One of Southeast Asia’s gems is the “Land of Smiles.” Thailand is well-developed and offers a wide range of modern conveniences thanks to a growing tourism sector. However, it’s still wild enough to provide off-the-beaten-path adventure and once-in-a-lifetime travel opportunities. Thailand will not disappoint, whether you come for the world-class beaches in the south or the mountain villages in the north.
Cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai are hives of activity and business, but until you’ve gone on a mountain walk, interacted with elephants, or seen brazen monkeys who are always ready to take your food (or your camera, if you’re not cautious), you haven’t experienced the nation. The numerous attractions in Thailand offer satisfying and unforgettable experiences in their unique ways.
1. Railay Beach
Some of Thailand’s most well-known beach resorts are located in the province of Krabi, with Railay topping the list as one of the most beautiful. Even before your feet contact the sand, Railay, regarded by many as one of the best beaches in the nation, lives up to its promises of white sand, turquoise water, and the sensation that you’ve found a piece of heaven.
The journey in a long-tail traditional boat to the island between Krabi town and Ao Nang is just as magical as you’ll find when you reach the shores.
Although the island’s beaches may be the main appeal, Railay is also a popular destination for rock climbers, with karst peaks luring both seasoned and beginners eager to take on the island’s colossal limestone cliffs.
2. Koh Phi Phi
Aside from excursions to the renowned Maya Bay, where the Leonardo DiCaprio movie The Beach was filmed, tour companies also offer packages for snorkelling and diving tours to the islands. Many tour operators provide tickets to other beach locations, including Phuket, Koh Chang, and Koh Lanta, because Koh Phi Phi is popular with tourists.
The 2004 tsunami severely damaged Phi Phi Don. Still, since then, guesthouses, restaurants, and marketplaces have been rebuilt, and tourists continue to flock to the tourist destination.
The resort sections have been rebuilt and look stunning, except for a modest, solemn memorial park to remember those who perished in the disaster.
3. The Grand Palace, Bangkok
You’ll undoubtedly spend at least a day or two in Bangkok, even if your plans for Thailand mostly involve lazing on a beach and indulging in as much Massaman curry and pad Thai as humanly feasible. The Grand Palace should unquestionably be at the top of your list of things to see and do in the city. Its historical significance and excellent craftsmanship make it the top tourist destination in the city.
The grounds contain a labyrinth of royal palaces, temples, and historical artifacts. Wat Phra Kaeo (the Temple of the Emerald Buddha) is the most significant. It is stated that this temple is home to a piece of bone or hair thought to be from the enlightened Buddha himself.
To do the Grand Palace justice, allow many hours. Still, suppose you’re up for additional strolling afterwards. In that case, you can easily visit some of the other important landmarks in the area. The well-known Wat Po and Wat Arun are only a short distance away, as the Temple of the Dawn (an excellent spot to observe the sunset).
4. Sunday Walking Street, Chiang Mai
Every tourist in Thailand looks forward to finding affordable, delectable cuisine, and Chiang Mai’s Sunday Night Walking Street has enough of both. Here, vendors provide a wide variety of delights, frequently for less than $2 each, including the well-known pad Thai and chicken satay, samosas, fried bananas, sweet roti, and fresh fruit drinks.
After you’ve sated your appetite, you can browse hundreds of stalls selling one-of-a-kind items like all-natural soaps, hand-dyed textiles with distinctive designs made by the neighbourhood hill tribes, incense and essential oils, musical instruments, paintings, wall hangings, and more.
No matter what time of year you visit, the market is always busy, so prepare yourself and try to enjoy being a part of the entertaining pandemonium. One of the must-do activities in Chiang Mai and a fundamental component of the Thailand experience is this.
5. Pai
The mountainous forest topography of northern Thailand is distinctive, especially in the western area close to the Burmese border. Pai, in the province of Mae Hong Son, is the ideal starting place to take in the natural beauty of the nation as well as the renowned Thai friendliness and cuisine.
Even though many families are on vacation in the area, this small town has a reputation for being a destination for hippies and travellers. There is a small nightly pedestrian street market, a wide selection of regional and Western cuisine, and quick access to Buddhist monasteries, waterfalls, and the magnificent Pai canyon nearby.
6. Wild Elephants at Khao Yai National Park
Elephants can be seen here ambling along rivers, along with exotic birds of prey, monkeys, and a wide variety of other tropical animals that live in the park. Numerous waterfalls, including the 150-meter-tall Haew Narok and the even more well-known Haew Suwat, featured in the Leonardo DiCaprio movie The Beach, can also be found in the park.
It’s feasible to camp at the park and wake up early enough to see the dawn over the verdant surroundings if one day isn’t enough to see everything.
In Thailand, elephants are adored, and numerous temples and royal palaces display statues and paintings of them. However, nothing compares to the opportunity to observe elephants in their native habitat for the ultimate experience. Khao Yai National Park offers a fantastic opportunity to do just that.
Conclusion
These are some places you can visit in Thailand, and you can enjoy them with your family and your loved ones. There are many more things to do in Thailand that you are going to see in our next blog.