LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL GUIDEBOOK INFORMATION
Top Tens
MUST-SEE FILMS
If you're interested in Thai cinema's 'new wave', these are the best rides so far in descending order of excellence.
- Mon Rak Transistor (2001)
- Nang Nak (1998)
- Mekhong Full Moon Party (2002)
- Satree Lex (Iron Ladies) (2000)
- 6ixty-nin9 (1999)
- Fun Bar Karaoke (1997)
- Ong Bak (2004)
- Blissfully Yours (2002)
- Child of the North-East (1983)
- Tropical Malady (2004)
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Virtually every week of the calendar a new festival opens somewhere in Thailand. Here's our pick of the ones worth seeking out.
- January - That Phanom Festival, That Phanom
- February - Phra Nakhon Khiri Diamond Festival, Phetchaburi
- Late March/early April - Prasat Hin Khao Phanom Rung Festival, Buriram
- April - Songkran, Chiang Mai
- May/June - Phi Ta Khon Festival, Dan Sai, Loei
- May/June - Rocket Festival, northeastern Thailand
- Mid- to late July - Khao Phansa (Candle Festival), Ubon Ratchathani
- Late September to early October - Vegetarian Festival, Phuket
- November - Loi Krathong, Sukhothai
- November - Surin Annual Elephant Roundup, Surin
NATIONAL PARKS & WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES
Thailand has well over a hundred national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, and you could spend a lifetime exploring them all. To help prioritise your choices, we have provided our list of favourites:
- Khao Sok National Park, Surat Thani
- Um Phang Wildlife Sanctuary, Tak/Kanchanaburi
- Kaeng Krachan National Park, Phetchaburi
- Khao Yai National Park, Nakhon Ratchasima
- Doi Inthanon National Park, Chiang Mai
- Doi Phu Kha National Park, Nan
- Nam Nao National Park, Loei
- Thaleh Ban National Park, Satun
- Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, Prachuap Khiri Khan
- Thung Salaeng Luang National Park, Phetchabun/Phitsanulok
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