What are the main tourist attractions and activities in Thailand?

bangkok

Most people spend a few days in the Thai capital, but many find the pollution, traffic congestion and chaotic street life extremely exhausting. However, there is plenty to take you off the street, including the gleaming Grand Palace complex and its beautiful, gigantic reclining Buddha; the fully stocked National Museum; the huge Chatuchak Weekend Market; with over eight thousand different nightlife that runs the gamut from cutting-edge clubs to depressing strip joints.

Beaches

Thailand’s beaches are among the best in the world. You’ll find the most developed and expensive resorts, and some of the finest sand, on the islands of Ko Samui and Phuket, while backpackers tend to head for the more affordable Ko Pha Ngan, Ko Tao, Ko Lanta and Ko Mook. The Railay beaches in Krabi are stunning, Ko Samet is an easy and cheap getaway from Bangkok, and Ko Chang is handy for travelers in and out of Cambodia.

Hiking

Unlike organized treks in the Himalayas, Thailand’s “hill tribe treks” focus on the ethnic minority villages you trek to, rather than the trek itself or the scenery. The hill tribes live in the sticks, but their villages are connected by trails, so the hike is not difficult. Most treks last two to four days and feature nights in villages, as well as an elephant ride and river rafting. The main trekking hubs are the northern cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, but the routes leaving from both are heavily subscribed, so it’s best to start from Mae Hing Sin, Pai, Kanchanaburi, or Umphang, where the trails are longer. calm and rewarding.

The ancient ruined capitals of Sukhothai and ayutthaya

Dating back to the 13th century, Sukhothai is a beautiful example of thoughtful urban planning enlivened by lakes and elegant Buddha statues. Ayutthaya’s 300-year-old temples and palaces display a refined mix of Hindu and Buddhist sculpture and are fun to explore by bike. Both sets of ruins are now preserved as historical parks. There are plenty of sobering World War II sights in the city, as well as a reasonable range of hiking, rafting, and biking options that make the most of the beautiful river scenery, plus some attractive raft accommodations.

Kanchanaburi

Situated on the banks of the River Kwai, the city is most famous for its role as a prisoner of war camp in World War II and for its bridge, the destruction of which by Allied forces was immortalized in the Davis Lean film. There are plenty of sobering World War II sights in the city, as well as a reasonable range of hiking, rafting, and biking options that make the most of the beautiful river scenery, plus some attractive raft accommodations.

khao sok National Park

Here you can sleep in a tree house under a limestone karst, wake up to the sound of gibbons and go on an adventurous drive through flooded caves and jungle trails to a lake.

the ancient khmer temple of ghost step

This exquisite pink sandstone complex was built in the 10th century as a model for the temples of Angkor across the Cambodian border.

Thai massage

Indulge in a traditional massage at Bangkok’s Wat Pho temple, then learn the techniques yourself at a course in Bangkok or Chiang Mai.

Snorkeling and diving from the remote control Similano Island

The turquoise water, the fine sands and the coral banks are regularly visited by sharks, rays and turtles.

The Mae Hong Song Loop

Hire a motorbike and spend as many days as you can on the 600-kilometre loop through the glorious highland scenery of the remote northwest.

Kayaking off the coast of Krabi

An exhilarating way to explore the spectacularly rugged outcrops and remote uninhabited islands of the southwest coast

sang khom

It’s great to just relax in this idyllic, tree-shaded village on the Mekong River, where you can rent bikes to visit traditional local villages and play on the water in inner tubes and canoes.

Pay

This sleepy northern Thai city has a distinctive New Age feel to it and is the perfect place to take some alternative therapy courses, browse the art shops and organize a walk.

full moon beach party

Join the hordes at the monthly full moon parties at Ko Pha Ngan, an infamous backpacker beach rave that attracts up to 30,000 clubbers.