Page 106 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Bangkok

104 ❯❯ Bangkok Area by Area

Khao Yai
5
MAP U1 • 105 miles (170 km)
NE of Bangkok
Thailand’s first National Park, this
mountainous, forested area is home
to elephants, tigers, and gibbons,
plus over 300 species of birds. There
are several waterfalls and bat caves,
as well as resorts and golf courses
in the foothills outside the park’s
boundaries. Trekking and mountain
biking tours are offered, as well as
camping. Visitors should plan on
spending the night here to fully
appreciate this natural wonderland.
Koh Samed
6
MAP U3 • 124 miles (200 km)
SE of Bangkok Ancient ruins at Ayutthaya
Easily the best beach escape from
Ayutthaya
the capital, Koh Samed is an island 8
with clear waters and fine sand, as From 1350 to 1767, Ayutthaya
well as a national park. Due to its ruled supreme as the capital of its
popularity, accommodation rates own kingdom, only to be abandoned
have spiraled. By avoiding weekends after being sacked by the Burmese
and public holidays, it is possible to (see p40). The Ayutthaya Historical
enjoy the idyllic surroundings without Park features ancient ruins set in
feeling like a sardine in a can. tranquil countryside. The main
temples – Wat Ratchaburuna, Wat
Mahathat, and Wat Sri Sanphet – can
be covered in a day trip (see pp34–7).
Pattaya
9
MAP U3 • 91 miles (147 km) SE
of Bangkok
Pattaya is infamous for its go-go
bars, discos, trans vestite cabarets,
and countless “bar beers” – open-
sided bars with friendly hostesses.
Yet the town has made an attempt to
clean up its image, and there are
now some family attractions, such as
Crystal-clear waters of Koh Samed Pattaya Park Water Park, Mini Siam,
Underwater World, and an Elephant
Hua Hin
7 Village. Watersports and golf are
MAP S3 • 118 miles (190 km)
SW of Bangkok
Thailand’s oldest beach resort was THE DEATH RAILWAY
popularized by the royal family when Between 1942–5, about 16,000 Allied
they had a summer palace built here prisoners of war and 100,000 Asians died
in 1926. Though the 3-mile (5-km) during the construction of a rail road line
beach is fine for a stroll or a pony from Thailand to Burma. The Japanese
ride, shade is limited, and the shallow saw the line as crucial to their occupation
bay can frus trate swimmers. Vestiges of Southeast Asia. After the Japanese
surrender, the British tore up the track.
of the past remain in the train sta tion The rail link was never re-established.
and the squid piers along the front.

Eyewitness Travel – Top 10 series LAYERS PRINTED:
Two-column, 8.5pt grid “UK” LAYER
(SourceReport v.1.9)
102-105_Top_10_Bangkok.indd 104 22/05/2017 12:13
Date 24th June 2015
Size 100mm x 191mm