Places of Interest in Thailand
American TESOL Institute organizes TESOL Courses in every month at the
principal cities of Thailand – Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Pattaya which
are brimming with interesting and eminent places to visit attracting TEFL
visitors from all around the world.
Bangkok has lots to offer in terms sightseeing places. While in the city the
TEFL trainees should know carry a brochure or guide map from any of the tour
operators and make a point to visit the following places :
Wat Po – this is a very famous temple with the largest statute of Buddha.
This temple is also famous for teaching Thai massage. Obviously TEFL
tourists too can get a Thai massage here at low prices. Please note that you
should not wear short trousers or short skirts – it is offending to Buddhist
religion.
Khao San Road – made famous by ‘The Beach’ movie. This is the area where all
you TESOL candidates can find cheap restaurants, bars and hotels. It has a
nice atmosphere. Prices will start at 150 baht per night in this area. This
is the place to buy cheap travel packages.
Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm – it is the largest crocodile farm in the world
and very famous amongst TESOL trainees. You can get real close to the crocs
and feed them from an overhead walkway. They also have an elephant show and
monkey show.
Snake Farm – this place must be visited by the TESOL trainees after they are
through with their TEFL classes. Here you get to see the slimy creatures.
The place is also well known for making good anti-venom. You can also get
your photo taken with a live cobra wrapped around you.
Chatuchak Weekend Market – the largest marketing the world with over 35
acres in size where the TESOL candidates can get things here really
cheap.The market is open only during daytime on Saturdays and Sundays and
always crowded.
Lumpini Park – After a tiring day’s TESOL class, the TEFL trainees can relax
and unwind by the lake at Lumpini park which is one of the largest parks in
Bangkok. They can also practice Tai Chi art or feed the fish here.
Floating Market – famous tourist attraction and fascinates the TEFL course
takers to great extent . They mainly sell fruits and vegetables. If you are
going to the floating market then make a point to visit the Rose Garden too.
The Rose Garden is a cultural place where the TEFL trainees can spend an
entire day here. This is the place where you get to see elephant shows, a
traditional Thai marriage and a mock bouts of Thai boxing.
Boat Trip – In case you are feeling lonely or want to have fun alone, a TEFL
trainee can take a boat trip up the Chao Phraya river and enjoy the sites on
his/her journey. You can stop off at snake farm, temples and other
attractions. Going in groups will be more pleasurable.
Museums – Besides these, the TEFL trainees can check out the various museums
available in Bangkok but the bets amongst them is the Forensic Museum and
the place to be in. The horrific things like deformed and severed limbs
available in the museaum evoke great interest in all the TEFL trainees.
Safari World – the largest animal world in South East Asia and a must visit
place for the TESOL tourists. It is a place visited by both elders and
children. It has a huge collection of animal species. You can actually see
them feeding during the designated time slots. The place lives up to its
reputation of being the largest theme park in Thailand. There is also the
Marine Park which houses rare marine species and also the playful dolphins.
A must visit place for every foreigner.
Chiang Mai
The TESOL trainees would find that a wide variety of temples are a unique
feature of Chiang Mai amidst its other interesting places.
Wat Phra Singh, Wat Suan Dok, Wat Chiang Man, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Ku Tao,
Wat Chet Yot are some of the finest examples of Chiang Mai temples with
exquisite wood carvings and murals and a scripture repository with striking
relics. The TESOL trainees would really miss a great deal of Chiang Mai if
they do not stop by at these mentioned temples.
Chiang Mai National Museum - The Chiang Mai museum beside Wat Chet Yot
contains Lannatai works of art, ancient Buddha images and war weapons.
TheTEFL trainees can visit the museum which is open daily, except Mondays
and Tuesdays, from 9:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 16:00.
Tribal Research Institute - The Institute on the Chiang Mai University
campus, 5km (3mi) from the city, has a permanent exhibition of artifacts for
the TESOL trainees and all tourists and is open from Mon-Fri 8:30-12:00 and
13:00-16:30.
Chiang Mai Arboretum - The TESOL students can find different kinds of
tropical trees and flowers at this attractively landscaped garden near
Chiang Mai University.
Chiang Mai Zoo –All you TEFL trainees should go to the zoological gardens,
next to the Chiang Mai Arboretum, where you would find a collection of Asian
and African mammals and birds on display.
Huai Kaeo Falls near Chiang Mai Zoo, is a popular spot for picnics amongst
TEFL enrollees.
Khruba Sivichai Monument the Huai Kaeo Falls was built to commemorate Khruba
Sivichai who initiated a plan to construct a hillside road for cars and
people to the monastery on Suthep Mountain. It is an interesting place to
visit for the TEFL candidates.
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep on Suthep Mountain, overlooking the city from its
forested backdrop, is one of Chiang Mai’s most important landmarks. It dates
from 1383 and has holy Buddha relics in its golden pagoda. Buddhist pilgrims
from all over the world come throughout the year. To reach it one can chose
the hard way and climb a steep Naga staircase comprising around 300 steps;
the less energetic may ascend by funicular cars. The TESOL trainees must
visiting this place which is considered to be the best part about Chiang
Mai.
Phu Phing Palace Phu on Doi Buak Ha, was built in 1962. The nicely
landscaped grounds are open to the public on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and
public holidays, provided members of the Thai Royal family are not staying
there at that time and should be visited by TESOL enrollees.
Phuket
The various scintillating beaches of Phuket where the TESOL trainees must
all rush to for spending an enchanting short-term holiday there. Phuket
Island has many interesting places to visit, many of which are easy to go to
by motorbike or car. So all the TESOL trainees should take the time to
explore and you will be rewarded by sights and lasting impressions of the
present and the past. Some of the attractions of Phuket which deserve
special mention are mentioned below :
Khao Rang- The TEFL students can get a great view of Phuket Town, the
southern part of the island, and some of the offshore islands, can be
obtained by going to the top of Kao Rang Hill, on the city's northwest.
There are also several restaurants featuring spectacular views of the city,
a health park for exercise enthusiasts, and a comfortable, expanse of grass
for picnickers at the top with a bronze statue of Phraya Ratsada Nupradit
the model Governor of Phuket during King Rama V's reign.
Phuket Aquarium - More than one hundred species of sea life are on display
at the aquarium, many of them taken from the waters around Phuket. Open
daily, 8:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m., the island's extreme southeast; admission is 5
baht for children and 20 baht for adults. A Songtaew (local bus) can be
taken from the Talad Soht, or Fresh Market.
Phuket Port
If you want to see water commercial trading and seafood tender of Phuket and
also see many style of Thai Boat should come here about 6:30-7:00 AM. But
the tender of seafood will open from 3:00 AM.- 9:00 PM
Phuket Sea Shell Museum :Perhaps the world's most valuable collection of
seashells has been put on display at Phuket Seashell near Rawai Beach on the
island's southwestern shores. The emphasis is on shells from Phuket and Thai
waters which are among the most sough-after by collectors however shells
from every part of the world are featured Wherever they originate each shell
in the Shell is the best of its type very often the only of its type.
Displays ha e been created in a logical order, and visitors can see at once
differing characteristics among related species. The Shell museum is open
daily from 8:00a.m. Till 7:00 p.m.
Prom Thep Cape or God’s Cape is a headland stretching in to the sea and
forming the extreme south-end of Phuket is a prominent and the best feature
of Phuket must be visited by the TEFL trainees.
View Point - From this point the TESOL students can see the picturesque
views of the bays of Kata Noi, Kata, and Karon, and also Koh Poo Island. It
is one of the island’s best views.
A large public sala or shelter is there for visitors, and several vendors
sell food, drinks, and souvenirs in the area when the weather is nice. The
Viewpoint is between Kata and Nai Harn
Night Market – The TEFL trainees in order to see and taste the very
delicious food local Thai & Chinese & Muslim food and also Thai dessert,
should go to the Night Market.
Phuket Zoo appeals to the TEFL candidates and the Thai elephant show, Monkey
show, crocodile show, bird etc. prove to be a great way of spending spare
time in Thailand.
Chalong Temple: Is about 8 Kms. Outside town. Take Vichit Songkram Rd. to
the Bypass Rd. and turn left this is where stands the cast statue of Luang
Por Cham, Who helped the people of Phuket put down the Ahngyee or Chinese
Coolie, Rebellion in 1876 during the reign of Rama V. There are also statues
of Luang Por Chuang, and Luang Por Gluam, other monks who were abbots of the
temple during later times and who are the objects of respect and recipients
of offerings by Phuket people generally.
