Thailand’s fabulous holiday destinations for non divers

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As a diver you choose your holiday destination based on dive spots. You have to have priorities, of course! Nobody understands you better than us☺

But Thailand is worth a visit not only for its beautiful dive sites such as the Similan Islands, Phi Phi Island and Phuket. But also for it’s landscape, temples and much more. Let’s So join us on an imaginary trip through the country. We start in northern Thailand, in Chiang Mai

 

 

Chiang Mai is not only the largest city of Thailand’s north, but at the same time one of the most important cultural, economic and infrastructural centers of the nation. A little over 700 years ago, the city was built as the capital of the kingdom of Lan Na (1296 – 1768). Although the city has been occupied, conquered and even completely abandoned before it is still in certain respect considered self-governed. Although the city has always been a part of the great Thai nation, it nevertheless enjoys a certain special status. From the view of the river “Ping” the city gives an incredibly picturesque and tranquil impression. Except for the underwater world of the south of Thailand, the landscape surrounding Chiang Mai is considered the most impressive of Thailand. Lush green meadows, winding rivers, the reflection of the sky in the surface of the green rice fields gives a particularly impressive image, which you can only see in very few places of the world as easily as here.

 

 

With our dive equipment packed we make our way south and stop 440 km before Bangkok in Sukothai. From here, it is still a long journey to dive in Khao Lak or Phuket, but it is well worth a stop.

 

 

This ancient city with its UNESCO world heritage historical park is a spectacular walk in Thai history. The kingdom of Sukothai existed between 1238 and 1583. It’s believed that monks of this kingdom invented the Thai script. It’s a great idea to rent a bicycle and cycle around the park and enjoy the impressive remains and this great piece of Thailand’s history and culture.

 

 

 

The Sukothai kingdom eventually fell to the more powerful Ayutthaya kingdom (called Kingdom of Siam by foreigners), which is out next stop. The former capital of the Kingdom of Siam is the impressive city of Ayutthaya, almost completely surrounded by water (not time to dive yet though…) The river Chao Phraya wraps around the city to the west and south, the Pa Sak river to the east and in the north is a small offspring of Lop Buri river. This area is wetland and used for growing rice and breeding shrimps. The water also offered the ancient city protection from hostile nations. Finally after 35 different kings had ruled the kingdom, in the late 18th century the city was almost completely destroyed by Burmese army. What we have left today is a beautiful, historical site, which shows the amazing development of Thai architecture and art.

 

 

We want to get closer to the ocean and head to Phang Nga, just north of Phuket. Nevertheless, the diving equipment remains in the bag for the time being☺ The main attractions of the province are related to the extraordinary geological formations in the area. This have produced a numerous of islands, caves and bizarre rock formations. The perhaps most famous one being the Marine National Park of Phang Nga bay (James Bond island). But inland you can find caves, waterfalls, temples and archaeological sites in Ban Thung Tuek, also worth a visit.

 

 

Once you arrived in the south there is nothing to stop you from going diving! The most beautiful part of the south are below the surface, whether it being the granite formations in the Similan Islands, the reefs of Phuket or the stunning walls of Phi Phi that flicks your switch, here is something for everyone!