Discover your limits.
CENTRAL THAILAND
POINTS OF INTEREST
Ayutthaya Temples and Ruins
Thailand is full of beautiful temples and ruins where you can go to learn about faith, culture, and history. Ayutthaya is filled with such temples and ruins, and is the perfect place to explore these marvels. Here are a few of interest:
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Wat Chaiwatthanaram
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Wat Mahathat
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Wat Phra Sri Sanphet (Photo to right)
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Wat Yai Chai Mang Khon
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Wat Panan Choeng
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Temple of the Reclining Buddha
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Temple of the Royal Restoration
Photo credit to: https://www.thecrazytourist.com/
Visit a Floating Market
A floating market is simply a market where goods are not sold on land, but on boat. These markets originated during times when boats and water were the main form of transportation. Today they are not so much used for practical reasons as they are tourist attractions. Still, if you have never seen a floating market, they are definitely worth the stop.
Photo credit to: http://www.bangkok.com/
Phallic Shrine
Known as the Goddess Tubtim Shrine, this shrine holds phalluses of all shapes and sizes. The shrine is dedicated to the Goddess of Fertility and is a place where women go when they are trying to conceive. Rumour has it the shrine has a good success rate.
Photo credit to: http://www.bangkok.com
The Forensic Museum
Known as the "creepiest" museum in Thailand, this place is not for the faint of heart. Throughout the museum you will find a variety of morbid collections including displays of babies with genetic disorders, dissected skeletons and body parts, and other gruesome artifacts.
Photo credit to: http://www.bangkok.com/
Bangkok Correction Museum
This is another museum that is not for the faint of heart. It lies in what used to be a maximum security prison. The museum gives visitors an idea of how prisoners lived, as well as demonstrates the gruesome torture devices that were used against them.
Photo credit to: http://www.bangkok.com
Slingshot to Heaven
The Slingshot to Heaven is actually a giant swing that stands over 88 feet tall. The swing has been the place of many ceremonies and re-enactments of Hindu origin stories. The ceremonies, however, are no longer active as many have fell to their deaths from the swing.
Photo credit to: http://www.atlasobscura.com/
The Wang Saen Suk Hell Garden
Known as the Buddhist Hell, this garden depicts scenes of torture that are said to be punishments in hell. From sinners being boiled in cauldrens to those being torn apart by dogs, there is no punishment too torturous for this garden.
Photo credit to: http://www.atlasobscura.com/
The Leather Work
If you are a PETA supporter, you may be a fan of this shop. Disguised as any other regular leather shop, this store draws in people looking to buy leather coats, bags, and other leather products. The difference with this store is when you open up your leather bag, you will find a beating heart. And when you put on your coat? You will feel the sensation of animal flesh and blood against your skin.
The goal of the organization is to show shoppers the cost of leather products. Millions of animals are killed each year simply for leather production. Hopefully this store can raise some awareness in the fight against animal cruelty.
Photo credit and reference to : http://www.atlasobscura.com/
Sai Yok National Park
Located in the Sai Yok District of Kanchanaburi Province, this park covers over 958 km² and features beautiful waterfalls, caves, raft houses, and historical sites. There is a variety of species found throughout the park including Elephants, deer, wild boar, gibbon, and many other wild animals.
Hellfire Pass
Hellfire pass is a 500m portion of rock that was dug out as part of the historical Death Railway. The Pass is visited in memorial of the 1000 prisoners who were forced to dig it out by hand (most of which who died during the dig).
Photo credit to: http://www.planetware.com
Sri Nakarin National Park
Sri Nakarin National Park is home to the beautiful Huay Mae Khamin Waterfalls. It is also a great spot for bathing in hot springs and watching for wildlife such as bats, leapords, and civets.
Photo credit to: http://www.planetware.com
JEATH War Museum
This Museum is also dedicated to the memorial of those who took part in the creation of Death Railway. The museum is the exact replica of the bamboo POW huts that were built on the original site. Inside you can find photographs from 1942 and 1943 when the dig took place, and learn about the conditions in which the POWs were forced to live and work.
Photo credit to: http://www.thailand-guide.com/
Wat Ban Tham
Wat Ban Tham is located near Kanchanaburi and is a temple located inside of a cave. The temple is located in the middle of a mountain and the entrance is through that of a dragons mouth. Inside the cave you will find a variety of sacred objects, Buddha statues, and shrines.
Photo credit to: http://www.findingtheuniverse.com
Phra Prang Sam Yot
Located in Lopburi, Phra Prang Sam Yot is one of the oldest and most well known landmarks in the area. It is thought that the Prang was built over 800 years ago as a Buddhist sanctuary and was later converted into a Hindu shrine. Today you can visit and admire the prang, or just go to see the many free-roaming monkeys that visit there in search of food.
Photo credit to: http://www.alexinwanderland.com
Lopburi
Like Monkeys? Lopburi, Thailand is the place you want to be. Sometimes referred to as the "city of monkeys", Lopburi is home to hundreds of free-roaming monkeys that search the streets in hopes of finding a good meal!
Photo credit to: http://www.bangkokpost.com/
Explore an Underground Temple
Thailand is full of underground temples that are built into caves. Here are a few that are open for visits:
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Tham Khao Luang Cave
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Phraya Nakhon Cave
Photo credit to: http://www.thousandwonders.net/
More National Parks
Thailand is full of beautiful National Parks. Here are some other parks that offer gorgeous scenery and fantastic wildlife watching experiences:
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Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park
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Kui Buri National Park
Photo credit to: https://www.getyourguide.com
The Venezia
Located in Hua Hin, the Venezia is a themed shopping village featuring architecture that is reminiscent of Venice, Italy. The small village features unique shops, arcades, and even a gondola.
Photo credit to: http://taxiservicehuahin.com/tours.html
