The Isthmus of Kra and the Malay Peninsula border the Gulf of Thailand on the east and the Indian Ocean on the west.

Phetchaburi

This small city 160 kilometers south of Bangkok is home to a relatively large number of temples, some of which are several hundred years old. One of these is Wat Kamphaeng Laeng, with elements dating back to the 13th century. This was originally a Hindu site; the Buddhist elements were added later. Near the city is Khao Wang & Phra Nakhon Kiri, the 19th-century palace of King Rama IV. The site is now a museum. A few kilometers north of Phetchaburi are the Khao Luang Caves, with beautiful stalactites and a number of old Buddha statues. Holes in the cave ceilings provide dramatic illumination. Taking up much of the western portion of Phetchaburi Province is Kaeng Krachan, Thailand's largest national park. Tigers, wild elephants, bears, boars, and gibbons make their home in the park.

Southern Gulf Region

The southern portion of Thailand is somewhat more ethnically diverse than the northern part, with Thai Muslims living in the countryside, and ethnic Chinese in the cities. The Ang Thong National Marine Park, northwest of the island of Ko Samui, encompasses several islands and the surrounding waters. There are lagoons, cliffs, and thick jungle to explore on land, and some great snorkeling areas away from the land. East of the Marine Park is Ko Pha-Ngan, a relatively undeveloped island with a number of beautiful isolated beaches. For those who don't seek isolation, the world's largest beach party -- as many as 12,000 revelers -- is said to take place at the Hat Rin beach every month at the full moon.

The Andaman Coast

The Andaman Coast, which faces the Indian Ocean, has dramatic scenery and gorgeous beaches. The area tends to have more rainfall than the coasts that face the Gulf of Thailand on the other side of the Malay peninsula. Here is located Phuket Province, the "Pearl of the South," according to the tourist brochures. This is Thailand's largest and most populous island. It is also a popular tourist destination, with some of the best scuba diving and snorkeling sites in Thailand.