This year, as part of our “Discover Thainess” campaign, we would like to introduce twelve hidden treasures of the world – twelve provinces in the Land of Smiles that you may never have heard of, showcasing our people, our society and our rich culture.

Thailand consists of 77 provinces, which are divided into five regions: North, Northeast, East, Central, and South Thailand. Each province boasts unique cultural, historical, and natural attractions.

Of these provinces, 10 main tourist destinations (Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi, Hua Hin, Pattaya, Samui, Hat Yai and Phang-nga) are of course already well known and attract visitors from all over the world.

But these 12 have yet to be discovered by the rest of the world: Lampang, Phetchabun, Nan, Buriram, Loei, Samut Songkhram, Ratchaburi, Trat, Chanthaburi, Trang, Chumphon and Nakhon Si Thammarat.

These twelve destinations each comprise two or three provinces from Thailand's five regions.

The north is represented by Lampang, where time seems to stand still, the mist-shrouded mountains of Phetchabun and Nan, which is famous for its romantic murals.

In the northeast, the ancient Khmer and modern Thai civilizations meet in Buriram, and Loei boasts the most pleasant climate in the country.

The central plains contain two fascinating provinces: Samut Songkhram with its unique, river-influenced lifestyle and Ratchaburi with its famous arts and crafts communities.

The east is represented by the pristine islands and beaches of Trat and Chanthaburi, the home of all of Thailand's fruits.

In the south, Trang is a destination for nature lovers and gourmets, Chumphon with its beautiful beaches and crystal-clear sea, and Nakhon Si Thammarat with its special religious and natural attractions.

According to TAT Governor Thawatchai Arunyik:

“In addition to the 10 main attractions, there are 12 places that every visitor to Thailand should definitely visit. International travelers may not know that these lesser-known destinations offer all the special traditions and cultural sights, sites of historical significance, and the wealth of natural resources.”

For more information on Thailand's travel destinations, please visit: http://www.tourismthailand.org/Where-to-Go