Top 10 Best Places To Visit In Thailand | Travel Guide

From the chaotic charm of Bangkok, the epic tropical jungles, some of the best street food in the world, and palm-lined beaches that seem to go on forever, Thailand truly has it all. With a history that spans centuries and an exotic and friendly culture, Thailand welcomes travelers with white sand beaches, bustling cities, and world-renowned culinary traditions. So whatever your reason for escaping to the land of smiles, Thailand won't disappoint. So here's a look at the best places to visit in Thailand. 1. Bangkok Bangkok is everything you'd expect from the capital of Thailand. It's noisy, crowded, colorful, exciting, infuriating, and simply magical. Bangkok is a microcosm of what makes Thailand so special. A visit to Wat Pho is a must during your stay in Bangkok. It is the home to reclining Buddha which stands at 15 meters tall and 46 meters long. The feet alone are measured at over 5 meters. The whole statue is covered in gold leaf and looks incredible when you get up close. Inside the temple there are 108 bowls, and on the way into the temple you can buy coins for the bowls. The history behind this is that Buddha completed 108 positive actions on his way to perfect. The Grand Palace is the most famous landmark in Bangkok. Built in 1782 covering over 214,000 square meters, the Grand Palace was the royal residence for generations as well as the place where the government of Thailand carried out their work. Today it is still used for important ceremonies and accommodating heads of state. 2. Phuket Phuket is situated on the west coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea and is the largest island in Thailand with a land area of approximately 540 square kilometers. A quarter of a million people call Phuket their home with most being either Thai or Chinese. Blue waters, sandy beaches, spicy Thai cuisine, and excellent snorkeling and diving are all part of the appeal. Phuket town lies on the southeastern coast of the island on a picturesque bay. The town bustles with activity thanks to its many hotels, restaurants, massage parlors, and other tourist attractions that have sprung up in the decades since Padong Beach was opened to development in 1980. While in Phuket, you must also make a visit to Phang Nga Bay. The bay is home to approximately 40 small islands that come straight out of the sea. The area is full of lagoons, caves, and mangroves all worthwhile exploring. 3. Chiang Mai Known as the Rose of the North, Chiang Mai is steeped in history and surrounded by beautiful architecture. Founded over seven centuries ago, Chiang Mai is the capital of the Lanna Kingdom and home to more than 300 temples. The most famous attraction in all of Chiang Mai is Doi Suthep and is located about 12 kilometers outside of Chiang Mai. This mountain has a fantastic view over all of the city. Standing at 5,400 meters, the mountain also houses Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a 13th-century temple that is home to a large white elephant shrine as well as a replica of the Emerald Buddha. The San Kampheng Road, also known as the Handicraft Highway, is a 10-kilometer stretch of road where you will find outlets famous for their pottery, silverware, lacquerware, sculpting, woodcarving, and silk products. The area is especially famous for its pottery which is known as celadon. It has a green glaze which in turn makes it look like jade. The Highland People Discovery Museum, also known as Chiang Mai's Tribal Museum, is the perfect starting point to learn about Thailand's minority hill tribes before you head out on a hike or visit a tribal village. Northern Thailand is home to several mountain tribes, including the Karen and Hmong, as well as smaller ethnic groups such as the Akha, Lua, and Mien. 4. Ayutthaya The old Thai capital of Ayutthaya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most impressive ruined cities in Asia and a must-see for history buffs visiting Thailand. Founded in 1350, it was the capital city of the Siamese Kingdom for over 400 years, and during this time it was one of the world's leading urban areas and a center of commerce. The Mainam, Lapri, and Pasak rivers ring Ayutthaya Historical Park, the island where most of the temple ruins lie. Wandering through this once-thriving ancient city will make you feel like you've stepped back in time. Besides exploring all the temple ruins, other popular things to do include caring for rescued elephants and biking through the Old French, Portuguese, British, and Dutch corridors. One of the most popular temples in the city is Wat Yai Chai Mongkol. Around the outside of the temple sit many stone Buddhas in the seated position, all of which are in excellent condition. The central chedi is climbable, and from the top you can look out over the city for some fantastic views. 5. Koh Samui Koh Samui is the largest island in the Gulf of Thailand, followed by its two smaller sisters, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. This beautiful island is famed for its stunning palm tree, edged beaches, and crystal-clear waters. The best-known and most famous of all landmarks on this island is the Big Buddha Temple. Sitting just off the corner of Koh Samui on a little tiny island, you will find this 12-meter tall statue of Buddha in a seated position. The local name for the temple is Wat Phrayai, and it is connected to the main island by a causeway. Made of gold and sitting in the Mara position, it shows a time when Buddha was rejecting all temptations that were forced upon him. Now, before you plan your next trip to Thailand, make sure to check out the first link in the description where you can find the best deals for your flight, hotel, and car rentals in Thailand. 6. Kanchanaburi Kanchanaburi, located just 130 kilometers away from the city of Bangkok, was once the site of Neolithic civilizations, evidenced by artifacts of ancient societies and burial sites that have been excavated here. In the mid-20th century, the city became notorious as the home of the bridge on the River Kwai, the controversial structure built to support the Thai-Burmese Railway by prisoners of war during World War II. Nature lovers will find plenty of things to do here as several national parks lie in the surrounding area, with opportunities to see stunning waterfalls, impressive cave system, and a diversity of wildlife including wild gibbons, monkeys, and birds. Arawan National Park and the picturesque seven-tiered Arawan Falls are the star attraction. The water cascades down the mountains in a serene setting, surrounded by lush vegetation and limestone mountains. 7. Koh Tao Koh Tao is a peaceful, quiet island located in the Gulf of Thailand, and while its neighboring islands, Koh Phangan and Koh Samui, are popular on the backpacker party scene, Koh Tao is more laid-back and popular with an older crowd and those that want to go diving. The John Suen Viewpoint, located at the southernmost tip of Koh Tao, is one of the most beautiful viewpoints on the island. You'll have a short but strenuous hike to the top, but from the top you'll have views of the two neighboring bays as well as a great view over the island. If you want to explore the underwater wonders of Koh Tao but aren't interested in scuba diving, then you'll definitely want to go snorkeling at Hin Wong Bay. The water here is crystal clear, the coral is in excellent condition, and it's a great place to spot marine life. 8. Khao Sam Royat National Park Covering about 98 square kilometers, Khao Sam Royat National Park is located on the coast of Prachuap Kirikon province right south of Hua Hin and is the first marine national park of Thailand. The main attractions are the Phra Nakhon Cave with its iconic royal pavilion and huge chamber, Khao Cave and the Phum Sam Royat freshwater marsh. The park is also a nice destination for its rich wildlife, beautiful beaches, limestone islands, trails, and viewpoints. The forests on the mountains are home to some mammals like fishing cats, dusky leaf monkeys, crab-eating acaques, Malayan porcupines, Indochinese sorrows, and Sunda slow lorises. 9. Pattaya Thailand's famous beach resort town of Pattaya has developed a colorful reputation over the years. Located less than 200 kilometers from Bangkok, it's a convenient place to enjoy the sun, sand, and sea. Make sure to visit the Nong Nuch Tropical Botanical Garden which covers a space of 2.4 square kilometers and has some of the most beautiful flowers in the world. The gardens have won many awards for their designs and will continue to do so because of the excellent condition the garden is kept in. It is not just flowers and trees though, there are also over 670 species of orchids and even an elephant talent show. What Phra Khao Yai, also known as Big Buddha Hill, is the biggest Buddha in the region. It stands at 18 meters tall and sits about 100 meters above sea level. When you get to the top of the hill, you can see Pattaya beneath you and Jambian Beach if you look outwards. There is a temple complex as well which has incense burning all day long and the temple is still used to this day so you can expect to see monks and praying locals. 10. Fai Fai Islands Fai Fai, located in the Krabi province, is actually an archipelago of six different islands. The only inhabited island is Koh Fai Fai Don. This is the biggest island out of the six, and it is still no bigger than 10 square kilometers. The island is so small that you can walk everywhere, and you can visit the other islands by kayak, longtail boat, or speed boat. Koh Fai Fai Lat is the second largest island and is home to great snorkeling sites and picturesque beaches and lagoons. From scuba diving at Shark Point, taking a boat tour to Maya Bay or snorkeling around Mosquito Island or Bamboo Island, there is a wealth of activities waiting for you on Fai Fai Island. Lo Dalam Beach is one of the most stunning beaches on the main island and is located right in the middle of the island so it is easy to access. When the tide is low you can walk out extremely far on the beach, and when the tide is high you can float in the warm shallow turquoise ocean.