Bangkok The Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha represents more than 200 years of Thai Royal history, it was here that in 2004 I had the chance to personally meet His Majesty King Bhumibol and the entire family. Wat Pho is home to the genuinely impressive Reclining Buddha with precious mother of pearl inlays on his feet. Wat Arun, an amazing temple (made from broken Chinese mosaics) named after the Indian God of Dawn, with a 82 meter high tower, right on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. Museum of Siam. Chatuchak Weekend market (open only Sa/Su) is my worldwide favourite market for shopping. Spend a day, beat the heat and get your spicy tom yam in one of the aircon restaurants, ask for direction! Jim Tomson House and find out the story behind it. Khao San Road is where backbackers meet since the 1980's, and it is still a great spot for people watching a Singha beer or a relaxing Thai massage! The Royal Barges National Museum that contains the "Golden Swan" Suphannahong, the king's personal barge. Chinatown with the Temple of the Golden Buddha (5.5t solid Gold) or Wat Traimit. Talat Mai market. Iconsiam shopping mall. Dusit Zoo. Erawan Shrine. Lumphini Park. Bank of Thailand Museum with the history of Thailand's Central Bank. Democracy Monument. Spa at Oriental Hotel. Blue Elephant Thai Cooking School. Daemnoen Saduak Floating market early morning, but also Canal tours in Thonburi. River tours can be enjoyed the cheapest on public ferries together with the locals, they have stops on both sides of Chao Phraya river, get a free map! An iconic experience is a Dinner cruise from River City station, with excellent views of the illuminated golden temples and modern skyscrapers. Patpong Market and nightclubs, for more nightlife experience go either to Nana Plaza, Soi 4, or Soi Cowboy, both in the Sukhumvit area. Safari World Park to see all those exotic animals in one place, it is a huge open air zoo. Chiang Mai Temple Doi Suthep on a panoramic hilltop, Silver Temple (no women allowed inside), go where the locals shop at Warorot market. Worlds of insects museum, Boat trip on the Mae Ping river, Wat Phra Singh is both a large temple and monastery. Wat Chedi Luang is the ruins of an ancient temple in the center of town, stop at the Long Neck Karen tribe in nearby Mae Rim village, a truly unforgettable experience.There is an annual Flower Festival with amazing orchids collections. There is also a Night Bazaar as well as a Weekend market to shop local handicraft. Chiang Rai Flower Festival, Baan Dam or Black House is an unique art gallery with rather unusual exhibits. Wat Phra Keo with a copy of the Jade Buddha. Oub Kham museum, Wat Rong Khun or White Temple located SW of town, in the N lies the Golden Triangle where Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet, viewpoint, possibility to join a boat to Donexao island (Laos), visafree market. Surin Elephant Round-up each november with 300 elephants showing their skills including football games, I was picked up at the train station with an elephant taxi! Ban Chiang archaeological site and National Museum of an ancient civilisation 3600BC, human sceletons, tons of pottery pieces and bronze metal tools were unearthed here, near Udon Thani. Khao Yao National Park (Thailand's oldest) UNESCO, with many elephants, other mammals and almost 400 species of birds, also great waterfalls, the Nam Tok Haew Suwat very majestic. Kamphaeng Phet UNESCO, archaeological park on a smaller scale, and less visited than Ayuthaya UNESCO, a glorious city at its zenith with nearly 400 temples, just 12 of them have been restored, but it gives a good impression of its historical importance. Sukhothai UNESCO was a royal city about 700 years ago, and its dynasties had a kingdom even larger than present day Thailand, what remains of the walls, ponds and mostly temples can be visited, but they are some distance apart.Ko Phayam can be reached from Ranong by boat. Buffalo Bay Aow Kao Kwai oder Aow Yai Beach is the hard choice, no mass tourism here. Phuket Patong beach with nightlife (Walking Street) second to Pattaya beautiful Kati Noi and Karon beaches, trip to the Big Buddha statue.Day trip to Phi Phi Island and Maya Bay (The Beach movie), Bamboo island, Monkey Bay. Koh Tao is a diving mecca, nearby Ko Samui was a true beauty in the 1980's, but nowadays quite commercialized, the island is full of beaches, with Hat Lamai and Hat Chaweng the most popular ones. Nangyuan Island with a perfect sandbank near Koh Tao, it is possible to stay overnight. Ko Pha-ngan just 15km north of Ko Samui is a tropical paradise and party island, especially during full moon. Attend the Loi Krathong Sai, the annual festival of Lights where flower arrangements with candles are put into rivers, lakes and the ocean. Observe Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year in April when water is sprinkled to each and everyone on the streets. Pattaya best known for bar hopping, cabaret shows with transvestites, a go-go bars (Walking Street, of course) and seducing massage parlours, is nowadays also second home to many falangs (foreigners). Visit Nong Nooch Tropical garden with themed landscapes. Koh Lipe, lovely beaches, was there for New Year, a bit crowded. Ao Nang. Railay Beach. Udon Thani Phi Phra Bat Historical Park UNESCO. That Phanom Temple in Nakhon Phanom.