Northern Thailand

Thailand northern region comprises 17 Changwats (province); there are: Chiang Mai , Chaing Rai , Kamphaeng Phet , Lampang , Mae Hong Son , Nakhon Sawan , Nan , Phayao , Phetchabun , Phichit , Phitsanulok , Phrae , Sukhothai , Tak , Uthai thani , Uttraradit . It occupies an approximate area of 170,000 square kilometers ot the equivalent of 106 millions rai, bordering on the territories of Laos and Myanmar. The north is home of Thailand earliest civilization and is famous for its beautiful women, and hospitable logical and cultural interest such as the Ancient City of Sukhothai, The first capital of Thailand some 700 year ago; Buddha's Relics at Wat Doi Suthep of Chang Mai, a highly revered place for northerners; Phra Buddha image in Thailand, at Wat Phra Si Rattana-Mahathat in Phisanulok. The large dam in Thailand, and the world's seventh largest, the Bhumibol Dam in Tak.

In addition, the northern region is the home to Thailand's many colorful hill tribal people such as the Lahu of Tak and Yao, Akha, Karen, Hmong, and Lisu tribes of the Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai mountain region.

The North is also noted for its rich cultural traditions,and many tourists from the surrounding provinces flock to Chiang Mai fot the annual Songkran Festival, and to Sukhothi for Loi Krathong.

The North is accessible by the good network of highways in the region itself and interregional highways. Trains run from Bangkok to Chiang mai and there are flights operated by the Thai Airways International Ltd. from Bangkok to Phitsanulok, Phrae, Nan, Lampang, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Tak, Mae sot, and Mae Hong Son.

Thailand is a warm and rather humid tropical country with monsoon showers. Temperatures are at it's highest in March and April with an average temperature of 28ºC to 38ºC, humidity averaging between 73% to 83%. There are three seasons in Thailand - summer, rainy and cool. Summer from March through to May, rainy from June to October and cool from November through to February.