Bangkok
Capital city of Thailand, known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, has a population of approximately 7 million people.
Bangkok has a long and often complex history having being bestowed as the capital of Siam after the fall of the old capital city of Ayutthaya due to invasion by a large Burmese army in 1767. Prior to becoming the capital, Bangkok consisted of a number of small villages on the west bank of the Chao Phraya river.
Bangkok started to develop into the large city we know today only from the late 1800's onwards and became a major trading destination in the region. It is now a truly cosmopolitan and diverse city with the largest number of international schools, colleges and universities in Thailand.
Famed for its non-stop neon nightlife, Bangkok is an urban sprawl covering a huge area from the Chao Phraya river delta in the south to the northern extremes of its boundries with the neighboring district of Watthana.
A mecca for international travelers and tourists with attractions such as the historic Grand Palace and traditional Buddhist temples including Wat Arun and Wat Pho alongside the exciting tourist hotspots of Khaosan Road, Chinatown, Sukhumvit, Patpong and the huge weekend market of Chatuchak where everything and anything can be found.
English is spoken and understood by most locals, particularly in the more openly tourist areas mentioned above.
Located near the equator, Bangkok has a tropical climate. Temperatures typically range from 19C to 38C (66-100 F). Monsoon rains fall predominately from May to July, and cooler weather occurs around November and December each year.
Chiang Mai
Founded in 1296 by King Mengrai, Chiang Mai (new city in Thai) is the largest city in the north of Thailand and is a distinct contrast to Bangkok. The district of Chiang Mai has a population of approximately 1.5 million with about 200,000 people living within the city boundries.
Nicknamed of ‘Rose of the North’, Chiang Mai is 750km (470 miles) north of Bangkok. Journey times are 1 hour by air, 11 hours by bus and 13 hours by train. Located in a valley, Chiang Mai is 310m (1,000 feet above sea level) and is surrounded by hills and mountains.
Chiang Mai has a large number of international schools, colleges and is also home to several large universities offering a diverse range of study subjects and courses.
The Night Bazaar area is considered by most visitors and residents to be the downtown area of Chiang Mai with lots of activity both day and night. This area is bordered by the old town to the west and is by the Ping River to the east.
Within the old town alone, there are over 30 temples with the most famous two being Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang.
Arts and culture are prominent in the city and there are countless restaurants and local stalls serving up delicious and inexpensive Thai food all day and night.
Generally less expensive than Bangkok and the southern islands, Chiang Mai is a great place to stay and is regularly touted as one of the best cities in Asia to live and work.
The mountains and valleys of Chiang Mai province generally provide the area with a cooler climate and noticeable separation of seasons compared with than other parts of Thailand with average yearly temperatures ranging between 5C to 30C (41-86 F).
Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai is a picturesque small city located in the far north of Thailand with a small population of around 70,000 inhabitants.
The city is located 860 kilometres (530 miles) north of Bangkok and about 200 kilometres (120 miles) north-east of Chiang Mai, its larger northern neighbor. It stands on the Mekong river just across from the country of Laos. Within the area known as the ''Golden Triangle'' between Thailand, Laos and Myanmar, Chiang Rai is an industrial city and the provincial capital of Chiang Rai Province and is characterized by impressive mountain scenery and large, fertile valleys.
The city is also home to two large universities and many colleges and international schools catering for local Thais and the growing population of ex-pats who now call the city their home.
The Chiang Rai area is rich in culture and history with a diverse mix of Thais, foreign ex-pats and ethnic tribes such as the Karan, Akha and Hmong amongst others offering an interesting mix of peoples from varied backgrounds and ethnicities.
Approximately 12% of Chiang Rai's population are tribal people who you can often encounter within the city and surrounding countryside.
The climate is still tropical-monsoonal although generally the rainy seasons are shorter than in central or southern Thailand with lower average temperatures 5C to 30C (41-86 F) which can actually be quite chilly in the late season between November and January .
Phuket
Phuket is one of the southern provinces of Thailand and consists of the island of Phuket, the country's largest island, and another 32 smaller islands nearby. It lies off the west coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea and is connected by the Sarasin Bridge to Phang Nga Province to the north. The next nearest province is Krabi, to the east across Phang Nga Bay.
Some 600,000 people reside on Phuket currently and it is approximately 863km (536 miles) to the south of Bangkok.
The island lies on a historic trade route between India and China although these days derives much of its income from tourism.
Although a relatively small region, Phuket island is home to a university and several colleges and international schools.
Although mostly known for its lively nightlife and beaches, Phuket Town is the historical part of the island and with recent renovations to try to preserve some of the older, historic buildings. Many new businesses have opened and it hosts regular festivals and a good number of cafes, bars and above average quality restaurants and high-end hotels.
Due to its proximity to the equator, there is little variation in temperatures throughout the year and the island experiences average temperatures between 25C to 35C (77-95 F).
Koh Samui & Koh Phangan
Koh Samui is the largest and busiest of the islands in the beautiful Gulf of Thailand and historically part of Surat Thani province, although is generally self governing these days.
It lies approximately 600km (372 miles) south of Bangkok and is just one of some 40 islands in the vicinity, others including Koh Tao (turtle island) famed for its extensive scuba diving industry and Koh Phangan, host to the famous full moon party each month.
Koh Samui has a tree covered, mountainous interior and is home to some of the best beaches in Thailand. As in Phuket, tourism is now the main source of income for the residents and the island hosts a large number of quality hotels, spas and restaurants.
The main tourist areas include Cheweng, Lamai, Maenam and the island has a small international airport servicing both internal Thailand destinations and also regional neighbors including Malaysia and Singapore.
Although now a tourist hub for southern Thailand, Koh Samui is a living, working island with distinctive local cultures, habits and customs. The first settlers that landed here were Chinese traders and Muslim fishermen, and both of these groups still inhabit the island today living peacefully alongside their Thai cousins.
Local markets like the one at Laem Din behind Chaweng, the Nathon fresh food market, and Hua Thanon fishing village are good places to get an authentic taste of local life.
Koh Phangan is its smaller island neighbour to the north-east and also has tree-covered mountains and some beautiful beaches along the coast with a plethora of hotels, bars and restaurants catering to all budgets.
Both Koh Samui and Koh Phangan have an extensive number of local schools, colleges and English language schools located near their main urban areas catering for local and international students.
Nestled between Koh Samui and Koh Phangan is Ang Thong National Marine Park, a dazzling 250-square-kilometer (155 mile) island archipelago with beautiful palm-fringed beaches, crystal clear waters and extensive coral reefs ideal for snorkeling. The best time to enjoy these southern islands to the fullest is from April to October when the weather is generally clear and temperatures at their highest with average annual temperatures varying between 25C to 35C (77-95 F).
Surat Thani
Surat Thani is largest province located in southern Thailand and is located 685 km (394 miles) from Bangkok. The name Surat Thani translates as "City of the Good People". A former capital of the Srivijaya Empire, the province covers an area of approximately 12,891 square km (8010 miles). Surat Thani Province borders the Gulf of Thailand to the north and east, Chumphon Province to the north, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Krabi Provinces to the south, Phang-Nga and Ranong Provinces to the west and Nakhon Si Thammarat Province to the east.
Surat Thani is a city with a long history. It was believed to be a prehistoric community of tribes of indigenous people including the Saemang and original Malays who built their communities on the Tapee River Basin and Ao Ban Don. Later on, Indians migrated into the area and gradually spread out their culture, as evidenced in the discovery of ruins of ancient communities in Tha Chana and Chaiya Sub-districts.
Surat Thani has one major university and several large colleges alongside a number of international schools and language education centres.
The islands of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao lie just off the coast of the province and offer a short trip to some amazing beaches located there.
The province and city itself has two main festivals annually, Chak Phra Festival and Rambutan Fair where one is able to experience the traditional food and local culture of the area.
As Surat Thani lies in the south of Thailand, average temperatures vary little, usually between 25C to 35C (77-95 F).
Pattaya
Pattaya city is located on the eastern coast of Thailand in Chon Buri province. It is 147 km (91 miles) from Bangkok and occupies an area of around 200 square kilometers including various islands found along its picturesque coastline.
Originally a sleepy fishing village, the influx of American GI's looking for a place to relax whilst on leave during the Vietnam conflict forever changed the area. It is now known as an international destination for tourists from all over the world with exclusive beach resorts, first class restaurants, shopping malls and night entertainment facilities along with more than 300 assorted hotels and countless bars to while away the time.
Pattaya has an extensive number of international schools and colleges to cater for the ever growing number of local Thais wishing to learn English and also the expanding ex-pat community in the city and surrounding area.
There is also an array of sports and recreational activities to explore including beaches, golf courses, tennis courts, go-karts, gyms and fitness centers and Thai boxing stadiums. Other activities on offer in this cosmopolitan city include shooting ranges, scuba diving, surfing, deep-sea fishing, speed boats, scooters, water-skiing, kite-surfing, or aerial sports such as gliding ultra-lights and flying motor-propelled gliders.
Nightlife is diverse and sometimes noisy in the city center with many restaurants, bars, theaters, cabaret shows, night clubs, bowling halls, billiard & snooker clubs, discos and massage parlors on offer.
Pattaya also has an annual festival held at the middle of April where one may encounter floral floats paraded along the streets and a Miss Pattaya Beauty contest. A large fireworks display usually takes place on the main beach and there are also arts and local performances alongside various cultural exhibitions to take in.
Annual average temperatures vary between 25C to 35C (77-95 F).
Ayutthaya
The city of Ayutthaya was originally founded as the capital of the local Kingdom in 1350 by King Ramathibodi I (Uthong) and steadily extended its influence outwards expanding to cover most of the Thai peninsular including parts of modern day Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia over the next several hundred years.
After the invasion and sacking of the city by a large Burmese army in 1767, the King decided to move the capital city southwards to what has now become modern day Bangkok.
As a UNESCO World Heritage City, Ayutthaya has a long and complex history and todays visitors can still see some of the older ruins of its past glory around the city and surrounding countryside.
Remnants of this older Thai culture can be seen throughout the city in the ancient temples or 'Wats' that are scattered everywhere which contrasts markedly with the new urban sprawl which has developed into modern day Ayutthaya.
The floating market and night market are both excellent places to take in the local atmosphere of this ancient city – at its heyday one of the largest cities in the world.
Ayutthaya also has a large number of schools, colleges and two universities situated in the city area with annual temperatures ranging from 22 to 38C (71-100 F).
Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta is part of Krabi Province and lies approximately 560km or 350 miles south west of Bangkok. One of the larger islands in the Andaman sea off the west coast of Thailand, Koh Lanta Yai and its neighboring island of Koh Lanta Noi are a haven for tourists and known for their beautiful sweeping beaches, dense rainforest interiors and lively culture.
The two islands, along with around 50 other smaller islands, make up the Mu Koh Lanta National Park area and are famed for the clear blue waters and amazing snorkeling and scuba diving locations.
There are several English language schools on the island itself along with a number of government schools and private education establishments.
The culture of the islands is a lively mix of ethnic Thai, Muslim and also sea-gypsies who colonized the islands hundreds of years ago. All live peacefully side by side and this ethnic melting pot offers an interesting and diverse view of Thai life in the area.
A good mix of high-end hotels, backpacker hostels, restaurants, bars and cafes make up the coastal region of both Yai and Noi islands with a range of activities available including scuba diving, jet ski's, snorkeling, kayaking, hiking and Thai boxing classes.
The area is host to several festivals and celebrations including the Lanta Festival, Krabi Boek Fa Andaman Festival and the Chak Phra Festival which all take place annually.
Temperatures vary little on the islands and surrounding peninsular seasonally, varying from about 25C to 35C (68-95 F).
Isaan
Isaan is the largest region in Thailand and is made up of several provinces including Kalasin, Roi Et, Surin, Buriram, Khon Kaen and Maha Sarakham among others.
Isaan is a region rather than a single province in the north-east of Thailand which borders the country of Laos to its east and north and is generally much less mountainous than the rest of Thailand.
Several large universities are situated in the region including within the cities of Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Ubon Ratchathani, and the smaller provincial capital of Maha Sarakham.
Traditionally seen as less developed that the rest of Thailand, this image is changing rapidly with the expansion of towns and cities and the building of new schools, hospitals and airports and large shopping malls to cater for the burgeoning desire for the latest consumer goods.
Usually hot and dry in the season between January to October, the region can also experience heavy rainfall and monsoon conditions when the rains do appear. Average temperatures can range from 20 to 35C (68-95 F).
Copyright Thailand-Teacher.com 2016. All Rights Reserved.
Capital city of Thailand, known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, has a population of approximately 7 million people.
Bangkok has a long and often complex history having being bestowed as the capital of Siam after the fall of the old capital city of Ayutthaya due to invasion by a large Burmese army in 1767. Prior to becoming the capital, Bangkok consisted of a number of small villages on the west bank of the Chao Phraya river.
Bangkok started to develop into the large city we know today only from the late 1800's onwards and became a major trading destination in the region. It is now a truly cosmopolitan and diverse city with the largest number of international schools, colleges and universities in Thailand.
Famed for its non-stop neon nightlife, Bangkok is an urban sprawl covering a huge area from the Chao Phraya river delta in the south to the northern extremes of its boundries with the neighboring district of Watthana.
A mecca for international travelers and tourists with attractions such as the historic Grand Palace and traditional Buddhist temples including Wat Arun and Wat Pho alongside the exciting tourist hotspots of Khaosan Road, Chinatown, Sukhumvit, Patpong and the huge weekend market of Chatuchak where everything and anything can be found.
English is spoken and understood by most locals, particularly in the more openly tourist areas mentioned above.
Located near the equator, Bangkok has a tropical climate. Temperatures typically range from 19C to 38C (66-100 F). Monsoon rains fall predominately from May to July, and cooler weather occurs around November and December each year.
Chiang Mai
Founded in 1296 by King Mengrai, Chiang Mai (new city in Thai) is the largest city in the north of Thailand and is a distinct contrast to Bangkok. The district of Chiang Mai has a population of approximately 1.5 million with about 200,000 people living within the city boundries.
Nicknamed of ‘Rose of the North’, Chiang Mai is 750km (470 miles) north of Bangkok. Journey times are 1 hour by air, 11 hours by bus and 13 hours by train. Located in a valley, Chiang Mai is 310m (1,000 feet above sea level) and is surrounded by hills and mountains.
Chiang Mai has a large number of international schools, colleges and is also home to several large universities offering a diverse range of study subjects and courses.
The Night Bazaar area is considered by most visitors and residents to be the downtown area of Chiang Mai with lots of activity both day and night. This area is bordered by the old town to the west and is by the Ping River to the east.
Within the old town alone, there are over 30 temples with the most famous two being Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang.
Arts and culture are prominent in the city and there are countless restaurants and local stalls serving up delicious and inexpensive Thai food all day and night.
Generally less expensive than Bangkok and the southern islands, Chiang Mai is a great place to stay and is regularly touted as one of the best cities in Asia to live and work.
The mountains and valleys of Chiang Mai province generally provide the area with a cooler climate and noticeable separation of seasons compared with than other parts of Thailand with average yearly temperatures ranging between 5C to 30C (41-86 F).
Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai is a picturesque small city located in the far north of Thailand with a small population of around 70,000 inhabitants.
The city is located 860 kilometres (530 miles) north of Bangkok and about 200 kilometres (120 miles) north-east of Chiang Mai, its larger northern neighbor. It stands on the Mekong river just across from the country of Laos. Within the area known as the ''Golden Triangle'' between Thailand, Laos and Myanmar, Chiang Rai is an industrial city and the provincial capital of Chiang Rai Province and is characterized by impressive mountain scenery and large, fertile valleys.
The city is also home to two large universities and many colleges and international schools catering for local Thais and the growing population of ex-pats who now call the city their home.
The Chiang Rai area is rich in culture and history with a diverse mix of Thais, foreign ex-pats and ethnic tribes such as the Karan, Akha and Hmong amongst others offering an interesting mix of peoples from varied backgrounds and ethnicities.
Approximately 12% of Chiang Rai's population are tribal people who you can often encounter within the city and surrounding countryside.
The climate is still tropical-monsoonal although generally the rainy seasons are shorter than in central or southern Thailand with lower average temperatures 5C to 30C (41-86 F) which can actually be quite chilly in the late season between November and January .
Phuket
Phuket is one of the southern provinces of Thailand and consists of the island of Phuket, the country's largest island, and another 32 smaller islands nearby. It lies off the west coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea and is connected by the Sarasin Bridge to Phang Nga Province to the north. The next nearest province is Krabi, to the east across Phang Nga Bay.
Some 600,000 people reside on Phuket currently and it is approximately 863km (536 miles) to the south of Bangkok.
The island lies on a historic trade route between India and China although these days derives much of its income from tourism.
Although a relatively small region, Phuket island is home to a university and several colleges and international schools.
Although mostly known for its lively nightlife and beaches, Phuket Town is the historical part of the island and with recent renovations to try to preserve some of the older, historic buildings. Many new businesses have opened and it hosts regular festivals and a good number of cafes, bars and above average quality restaurants and high-end hotels.
Due to its proximity to the equator, there is little variation in temperatures throughout the year and the island experiences average temperatures between 25C to 35C (77-95 F).
Koh Samui & Koh Phangan
Koh Samui is the largest and busiest of the islands in the beautiful Gulf of Thailand and historically part of Surat Thani province, although is generally self governing these days.
It lies approximately 600km (372 miles) south of Bangkok and is just one of some 40 islands in the vicinity, others including Koh Tao (turtle island) famed for its extensive scuba diving industry and Koh Phangan, host to the famous full moon party each month.
Koh Samui has a tree covered, mountainous interior and is home to some of the best beaches in Thailand. As in Phuket, tourism is now the main source of income for the residents and the island hosts a large number of quality hotels, spas and restaurants.
The main tourist areas include Cheweng, Lamai, Maenam and the island has a small international airport servicing both internal Thailand destinations and also regional neighbors including Malaysia and Singapore.
Although now a tourist hub for southern Thailand, Koh Samui is a living, working island with distinctive local cultures, habits and customs. The first settlers that landed here were Chinese traders and Muslim fishermen, and both of these groups still inhabit the island today living peacefully alongside their Thai cousins.
Local markets like the one at Laem Din behind Chaweng, the Nathon fresh food market, and Hua Thanon fishing village are good places to get an authentic taste of local life.
Koh Phangan is its smaller island neighbour to the north-east and also has tree-covered mountains and some beautiful beaches along the coast with a plethora of hotels, bars and restaurants catering to all budgets.
Both Koh Samui and Koh Phangan have an extensive number of local schools, colleges and English language schools located near their main urban areas catering for local and international students.
Nestled between Koh Samui and Koh Phangan is Ang Thong National Marine Park, a dazzling 250-square-kilometer (155 mile) island archipelago with beautiful palm-fringed beaches, crystal clear waters and extensive coral reefs ideal for snorkeling. The best time to enjoy these southern islands to the fullest is from April to October when the weather is generally clear and temperatures at their highest with average annual temperatures varying between 25C to 35C (77-95 F).
Surat Thani
Surat Thani is largest province located in southern Thailand and is located 685 km (394 miles) from Bangkok. The name Surat Thani translates as "City of the Good People". A former capital of the Srivijaya Empire, the province covers an area of approximately 12,891 square km (8010 miles). Surat Thani Province borders the Gulf of Thailand to the north and east, Chumphon Province to the north, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Krabi Provinces to the south, Phang-Nga and Ranong Provinces to the west and Nakhon Si Thammarat Province to the east.
Surat Thani is a city with a long history. It was believed to be a prehistoric community of tribes of indigenous people including the Saemang and original Malays who built their communities on the Tapee River Basin and Ao Ban Don. Later on, Indians migrated into the area and gradually spread out their culture, as evidenced in the discovery of ruins of ancient communities in Tha Chana and Chaiya Sub-districts.
Surat Thani has one major university and several large colleges alongside a number of international schools and language education centres.
The islands of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao lie just off the coast of the province and offer a short trip to some amazing beaches located there.
The province and city itself has two main festivals annually, Chak Phra Festival and Rambutan Fair where one is able to experience the traditional food and local culture of the area.
As Surat Thani lies in the south of Thailand, average temperatures vary little, usually between 25C to 35C (77-95 F).
Pattaya
Pattaya city is located on the eastern coast of Thailand in Chon Buri province. It is 147 km (91 miles) from Bangkok and occupies an area of around 200 square kilometers including various islands found along its picturesque coastline.
Originally a sleepy fishing village, the influx of American GI's looking for a place to relax whilst on leave during the Vietnam conflict forever changed the area. It is now known as an international destination for tourists from all over the world with exclusive beach resorts, first class restaurants, shopping malls and night entertainment facilities along with more than 300 assorted hotels and countless bars to while away the time.
Pattaya has an extensive number of international schools and colleges to cater for the ever growing number of local Thais wishing to learn English and also the expanding ex-pat community in the city and surrounding area.
There is also an array of sports and recreational activities to explore including beaches, golf courses, tennis courts, go-karts, gyms and fitness centers and Thai boxing stadiums. Other activities on offer in this cosmopolitan city include shooting ranges, scuba diving, surfing, deep-sea fishing, speed boats, scooters, water-skiing, kite-surfing, or aerial sports such as gliding ultra-lights and flying motor-propelled gliders.
Nightlife is diverse and sometimes noisy in the city center with many restaurants, bars, theaters, cabaret shows, night clubs, bowling halls, billiard & snooker clubs, discos and massage parlors on offer.
Pattaya also has an annual festival held at the middle of April where one may encounter floral floats paraded along the streets and a Miss Pattaya Beauty contest. A large fireworks display usually takes place on the main beach and there are also arts and local performances alongside various cultural exhibitions to take in.
Annual average temperatures vary between 25C to 35C (77-95 F).
Ayutthaya
The city of Ayutthaya was originally founded as the capital of the local Kingdom in 1350 by King Ramathibodi I (Uthong) and steadily extended its influence outwards expanding to cover most of the Thai peninsular including parts of modern day Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia over the next several hundred years.
After the invasion and sacking of the city by a large Burmese army in 1767, the King decided to move the capital city southwards to what has now become modern day Bangkok.
As a UNESCO World Heritage City, Ayutthaya has a long and complex history and todays visitors can still see some of the older ruins of its past glory around the city and surrounding countryside.
Remnants of this older Thai culture can be seen throughout the city in the ancient temples or 'Wats' that are scattered everywhere which contrasts markedly with the new urban sprawl which has developed into modern day Ayutthaya.
The floating market and night market are both excellent places to take in the local atmosphere of this ancient city – at its heyday one of the largest cities in the world.
Ayutthaya also has a large number of schools, colleges and two universities situated in the city area with annual temperatures ranging from 22 to 38C (71-100 F).
Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta is part of Krabi Province and lies approximately 560km or 350 miles south west of Bangkok. One of the larger islands in the Andaman sea off the west coast of Thailand, Koh Lanta Yai and its neighboring island of Koh Lanta Noi are a haven for tourists and known for their beautiful sweeping beaches, dense rainforest interiors and lively culture.
The two islands, along with around 50 other smaller islands, make up the Mu Koh Lanta National Park area and are famed for the clear blue waters and amazing snorkeling and scuba diving locations.
There are several English language schools on the island itself along with a number of government schools and private education establishments.
The culture of the islands is a lively mix of ethnic Thai, Muslim and also sea-gypsies who colonized the islands hundreds of years ago. All live peacefully side by side and this ethnic melting pot offers an interesting and diverse view of Thai life in the area.
A good mix of high-end hotels, backpacker hostels, restaurants, bars and cafes make up the coastal region of both Yai and Noi islands with a range of activities available including scuba diving, jet ski's, snorkeling, kayaking, hiking and Thai boxing classes.
The area is host to several festivals and celebrations including the Lanta Festival, Krabi Boek Fa Andaman Festival and the Chak Phra Festival which all take place annually.
Temperatures vary little on the islands and surrounding peninsular seasonally, varying from about 25C to 35C (68-95 F).
Isaan
Isaan is the largest region in Thailand and is made up of several provinces including Kalasin, Roi Et, Surin, Buriram, Khon Kaen and Maha Sarakham among others.
Isaan is a region rather than a single province in the north-east of Thailand which borders the country of Laos to its east and north and is generally much less mountainous than the rest of Thailand.
Several large universities are situated in the region including within the cities of Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Ubon Ratchathani, and the smaller provincial capital of Maha Sarakham.
Traditionally seen as less developed that the rest of Thailand, this image is changing rapidly with the expansion of towns and cities and the building of new schools, hospitals and airports and large shopping malls to cater for the burgeoning desire for the latest consumer goods.
Usually hot and dry in the season between January to October, the region can also experience heavy rainfall and monsoon conditions when the rains do appear. Average temperatures can range from 20 to 35C (68-95 F).
Copyright Thailand-Teacher.com 2016. All Rights Reserved.