Mini Siam

About 95 miles south of Bangkok in Pattaya, Thailand, a large park offers over 80 famous historical and sacred sites in miniature. The park was built in 1986 to attract more tourists to this remote part of Thailand. Most of the models are on a scale of 1:25, and the park is split into two main sections: Mini Europe and Mini Siam.

Before entering Mini Siam, visitors cross the Mini Europe garden, although perhaps it would be better named Mini World. This portion of the park contains models from many places outside of Thailand - Buckingham Palace, the Statue of Liberty, Abusimbel in Egypt, the Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and the Sydney Opera House.

Mini Siam celebrates Thailand's many religious and historical sites, such as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the Bridge over the River Kwai. The city of Pattaya is a beautiful beach town that also offers a tropical botanic garden and an impressive Buddha.