Central Thailand, Geographic region in Thailand
Central Thailand is a geographic region in Thailand that stretches across the wide plains north and south of Bangkok. Rice paddies alternate with small towns, while the river cuts through the landscape and provides transport routes and irrigation systems.
The area formed the center of power for several Thai kingdoms and reached its height during the rule of Ayutthaya. After the fall of that capital in the 18th century, the political focus shifted downriver to Bangkok.
The name reflects its position at the heart of the country and its central role in daily life. Temples with golden spires and riverside markets shape the look of this area, where monks in orange robes walk through the streets.
Visitors find accommodations and restaurants in larger towns, while smaller villages along the roads offer stopping points for breaks. The best time to visit falls outside the rainy season, when the paths remain dry and the fields turn green.
Some villages still produce wooden puppets for traditional shadow plays, an art form based on old storytelling traditions. These workshops sometimes open their doors to visitors who want to watch the carving process.
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