Friday, August 19, 2022

The 17 Best Places to Visit in Thailand That You Will Never Forget

What are the best places to visit in Thailand? Thailand has a lot to offer. From the bustling capital city of Bangkok, the mountains of the North and to the beautiful Phang Nga Bay, there is plenty to see and do in Thailand.

 

In this article we will provide you with a list of some of the best places for you to visit in Thailand.

1. Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya was once the capital of the old Siam kingdom. It is a city of Khmer ruins, with temples and palaces still standing after hundreds of years.

 

The city has been left to decay since 1767 when it was captured by Burma’s army, but it remains a cultural and religious hub for Thai people.

 

The Ayutthaya province is located in central Thailand, 50 kilometres north-west of Bangkok. The province covers an area of 10,800 square kilometres and has a population of about 1 million inhabitants.

Ayutthaya - best places to visit in Thailand

2. Bangkok

Bangkok is the beautiful, chaotic capital of the country with a lot to offer from spicy street food to shopping. It is also famous for its temples, markets and traffic.

 

It’s one of the most visited cities in Asia, and it has something for everyone. Bangkok has many attractions that are worth visiting, such as the Reclining Buddha, Wat Arun and Chatuchak Weekend Market.

 

To get a rest from the hustle and bustle, visit the oasis of Bang Kachao also known as Bangkok green lungs.

Bangkok - florian-wehde--y3sidWvDxg-unsplash

3. Khao Yai National Park

Khao Yai National Park is one of the most popular national parks in Thailand, and for good reason. This lush, green forest is home to a huge variety of wildlife, including Indian elephants, sambar deer and many rare birds!

 

Visitors can enjoy hiking through the forests and grasslands, or they can take a boat ride along the park’s many rivers.

 

Khao Yai National Park is the oldest and most-visited national park in Thailand, the country’s third-largest national park and one of mainland Asia’s largest intact monsoon forests.

This stunning national park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and features more than 50km of hiking trails, some of which lead to breath-taking waterfalls.

Keep in mind, though that guides are required for most of the trails. While exploring, you may spot some of Khao Yai’s wild residents, including gibbons, sun bears and several species of hornbills.

Khao Yai National Park - Thailand

4. Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is a city of temples that blends Thai traditions with modern life that never sleeps!

 

It is the cultural heart of Northern Thailand, and its old city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s also a hub for sustainable tourism, with plenty of opportunities to explore the surrounding countryside by bike, on foot or in a traditional long-tail boat.

 

It has always been Chiang Mai’s mission to provide visitors with an authentic experience. The locals are welcoming and friendly, and the food is delicious and plentiful.

 

Chiang Mai is also know for its buzzing digital nomad scene.

 

Chiang Mia Market

5. Phuket

Phuket is a world-class beach destination for any traveller who wants a chill out time in the sun! It’s located on the Andaman coast, in Southern Thailand.

 

Phuket is one of the most popular tourist island destinations in Thailand. It’s famous for its white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. It’s also known for its picturesque Old Town, annual Vegetarian Festival and wildlife sanctuaries.

 

Phuket has so much to offer to tourists, from white sand beaches, to water sports and its legendary nightlife!

 

You can find many hotels and resorts with all-inclusive packages that are perfect for families or couples looking to escape from their routine lives.

 

The island offers a variety of activities including elephant trekking, snorkelling, diving, shopping and nightlife at the busy Patong Beach.

Phuket Vegetarian Festival

6. Pattaya

Situated less than 100 miles southeast of Bangkok, Pattaya is the closest major beach destination to Thailand’s capital city.

Visitors can spend hours at the beach sunbathing or participating in water sports activities like windsurfing, jet skiing and water skiing.

Dive in to the largest infinity pool in Thailand overlooking the Gulf of Siam in the Royal Cliff Hotel’s new Sky Aquarium.

Royal Cliff Infinity Pool - Sky Aquarium

Water sports not your cup of tea? Head to the Art in Paradise Interactive Art Museum or the Sanctuary of Truth Museum to see the awe-inspiring works of art and architecture.

For nature lover visit Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens just outside the city.

Once the sun goes down, all of the action can be found on Walking Street, an infamous stretch of bright lights, nightclubs, restaurants and bars.

7. Koh Chang

Named Koh Chang or “Elephant Island” in Thai because of its elephant-shaped headland, the third largest island in Thailand is more secluded than Phuket but no less beautiful.

The west coast is dotted with stunning coastlines, small villages and a variety of accommodation options for all budgets, while its interior offers dense tropical jungles and plentiful waterfalls to trek through and too.

But remember, Ko Chang’s tourism infrastructure isn’t as well developed as other Thai islands, so getting there is a bit more of a trek, but worth it!

Koh-Chang-Treasure-Map-61

8. Phi Phi Islands

The Phi Phi Islands feature some of Thailand’s most popular beaches. Phi Phi Don, the larger of the two main islands, is known for its lively party scene, hidden coves, deep coral reefs and gardens that are ideal for snorkelling and diving.

Meanwhile, the smaller, uninhabited Phi Phi Leh is where you’ll find verdant cliffs surrounding Maya Bay’s beautiful white sand beaches, which you may recognise from the Leonardo DiCaprio movie “The Beach.”

Phi Phi Islands - humphrey-muleba-TejFa7VW5e4-unsplash

9 Doi Mae Salong

Doi Mae Salong is a small town near the peak of Mount Doi Mae Salong in Northern Thailand about 6km from the Myanmar border.

This town is famous for its tea plantations, two Buddhist temples and its breath-taking natural scenery.

 

The best time to visit this place is during the dry season when you can enjoy all the natural beauty, taste tea to your hearts content and visit other attractions while getting a break from monsoon rains.

Tea at Doe Mae Salong

10. Kanchanaburi Province

Thailand’s third-largest province Kanchanaburi, captivates travellers with its natural beauty.

Its diverse landscape – which features everything from waterfalls, rivers and mountains to Neolithic caves and national parks – is ideal for an array of outdoor pursuits, including hiking, mountain biking, white-water rafting and fishing.

But a trip here wouldn’t be complete without visiting some of the area’s World War II sites and museums. Visit the famous Bridge over River Kwai or start your history lesson at the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre, an interactive museum that tells the tragic story of how the Thailand-Burma Railway was built.

If you want to relax, head over to Erawan National Park and enjoy the majestic seven tier waterfall.

Waterfall at Erawan National Park - Thailand

11. Koh Toa

Ko Tao which means “Turtle Island” in Thai is considered one of Thailand’s top places to go scuba diving.

Travelers flock here to take advantage of the crystal-clear water that surrounds the island and its white sand beaches, many of which provide easy access to colourful coral reefs and fishes.

What’s more, Ko Tao offers ample opportunities to enjoy a variety of other activities, including cliff jumping, hiking, stand-up paddle-boarding and rock climbing.

After a busy day outdoors, visitors can venture to Mae Haad to grab a bite to eat or to Sairee Beach to party.

For Instagrammers, take a long-tail boat from the north of the island to Koh Nang Yuan island. Koh Nang Yuan is three small islands joined by a sandbar and make for the ultimate tropical island castaway photos. 

Koh Nang Yuan island

12. Railay

Although people talk about “climbing in Krabi,” the magnificent karst cliffs are outside the town, on Railay East, Railay West, and Ton Sai beaches.

 

Its sea cliffs are one of the best climbing playgrounds in the world, with dozens of routes bolted for sport climbers. 

 

There are few experiences as distinctive as this, especially when you combine blinding white beaches, jungle trails, cheap beach-hut accommodation, and a long-tail boat ride to reach them. 

Railay - timur-kozmenko-xyq3A_LTUTY-unsplash

13. Pai

Located near Myanmar’s Shan state, Pai is like a southern island escape, swept across the country and dropped into the hills of northern Thailand.

 

A small township at the bottom of the valley is home to guesthouses, homestays, restaurants, and backpacker bars, while the surrounding peaks hide hot springs, forest waterfalls, and majestic views.

Pai - ronny-sison-w4DxcWW5JJ8-unsplash

14. Chiang Rai

Known for jungle wonders and a former haunt of drug lords, Thailand’s far north Golden Triangle area now calls out to trekking adventurers. A big draw to Chiang Rai is hiking, which takes you across tribal homelands into neighbouring Myanmar and Laos.

A must see place to visit near Chiang Rai is the inspiring art exhibition temple Wat Rong Khun (White Temple).

Also take time to rest your feet at some of the charming homestay’s in the tea and coffee growing villages that make this such an enchanting region to explore.  

White Temple - Chiang Rai

15. Koh Mak

Koh Mak is a mid-sized island located south of Koh Chang that is definitely worth exploring if you are in this part of Thailand.

 

The island is becoming increasingly popular with couples and families due to its deserted beaches, fresh seafood and organic food scene.

 

To get to Koh Mak, jump on a ferry at the Laem Sok or Laem Ngop Pier on the Trat mainland. Once you are there It’s easy to get around the quiet roads and visit deserted, picture perfect beaches on a scooter.

 

By the way, did you know Koh Mak island is named after the Areca nut, also known as the betel nut or mak nut in Thailand. Now you do; )

Koh Mak Pier

16. Phu Pha Thoep National Park

 

Phu Pha Thoep National Park is the 59th national park in Thailand. It covers an area of over 48 square kilometers in Mukdahan province.

 

It’s a sandstone mountain with large and small mountain ranges lying continuously like waves and is the place to find the unique Hin Thoep Rocks.

 

Hin Thoep Rocks are spectacular natural sculptures eroded by the rain, water, wind, and sun for over 120 million years (long before I was born).

 

These rocks have been transformed into different shapes similar to aeroplanes, flying saucers, crowns, Chinese houses, crocodile heads, and more. It’s a truly unique place off the beaten track to lose yourself in.

Hin Thoep Rocks in Phu Pha Thoep National Park

17. Koh Kood

Koh Kood is located in Southern Thailand, approximately one hour by speedboat from the mainland of Trat province. It has a population of about 5000 people and is only about 20 km long.

 

The island has many beautiful beaches on its coastlines which are suitable for swimming and snorkelling.

 

Koh Kood has become a popular tourist destination in Thailand because it provides an unspoiled natural environment and laid-back vibe that many people can’t find on the larger more populous islands.

 

Koh Kood’s white sand beaches and emerald waters make it a perfect place to escape from reality and enter into your own private paradise.

Sun beds on Koh Kood Beach - best places to visit in Thailand 

What are your best places to visit in Thailand? Do you have a special place in Thailand on your bucket list? Share it with us in the comments below.

 


 

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17 Best Places to Visit in Thailand That You Will Never Forget

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