Welcome to Our Thailand Section
Thailand has always been one of our favorite places to visit in Asia. It’s not entirely unique in its geographic diversity, but my, some of those landscapes are just hard to capture in words. It’s a truly beautiful country, filled with some of the world’s greatest food, people, and most interesting cultures. We’ve created guides on things to do in Thailand from north to south, in popular places like Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Pai, and more.
Thailand Travel Guides and Mentions
Places to Visit in Thailand
From the sprawling beaches in the south all the way north to the Golden Triangle, here are some special places to visit in Thailand that we’re going to share with you here.
Bangkok
Many folks look to Bangkok when looking for things to do in Thailand. I mean, once you land in one of Bangkok’s two airports, prepare for a wild ride from there. Everyone knows about Khao San Road but beyond it, there are more places to visit in Bangkok. A lot of temples are situated along the river and are worth exploring, especially Wat Pho and the reclining Buddha.
Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya is a day trip away from Bangkok and full of history, as it was once the world’s largest city and former trading post between India and China. It’s now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage City, and Ayutthaya Historical Park is a must-visit for history nerds and folks in search of the world’s most beautiful temples.
Sukhothai
Sukhothai is one of those places that’s often overlooked, but visitors to Thailand really should give it a closer look. Why? First, because its Sukhothai Historical Park is recognized by UNESCO and filled with ruins of amazing temples and more. And when you walk around the area, you’ll realize that it’s truly an important part of the country’s history. In Sukhothai, you can check out relics from the Kingdom of Siam’s first capital.
Chiang Mai
Christina and I fell in love with Chiang Mai. It’s home to one of our favorite food scenes, and you have to eat Khao Soi (Burmese noodles) at least once, twice, or maybe every single day you’re there. It’s just that good. We even hung out with elephants and played with them (no riding), learning about their daily habits and jumping in the water to give them a bath.
Bua Thong Sticky Waterfalls
If you want to see the coolest waterfalls ever, visit Bua Thong Sticky Waterfalls outside Chiang Mai. It’s just under a couple of hours away from the city and you can drive out there as we did or get someone else to take you for the day. You can just sit on them if you want or climb them. Just be careful about slipping on the outer spots that are covered with algae.
Chiang Rai
Go see the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) in Chiang Rai and enjoy one of the most beautiful man-made places to visit in Thailand. I could go back and get lost staring at it for hours, preferably from underneath one the trees nearby. There are even more things to do and see in and around Chiang Rai, including its Walking Street, the Clocktower, and more.
Pai
Brave the 760-plus curves to Pai and you’ll either fall in love with it or not. After enjoying the relatively cool weather, waterfalls, the relaxed town, and its people, we were hooked and can’t wait to go back.
Santikhiri
Formerly known as Mae Salong, Santikhiri is a great Pai alternative in Chiang Rai Province. Many folks come for tea, a visit with hill tribes, and their annual Cherry Blossom Festival at the end of each year.
Koh Chang
Koh Chang is close to the mainland on the far east coast. We spent about a week on Koh Chang and really came away with fond memories of its sunsets and beautiful scenery. Hopefully, we’ll make it back there really soon.
Koh Wai
Koh Wai is a hop, skip, and a jump away from Koh Chang and looks like a fairly untapped island compared to many found around Thailand.
Phuket
Phuket is where Thailand’s beach conversations begin and end with many people, with the fun starting around Patong. Kata Beach isn’t far from there, as well as Singpatong Muay Thai Gym.
Krabi
Many people get away from Phuket and head south on the mainland through Krabi Province, where they’ll find beautiful scenes and tons of things to do. Krabi is a great jumping-off point to islands, such as Phi Phi and Phra Nang.
Railay Beach
Railay Beach is a fairly isolated spot between Krabi and Ao Nang but still reachable by boat. Many folks come here for kayaking, scuba diving, and especially rock climbing.
Ko Phi Phi
Koh Phi Phi is a popular haunt for travelers in search of a beautiful getaway, and also known for its association with The Beach. Note: that “Beach” will be closed for a little while.
Ko Pha Ngan
On the other side of mainland Thailand in the Gulf, Ko Pha Ngan is popular for travelers in search of a party but there’s much more to the island.
Koh Samui
To round out our list of places to visit in Thailand, we think you should go to Koh Samui. It’s not too far from the mainland and better known for its nightlife but the daytime looks nice enough to have an early wake-up call, especially for a hike to Mu Nuang Waterfall.
Searching for Something Specific?
We’re always on the lookout for places to visit in Thailand and will continue sharing what we find with you. If there’s something you’re looking for and can’t find on our blog, please contact us and let us know about it. We also welcome travel writers who would like to contribute Thailand travel guides with a specific city, region (ex. Northern Thailand), hotel guide, something that might fit into our Travel, Food Travel, or other sections. Send your idea our way because we’re always excited to collaborate! Regardless of what you’re looking for or hoping to contribute, we’ll be happy to work with you.