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Rivers, rice plains and the beating heart of the kingdom

Central Thailand

Golden temple spires beside the Chao Phraya river in Bangkok at sunset

The flat, fertile heartland around the Chao Phraya river — home to Bangkok, Ayutthaya and the country's great rice plains.

Why visit Central Thailand

Central Thailand is where the kingdom's history and its modern energy meet. Bangkok delivers rooftop bars, street food and grand palaces, while a short train ride north brings you to the ruined temples of Ayutthaya, once one of the largest cities on earth.

Highlights

  • Grand Palace and Wat Pho, Bangkok
  • Ayutthaya Historical Park
  • Floating markets of Damnoen Saduak and Amphawa
  • Lopburi's temples and resident macaques

When to go

November to February is dry and comfortable. March to May is very hot; the monsoon runs roughly June to October.

Provinces in Central Thailand

  • Bangkok
  • Ayutthaya
  • Pathum Thani
  • Nonthaburi
  • Samut Prakan
  • Samut Sakhon
  • Samut Songkhram
  • Nakhon Pathom
  • Suphan Buri
  • Ang Thong
  • Lopburi
  • Saraburi
  • Chainat
  • Sing Buri
  • Kanchanaburi
  • Ratchaburi
  • Phetchaburi
  • Prachuap Khiri Khan
  • Samut Prakan