One of us wahts to see people and culture, one of us wants nature and wild animals..What two places ?.?

Question

Where in Thailand can satisfy both?

Answer 1

I think the real deal is the Khao Yai National Park + Phimai/Buriram idea given out in one of the answers above. If you're into history you'll love Phimai and Buriram. They are two well-preserved sites left over from the 12th-13th century (Christian dating) when what is now Thailand was was part of the Khmer Empire. As they date from the same period they have a lot of design similarities with Angkor Wat in Cambodia. They are not particularly far apart, both being in the southern part of Isan, nor are they very far from Khao Yai (a few hours east of Bangkok). You're other question today about Lopburi, Sukothai and Ayutthaya is essentially looking at the next stage of Thai history when the Khmer empire went into decline, the Thai kingdoms gained their independence and Ayutthaya (with backing from the royal families from Lopburi and Sukothai) was founded (14th century onwards). Its shame you can't go to all the sites (Phimai, Buriram, Sukpthai, Lopburi and Ayutthaya)because you'd get a feel for the Khmer cultural ideas that all the sites show in different stage of development - check out the design of the temples in Ayutthaya - there are a lot of Khmer derived features that you'll see at Phimai, Buriram (and Angkor Wat in Cambodia). If you know what you're looking for you can even see these in the relatively modern design of the Grand Place in Bangkok.

You will probably be able to get to Phimai fairly easily without being able to speak Thai. Its not so far from the city of Khorat. Buriram is going to be a bit more of a struggle. Not many foreign tourists make it there and its kind of in the middle of nowhere. You can just about see over to into Cambodia from the summit (its built on an extinct volcano) on a clear day.

Khao Yai National Park is easy to get to and many foreign visitors go there - it can even be done as a day trip from Bangkok.

I think Phimai and Buriram are the most interesting historical sites in Thailand. Send me an email through YA and I'll email you a couple of my pictures to give you a flavor so you can figure out for yourself whether its worth the bother of getting to these, slightly out of the way, places.

The Muang Singh site in Kanchanaburi, also the remains of an old Khmer city, is not of an equal quality to the Phimai and Buriram sites; although if you can't make it to them its still worth going to.

Answer 2

Looks like you may be having a bit of a dilemma on this. Not common to have them together. The people and culture maybe you can observe while visiting nature and wild animals!

I can try to suggest this for you. How about considering a trip to northeast Thailand? The Khao Yai National Park is a place to visit including possible encounter with wild animals. Follow that up with a trip to Phimai Historical site n Nakhon Ratchasima and Phanom Rung Historical site in Buriram.

The other will be to Kanchanaburi to visit the Muang Sing Historical site and the waterfalls in the Erawan National Park and tiger temple there. Also the River Kwai and the Death Railway Museum. However the rain season is not present yet, so the waterfalls may not be that impressive.

You can email me for other options if you like at [e-mail].

Answer 3

This is getting tough, but I'll give it a try... wow - wild animals? I think that is going to be tough, though you might find some nice spots for birding... You could pay to stay and work at the elephant preserve for a couple of days outside of Lampang.. We took my nephews and everyone who was working there, seemed to enjoy being taught to be a mahout for a couple of days - - this might satisfy the animal experience.. you will be trained by a mahout and ride and lead the elephant in the dialy shows...

And since you are already in Lampang, you could continue downward to Tak, where we have few tourists.. There are some interesting Buddhist temples and a hermitage. There are real Thai people, living their lives - - I live in a small agrarian village not too far north of Tak and I have had visitors who want to see the genuine Thailand.. CM will have many "culutural" day trips for you to take, some real, some not - lots of tourist things.. If I remember correctly, you have very little time.. and of course, some of the more interesting things to do require a means to get out of the tourist destinations..

You could go to Phitsanoluk, a boring enuf but real city - the mtns to the east are natural and lovely and to the west is Sukhothai and Tak..

If you would like, you can contact me and I will try and be of more help.. [e-mail] - - good luck

Answer 4

You can go to Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai. Very nice places to see people, culture, nature and animals.

Answer 5

I think it is called Mae Hong Son - north of Thailand (Chiangmai) where you can see the tribe people and nature/wildlife

Answer 6

anywhere close by national park, there r many temples and real locals, no tourists trap, as for wild animals, u will be in the mountains and watch out for those wild elephants eh! choke-dee

Answer 7

Hi there I will give you guys some websites you can check it out and decide which national park you wanna go,
http://www.thaiparks123.com/en/index.cfm
http://www.dnp.go.th
http://www.thailand-guide.org/parks/north.htm
http://www.wildwatchthailand.com/

If you don't have camping gear I think It's better to go with a group tour. They will prepare food and everything for you and make sure you are safe.

good luck and have fun!