Bangkok was named the third-best city in the world, while Chiang Mai cam in fifth.

The survey's criteria for judging the cities included sights, culture and the arts, restaurants and food, people, shopping and value for money.

In other awards, Phuket was ranked No 2 of Asia's top three island destinations and 10th on the list of the world's best islands.

Thailand also has six hotels among the best 100 in the world: the Peninsula Bangkok, The Oriental Bangkok, the Four Seasons Resort in Chiang Mai, the Banyan Tree Phuket, the Amanpuri Phuket and The Sukhothai Bangkok.

Standing out is Chiang Mai's Four Seasons Resort, which is not only among the world's top 100, but also ranked seventh on the list of the world's top 15 small hotels and named the best hotel spa in the Asia-Pacific, Africa and Middle East regions.

Thai Airways came fifth on the list of the world's best airlines, and the Chiva-som International Health Resort was judged the world's best destination spa.

Tourism Authority of Thailand governor Juthamas Siriwan said the awards were testimony to the hard work, professionalism and creativity of the tourism industry.

"I compliment all of the award winners and urge everyone to continue efforts to reap more such awards in the future," she said.

Juthamas said the criteria by which Bangkok and Chiang Mai were voted best cities showed not only how they had changed, but also how adept they had become in product development and marketing.

Later this year, Chiang Mai will gain more prominence when it hosts the international horticultural exposition Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006. Running for three months from November 1, it is designed to celebrate the King's passion for agriculture and nature.

A total of 32 countries have so far confirmed their participation.