There are 26 provinces that make up Central and Eastern Thailand, and Bangkok is one of them.
Geographically, this is Thailand’s heartland, extending from Lop Buri in the north and covering the rice
bowl of the Central Plains around the Chao Phraya River. Further south, the area embraces the east and
west coasts of the upper Gulf of Thailand.
This is Thailand’s most fertile farming area, a wide-ranging landscape of paddy fields, orchards and
plantations. More than 1,000 years ago Thai settlers moved down from the north, gradually replacing Mon
and Khmer influences and establishing communities at Lop Buri then at Sukhothai, before founding a
kingdom that lasted 417 years with Ayutthaya as its capital. When the Burmese destroyed Ayutthaya in
1767, the capital moved to Bangkok.
The Central region has a dramatic history, and its heritage of ancient temples, battlefields and ruins and
two capitals, Ayutthaya and Bangkok, are a continuing fascination for visitors. The east and west sea
coasts at the region’s southern end also draw huge numbers of visitors every year. Bangkok residents
spend long weekends enjoying the relaxing seaside atmosphere, while holiday-makers from around the
world to discover the delights of the tropical beach life.
On the eastern side, 400 kilometres of coastline extend from Chon Buri to Rayong with some of the finest
beaches in Asia. Pattaya, with an enormous range of resorts, hotels and guesthouses, is its centre. If you
are seeking a more relaxing experience, travel further down the coast to Rayong or Ko Samet, and the
lovely islands of Ko Chang National Park near the Cambodian border.
On the west coast, the resorts of Cha-am and Hua Hin attract international travellers who prefer their
more sophisticated yet laid-back atmosphere.
Far from the sea in the northwest of the region is Kanchanaburi, whose forested mountains, waterfalls
and caves, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries on the border with Myanmar provide some of Thailand’s
most enthralling scenery.
The 26 provinces of Central and East Coast are Ang Thong, Bangkok, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat,
Chanthaburi, Chon Buri, Kanchanaburi, Lop Buri, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum
Thani, Phetchaburi, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Prachin Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ratchaburi, Rayong,
Sa Kaeo, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Saraburi, Sing Buri, Suphan Buri and Trat.
Credit to: http://www.tourismthailand.org
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