Chiangmai Inthanon Golf and Natural
Resort
Thana City Golf and Sports Club
Separated from Laos by the Mekong River, the northeast plateau is dominated by agriculture and is one of the poorest regions in the country. Known as Isan, this region has a distinct culture and dialect (reflecting its proximity to Laos), and although it is the least developed area in Thailand, this part of the country is well worth visiting, with ancient stone temples dating back almost 10 centuries.
The central plains are another important rice-growing area and, although most visitors tend to pass them by on their way further north, there are ancient cities, such as Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, which repay exploration, as well as the infamous Kanchanaburi and the River Kwai, close to the border with Myanmar (Burma).
The islands and beaches of southern Thailand hold a great appeal for tourists and, whether looking for solitude or sophisticated nightlife, there’s plenty of choice.
The Andaman coastline, to the west of the Kra Isthmus, boasts fabulous scenery and dazzling beaches. The largest and bestknown of the islands here is Phuket, which has been attracting increasing numbers of tourists for several years.
Further south, the island destination of Koh Phi Phi and the beaches around Krabi on the mainland are slowly but surely building a foothold on the tourist map and, although not as established as Phuket, they are geared up to welcome all visitors – from independent travellers to families – as is the more remote and charming island of Koh Lanta further south.
In the Gulf of Thailand, off the opposing coastline, the most established destination is the island of Koh Samui; the other islands within the Samui Archipelago, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, are also popular tourist and diving destinations.
To the east of Bangkok, the beach resort of Pattaya bears little resemblance to the real Thailand and has suffered from a notorious reputation. However, recent years have seen an commendable effort to remove the tarnish, and the coastline around Jomtien (just south of Pattaya) is developing as a highly desirable short or long term destination, particularly with both the golfing and yachting fraternities.
Further east there are several virtually untouched islands awaiting the adventurous traveller – Koh Chang, for instance, which is the country’s second largest island, offers miles of beaches and unexplored forest along with even its lessdeveloped neighbour, Koh Kut.
A more recent development amongst Thailand’s more popular and established islands is the influx of expatriates who come to live in the region permanently, or who buy a ‘holiday home’.
The demand for such homes has triggered a huge surge in property development and the infrastructures that go with such progress. Fortunately, developers have generally been conscious of the need to look after their major asset, the environment, so – to date – have had only marginal impact on the idyllic nature of this region.
