Thailand is one of the most beloved tourist destinations in the world, with plenty to offer travelers. Known as South East Asia’s ‘Rising Tiger’, Thailand offers everything from relaxing and beautiful tropical islands to bustling metropolises that never sleep. The only question is how much you can fit into your itinerary!
To help you decide where to visit in Thailand, here are eleven amazing places in Thailand for inspiration.
Bangkok
You can’t leave Thailand’s hectic capital off of the list! Bangkok is one of the most exciting and interesting cities in the world. Although all of the sights, smells and sounds of Bangkok can seem a bit overwhelming at first, below the surface it is an amazing city that offers everything you could want on a dream city break.
Bangkok is a foodie’s paradise, with incredible street food on every corner as well as a multitude of amazing restaurants, including some Michelin-starred venues. There’s also a great selection of fresh food markets where you can see what it’s like to live as a local in Bangkok.
The city also has many interesting attractions including the Grand Palace, which is one of Thailand’s most recognizable icons. The shopping is also fantastic, especially at the weekend “JJ” market.
Chiang Mai
Thailand’s north is a hilly, amazing landscape which seems a world away from bustling Bangkok. Chiang Mai is the largest city in the area, and is a place popular with digital nomads given its affordability paired with its many great attractions including numerous beautiful temples.
Another great thing about Chiang Mai is the diversity, thanks to the influence of Malay, Burmese and Thai cultures. It can be seen in the food, music and dance – and makes it a fascinating place to visit and spend time in. There’s also nearby Chiang Rai and several hill-tribe villages where you can get to know some even more unique cultures in Thailand.
Phuket
Thailand’s most famous party island is the place to be if you’re looking to experience the country’s brilliant nightlife. The island has many beautiful beaches to enjoy and those who love watersports will be spoiled for choice with activities like kayaking, snorkeling and windsurfing on offer.
In addition, there are many great hikes on the island, so it is possible to find a little bit of peace and tranquility on the busy island. Of course, once the sun goes down, the party starts and goes all night – so if you’re looking to be surrounded by people and hear some great tunes, head over and dance the night away and then spend the day recuperating by the beach!
Koh Kood
If you’d prefer your Thai island a little quieter, you can’t look past beautiful Koh Kood towards the Cambodian border. You pull up in the speedboat to a small pier into a beautiful horse-shoe shaped bay, where resort staff are waiting to help you to your beachside hideaway. Many of the ‘resorts’ are actually fairly humble beach shacks, which all adds to the rustic charm.
The main activity on the island is relaxing by the beautiful beach, but there are also a few attractions if you want to do something a bit more active. On the beach, you’ll find kayaks and snorkeling equipment to enjoy, and you can also take a hike to the undiscovered parts of the island. One of the most popular is to a beautiful natural waterfall where you can swim in beautiful clear waters.
Pai
North of Chiang Mai, Pai was long known as a hippie hotspot where bohemians and health nuts would go to enjoy the laidback, unspoiled natural environment. Over time, it has become more popular and it can’t really be considered undiscovered anymore – however it still remains much of its hippie charm and is a great place to visit.
Pai is smaller than nearby Chiang Mai, so there are fewer attractions and activities to fill your days with. Instead, simply spend your time enjoying the region’s natural beauty and laidback charm – perhaps taking some scenic hikes or just enjoying the fresh mountain air. It’s also a great place for vegetarians and vegans, or those wishing to partake in a Buddhist or meditation retreat.
Ayutthaya
Just a couple of hours south of Bangkok, Ayutthaya was once the capital of the mighty Siam Empire. It stood in all its glory for more than 400 years, until it was raided by the Burmese army and the decision was made to move the capital to Bangkok. Today, the former capital is a glorious remnant of the past, and the region is UNESCO World Heritage Listed.
Ayutthaya can be visited on a daytrip from Bangkok or otherwise you can stay for a couple of days. It’s advisable to visit in the company of an official tour guide, as there is a lot of symbolism at the site and it is made more interesting when accompanied by someone who can point everything out and explain its significance.
Kanchanaburi
Another place that is just a few hours from Bangkok so do-able in a day trip, Kanchanaburi is a place that is sure to fascinate any military history buffs. The location was of great strategic importance during the Second World War, and is most famously home to the Bridge of the River Kwai. It was intended to connect Bangkok and Yangon in Myanmar, and hundreds of prisoners of war lost their lives working on the project, earning it its nickname of ‘Death Railway’.
As well as visiting the Bridge and memorials to those who lost their lives working on it, Kanchanaburi also has many quality museums and is also close to the Erawan National Park. The park features several beautiful waterfalls and fresh water pools, and is a great place for hiking and exploring.
Khao Sok National Park
Thailand is home to several great national parks, but Khao Sok is one of the oldest and largest. The park is located in the south of the country, and is almost 739 square kilometers in total area. Of that, 165 kilometers are taken up by the Cheow Lan Lake, which is open for boating and swimming and a great place to visit.
All of the National Park is beautiful, with unique stone towers that jut out of the landscape and create a magnificent backdrop for photographs and hikes. If you’re lucky, you can see an amazing variety of flora and fauna including gibbons, tigers and the rare Rafflesia flower, which is the heaviest flower on earth.
Umphang
For more beautiful scenic views, Umphang’s remote location means that the crowds stay away and you’ll have plenty of room to enjoy the stunning area. Getting there is quite the journey – including a boat ride and a hike – however once you do, you will be richly rewarded for your efforts.
Umphang is home to Thi Lo Su, one of the largest and most magnificent waterfalls in Asia. The waterfall is over many different levels, and adds to the beauty and magic of the place. It’s definitely a must-visit for nature lovers and those who enjoy hiking.
Pattaya
It has a somewhat seedy reputation, however seaside Pattaya is just a few hours from Bangkok which makes it the most popular beachside area in Thailand. Although it does have its share of hedonistic nightlife, there are many resorts and areas that are very family friendly, so if you are looking for a beachy location not too far from the capital, Pattaya is a good pick.
Due to its popularity amongst tourists, Pattaya is bursting at the seams with fun activities to do and try. This includes a beautiful wooden temple, visiting the floating market and ChanthaburiSapphire Mines. Plus – of course – spending your days enjoying the sun and sand on one of the many beautiful beaches.
Isaan
Isaan, in the country’s north east, is not a town but a sprawling region that encompasses more than twenty provinces. In fact, it’s the largest area in Thailand, however it is well and truly off of the usual tourist path. If you want to experience Thailand without the tourists, then you’ll love the authentic and remote feeling of the region.
The region is near the border of Laos, and therefore the culture has a strong Laotian influence. In fact, many signs are in Lao script rather than Thai – and the cuisine is also strongly influenced by its neighbor. Therefore, you can try some very unique dishes that are not found in other parts of Thailand. Plus, because Isaan has not experienced mass tourism like other areas, the locals are all too happy to extend hospitality to visitors.
Final Thoughts
As you can see from this list, Thailand has an incredible variety of places to visit and things to see. It’s easy to spend a month or more in the country, although you can also just pick a region or two to explore in-depth. One of the major benefits of the diversity of Thailand is that you can return to the nation many times, and always experience something very different.
Plane Addicted 