WONDERING ON LAND THROUGH WAT DON WAI FLOATING MARKET

Don Wai Markets is known as the center of delicacies of all sorts. Tourists can take the path within the market, lined of both sides by wooden shop-houses offering a wide variety of cooked food, as main dishes, side dishes, dessert and condiments, all available for sampling. The market is filled with visitors at weekends. They crown the path, amid the calls of shop-keepers who put their merchandise on display, with inviting appearance and appealing aroma.

These include renowned duckling in spiced brown sauce at Mr.Nap’s, Mr. O’s and several others, spiced snakehead fishmeal steamed in banana leaf wrappings at Mrs. Prathin’s, and uncountable authentic Thai dishes, delightful snacks to choose from. One can opt for noodles prepared in different styles, including the famous Phat Thai at restaurants on rafts. A wide range of Thai desserts are on offer, including the renowned palm-nut cake of Auntie Khai, and different sweetmeats hased on rice flour, coconut milk, cereal and egg. At the open space of Wat Don Wai, fresh fruits and vegetables are on sale, including young plants and flowers.

 

MUKO SIMILAN MARINE NATIONAL PARK

A group of nine islands set in the Andaman Sea northwest of Phuket, the Similans are renowned for their beauty, both on land and in the surrounding underwater world. Distinctive in their smooth granite rock formations, the islands are studded with inviting sandy beaches; otherwise, there is little to explore on land and the destination is most popular with scuba enthusiasts, the waters here boasting some of the world’s best dive sites.

In addition to remarkable visibility, scuba drivers can expect a fascinatingly varied underwater scene, with coral reefs, huge sea fans and barrel sponges, swim-throughs, cliffs, and stone piles, as well as an abundance of marine life.

Getting There

Public boats and boats for private hire to the Similans depart from Phuket and from Thap Lamu, on the mainland in Phang-nga province. Alternatively, visitors may join one of the organized dive tours that are available from various dive companies on Phuket.

SCUBA DIVING AT THE SIMILAN ISLANDS - PHANG-NGA PROVINCE

The Similan Islands are consistently ranked as one of the world’s top 10 dive sites. The Similan Archipelago consists of nine islands arranged like a pearl necklace from north to south of Phang-Nga province, and it has been a national marine park since the mid-80s. The islands have a rich marine life, consisting of sea fans, barrel sponges, feather stars, and an abundance of reef fish, and spectacular underwater granite rock formation.

ABSEILING AT TAN RATTANA WATERFALL, NAKHON NAYOK PROVINCE

Chuck down at the 4 cliffs, 5 waterfalls of heights between 18 and 70 metres at Tan Rattana Waterfall in Khao Yai National Park, Nakhon Nayok province. However, the main entrance is in Prachin Buri province. This extreme adventure consists of abseiling down rocky cliff-faces and waterfalls. At the first cliff, the height is 70 metres and steep cliff is about 70-90 degrees. The second is 18 metres and steepness is around 70 degrees. The third has a steepness around 90 degrees and the height is 38 metres. The final one, the height is 26 metres and steep cliff is about 90 degrees.

ROCK CLIMBING AT RAI LE BEACH, KRABI PROVINCE

Krabi province in the South has towering limestone crags, crystalline sunlight, brilliant white beaches, and emerald seas. At Rai Le Beach, there are more than rock climbing routes, varying in difficulty from 5a (easy) to 8c (extremely challenging).

TREKKING IN THE HILLS OF CHIANG DAO, CHIANG MAI PROVINCE

Chiang Dao is located to the north of Chiang Mai, on the way to Fang and Tha Ton. Treks to the highest peaks of Doi Chiang Dao will provide you with spectacular sights of stunning mountain scenery. The cool season (December to February) is the best time to visit here since the forests have their own special beauty as the leaves change colour and wild orchids bloom.

WHITEWATER RAFTING AT NAM WA, NAN PROVINCE

The province of Nan, an area steeped in Lanna culture in the north of Thailand, provides many opportunities for whitewater rafting. One of these is on the Lam Nam Wa River in the forests of the Mae Charim National Park. Sections of this river offer challenging grade 3+ rapids with the promise of potential thrills and shivery spills, all in the beautiful scenery of the Mae Charim tropical forest.

ECOTOURIAM: FUN AND ADVENTURE

Ecotourism involves responsible activities in natural areas that conserve the environment and consider the quality of life of the local people. Climate, coral reefs, caves, fishing, beaches, and rainforests, combined with the rich culture of the country, make Thailand the perfect place for the development of ecotourism. Many communities are now hosting tourists at the same time as maintaining their sustainable agricultural practices and conserving their environment.

One type of ecotourism is adventure tourism. Hard adventure tourism combines excitement and a degree of risk in an outdoor setting, frequently demanding physical exertion and skill. Soft adventure tourism involves only a minor element of risk, little physical exertion, and limited skills.

You can hike through the largest areas of protected forest in Southeast Asia, dive at the most dazzling places in the Andaman Sea, observe more than 900 different species of birds, kayak in tranquil lagoons surrounds by limestone cliffs, bicycle through mangroves, or marvel at beautiful orchids. You can rock climb, abseil and explore caves. Experience all of these in unspoilt natural Thailand.

YOUR CHOICE TO THE BEACHES

With a 2,500 km. coastline. Thailand offers such a profusion of sandy beaches, sheltered bays, quiet coves and idyllic islands that the choices for a holiday in the sun are near limitless. From the southern islands of Phuket and Samui, internationally renowned resorts boasting some of the world’s finest beaches and most luxurious accommodation to a fun playground like Pattaya or a classic family retreat such as Hua Hin, you’ll find your kind of beach. Complementing the well-known resorts re beautiful coastal stretches where sheer cliffs, offshore islands, sea caves and marine national parks are simply breathtaking. While if you are looking for seclusion, you also have every opportunity to get off the beaten track and discover pristine beaches as yet unexplored by world travelers. Such topographical variety is marvelously matched by differences in ambience and the style of beach holiday. Each location has its own distinct character, and whether the choice is for an action-packed vacation, a fun-filled party scene, or a lazy escape into a serene tropical paradise, all dreams of the perfect beach are wonderfully fulfilled. What remains constant is the year round sunshine.