Thailand is one of the world’s top travel destinations, known for its tropical beaches, intense cuisine, and golden temples.
But various parts of Thailand appeal to various crowds — from open adventurers at the start of a Thailand backpacking trip to package travelers on a lazy beach holiday.
That means to get the sense you’re looking for you to have to know where to go in Thailand!
Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and its largest city by far. It’s a top visitor destination which is consistently placed among the world’s most visited cities.
The Travel + Leisure magazine readers voted for four consecutive years so famous and loved is Bangkok that it was the World’s Best City. Spend a few days there and you’ll learn why.
Bangkok’s myriad attractions make it appealing to a different demographic of tourists. Are you into shopping? There are lots of markets and shopping malls like Chatuchak Market and Siam Square to keep you busy.
Do you like cultural attractions? If so, then you can spend the day investigating the Old City and its must-see sights like the Grand Royal Palace and Wat Pho.
If good food is your thing, then you’ll be satisfied to know that CNN declared Bangkok as the world’s best street food city.
In short, Bangkok has something for everyone. It’s an electrifying, cheap city that’s much more than your gateway into Thailand. For many travelers, it’s the destination.
bangkok cheap hotels
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is one among the foremost popular destinations in Thailand, perhaps second only to Bangkok in its appeal. It’s an air-cooled mountain town famed for its hill tribes, lush rainforests, elephant sanctuaries, and interesting cuisine.
If you enjoy getting to Buddhist temples, then there are over 300 for you to go to in Chiang Mai. Night markets are aplenty as are digital nomads who’ve chosen to form this northern Thai city their home.
Many long-term tourists go to Chiang Mai hoping to stay for just a few weeks, then wind up staying a few months instead.
It’s such a livable city that gives a near-perfect blend of pace, affordability, comfort, culture, nature, and nightlife.
Spend a couple of days in Chiang Mai, and you’ll see exactly what I mean.
cheap hotels in Chiang Mai
Phuket
Phuket refers to both the province and also the island in southern Thailand. It’s the country’s 2nd-smallest province but it’s the largest island, home to fair white-sand beaches along its southern and western coast and a spattering of smaller islands just off the mainland.
Explore the Old Town and you’ll learn that tin mining accustomed be a serious source of income for much of the island’s history. The demand for tin faded within the twentieth century and gave rise to other industries like rubber production and tourism, the latter being the province’s main source of income for that last two or three decades.
Tourists flock to Phuket to enjoy its beaches and lots of luxurious resorts. Not only is Phuket the country’s most extensive island, but it’s also its most active, receiving an estimated ten million visitors yearly.
phuket hotels on the beach
Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya is an old Thai capital, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is one among the foremost impressive ruined cities in Asia and a must-see for history buffs visiting Thailand.
The Menam, Lopburi, and Pasak rivers ring Ayutthaya Historical Park, the island where most of the temple ruins lie. Wandering through this once-thriving ancient city will cause you to desire you’ve stepped back in time.
Besides travelling all the temple ruins, other general things to try to include caring for rescued elephants and biking through the Old French, Portuguese, British, and Dutch quarters.
Allow a minimum of two days to check all the tourist attractions, and longer if you do not want to feel rushed. Ayutthaya is steeped in history, and you will want to soak up the complete experience while you’re here.
Ayutthaya hotels
Krabi
There’s no place on earth quite like Krabi, one among Thailand’s tourist jewels. With its jagged karst limestone islands rising from the azure sea, pure white beaches, and exotic temples ashore, Krabi is an enthralling place to go to.
The scenery is that the star displays during this corner of southern Thailand, but it’s many co-stars jostling for attention. From antique Buddhist caves and seafront restaurants to water sports, golf, and vibrant nightlife, the coast around Krabi features a bit of everything. Throw in tropical sunshine and warm locals, and you’ll simply see why this wonderful region of Thailand is so instantly lovable.
hotels on krabi
Mae Hong Son
The main charm of Mae Hong Son for most guests is to take part in some of the great trekking ready and to enjoy time away from the hustle and bustle of most of Thailand’s other, more traveller-friendly, spots like Chiang Mai or Pai.
The town itself is found quite almost the border with Myanmar and, if you’re looking to urge off the beaten track it’s the right place to explore the countryside, meet local villagers and hill tribes, and to go to authentic temples that haven’t become a part of the tourist trail.
The main thing to try to do in Mae Hong Son for tourists visiting the world is to enjoy some trekking and walking within the hills. A guided trekking tour that lasts each day is typically the well-liked option, and lots of will offer you the choice to satisfy local Karen tribes and obtain to understand more about their traditions, customs and ways of life. The countryside here is extremely beautiful, so if you’re here in weather it really may be a great place to urge some trekking in.
As well as this, there are a few other spots both within the town and on the outskirts that are worth finding out on your visit. right of the town, there’s a charming bamboo bridge that links two small villages, and a few lovely temples that it’s worth visiting.
There’s also a living gallery which is very attractive and well worth seeing for an hour or two to learn more about the local culture and cultures, as well as the occasion to take boat tours along the river. This can be a pleasant alternative to trekking if you’re not feeling so energetic and offers some great views of the agricultural scenery.
mae hong son hotels
Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan may be a stunning paradise island that’s loved by all backpackers and travellers. The island has great diving and snorkeling, a pleasing laid-back atmosphere and in fact the monthly hedonistic full-of-the-moon party.
Koh Phangan is far and away the simplest island located within the Gulf of Thailand and is definitely accessible from the mainland or Koh Samui airport. Though Koh Phangan is merely a comparatively small island there are many distinct areas each suitable for various varieties of tourists with a variety of accommodation to cater for all budget.
koh phangan hotels
Kanchanaburi
Kanchanaburi is that the capital of the western provinces of Thailand and may be a great destination for tourists offering an excellent range of activities and sights. the town lies within a backdrop of the stunning natural scenery of dense rainforests, limestone mountains bisected by wide fast-flowing rivers.
Kanchanaburi provides a spread of activities and sights, from the emotional Second war memorials through to sitting with an adult tiger. This combined with great hiking and fun nightlife makes Kanchanaburi a reputable choice to the well-established tourist centres of northern Thailand.
Much of Kanchanaburi’s significant history was focused around the construction of Burma to Bangkok railway during the second war. This construction plan was given the horrific name of the death railway thanks to the huge numbers of allied prisoners of war who departed during its construction.
There are diverse celebrations dotted everywhere the region including graves or actual sections of the railway. The classic movie The Bridge Over the River Kwai was based upon the development of a railway bridge to the south of the town that forms a part of the death railway.
kanchanaburi hotels
Sukhothai
Sukhothai, a seemingly village within the lower northern a part of Thailand, is once home to the primary capital city of Siam within the 13th Century founded by the good King Ramkhamhaeng and is taken into account to be the cradle of Thai civilization.
This is the birthplace of all things traditional from art to architectural-style that you simply would see across the country and there’s no better place to find out about the history of the Thais quite in Sukhothai.
Sukhothai, a bit like Ayutthaya (another ancient city nearer to Bangkok), has done an excellent job at restoring and renovating the old ruins of the traditional city that scattered throughout Sukhothai Historical Park for you to explore.
hotel in Sukhothai
Koh Samui
Koh Samui, tucked within the cerulean distance within Indonesia and Indochina, is a usually over-looked tropical treasure. If you tour Koh Samui, a little island off the coast of Thailand, you’ll feel small villages built entirely of bamboo; lush jungle interiors; turquoise-fringed beaches.
Koh Samui’s amazing landscapes are just a fraction of the appeal: the local culture gives you a taste of the region’s Asian traditions and a singular heritage preserved in hidden Buddhist temples with their iconic, gilded-red roofs, and flexible fishing hamlets on the Southern coast.
While tourism and a burgeoning bohemian range of specialists have begun a wave of most modern resorts and international restaurants to the dusty white shores, Koh Samui still offers an off-the-cuff, relaxed alternative to more traditional beach vacations.
Family-owned seafood restaurants still offer authentic, unadulterated Southeast Asian cuisine, even while neighbouring boozy nightclubs and upscale boutiques.
hotels in koh samui
Nakhon Ratchasima
Nakhon Ratchasima or Korat Thailand is that the most prosperous province of the East. Its bounty of culture is greatly enjoyable since it’s its own folk song called ‘Pleng Korat.’ Nakhon Ratchasima is additionally important to Thai history. All ranges of tourist attractions are available here that you simply got to take quite a while to go to all of them.
Locating a couple of hours faraway from Bangkok with easy transportation the province is extremely popular for tourists, especially in Khao Yai park.
Nakhon Ratchasima is the largest province in Thailand in term of period. To its largeness, there are 32 districts which are; Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Buri, Soeng Sang, Khong, Ban Lueam, Chakkarat, Chok Chai, Dan Khun Thot, Non-Thai, Non-Sung, Kham Sakaesaeng, Bua Yai, Prathai, Pak Thong Chai, Phimai, Huai Thalang, Chum Phuang, Sung Noen, Kham Thale So, Sikhio, Pak Chong, Nong Bun Mak, Kaeng Sanam Nang, Non-Daeng, Wang Nam Khiao, Thepharak, Mueang Yang, Phra Thong Kham, Lam Thamenchai, Bua Lai, Sida
Comprising a neighbourhood that’s essentially plateaus and mountainous terrain, Khorat has fascinating traditions, charming hospitality, splendid natural scenery and awesome historical sites, including Khao Yai, Thailand’s oldest park and newest World Heritage site, and therefore the Khmer temple at Phimai, a crucial capital of the Angkor Empire.
hotels in nakhon ratchasima
Pattaya
Pattaya is always switched on and fun. This colourful coastal city shot to fame in the early 1980s and stayed there. From sunrise to sunset, Pattaya’s beaches are continually brimming with life, as water sports lovers and sun worshippers take to the waters.
Later dark, the action times to the streets, as revelers search its powered nightlife scene, where drinking and partying continue until dawn.
Apart from water games and nightlife, Pattaya allows for endless opportunities when it comes to accommodation and entertainment. It has abandoned its image as a seedy beach town to a destination for wider viewers; whether couples, families or business travelers, Pattaya has something for everyone.
Just 147km from Bangkok, Pattaya is the most familiar of Thailand’s major beach resorts to the capital city.
pattaya hotels
Similan Islands
There are some incredible islands within the waters that surround Thailand’s mainland, like the dramatically scenic islands of Krabi and Phang Nga Bay.
So what exactly performs the Similan Islands so unique? what’s it about them that’s so attractive to travellers?
Put only, the Similan Islands are natural wonders, loaded with low-lying formations covered in plush, dense forests and encircled by the clearest waters imaginable.
This is a sight to behold in itself, on the other hand, you as soon as you delve beneath the waters, you’ll discover why Koh Similan is one among the highest 10 most interesting dive areas within the world!
Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai City remains a sleepy provincial town with a pleasing atmosphere. Compared to its sister town Chiang Mai, it’s a more relaxed and down-to-earth feel but isn’t short on historical and cultural attractions of its own.
Established in 1262 because the capital of the Mengrai Dynasty, after Chiang Saen, today the town retains a robust Lanna identity, mostly through its impressive collection of temples, art, language, cuisine and music. But unlike Chiang Mai, the town offers little diversity when it involves nightlife, entertainment and shopping, and most of those are concentrated within the area around the tower.
The city is continuously developing its tourist sector, beginning with its own Night Bazaar, Saturday Walking Street and festival. The riverside resides mostly unactualized, albeit with a couple of luxury hotels along the waterfront. to completely appreciate the sweetness of the Mae Kok, it’s best to rent a long-tail boat and absorb the scenery along the 2 riverbanks.
At the top of the day, Chiang Rai City is all about chilling out and taking it in casually, enjoying each moment because it comes.
hotels in Chiang Rai
Koh Chang
Koh Chang (“Elephant Island” in Thai) has only newly popped onto the visitor radar. before the late 1990s, this beautiful island on the East Coast of the Gulf of Thailand was home to little quite a couple of beachfront bungalows and little hotels.
Although Koh Chang has been transformed by tourism over the last decade, it’s still one among Thailand’s least developed large islands. If you’re checking out a less touristy experience and an excellent place to relax and unwind, you’ll likely find it here.
hotels in koh chang
Ko Phi Phi
Koh Phi Phi is one among Thailand’s must-see islands for its stunning limestone scenery set amongst beautiful azure blue seas. All of Phi Phi’s beaches have their own atmosphere and ambience and where you stay will shape your sense of the island.
The beauties of Koh Phi Phi first began to come to popular attention within the late 80s and early 90s, escalating when it featured because of the idyllic backdrop to the Leonardo DiCaprio movie The Beach.
Physically, Koh Phi Phi is just stunning, with rugged limestone mountains within the interior, sheer cliff faces rising up from the ocean, and dotted with beaches of gleaming white sand.
Not all the tourist development on Koh Phi Phi has been for the simplest. a number of it’s been rampant and has horrified environmentalists. The arrival area around Tonsai Bay may be a noisy village of booming sound systems, relentless touts and staggering drunken nightlife. But that’s not the entire story.
There are many other, quieter beaches around Koh Phi Phi, a number of which may only be reached by boat, and where only the sound of the ocean and therefore the nearby jungle pepper the silence.
hotels in Ko Phi Phi
Koh Tao
Koh Tao is found on the side of the Surat Thani coastline with two close islands, Koh Phangan and Koh Samui. Koh Tao is formally a subdistrict of Koh Phangan in Surat Thani province, and therefore the name, in English, means ‘Turtle Island’ for the island’s reference to its being inhabited by sea turtles.
Though they’re not as plentiful as within the past, nowadays you’ll still find green and hawksbill turtles in some areas like Thian Og Bay. The island’s shape is additionally thought to resemble a turtle when viewed from Koh Phangan.
The island’s natural beauty both above and below the water, with its stunning coral reefs and abundant marine life in clear, warm water, bring thousands of tourists here annually making it an exceptional destination for divers, adventurers and travellers alike.
This, combined with the relaxed atmosphere and lifestyle, has been attracting people here for over 40 years and is now a warm second home for several.
Koh Tao has grown in some ways, and with its thriving diving industry, is now one among the leading centres for dive education within the world.
hotels in Koh Tao
Railay Beach
One of the foremost breathtaking beaches in Thailand, Railay Beach boasts beautiful white sands, azure blue waters and towering limestone cliffs. It’s a must-see if you wish is on the beach.
Railay may be a peninsula of the mainland, but it seems like an island since it can only be reached by boat. It boasts a few of incredibly beautiful beaches and an indoor that appears sort of a fantasy film set with rocky limestone cliffs rearing dramatically skywards, inland lagoons and hidden caves.
Besides, while it feels very secluded and sort of a real hidden beach paradise, Railay is nearby to Ao Nang which has great connections to the remainder of Thailand.
There are not any vehicles here and everywhere is walkable. albeit it’s now popular it remains very peaceful indeed. Nor does it have any of the bustles of an enormous playground.
hotels in railay beach
Khao Sok National park
This is one among the highest places to go to in Thailand, and permanently reason. With an abundance of hiking trails, plenty of wildlife, and floating bungalows, this is often an incredible travel destination. Swap the swarms of tourists for elephants, gibbons, and wild boars. Stop for a couple of days at Khao Sok park and luxuriate in a visit filled with adventures in nature.
Khao Sok park is found in southern Thailand in Surat Thani province. This massive park is 739 square kilometres, including the stunning Cheow Lan Lake. Dating back 160 million years, this is often one among the oldest rainforests within the world.
In addition to the lake, Khao Sok park is famed for its majestic karst mountain peaks. These were created over the years by heavy monsoon rains coming from both coasts. Khao Sok park is additionally home to many waterfalls and caves, which you’ll access via the park’s extensive trail system.
Khao Sok was established as a park in 1980. The park is really in two different areas – Khlong Sok town and Cheow Lan Lake. It’s about 65 km between the 2, so you’ll get to factor that in when planning your trip.
hotels in khao sok national park
Phanom Rung
Phanom Rung (also referred to as Prasat Hin Phanom Rung) maybe a park located within the borders of Buriram Province. This park sits at an elevation of over four hundred meters on the famed Phanom Rung Hill (Mount Kailash).
Phanom Rung park highlights a Hindu Khmer style thanks to the then influence of Khmer in Srisaket as a sociopolitical stronghold. This temple dates back to the 10-13th century when it had been constructed; feature during this temple is that the most thrilling sights of Khmer temple available within the whole of Thailand.
Phanom Rung was dedicated to Lord Shiva, and therefore the elevation upon which it had been constructed is that the holy mountain where Shiva dwelled. At the bottom of this temple sits the Muang Tum, a Khmer complex made out of pink sandstones and popularly mentioned as Phanom Rung Stone Castle.
The climate around Phanom Rung Park is influenced by the Buriram climate, which may be a prevailing tropical Savanna climate. This climate highlights warm temperatures all year round with dry and wet seasons running in alternative cycles.
Dry season featuring winter run from December through February while April through November features rainfall briefly heavy bursts.
Anytime may be a great time to go to this city, but the months of December through March are the simplest climate to facilitate tons of tour activities.
The Months of May and sometimes September features the very best rainfall throughout the year.
Pai
Set during a broad, gentle valley 43km beyond Soppong, PAI was once just a small-town stopover on the tiring journey to Mae Hong Son, but in recent years has established itself as a serious tourist destination in its title.
There’s nothing special to ascertain here, but you’ll partake of all manner of outside activities, courses and holistic therapies – even retail therapy at the art studios, bookshops and jewellery shops – and therefore the guesthouses, out-of-town resorts and restaurants have tailored themselves to the flood of tourists who make the journey out from Chiang Mai.
Westerners settle into the town’s full-on traveller culture and laidback, New-Agey pity weeks or maybe months – the local tourist maps even give handy lists of tattoo studios and non-MSG restaurants. Meantime, Pai is now firmly on the radar of Thai tourists, so in peak season, particularly on weekends when the sunflowers near Mae Hong Son are out, the narrow through-streets get clogged with a/c minibuses.
It is often an odd mix, but a night promenade along the “walking street” of Thanon Chaisongkhram, with its Thai-style galleries and gift shops within the traditional buildings at the western end and more traveller-oriented tears to the east – plus a sprinkling of local hill-tribe people and shrouded Thai Muslims – is undoubtedly pleasant and Sanuk.
hotels in pai
Frequently Asked Questions About Where to go in Thailand
In 2016, Thailand had 32.6 million visitors, an increase of nearly nine per cent from 2015. In 2017 the number of tourists visiting Thailand exceeded 35 million.
Thailand is found in southern Asia and is understood for its amazing cuisine, martial arts, beaches, and lots of temples. Thailand also has many islands that are documented that have numerous resorts for tourists. The chicken rice of Thailand might not be as famous as Singapore’s, but it’s still a well-liked food.
Although the climate varies throughout Thailand, you’ll visit all year round. the simplest time to travel is during the cool and season between November and early April.
Thailand is world-famous for its spa massages, beaches, Buddhist temples, nightlife, and, of course, shopping.
Thailand is usually a secure country to go to, but it’s smart to exercise caution, especially when it involves handling strangers (both Thai and foreigners) and travelling alone. Assault of travellers is comparatively rare in Thailand, but it does happen.
Consistent with official UNWTO stats, Thailand ranks #10 – most visited in Southeast Asia; China is Asia’s #1 country with the foremost visitors. The world’s most visited countries consistent with the planet Tourism Organization (UNWTO), is France, with 82.6 million overseas visitors.
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