Northwestern,Thailand,Normal,f travel,insurance Northwestern Thailand

Like any American, traveling occasionally is just what I love doing and I bet you share the same stuff with me. But traveling does not mean that you would be safe. Escaping from our job and other stressful activities is just something that w Torres del Paine is among the biggest of Chile’s national parks, occupying almost 600,000 acres (242,000 ha) of land in the south on the border with Argentina. It is also among the most important, receiving a significant proportion of domes

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;mso-style-noshow:yes;mso-style-priority:99;mso-style-qformat:yes;mso-style-parent:"";mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;mso-para-margin-top:0in;mso-para-margin-right:0in;mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;mso-para-margin-left:0in;line-height:115%;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Cordia New";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}Often forgotten or dismissed, the Northwestern region ofThailand provides ideal territory for those looking at alternative destinationsaway from the madding crowd. Partially due to relative inaccessibility andpartially due to lack of marketing, the area certainly does have worthwhiletourist sites and offers much for the more adventurous traveller. This lack ofexposure is to the advantage of all those making that little extra effort ittakes to visit Mae Sot, Tak, Kampaeng Phet and the gateway to the region,Sukhothai.The former capital is well-mapped and accredited, yet it isthe position it holds as a starting point for the diversionary trip to theNorthwest that captures interest. Historically, Sukothai boasts an integralposition in the country's progress both socially and physically and is thegeographical and administrative divide between the North and Central plains ofthe country. It is nowadays located on an Asian Highway from Myanmar at Mae Sot(Tak province) in the west to Chong Mek, (Laos) in the east and along withnearby Pitsanulok, still dominates as a center of commerce, transportation andcommunication. The importance of its geographical position has been emphasizedby Bangkok Airways' choice of it as a major hub, connecting the ancient citiesof the region: Siem Reap, Luang Prabang, Mandalay and Chiangmai.However, most visitor's reason for choosing Sukhothai as astop is its well-preserved ruins and its historical position as the firstKingdom of Thais within the peninsula. Sukhothai was established in 1238, todecline some 140 years later with the establishment of Ayutthaya as the newcapital of Thailand. The Thai alphabet, almost intact today, was invented hereby King Ramkamhaeng.None of this is visible on any visit to Sukhothai but whatone can visualize is the establishment of a large focal city for the region andthe number of sites are vast in number. The Sukhothai Historical Park and SiSatchanali National Park are the major attractions and if you are "templedout" or "ruined," head for RamKanhaeng National Park, a superbalternative of high hills and steep cliffs with a host of diverse flora andfauna and many waterfalls within its 340 sq km.There is plenty of information available upon arrival inSukhothai, yet for those in search of something different special referenceshould be made to the two preserved celadon kiln centers. The Thuriang kiln inthe north of the Sukhothai site and the Ban Ko Noi Celadon Kiln study centre,five km north of Si Satchanalai, depict celadon wares in perfect condition. Thelatter center has now excavated over 500 kilns.The annual Loi Krathong festival in November is an awesomesight amongst the ruins, but book early.Flights to Sukhothai with Bangkok Airways depart daily orThai flights to Phitsanulok have regular departures. By rail, the recommendedroute is by Sprinter train to Phitsanulok, departing Bangkok at 0810 andarriving at 1300. Sukhothai is a 40-60 min transfer depending on your chosenmode of transport. Onward trains to the North can be taken at 1300, arriving atChiangmai at 1900, or the overnight sleeper leaving around midnight toChiangmai. Many see this as a cheap alternative to flying while enjoying thecountryside en route and making a Sukhothai stop with little hassle or backtracking.The real bonus comes with making more than a Sukhothai stop and taking the sidetrip to Mae Sot and Kampaengphet, before continuing the journey to the north.Kampaengphet could really be treated as an extension to aSukhothai visit for its major attraction is again its ruins. Yet it also hasparks that provide recreational relief, similar to the Ramkamhaeng park. Thesite is smaller than Sukhothai yet certainly more convenient being just fivekms from town. A further bonus is that most of the preserved wats feature decorfrom both the Sukhothai and Ayuthhaya periods, something rarely seen. Annuallyin February, the town celebrates its World Heritage site status with the NopPhra Len Phleng festival, featuring exhibitions, cultural and artistic performances.The Khao Sanam wildlife sanctuary on the Tak highway and theyear round waterfalls at Khlong Nam Lai and Khlong Lan are not only popular fortheir lack of visitors but also for a rare view of some not-so infiltrated hilltribe villages.Mae Wong National Park is 79 kms north on the Umpang Road,but a great getaway with hotsprings, waterfalls and high-point lookouts acrossto Myanmar. Umpang itself has become the new destination for the soft adventuretypes. Trekking and rafting are the main attractions but there are numerouscaves, waterfalls and nature trails to keep everyone happy. Photographers headfor the Mae Sot-Tak-Mae Ramhat border route and on to Mae Sariang. Earlymorning mists and the mountainous topography provide great nature shots. Mon Krathingresort on the Mae Sariang Road is the beststopover point with glimpses of early morning deer amongst the mists quite acommon occurrence. If you're not venturing that far, then Doi Hua Mot justoutside Umpang town is reasonable enough for lookout shots but get up early.The city of Tak is located on the shores of the Bumhibol Dam,the largest in Thailand. Apart from its water source there are numerousrecreational activities on the reservoir. The cruises to Amphoe Hot are popularand the upper reaches of the dammed Mae Ping River provide a scenic boatcruise, some 140 kms to Doi Tao in Chiangmai province. The scenic waterfalls inthis hill region are too numerous to count but all have their own specialattraction, not least of which is the 97-tiered Phra Charoen waterfall on theMae Sot route 1090.By modern vacation standards the areas mentioned andespecially those closer to the border country are quite rural and almost offthe beaten track.Mae Sot now has good air connections with both Bangkok andChangmai and it is becoming a weekend retreat for the white water raftingadventurers as well as those in search of some clean forest air along thereaches of Mae Sot Hill.Its border market with Myanmar makes it a focal point forbargain hunters and it is certainly more authentic than that found at the MaeSai border crossing in Chiangrai province. For the short trippers, Mae Sotmakes a good weekend getaway and the Imperial Mae Sot Hill Resort offerspackages which include white water rafting excursions.If all of this rural splendor seems unreachable, it almostis, but only by the standards set by such resorts as Phuket and Chiangmai. Intoday's Thailand there are still unspoiled areas - there should be with 63National Parks - but they take a little bit of effort to reach. Private or hirecar is the most flexible, but combine a one way air ticket to/from Mae Sot andPitsanulok or Sukhothai and the overland sectors of the trip do not look sodaunting as at first they might. Overland bus routes between Tak/Mae Sot and Sukhothaiare frequent and quite acceptable and a cheap way to travel from A to B. Outside of Mae Sot andSukhothai (noticeably where the airports are), hotels only tend to reach 3 starstandards, but for one night stopovers and short stays that is sufficient.The Northwest, as we may loosely refer to the area, offerswhat Chiangmai was offering 20 years ago.It is rural, there are hilltribes and some splendid hill countryand a lack of insurgents, at least of the tourist variety. Sounds like analternative traveller's destination.