Lampang was once a center of trade between many countries including Burma, China and the United Kingdom, giving this province a multifaceted culture. The influence of many cultures can be seen in Ban Tha Ma-O community, formerly known as “Kelang Nakhon”, a quaint neighborhood tucked inside the city center of the province.

Ban Tha Ma-O community is located along the banks of the Wang River. It is an ancient community founded as a timber trading post between the Burmese and the British. The community has some fascinating historical and architectural attractions where visitors can travel to throughout the year, especially in the winter.

There are quite a number of things that you can do at Ban Tha Ma-O community. Take a tour of the community by bike, a streetcar, or ride a horse carriage, to explore the old neighbourhood, visit Ban Sao Nak Lampang Horse Cart Association Office, and the Ya Sa Tu stupa. Also, stop by Louis T. Leonowens’ house – a 100-year-old Victorian teak wood mansion built when Lampang was still a trading post.

There are many morning markets to visit in the neighborhood, but the most renowned market of all, the “Tha Ma-O Retro Fair”, available every third Saturday of the month, is where visitors will be transported back in time during the booming era of trade and commerce in Lampang. These markets sell the neighborhood’s bespoke products such as clothing, fabrics, rooster bowls and other interesting souvenirs.

Absorb some culture of the bygone era at Lampang’s cultural street that connects two generations of old and new together. Visit Ban Sao Nak – a Thai-Burmese style mansion with 116 teak pillars built, and Wat Pra Tu Pong temple – a 160-year old monastery with Chinese influence.

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There are several ways to travel to Ban Tha Ma-O Community. By car, take the Highway no. 1 (Phaholyothin Road) and drive north to the Khelangnakorn Road Intersection. Cross the Khelangnakorn bridge, turn right to Pa Mai road, continue for 500m and the Tha Ma-O Community should be on your right hand side. By bus, get on the Transport Co., Ltd (Bus 999) or Siam First Tour Bus from Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal and get off at Lampang Bus Terminal, then take a minibus or a taxi to the community. By train, depart from Bangkok Station Hua Lamphong to Nakhon Lampang Station, then take a minibus or a taxi to the community. By plane, Nok Air and Bangkok Airways offer flights to Lampang province. Available car service rentals include Lampang Car Rental, Car Rent Lampang Group, Eddy Rent-A-Car, Lampango and Wii Rent A Car.

In addition to Ban Tha Ma-O community, Lampang has many historical temples to visit, such as the sacred Wat Srichum temple, Phra That Son Dorn temple, and Chao Lung Chedi Temple. Experience the beauty of Phu Pha Mok and Doi Phu Pha Choke at King Mongkut’s monastery (Wat Phra Buddhabhat Phu Pa Daeng), visit the Elephant Conservation Centre – the only Elephant training centre in Thailand, and view the beautiful scenic winter pine forests at Thung Kwiang Park.

The small community of Ban Kook Pattana is situated on the Tha Pae river bank in the historical city of Si Satchanalai. This community is very unique for several reasons. The dialect spoken by the people in the neighborhood dates back to the ancient Sukhothai era, and the villagers merge their local wisdom to the modern day and celebrate their tradition of kite flying.

See how the two famous type of kites, Pra Ruang and Pra Lue, are made at Ban Kook Pattana Learning Center. Visitors can also make their own kites as well, and fly them over the rice fields. Besides from making kites, Ban Kook Pattana also offer other activities such as making herbal soap from charcoal, pillows, and cook local desserts.

Other cultural places of significance that you cannot miss while staying at Ban Kook Pattana community is the Folklife museum at Wat Sarachit, the antique pottery of Si Satchanalai, and Lue Ketkaeo’s private museum. But if you just want a quiet time to yourself, feel free to just chill by the lush, green rice paddies around the village to help your mind be in peace.

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There are several ways to travel to the community. By car, take the AH2 Asia Highway and Highway no. 1113 to the community. By bus, get on the Transport Co., Ltd (Bus 999) from Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal and get off at Sawankhalok stop, then hire a car service to the community. By train, take the northern line from Bangkok Station Hua Lamphong to Sawankhalok Station, Sukhothai, then hire a car service to the community. By plane, Bangkok Airways flies direct to Sukhothai from Bangkok.

Leave the big city behind and explore other attractions of this small province, including the World Heritage Site of Si Satchanalai Historical Park, Tat Dao and Tat Duen waterfalls of the Tha Pae river. Visit Ban Na Ton Chan, a neighboring community with a breathtaking view of the misty sea on top of the mountains.

Trat is not just a coastal province with clear blue seas; in fact, there are many ancient stories here, as this was also a battlefield of an unforgettable war in Thai history. Hidden beneath all this cultural significance lies Ban Laem Makham, one of the oldest communities in this province.

Ban Laem Makham is a community located on the shore of Makham cape, founded more than a century ago. The people of Ban Laem Makham are extremely friendly and kind hearted. Their lifestyle here is bound to mangrove forests and coastal fishing, where visitors will experience close-range fishing of all sorts of fish, lamb shells, crabs, as well as take night boats to see the beautiful fireflies.

Aside from nature, Ban Laem Makham is rich in history. King Rama V gave up the lands of Phratabong, Siem Reap and Si Sophon to France in exchange for the independence of this small province. The people of Trat, especially the Ban Laem Makham folk, are grateful of His Majesty’s kindness. The stories about the beloved King Rama V’s visit to Trat is commemorated at many memorial sites around the area and the local museum, which exhibits more than 200 historical pieces of footage of His Majesty.

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To travel to the community by car, take Highway No. 7 (Bangkok – Ban Chang) and then Highway 3 (Sukhumvit Road) to the east, and towards Highway No. 3156 to the community. By public transport, Bangkok-Trat van services are available from Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal, and bus Transport Bus Co., Ltd (Bus 999) services from Ekamai Bus Terminal to Laem Ngob Pier, then rent a car to the community. By Train, depart from Bangkok Station Hua Lampong to Chakcherngsao Train Station or Phlu Ta Luang Chonburi Province Train Station, take a van to Trat province and then hire a car service to the community. By plane, Bangkok Airways offers flight services to Trat. Available car rental service companies include Koh Kood Travel, KTL Car Rental Trat and Trat Car.

There are also many interesting places to visit outside Ban Laem Makham. Explore the Ban Nam Kiew community and its unique culture, and visit and worship the oldest temple at Wat Buphharam. Also, witness one of the few natural black sand seas at Amphoe Laem Ngob. Trat is also a home to a number of breathtaking islands, such as Koh Kud and of course, Koh Chang – known for its beauty and its historical significance.

In this prehistoric province of Uthai Thani lies the Sakae Krang Basin Community. The people in this community are unlike any others because they live in floating houses ever since King Rama V’s reign or more than 100 years ago.

Take a boat ride to observe the beautiful scene of the Sakae Krang river, surrounded by beautiful floating homes with the magnificent Wat Bot in the background. The river is also host to the local fish market where visitors can taste many local cuisines, including pickled fish, smoked fish and fish chili pastes. Another scenic moment that you cannot miss is to watch the sunset over Uthai Thani at Wat Khao Sakae Krang. And yes, of course, you can spend a night or two on one of the floating houses to get a chance to experience the true chill lifestyle of the people here.

Besides the floating houses (which are already exciting enough!), Sakae Krang Basin also has other attractions to visit. Explore 100m crystal building, the golden palace, and Wat Tha Sung temple. And if you are up for it, climb up to the top of Sakae Krang hill, where you can ring the 100-year-old bell. Also, Sakae Krang is also a home for other cultural significance; observe the Buddhist relic made during King Rama III’s reign and visit King Rama’s father memorial stupa.

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There are several ways to travel to the community. By car, take Highway No. 1 (Phaholyothin Road) or Highway AH2 and drive to Highway 333 (U Thong – Tha Nam Oy) then turn left to Terb Siri road from the clock tower roundabout and the municipal market to the community. By Bus, get on the Transport Co., Ltd (Bus 999) from Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal to Uthai Thani Bus Terminal and hire a car service to the community. By Train, although there is no direct way to travel to Uthai Thani, you can depart from Bangkok Station Hua Lampong to Nakhorn Sawan, and proceed towards Uthai Thani via public transport. Available car rental service companies include Smile Thai Car Rent, Runway Thailand and Thai Rent Eco Car.

There are a lot of things to do in Uthai Thani. Shop for OTOP products at Pa Taeo’s floating home – the only store in the middle of the river in the province and try the Pai Phan custard bread – the most famous delicacy of the province. Visit the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary – a World Heritage Site. Visit Ban Khun Ta Luang Petch Songkram Musuem to observe antiques from the reign of King Rama V, and walk up 449 steps to enjoy a panoramic view on top of the Sakae Krang hill, and pay homage to Luang Por Luesi Ling Dum at Wat Ta Sung (Wat Chantaram) temple.

“Ubon Ratchathani” is one of the largest provinces in the northeast of Thailand, and many visitors come here to enjoy the variety of attractions on offer. The stunning nature, steep cliffs and historic heritage of “Wang Sa Som”, which is a community that is home to myths, beliefs and wonders of nature.

This small community is located at the borders of Dong Na Tham forest. It is also the home of ancient treasures, such Wat Yai Phu Arnon, a sacred temple of the community, as well as many historical and geological attractions including the Phi Gong Goi Cave – a strange cave that has strange handwriting on the cave walls, Wua Daeng Cave – where cows used to rest in back in the olden days. Also, discover the miracle of natural formations like strange looking “UFO Rock Ngom”, the natural spring water of Bo Nam Bun. Moreover, observe the famous treasure map engraved on a stone written ancient Khmer scripture – if you are able to decode the scripture, you will be able to find the hidden treasure.

Apart from the others, the people of Wang Sa Som community is also skillful when it comes to crafts and farming. Visitors can learn how to make dried grass brooms and try traditional milling practice, and also visit the traditional rice group and community herb garden.

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Traveling to Wa Sa Som is fairly easy via public transportation. By Bus, get on the Transport Co., Ltd (Bus 999) from Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal to Khong Chiam Parking Stop then hire a car service to the community. By Train, take the northeastern line from Bangkok Station Hua Lamphong to Ubon Ratchathani Station, then take a bus to Khong Chiam, and from there hire a car service to the community. By Plane, Thai AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air and Thai Smile offer direct flights to Ubon Ratchathani from Bangkok.

Some of the fascinating sites to visit when you are in Ubon Ratchathani include the pre-historic paintings and first meteorological point of the country in Pha Cha Na Dai at Pha Daem National Park, the Huay Luang Waterfall at Phu Jong Nayoy National Park, and the lesser-known-but-equally-breathtaking Saengchan Waterfall. Other notable sites include the Grand Canyon of Thailand, and the illuminated Kalapraphruek tree at Wat Sirindhornwararm Phu Prao temple.