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"Whenever I travel, I always use Lonely Planet Thailand, written by Joe Cummings. It is the best guide book out on the market. I often see people carrying Joe's book in Bangkok and around Thailand.

"I met Joe and his wife Lynne when they came to stay at our school in Samut Prakan (www.Paknam.com). I showed Joe around our province so that he could update his guidebook. He kindly gave me a copy of his Thailand and Bangkok guidebooks which I use a lot. If you are interested to read more about Joe, then please visit his web site at www.JoeCummings.com. He is a fascinating person. Although I spoke English to him all the time, I was surprised that he speaks Thai very well. Most foreigners in Thailand find Thai very difficult. He also knows a lot about Thailand and cares about the environment which is important. The following are highlights of Thailand chosen by Joe for his guidebook. They are used here with his permission."

- Nattawud Daoruang (senior student webmaster)

BANGKOK

Wat Phra Kaew - exquisite Emerald Buddha, colourful mosaics and glittering spires.
National Museum - display of Thailand's sculptural and decorative arts.
Wat Arun - views of Bangkok and the Chao Phraya River.
Vimanmek Teak Mansion - one of the world's largest golden teak buildings.
Chalermkrung Royal Theatre - khon performances of dancer-drama
Boat Trip - along Bangkok's huge canal system
Wat Pho - housing Thailand's largest reclining Buddha
Muay Thai - bouts at Lumphini and Ratchadamnoen stadiums
Chinese & Indian market districts - walking tour of the temples, bazaars, shop houses and alleys

CENTRAL THAILAND

Ayuttaya Historical Park - world heritage listed ruins of a former royal capital
Koh Samet, Pattaya, Cha-am & Hua Hin - popular beach resorts close to Bangkok
Damnoen Saduak & Samut Songkhran - floating markets and coconut plantations
Kanchanaburi - WWII monuments at the River Khwae Bridge and Hellfire Pass
Koh Chang National Marine Park - remote islands offering rain forest tracts, waterfalls, coastal walks, diving and coral reefs
Three Pagodas Pass - frontier outpost town
Trat & Aranya Prathet - gem trading on the Cambodian border

SOUTHERN THAILAND

Koh Surin & Koh Similan - national marine park with great coral colonies
Khao Sok National Park - craggy limestone cliffs and home to the Rafflesia, the largest flower in the world
Koh Samui or Phuket - great for enjoying watersports
Nakhon Si Thammarat - watch life-size shadow puppets being made
Krabi Province - experience some of Asia's hottest rock-climbing spots
Ang Thong National Marine Park - take a kayaking tour through an archipelago dotted with small islands and sandy beaches
Than Bokkharani National Park - discover the beautiful emerald-green waters flowing into waterfalls
Hat Jao Mai National Park - spot the endangered sea cows (dugongs)

NORTH-EASTERN THAILAND

Phanom Rung & Prasat Hin Phimai - impressive Angkor ruins
Nakhon Phanom - fine views of Isaan countryside
Nakhon Ratchasima - dotted with traditional cotton and silk-weaving towns
Khao Yai National Park - ASEAN National Heritage Site with pristine monsoon forests
Ban Chiang & Ban Prasat - important Bronze Age archaeological sites

NORTHERN THAILAND

Sukhothai & Si Satchanalai-Chaliang Historical Parks - World Heritage sites containing the finest collection of monuments to Thailand's "golden age"
Chiang Mai - vibrant Northern capital with 300 temples and celebrated arts and crafts
Doi Inthanon National Park - home to 400 bird species and featuring Thailand's tallest peak
Mae Hong Sorn - crossroads province with dense forests, trekking rafting
Nan - rural province with fertile river valleys and Thai Lu communities
Border crossing - trips to Myanmar's historic Kengtung with crumbling Buddhas and colonial architecture
Tham Lot & Tham Nang Lang - lime-stone cave

If you have already been to Thailand, please let us know what your Highlights of Thailand were.

RELATED LINKS: Learn about the Thailand that most tourists don't get to visit at ThailandLife.com. Coming to Thailand on holiday or to work? Learn some Thai today for free at LearningThai.com and ThaiPhrasebook.com. A list of quality web sites about Thailand can be found at PaknamWeb.com. Take a look at Chiang Mai Guide to Services

COPYRIGHT: Information on this page is used with permission from the Tourist Authority of Thailand. Additional information from brochures produced locally and notes made by Nattawud Daoruang and Richard Barrow. All photographs on this web site are the property of Nattawud Daoruang.