Located near the summit of the mountain known as Doi Inthanon in Chiang Mai province, the Ang Ka nature trail has a 360-meter-wooden bridge, where visitors may spend a leisurely half hour or more, enjoying the spectacular view.

Because of the beautiful scenery along the two sides of the bridge and the local biodiversity, one of the riches of the northern region, this nature trail leaves a lasting impression on all visitors.

Doi Inthanon Mountain stands 2,500 meters above sea level, the highest peak in Thailand, and the weather there is cool almost all year round. It is home to many rare species of flora, such as the 'Thousand Year Rose', or the Rhododendron, Khao Tok Roesi, Phru or Aeng Nam Sup, and countless varieties of moss. Several rare species of animals are also found there.

The reflection of the afternoon sun over the vast expanse of water enhances the beautiful landscape of Phayao Lake in Thailand's northern province of Phayao. The sight is so impressive that even the cool breezes of winter fail to purge the warm impression from one's mind. On the contrary, the shadows of surrounding mountains seem to endorse this first, exhilarating feeling.

Towards dusk, on an afternoon such as this, the local folk of Phayao, as well as tourists, fill the benches on the promenade of Phayao Lake, know as "Kwan" among locals, which skirts the east-side of the lake. Alongside is the road that also provides an embankment for this 2,500-hectare freshwater lake.

More importantly, the road towards the end of the lake offers one of the best viewpoints at twilight to observe the beauty of a sunset as the sun slowly sets amidst rolling hills on the western part of the Kwan.

In the eyes of the general public, the water hyacinth may appear a useless weed. But for the villagers of San Pa Muang Sub-district in Muang District. Phayao Province in northern Thailand, the water hyacinth, or "floating lotus", is an important raw material used to make baskets, handbags, hats and many other items.

When they are free from rice farming, members of the Water Hyacinth Wickerwork Group at Ban San Pa Muang village often spend their spare time making handicrafts to earn a supplementary income.

They begin by selecting stalks of water hyacinth of good quality to be dried in the sun for three to five days before being fumigated. They are sun-dried again before being sliced into pliable strips, to be worked into various designs and products according to the demands of their customers.