Bordered by Myanmar and Laos, characterised by forested mountains and fertile river valleys, northern Thailand encompasses part of the fabled Golden Triangle. Diverse elements, including crisp mountain scenery, hill tribes, forests worked by elephants, colourful festivals, cool season weather, ancient cities, exquisite northern Thai and Burmese-style temples, and friendly people contribute to northern Thailand's charm.
The most visited are: Chiang Mai and surrounding areas (including Chiang Rai) for an obligatory visit at least to Doi Suthep the marvelous looking and well located temple outside the city of Chiang Mai.
Time can also be spent at the many handicrafts outlets around Chiang Mai or visiting hill tribes, some trekking, elephant riding and rafting to name a few.
Sukhothai should not be missed it is located in the middle between Bangkok and Chiang Mai, most visitors stay in Phitsanulok and visit Sukhothai from there as the choice of hotels is greater and a visit to the famous Buddha image of Phra Buddha Chinnarat is nearby.

The Golden Triangle

The infamous Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos converge, is Chiang Rai province's most popular attraction, luring thousands of visitors annually. Its riverfront position at the confluence of the Mekhong and Ruak rivers lends it a unique appeal

Located near the Northern-most point of Thailand - The Golden Triangle was once the centre of all opium poppy growing in the country, the illicit crops have long since been replaced by the small tourist village and today the roads are flanked by countless small restaurants and vendor's souvenir stalls along the banks of the Mekhong river

Chiang Rai

Just over 100km from Chiang Mai and about 940km from Bangkok this province is rich in tourism resources in terms of natural attractions and antiquities and evidence of its past civilisation. It is also home to several hill tribes who follow fascinating ways of life.
Chiang Rai covers over 11,000 square kilometres, more than three quarters are mountains. Yet, because of its fertile soil, plentiful water supplies and favourable climate, it has a surplus of rice and also produces large quantities of maize, beans, tobacco, longans, lychees and strawberries.
Chiang Rai is among the oldest towns of Thailand. It was founded in 1262, Chiang Rai is also a tourism gateway into Myanmar and Laos

	Colourful flowers of Mae Fa Luang Garden on Mount Doi Tung. The garden is just in front of the Doi Tung Royal Villa of the late Princess Mother.

Now the temple houses a Jade Buddha image which was made to commemorate the 90th birthday of the late Princess Mother.

Located in Pa Or Donchai District, Muang County, Chiang Rai Province, Wat Rong Khun is also known as the White Temple. Whereas most temples visited by tourists have a history going back many centuries, this magnificent place of worship was built only recently. The ubosot (the ordination hall) of this temple is in pure white and adorned with exquisite traditional Thai style stucco work, aiming to represent heaven.

Mae Hong Son

The City of Three Mists located 924 kilometres from Bangkok this is Thailand's most north-western and remotest province bordering Burma. It is virtually covered with mist throughout the year, the name refers to the fact that this terrain is highly suitable for the
training of elephants
Tourists are attracted to the area due to its pristine virgin forests, spectacular mountains, lush valleys, indigenous wildlife and unique
hill-tribes. Walk around the picturesque lake and visit the surrounding wats (Temples). Wat Phra That Soi Kong Mu (aka Wat Phai Doi) overlooks the town from the west and offers superb views.

The Shan settlers selected the perfect site when they began to build Mae Hong Son. Winter temperatures went down to as low as 2 degrees Celsius, providing the needed winter frost on the many greens they planted; summer temperatures on the other hand went up to as high as 40 degrees Celsius, providing for the hot tropical climate so necessary to the growing of their rice. In addition, ample rain in the monsoon season between summer and winter provided for natural irrigation of the land.

The endless hills of high and healthy bamboo are used for the building of their shelters as well as their livestock corals and storage huts. High, leafy plants were cut and used for roofing. Dense forest provided them with their traditional household building material of hardwood. They built their homes and village on the hill and then slowly extended their farming area to the valley below. The majority of Shan are farmers working on irrigated rice fields and grow garlic, peanuts and soybeans as cash crops.

The Karen Hill tribe are found along most of the length of the Thai Burmese border their population is about 350,000 in Thailand, with over four million in Burma, they are concentrated mainly in Mae Hong Son province and western areas of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai.
There are several groups of Karen hill tribe the most famous being the Padung or long neck.
Karen costume for women is very attractive and distinctive.
Houses are on stilts, made of bamboo or teak.

The Karen are gentle, peaceful and cooperative people. The Karen have strict laws against immorality, they are matrilineal societies, so that two married women do not live in the same house. In some villages, the punishment for adultery is death. The village chief has great power over his community and is regarded as the spiritual as well as the administrative leader.
Like most tribes they are skilled farmers they also hunt for game, with spears and crossbows and use tame elephants to help them clear land. Rice and vegetables are their major crops, but some grow opium. They raise pigs, chickens, water buffaloes, cattle and elephants
The long neck people wear their rings from 5 or 6 years old. Contrary to belief, the rings do not stretch their necks; they depress the collarbone and ribcage, which gives the impression of the neck being unnaturally stretched. The rings around the neck can weigh up to 14kg The rings are only taken off to change them as the collarbone and ribcage become more depressed.

The rings are worn for 3 reasons: To make the women look beautiful To warn off the interest of Thai men To distinguish them from other hill tribes

Chiang Mai

Popularly known as the Rose of the North, Located 700km north-west of Bangkok, Chiang Mai is Thailand's second largest city.
With over 300 temples and the backdrop of Doi Suthep Mountain rising to 1876 metres to the west, this is a visually striking city surrounded by beautiful countryside.
The old part of the city is a neat square surrounded by a moat, several of Chiang Mai's most important temples are located within this area. To the east is the Ping river which cuts through the city from north to south.
Chiang Mai is a first class tourist destination and is an excellent base from which to explore Northern Thailand. Time can also be spent at the numerable handicrafts outlets as Chiang Mai is famous for its ancient arts and crafts, among them the umbrella-making, wood carving, lacquerware, and silverware which includes hill tribe jewellery.
During most of the year, Chiang Mai is less humid and much cooler, than elsewhere in Thailand.

Borommathat Doi Suthep is on Doi Suthep is a large golden pagoda in the center of the temple containing a part of the holy relics or the Lord Buddha. A holy place visited throughout the year by Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world. The temple was built by King Gue-Na in 1383 A.D.

Umbrella Factory Chiang Mai The brightly coloured umbrellas of Chiang Mai are a distinctive Thai icon, these parasols are delicately crafted from bamboo or cane and exquisitely decorated with colourful pictures or patterns on glazed rice paper covers. Thai handicrafts make excellent gifts; they are beautifully made, cheap and unique.

Sukhothai

Sukhothai which literally means Dawn of Happiness was the first true Thai kingdom. This was Thailand's capital city from the mid-13th century to the late 14th century.

This ancient city has a great deal to offer those interested in historical sites as the region has a World Heritage Site - Sukhothai Historical Park. The park has several temples dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries. Wat Mahathat, the largest temple, is surrounded by brick walls and a moat. Some of the original Buddha images still sit among the ruined columns.

Ruins of the royal palaces, Buddhist temples, the city gates, walls, moats, dams, ditches, ponds, canals, and the water dyke control system, which was the magical and spiritual centre of the Kingdom, are now preserved and have been restored by the Fine Arts Department with the cooperation of UNESCO, not only with a view of fostering Thailand's national identity but of safeguarding a fine example of mankind's cultural heritage.

	Wat Mahathat. It is Sukhothai's largest temple with a customary main Chedi in lotus-bud shape and a ruined Wihan. Its main Buddha image is 8 metres high
Bridge leading to Wat Sa Si.  Around a Singhalese-style chedi is the main sanctuary on an island in the middle of Traphang Trakuan Pond. A large viharn contains a stucco Buddha image.