Cinque Terre Cinque Terre
Sightseeing

Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University is located on the southern edge of Nonthaburi province, the northern neighbor of Bangkok.

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Though Nonthaburi falls within the Bangkok Metropolitan Area, the province still offers many more rural charms and relaxations. For example, a short distance from the STOU campus, you can witness the peaceful lifestyle of villagers at Ko Kret, a man-made island formed long ago in the Chao Phraya River. Ko Kret was settled and remains inhabited predominantly by the Mon, a group known for their pottery production. The graceful designs and intricate workmanship have made the island and the whole province of Nonthaburi well known in Thailand as a center for high-quality traditional earthenware. For more details on Nonthaburi’s attractions and background, please visit Tourism Authority of Thailand.

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In addition, Bangkok is one of Southeast Asia’s most international cities, with many thriving ethnic communities. There are large numbers of people from nearly every continent, with especially broad representation of ethnic groups from all across Asia. Different religions are also practiced freely in Thailand. Besides temples, there are many mosques, churches and other places of worship.

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Beyond Bangkok, visitors can relax on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand, at places such as the famous beach at Pattaya to the southeast or the seaside resort town of Hua Hin to the southwest. To the west is Kanchanaburi, which offers mountains, jungles, waterfalls, and the famous Death Railway Bridge on the River Kwai, built during World War II. Less than an hour to the north is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ayutthaya, the capital of Siam (Thailand) until 1767. Should you be interested in exploring a bit, there are several transportation options. Central Bangkok has one underground train line and three elevated train lines, in addition to an extensive bus system that extends throughout the metropolitan area. Since bus information is only sometimes offered in Thai, many visitors prefer to take taxis, which are another reasonably priced option. For long-distance travel, there are three bus terminals in Bangkok. Another popular option for traveling to other destinations around central Thailand is vans. Faster than buses and for about the same price, these leave from many locations around Bangkok, most notably from Victory Monument. For more information about other cities in Thailand, please visit TAT. (http://www.tourismthailand.org)