For additional information on the following sights, contact:

Tourism Authority of Thailand
Tourist Assistance Center
4 Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue
Bangkok 10100
Tel (02) 281-5051 or (02) 282-8129
Fax: (02) 280-1998

Ancient City
(Muang Boran)
This outdoor museum is filled with replicas of Thailand's most magnificent monuments and temples.

Samut Prakarn
Bangkok
Tel (02) 224-1057

Crocodile Farm and Zoo
This is the world's oldest and largest crocodile farm.
Bangkok
Tel (02) 387-0020

Emerald Buddha
(Wat Phra Keo)
This is the most respected Buddha image in Thailand, carved from green jade. Maharaj Rd.
Bangkok
Tel (02) 222-8181


River Kwai Bridge
This is it! - the famous bridge from the novel and the movie.
Kanchanaburi

Rose Garden Country Resort
Thai cultural village with dance performances, elephants at work and Buddhist ordination ceremonies.

Petkasem Rd.
Tel (02) 253-0295

Samphran Elephant Ground and Zoo
Filled with elephants and numerous other forms of animal life.

117 Moo 6 Petchakasem Highway
Samphran
Nakhon Pathom
Bangkok Office: Tel (02) 284-0273

Temple of Dawn

Wat Arun
This is the tallest tower in Thailand.
Arun Amarin Rd.
Bangkok
Tel (02) 282-1143

Temple of the Reclining Buddha
(Wat Pho)

This temple is the oldest center of learning in Thailand with a 145ft (46m) long, 49ft (15m) high, gold-plated, reclining Buddha.

Chetuphon Rd.
Bangkok
Tel (02) 222-0933

Thailand Cultural Center
This is the center for domestic and international cultural exchange. It is often the venue for art shows by the country's leading artists.

Ratchadaphisek Road
Bangkok
Tel (02) 245-7711

Vimanmek Palace
This is the world's largest building made entirely of golden teak.

Rachvithi Rd.
Tel (02) 222-0859

Ocean World Amusement Park
Kids will enjoy the water-oriented activities in this amusement park.

Beach Rd.
Bang Saen

Nao National Park
This beautiful park has caves, waterfalls and assorted flora.

Phetchabun
Northern Thailand

Phuket Orchid Garden and Thai Village
Acres of lush greenery and breathtaking orchid gardens.

5/11 Moo 6 Thepkasattri Rd.
Phuket
Tel (076) 214-860

Phuket Butterfly Garden and Aquarium
A large display of different kinds of butterflies and fish.

71/6 M. 5 Soi Paneang
Phuket
Tel (076) 210-859

Siam Park City
This is a water world, theme park and fair rolled into one.

101 Sukhapibarn 2 Rd.
Bangkapi, Bangkok
Tel (02) 517-1032

Sukhothai Historical Park
Among the attractions here are the remains of the Royal Palace,
several Buddhist temples and a system of canals and ponds.

Sukkothai
North Thailand

Kamthieng House
Ethnological Museum
Preserves the traditional technologies and folk arts of Northern Thailand.

131 Soi 21 (Asoke) Sukhumvit Road
Bangkok
Tel (02) 258-3491

Museum of Forensic Medicine
This is one of the more unusual sights in Thailand. On display are preserved bodies of infamous murderers and a bisected head with a bullet lodged in the brain.

Sirirat Hospital
2 Prannok Road
Thon Buri
Bangkok
Tel (02) 411-2003 or (02) 411-0241

National Museum
Artifacts here date back to the Neolithic times. Guided tours are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

4 Na Phrathat Rd.
Bangkok
Tel (02) 224-1396

Prasat Museum
This is a private collection of Thai arts.

Bangkok
Tel (02) 253-9772

SPORTS

The Thais have adopted a number of such modern forms of recreation as golf, tennis and bowling, but the local sports of boxing and kite fighting are still very much enjoyed in the country.

Kick boxing is one of the most popular and exciting spectator sports as well as a means of self-defense for the Thai people. Unilke the Western-style boxing, kick boxers are allowed to use their feet, elbows, legs and shoulders. Bouts are held at the  Ratchadamnoen Stadium and Lumpini Stadium.

An ancient local sport played and patronized by the kings of Thailand for centuries is kite fighting, a contest which is held from March to April at the Sanam Luang in Bangkok. The Thais make kites in hundreds of different forms and colors. Each kite is huge in size and requires a number of people to fly it. Kites are classified as "chulas" (male) or "pukpaos" (female). The object of the contest is to force the opposition's kite to land in your half of the field while thousands of people cheer.

Takraw is another traditional Thai game. It involves the use of atakraw ball, five to six inches in diameter, made of rattan. Using their head, feet, knees or elbows, players hit the ball over a net to another team.

ENTERTAINMENT

Cinemas in Thailand are inexpensive, with daily scheduled showings and matinees on weekends and holidays. There are a number of cinemas that show American or French movies. Remember to stand when the National Anthem is played at the beginning of every performance.

Thai classical dances are very elegant and considered to be the country's highest form of art. Influenced by the great Indian epic called Ramayana, the country's famous masked dance drama or "khon" is a form of entertainment that requires strict discipline from the performer. Nowadays, khon performances are very rare, but there are occasional performances at the National Theater. Sometimes performances are held at several Thai restaurants catering to tourists. "Lakhon" and "likay" are very famous dances similar in costume and movements to khon but without the use of face masks.

Aside from the theaters and cinemas, nightlife in Thailand includes bars and nightclubs.

During the day, Thais enjoy watching or participating in local and international sports.