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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. 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. 

The allure of the pocket-sized island of Koh Samui is strong, but more temptations await in Thailand's far north west, in the province of Chiang Rai. This highly fertile area has a history as a leading opium producer. The Thai Government, in a concerted move to  stop the practice, has curtailed poppy cultivation and instituted programs to teach hill tribe people new ways to earn their livelihoods  The scheme has worked well. An increasing number of tourists arrive each year, lured by the legacy of the region’s notorious past, its true scenic beauty and the distinct hill tribes of northern Thailand. 

Standing on the Thai soil of a steep hill overlooking this small outpost at the very apex of the Golden Triangle I gazed out and over the mighty Mekong.  On my left was mysterious Myanmar.  On my right was even more enigmatic Laos.  I had finally reached the edge of the Kingdom.

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And stamina it takes to trudge over the 14 ha open air marketplace and pore over what thousands of stallholders and shopkeepers have to show and hopefully sell in an estimated 8600 shops.

By far the largest marketplace in all Thailand and perhaps even the most spacious open air market to be found in Asia, Bangkok's bizarre bazaar is without comparison in either size or diversity.

More like a maze than a market, under canopied comfort you can buy just about anything you’ve ever thought of as well as many items you could never imagine.

An illustrated feature on Chatujak can be written on assignment from 500 to 1000 words - depending upon editorial requirements - and supplied with a selection of hi-res digital images.

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.

Located in a small town at the edge of Grater Bangkok, the world’s largest elephant is not on the conventional tourist circuit.

Known to many visitors as the Erawan Museum it’s a serene sanctuary unlike any other in the world.

Inside the 39 metre long jumbo is a museum of antiquities and a magnificent stained glass window. 

The final room located in the elephant’s ‘head’ is filled with Buddha images while the ceiling is decorated with celestial stars.

An illustrated ‘filler’ story of 250 to 500 words about the world’s largest elephant can be written on assignment depending upon editorial requirements and supplied with a selection of hi-res digital images.

The mountainous hinterlands of Samui seclude and nurture one of the most scenic golf courses in Thailand. 

Even the most jaded of golfing globetrotters, however, are impressed after a round at the Santiburi Samui Golf Club.

Perfectly positioned among the jade green hills of north western Samui, Thailand’s second largest island, the palm-lined layout offers a championship challenge along a 6932 metre sloping mountain tract.

A sea of green surrounds golfers playing this testing course while the blue of the Gulf of Thailand and idyllic islands beyond provide irresistible distractions. 

Waterfalls and creeks meander through the lush land adding even more spectacle to a pristine paradise.

An illustrated feature on the emerging golf scene in Samui can be written on assignment from 1000 to 2000 words, depending upon editorial requirements, and supplied with a selection of hi-res digital images.

In addition, a feature on the Thai holiday island of Samui can also be written to suit editorial requirements.   

Visitors to Stockholm can’t say they know Sweden’s stylish capital until they’ve experienced a quartet of one-off lures.  An entire day or more can be spent at Skansen, the world’s oldest open air museum enjoying costumed musicians, craftsmen and century old buildings.

Another full day lure is Gamla Stan, the Old Town where Stockholm began in the 13^th century.  The streets here are lined with colourful buildings from another era while there’s a happy atmosphere among visitors and shop keepers.

Take time out from sightseeing, shopping and Swedish meatballs for a canal cruise that provides yet another perspective of this chic city on the water.

An illustrated feature on Stockholm can be written on assignment from 1000 to 2000 words, depending upon editorial requirements, and supplied with a selection of hi-res digital images.

With an eye to colour and a nose for design a brush applies paint to a canvas.  The only thing unusual is that this artist has four legs and a long trunk.

An entourage of jumbo sized ‘artist’ elephants, in fact, live and work deep in a protected jungle reserve outside Chiang Mai in northern Thailand.

Visitors to the unique boutique elephant camp not only watch masterpieces being created but can also observe elephants bathing in the cool waters of a jungle river and watch mahouts provide training to their eager four legged ‘students’.

An illustrated ‘filler’ story of 250 to 500 words about the pachyderm painters of Samui can be written on assignment, depending upon editorial requirements, and supplied with a selection of hi-res digital images.

Grinders cut and polish and welders spark and flash.  Another ‘monster’ is born at a unique workshop on the Thai island of Samui.

The all-metal creation may resemble an alien, a predator or some other extraordinary creature from science fiction fantasy.

The designs come from the imaginative mind of owner and chief monster maker, Khun Santo but the form is left to a team of 10 talented craftsmen working at Samui Robot.

The tiny Thai island of Samui is a holiday haven though few tourists realise that they must share their idyllic playground with an increasing number of towering monsters!

An illustrated ‘filler’ story of 250 to 500 words about the ‘monsters’ of Samui can be written on assignment, depending upon editorial requirements, and supplied with a selection of hi-res digital images.

Golfers teeing off at two courses in the Baltic nation of Lithuania will also get a quick lesson in geography in addition to enjoying a great game in an emerging golf destination.

The geographic centre of Europe is marked with a plaque located near the 4th and 5th fairways at the appropriately named European Centre Golf Club.

And over at the National Golf Resort the final hole has been crafted to look like Lithuania in miniature.

Meanwhile, the new Le Meridien resort and conference centre outside Vilnius is offering a water ridden romp to all players teeing off its V Club course.

Pure country air, wonderful vistas and a challenging 18 hole course are strong drawcards at the Capitals Golf Course.

An illustrated feature on emerging golf scene in Lithuania can be written on assignment from 1000 to 2000 words, depending upon editorial requirements, and supplied with a selection of hi-res digital images.

In addition, a feature on the cultural and architectural treasures of Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital, can also be written to suit editorial requirements.   

There are some 1500 buildings of note in the approximately 1 sq. km medieval centre of the Lithuanian capital.

Their historical and architectural significance were of such global significance that UNESCO bestowed World Heritage status on this unique area in 1994.

The Old Town is literally littered with striking standouts; perhaps most glorious of all is Vilnius Cathedral.  This white neo classical masterpiece now glimmers thanks to plaster and paint restorations.

An illustrated feature on Vilnius can be written on assignment from 1000 to 2000 words, depending upon editorial requirements, and supplied with a selection of hi-res digital images.

In addition, a feature on the emerging golf scene in Lithuania can also be written to suit editorial requirements.