Destination: Thailand

Top Tens

If you're interested in Thai cinema's 'new wave', these are the best rides so far in descending order of excellence.

• Mon Rak Transistor (2001)
• Nang Nak (1998)
• Mekhong Full Moon Party (2002)
• Satree Lex (Iron Ladies) (2000)
• 6ixty-nin9 (1999)
• Fun Bar Karaoke (1997)
• Ong Bak (2004)
• Blissfully Yours (2002)
• Child of the North-East (1983)
• Tropical Malady (2004)

FESTIVALS & EVENTS

Virtually every week of the calendar a new festival opens somewhere in Thailand. Here's our pick of the ones worth seeking out.

• January - That Phanom Festival, That Phanom
• February - Phra Nakhon Khiri Diamond Festival, Phetchaburi
• Late March/early April - Prasat Hin Khao Phanom Rung Festival, Buriram
• April - Songkran, Chiang Mai
• May/June - Phi Ta Khon Festival, Dan Sai, Loei
• May/June - Rocket Festival, northeastern Thailand
• Mid- to late July - Khao Phansa (Candle Festival), Ubon Ratchathani
• Late September to early October - Vegetarian Festival, Phuket
• November - Loi Krathong, Sukhothai
• November - Surin Annual Elephant Roundup, Surin

NATIONAL PARKS & WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES

Thailand has well over a hundred national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, and you could spend a lifetime exploring them all. To help prioritise your choices, we have provided our list of favourites:

• Khao Sok National Park, Surat Thani
• Um Phang Wildlife Sanctuary, Tak/Kanchanaburi
• Kaeng Krachan National Park, Phetchaburi
• Khao Yai National Park, Nakhon Ratchasima
• Doi Inthanon National Park, Chiang Mai
• Doi Phu Kha National Park, Nan
• Nam Nao National Park, Loei
• Thaleh Ban National Park, Satun
• Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, Prachuap Khiri Khan
• Thung Salaeng Luang National Park, Phetchabun/Phitsanulok