 Towering over a tiny islet, the 12 metre high Big Buddha is Samui’s lofty but serene landmark. (Right) Watch four footed ‘artists’ paint pretty pictures at Chiang Mai’s National Elephant Institute. (Centre) There are superb views of coconut palms and distant islands from the Santiburi Samui Country Club. (Far right) Accompanied by a traditional orchestra, a graceful dancer acts out the legends of Northwest Thailand. |
   At any time of the year the mountainous hinterlands of Koi Samui look like the welcoming committee at the annual general meeting of Coconuts R Us!
As far as the eye can see only green palm fronds wave in unison. Millions of swaying coconut palms are indeed a cordial greeting but the centrepiece of this 80-island archipelago in the Gulf of Thailand offers much more.
If Koh Samui’s powder sand beaches and secluded bays dotted with sun-bleached rock formations are not enough then there are jungle covered mountains concealing waterfalls and cool rock pools, exotic butterflies, wild orchids and gigantic ferns.
The allure of this pocket size island is strong but more temptations wait in the far north western province of Chiang Rai, one of the most remote provinces of the country’s 76 self-governing administrative divisions.
A major reason for going to Chiang Mai is that the city can be used as a base for an excursion to the Golden Triangle.
Located at the northern extreme of Thailand, where the Kingdom of Thailand meets Laos and Myanmar (Burma) at the confluence of the Mekong River, this highly fertile area has a history as a leading opium producer.
The Thai Government, in a concerted move to not only change this image but stop the practice has curtailed most poppy cultivation and instituted programs to teach hill tribe people new ways to earn their livelihoods such as producing alternate agricultural crops like macadamia nuts and coffee and reviving almost-lost handicraft techniques.
An illustrated feature on the Thai temptations of Samui and Chiang Rai/Golden Triangle can be written on assignment from 1000 to 2000 words - depending upon editorial requirements - and supplied with a selection of hi-res digital images.
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