Choosing among the many places to visit in Thailand can be daunting, especially if you only have a short time in the country. There’s a reason Thailand attracts more than 20 million international visitors a year – the country has so much to offer!
Oh, and Thailand can be a very affordable destination.
Use this list of popular destinations in Thailand to start building an itinerary for a dream trip to the most travel-friendly country in Southeast Asia.
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Chiang Mai
Although still busy with traffic, the northern capital of Thailand has a completely different vibe than Bangkok.
The slightly cooler climate of the green hills and many tourist activities keep visitors coming in increasing numbers. A large community of entrepreneurs and artists have chosen to call Chiang Mai home, invariably drawn to that vibe and friendliness that is felt in the north.
Try visiting Chiang Mai on a weekend to take advantage of the traveling street markets; each takes place in a separate location on Saturdays and Sundays. Nightlife in Chiang Mai is not as bustling as Bangkok or the islands, but there are options.
Getting to Chiang Mai from Bangkok is easy. Take the train if you have time to enjoy the countryside, otherwise take a cheap flight from NokAir.
Some reasons to visit Chiang Mai:
- Many temples
- Cultures of Northern Thailand, Lanna and Burma
- Cheap shopping and night markets
- Cafes with local coffee and good restaurants.
- Outdoor and adventure activities.
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Father
The small riverside town of Pai was recently a peaceful haven for hippies. Today, Pai is thriving on tourism, but some of the old hippie health culture remains.
Surrounded by mountains and green landscapes, Pai enjoys cooler air than Chiang Mai, and life moves more slowly than in the big city. Oddly enough, the backpacker nightlife is better in Pai than in Chiang Mai!
If you have enough experience, take a motorbike in Chiang Mai, point north, and have a beautiful trip to Pai.
Some reasons to visit Pai:
- Fresh air and relaxation.
- Waterfalls
- Friendly Lanna and northern culture
- Organic food, juices, yoga retreats, healthy lifestyle.
- Good bike in the area.
- Backpacker nightlife
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Railay
Although not technically an island, Railay feels like one. Surrounded by mountains and only accessible by small boat, Railay in Krabi is a major rock climbing destination in Southeast Asia.
Even if you prefer to keep your feet on the ground, the limestone cliffs jutting out of the blue water provide an unforgettable landscape that is often featured on postcards from Thailand.
Some reasons to visit Railay:
- Rock climbing
- Beautiful landscape
- White sand beaches and small hidden coves
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Ayutthaya
Located just two hours by train from Bangkok, Ayutthaya was the ancient capital of Siam for 417 years before being looted by Burmese invaders and then moved to Bangkok.
Initially founded in 1350, Ayutthaya was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the many temple ruins scattered throughout the modern city. Loaded with archeology, Ayutthaya is probably the closest thing to an Angkor Wat to be found in Thailand.
Some reasons to visit Ayutthaya:
- Archeology and ruins of ancient temples
- Thai history and culture
- A famous tree that has grown around the head of a Buddha statue.
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Kanchanaburi
Located just two hours by bus from Bangkok and located on the famous River Kwai, Kanchanaburi is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle in Bangkok.
Kanchanaburi has a lot of WWII history. It is home to the most famous bridge built as part of the “Death Railway” intended to connect Bangkok and Rangoon (now Yangon). The bridge was made famous in the movie, The Bridge on the River Kwai , inspired by the novel.
Numerous museums and beautiful national parks with swimming under waterfalls make Kanchanaburi a hit with war history buffs and backpackers.
Some reasons to visit Kanchanaburi:
- History of the second world war
- Erawan National Park and Sai Yok National Park
- Taweechai Elephant Camp
- A quick escape from Bangkok
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Islands in Thailand
Thailand is blessed with beautiful islands of all sizes and temperaments in both the Andaman Sea (west side) and the Gulf of Thailand.
Some islands have frequent beach parties, while others are small and quiet. Diving and snorkeling abound.
Although the islands are not technically the best place for real cultural interaction or cheap shopping, they are a necessary addition to any Thailand vacation. But save the islands for last – once there, you won’t want to go anywhere else!
Some reasons to visit the Thai islands:
- Beaches ranging from lonely to very busy
- Excellent snorkeling and diving
- Backpacker beach parties and nightlife
- Family beaches
- The sanctuary health shelter on Koh Phangan
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Khao Sok National Park
Although not the oldest or largest national park in Thailand, Khao Sok is a memorable favorite for many visitors.
Officially declared the 22nd national park in Thailand on December 22, 1980, Khao Sok is a 739 square kilometer natural refuge in southern Thailand. The park is famous for its floating bungalows and the picturesque lake.
With a little luck and time, you can even catch a rare Rafflesia, the heaviest flower on earth, in bloom.
Some reasons to visit Khao Sok National Park:
- Tropical jungle landscape
- Limestone formations and a beautiful lake
- Rafflesia flowers
- Jungle hiking and river canoeing
- Waterfalls
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Mae Hong Son
Located in the northwestern corner of Thailand near the Burma (Myanmar) border, Mae Hong Son is a fairly quiet town, mostly still off the tourist radar.
As Pai, located south of Mae Hong Son on Route 1095, grows, Mae Hong Son becomes a more popular alternative for travelers wanting to escape the crowds.
Mae Hong Son residents are genuine and happy to show you their green province.
Some reasons to visit Mae Hong Son:
- Caves and waterfalls
- Trekking
- Thai, Karen and Burmese culture
- Escape from tourists further south
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Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai, located just northeast of Chiang Mai, is an increasingly popular alternative to Chiang Mai for travelers interested in a little more Thai culture and fewer tourists.
Although Chiang Rai has its share of tourists and resident expats, numerous temples, museums, markets and cultural centers offer a more genuine insight into the culture of northern Thailand.
Some reasons to visit Chiang Rai:
- Peaceful temples
- Waterfalls and the national park
- The White Temple, an incredible work of art.
- The Black House (incorrectly called the “Black Temple”)
- Night bazaar eating and shopping
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Isaan
Isaan is a region consisting of 20 provinces in northeast Thailand along the borders with Cambodia and Laos.
Although Isaan is the largest region in Thailand, tourism has yet to hit hard there as it has elsewhere in Thailand. Visitors to Isaan can still enjoy meeting locals who are happy to see them.
The local Isaan dialect is actually a derivative of the Lao language rather than Thai, although it is still written using the Thai alphabet.
Isaan is home to delicious dishes that are distinct from other famous Thai foods. Dishes are most often enjoyed with sticky rice ( khao niaow ).
Some reasons to visit Isan:
- Friendly people
- Famous food like som tam (papaya salad) and laap (meat salad)
- Genuine culture
- Green field
