Thailand is a land of tropical extremes. Much of the country is made up of farmland with rice and other indigenous crops being harvested from the central plain. The main river, The Chao Phraya, provides water for a large percentage of the country. The northern section of the country is mountainous and has a slightly more temperate climate compared to the rest of the country. If it is your first time to Thailand, then by all means go to see Wat Phra Kao otherwise known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Another world famous temple is Wat Arun next to the river. You can also explore this seldom seen suburb of Bangkok called Thonburi in which this temple is located. An interesting place to go in this area is the Santa Cruz Church, which has a rich history from when Portuguese priests first came to Thailand. It is best to find out when the church building is open beforehand, as it has specific viewing hours for tourists.