wild elephants.

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Islands with the Sea Caves

Sea Caves - A Phuket Adventure

Many of the small limestone islands northeast of Phuket in Phang Nga Bay have caves that are accessible at low tide. They were made famous by the James Bond movie, The Man with the Golden Gun. For more information, see my Sports Travel tip and my travelogue on Explore Sea Caves Near Phuket. See also the Sea Cave Canoe web page.