Page 156 - Asian Paradises 2019-20

— Thailand — Thailand —
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EAST COAST THAILAND

The Gulf of Thailand offers a species of birds and animals, including to see an image of the Buddha’s
host of resorts where Thais and deer, zebras and tigers, many of them footprint and collections of natural rock
foreigners can unwind, relax on indigenous to Southeast Asia. Each formations shaped like an elephant, a
the superb beaches and enjoy the October, buffalo racing is held in large turtle, a pagoda and a monk’s bowl.
succulent bounties of the sea. conjunction with a fair, and there’s also a Nearby, the far larger but less visited
buffalo beauty contest.
It is also home to magnificent Khao Soi Dao Wildlife Sanctuary
mountains, waterfalls and lush Since the 15th century, Chanthaburi provides a home to many endangered
tropical vegetation. has been known to Western travellers species, including sun bears, spot-
for its abundance of gemstones, and is as bellied eagle owls, silver pheasants
Pattaya, in the province of Chonburi, lies renown for gems worldwide as Bangkok. and elephants.
150 kilometres east of Bangkok and is More than 70 percent of the world’s
one of Thailand’s best known rubies come from Thailand, and Thai Mountainous Ko Chang is the largest
beach resorts. workers have a reputation for their skill of the 50 or so islands that form the Ko
Chang National Marine Park, two-
It is a developed, vibrant city that and dexterity in faceting stones. Of all thirds of which is sea. Inland exploration
draws families (mostly to Jomtien, two the Thai gemstones, deep blue sapphires is difficult due to the rugged terrain,
kilometres south of Pattaya) and singles and blood red rubies are the most highly but it has excellent beaches, including
(mostly to South Pattaya Road). prized, as are unusually coloured (such as the popular Sai Khao Beach, prettier
yellow) sapphires.
It attracts visitors who love watersports and quieter Khlong Phrao Beach and
and golf, as well as those looking for Covering an area of just 59 kilometres, the particularly beautiful beach of Ao
entertainment, dancing and action in its Khao Kitchakut National Park is one Bang Bao in the southwest corner. The
neon-lit go-go bars, nightclubs, cabarets of the country’s smallest and boasts tourism industry in Ko Chang is in
and discos. a 1000-metre granite mountain after its infancy, a contributing factor is
which the park is named. Many people probably the fact that several of the
For visitors looking for other activities, make the four-hour climb to the summit islands consist solely of exclusive,
the Khao Kheow Zoo has more than 50 of the impressive Phrabat mountains privately owned resorts.

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