Ang Thong

Don't confuse this with the famous marine park — Ang Thong province is a landlocked stretch of the Chao Phraya river basin, about two hours north of Bangkok. It's rice country, flat and green, and the main reason to stop is Wat Muang, home to Thailand's largest seated Buddha statue at 92 meters tall, visible from kilometers away. The surrounding grounds include a colorful (and slightly surreal) concrete hell garden depicting Buddhist punishments.

The old town area along the Noi River has some quiet charm, with wooden shophouses and a handful of riverside temples. Ang Thong is also known for traditional drum-making in the village of Ban Bang Luang, and for hand-crafted dolls — the province's signature souvenir. It works best as a half-day detour between Bangkok and Ayutthaya or Sing Buri rather than a standalone destination.