1. Hua Hin is Thailand’s oldest beach town and is a perfect getaway for the HiSo crowd from Bangkok. Situated on the west coast of the Gulf of Thailand, it became popular with the Thai Royal Family in the 1920s, and there remains a Royal Palace there. A sleepy and refined town, Hua Hin boasts a magnificent sandy beach and great dining for the weekend visitor. Specialist seafood restaurants reach out like tentacles into the sea and are a must when visiting.
2. Ayutthaya & Historical Park is steeped in history and was the capital of Siam, founded around 1350. Four hundred years later, it was one of the largest cities in the world with 1 million people. Unfortunately, the Burmese destroyed the city, resulting in the collapse of the Kingdom; fortunately, renovations started in earnest in the 1960s, bringing back much of its former glory, with moats, canals, and roads. The Historical Park is located on an island surrounded by three rivers where the old capital used to be. If you want to immerse yourself in the deep history of Siam, then Ayutthaya is the perfect place.
3. Kanchanaburi & Thai-Burma Railway features some of the most beautiful nature in central Thailand. It is home to several waterfalls, mountains, caves, national parks and last, but not least, the River Kwai. The scenic train journey along the notorious Thailand-Burma Death Railway from Kanchanaburi, via the Bridge over the River Kwai, to Nam Tok is Thailand’s most spectacular and popular train ride.
4. Rayong. Rayong is just a staging point to take the ferry across to Koh Samet, but Rayong has far more to offer than just that. It has some fine sandy beaches that you will find are quieter than those of its neighbour Pattaya. There are some great historical places to visit with many Wats and Temples dotted about. The old market on Jinda Road is worth a visit, and there are many good seafood restaurants in the town.
5. Trat Province nestles along the border with Cambodia, with the impressive Khao Banthat mountain range forming the border. Trat is synonymous with Koh Chang, and 52 assorted offshore islands offer unspoiled long, white sandy beaches and exciting coral reefs. Trat is somewhere you go for a peaceful break; the small, sleepy province offers delightful scenery and tranquil hideouts for lovers of nature. The city of Trat is home to a plethora of markets due to the proximity of Cambodia.