Phanom Rung - Northeastern Thailand

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/52/Phanom_Rung_Wikimedia_Commons.jpg

The Phanom Rung Park is one of the most beautiful and important Khmer historical sites in Thailand. It was built during the 12th century A.D. and is set on top of Phanom Rung Hill in Ta Pek in the Chaloem Phra Khiat District of Buri Ram province which is the location of a long extinct volcano. Phanom Rung is the original name and is mentioned in stone inscriptions excavated at the area. It is a religious site dedicated to the God Shiva, the supreme Hindu deity. It symbolises Mount Kailasa, the heavenly abode of Shiva.

Reference:
Phanom Rung. Amazing Thailand. Retrieved October 26, 2010 from http://www.amazing-thailand.com/PhanomR.html

Nangyuan Island - Southern Thailand

It is place of tranquility and serenity and is a perfect place to unwind from the rigors of travel, or for the more adventurous a chance to dive into an exciting new experience. If you will be participating in any diving activities on Koh Nangyuan the resort offers accommodation discounts for divers.

Reference:
Nangyuan Island. Nangyuan Island Dive Resort. Retrieved October 11, 2010 from http://www.nangyuan.com/index.html

Chiang Rai - Northern Thailand

Wat Rong Khun is very different to any of temple you are likely to see in Chiang rai, Northern Thailand. It is established by a well-known Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, who had accumulated fund over 20 years from selling his paintings. The temple is materialized based on the artist’s imaginaries and vision. Construction began in 1998 and is expected to end in 2008. Unlike many temples, Wat Rong Khun refuses to accept donations of more than 10,000 baht and the donors cannot have their names recorded on the buildings.

Wat Rong Khun is different from chiang rai temples because the temple is almost entirely white, no other colors are used at all and it designed by an ambitious Thai artist. Inside it contains murals and paintings of the Buddha image and painted enamel ceramic floor that will take another 5 years to complete. The outside is being created with lime sculpture Thai designs decorated with small pieces of mirror that make the building sparkle and shine under the sunlight. The building’s material which is used is only snow-white concrete, cement and limestone.

Reference:

Wat Rong Khun - Different but impressive.(2006, January 20) Wayfaring. Retrieved October 7, 2010 from http://www.wayfaring.info/2008/01/22/wat-rong-khun-different-but-impressive/

Bangkok - Capital of Thailand

Royal Grand Palace

The Grand Palace is the former residential palace of Kings Rama I to Rama IV of Chakri Dynasty between 1782 and late 1800 A.D. The current reigning monarch, King Bhumibol Adulayadej or Rama IX, represents the ninth member of the Chakri dynasty. Witness the architectural opulence and splendour of this historic Thai landmark, which covers an area of 2.5 square kilometers (one square mile) on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River.

Wat Phra Kaeo (Emerald Buddha Temple)

On the Grand Palace grounds, stands Wat Phra Kaeo, the royal chapel and Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The temple was made famous by the Emerald Buddha, one of Thailand's most revered and cherished Buddha images, which is housed in the temple's main chapel (Viharn Phra Kaeo). The image is a sitting posture of the Buddha, 75 centimeters (30 inches) in height and is carved entirely out of emerald. Buddhist pilgrams and tourists from all over the world come to visit and to pay homage to the Emerald Buddha.

References:

Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaeo (Emerald Buddha Temple). Travex Travel Agency. Retrived Oct 7, 2010 from http://www.travexnet.com/sites/grand_palace.html#Wat Phra Kaeo