WITH the two coastlines stretching for hundreds of miles and some of the finest beaches to be found anywhere in Southeast Asia Thailand has become a major travel destination for lovers of all kinds of water sports. A number of excellent resorts offer a full range of equipment at reasonable rates for anyone who wants to spend a holiday exploring the pleasures of deep-sea fishing, windsurfing, water skiing , parasailine, scuba diving, or swimming in crystal-clear waters.
The earliest water-sport centre and still one of the most popular is Pattaya on the Gulf of Thailand. just two hours' drive from Bangkok which has a wide variety of ccommodations to meet almost any traveling budget. The main beach is located on a scenic bay. but facilities are available down the coastline for some 30 miles and there are also more than 30 picturesque off-shore islands with a wealth of coral and many types of tropical fish.
The best known centre for deep-sea fishing in the Pattaya area is Bang Saray from which it is possible to charter boats and go in search of marlin king mackerel, sharks and barracuda.
Scuha divers can organize daily trips from the resort to the off-shore islands of Ko Lan Ko Sak and Ko Krok all of which take only 45 minutes to reach; interesting coral formations and colorful fish are visible for up to 30 metres depending on the season in warm waters ranging in depth from 3 to 25 metres.
Many of Pattaya's diving schools have personnel trained by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) or by the National Association of Underwater Instructors (PADI), plus all kinds of equipment for hire. Among the languages spoken in these schools are English, German, Dutch, French and Japanese .
The other major water-sport centre is the southern island of Phuket on the Andaman Sea. Here on the west coast there are more than 14 magnificent white-sand beaches, all with warm clear waters as well as a Large number of nearby islands that hosts diving conditions to rival the best in the world. Most of the beaches have equipment for diving windsurfing, and other sports for rent.
The majority of diving destinations close to Phuket are located in Phang Nga Bay east of the island. The spectacular Phi Phi Islands near Phuket are also popular sites. True enthusiasts also hire larger boats excursions to the largely uninhabited Similan Islands. 80 kilometres northwest of Phuket. which has clear waters similar to those found in the Maldives. the Caribbean and the Great Barrier Reef of Australlia.
Contact TAT for a list of selected diving metres and schools.
Bangkok is without doubt one of the most vibrant and exciting cities in Asia. It is a bustling, modern metropolis, a paradise for shoppers and a favourite destination for nighttime revelers, yet Bangkok still manages to retain its historic and cultural heart Bangkok, or Krung Thep as it is known to locals, is all things to all people. It offers great, shopping in the form of mega malls, trendy boutiques or traditional local markets tucked away down side streets. Bangkok is also known for it superb nightlife, risqué and otherwise, and is home to a host of great clubs, bars and live music venues, not forgetting hundreds of fantastic restaurants. Beneath the brash modern exterior and traffic-clogged streets lie pockets of calm and tranquility that reveal the more spiritual side of Thai people. 
Within the temple area is Nakorn Tham, lite ally "the Land of Dhamma", founded in 1962 by Phra Rajthamjetiyacharn. It can be described as a centre of technology in the service of Buddhist studies, and it contains films detailing the history of Buddhism, Internet facilities, a high-tech library, a meeting room and a canteen.
The hills and valleys of Mae Hong Son, one of Thailand's most naturally scenic areas, turn to gold when the Dok Bua Tong wild sunflower (Tithonia Diversifolia) comes into full bloom during this period. 
The Tourism Authority of Thailand together with MasterCard has launched “72 Hours Amazing Thailand” – a dedicated campaign presenting a host of exciting activities and special privileges exclusively for MasterCard cardholders visiting Thailand.
A glimpse of everyday life in Thailand can be seen at the Damnern Saduak Floating market which is located some 68 miles from Bangkok. Your journey commences with a leisurely drive passing through salt fields and rice paddies before arriving at a jetty. Here we will board long tail speed-boats to take you to the market. 
Doi Inthanon is the highest mountain in Thailand, 2,565 m. from sea level.The geography is bountiful with foresst and the atmosphere is cool and fresh all year. The weather is cold with high humidity throughout the year, particularly at the top of the National Park. In winter, the temperature at the National Park is below 0 c and the mountain is covered with fog all day. In summer, despite hot weather in central Chiang Mai and nearby districts, it is still freezing. Visitors to the peak of Doi Inthanon should be prepared with thick clothes. 
In the Ang – ga – Inthanon mountain range, close to the Mae Glang waterfall, is the huge Borijinda Cave. To reach the cave, turn right off the Chiang Mai – Hod route at km. 58, on the road to the waterfall. After 8 kilometres turn right and keep going for one kilometre toward Doi Inthanon where a sign points to the cave. The cave has many beautiful stalactites and stalagmites, appropriately called Nom Pha, or milk of the cliff, in the northern Thai language.
Beside the main road over Doi Inthanon is The Royal Project Station in Baan Khun Glang, quite close to the National Park Office. This project was initiated in 1979 as part of His Majesty the King’s efforts to help the hilltribes cultivate cash crops other than opium, to introduce them to modern agricultural practices and to help them protect forest and river catchments. This particular station has responsibility for research into temperate zone plant species as well as providing agricultural advice and support for 510 neighbourhood Karen and Hmong families.
