Thailand is the travel hub of Southeast Asia. It’s the region’s most visited country and most backpackers make it their starting point for traveling around the region.
With its lush jungles, postcard perfect beaches, world-class diving, mind-blowing cuisine, and cheap prices, Thailand is actually my favorite country in the world! I’ve been coming to the country since 2005, lived there for 2 years, and always seem to be pulled back. It’s an easy country to travel around and, because of the vibrant backpacker scene, you can meet a lot of other people there (so fear not solo traveler, you will make friends!).
Since the country is such a well-worn destination, everything here is convenient and easy. You won’t have any trouble traveling around here. But, despite the crowds, there are still many off-the-beaten-path destinations to explore. Thailand is just a phenomenal country.
This Thailand travel guide will show you how to travel the country like a pro and help you make the most of your visit.
1. Visit Bangkok
Bangkok is a chaotic, must-see city. Here you can explore temples, royal palaces, amazing markets, one of the craziest nightlife scenes in the world, and, of course, eat all the amazing Thai food. Check out Khao San Road to see the backpacker’s haven, Thong Lor/Ekamai for local Thai nightlife, see the Grand Palace’s beautiful artwork and the Emerald Buddha, and shop at Chatuchak Weekend Market. Bangkok is an onion that requires time to peel back. There’s a lot to do there, especially when you get off the tourist trail.
2. Adventure around Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is a city filled with lots of temples, incredible food markets, night markets, cafes, and a chill vibe. It’s a good launching pad for multi-day jungle tours, adventure activities, or visits to the nearby elephant sanctuaries where you can volunteer to help rescued elephants. And be sure to head to Wat Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai’s most famous temple (the pagoda supposedly contains relics of Buddha himself). Chiang Mai is also considered one of the foodie capitals of the country (which says a lot!) so be sure to get your fill of food. There’s also a big jazz scene here and you can find a lot of jazz bars in the old city.
3. Hike in Khao Yai National Park
Khao Yai National Park, located about 2.5 hours north of Bangkok, is one of Thailand’s best national parks. The park is covered in rainforests, evergreen forests, and grasslands. It’s visually stunning, filled with lush flora and fauna, plus lots of waterfalls and hiking trails. There are a ton of interesting mammals within the park, like northern pig-tailed macaques, sun bears, barking deer, otters, jackals, and even a few wild elephants. It’s also home to rare birds and fascinating reptiles. It’s an absolute must-visit place. Stay at the Greenleaf Guesthouse for the best tour/accommodation deals in the area.
4. Celebrate Songkran
Every April, Thais celebrate their new year by holding an enormous, three-day water fight. Songkran is meant to wash away the old and begin the year anew. This once-in-a-lifetime water party is the biggest in Bangkok and Chiang Mai so book your hostel ahead of time. In Bangkok, there’s an opening ceremony at Wat Pho temple where they bathe the Buddha. The whole country turns into a big water fight and everyone plays along. If you’re around Songkran, be prepared to get wet everywhere you go those days (so keep your electronics sealed in plastic). Everyone outside is fair game.
5. Go to Ko Lanta
While Ko Lanta has become more developed in recent years, it’s still a paradise compared to its more developed neighbors. Wide, white sand beaches, cheap and delicious food, gorgeous sunsets, great caves, snorkeling, and diving make this one of my favorite spots in the country. It’s a very chill island where you still get a taste of “old Thailand before the resorts came”. For fun day trips, check out the Trang Islands, with their beautiful limestone formations stretching out of the water or head to Ko Rok for kayaking. Ko Lanta is one of the best islands in all of Thailand.
Other Things to See and Do in Thailand
1. Visit the Grand Palace and Wat Pho
Thailand’s royal palace, built at the end of the 18th century by King Rama I, is the official residence of the current monarch (though he doesn’t live there anymore; now it’s just used for ceremonies). It’s a striking place filled with numerous temples, including Wat Pra Kaeo, which houses the 15th-century Emerald Buddha. The architecture here is absolutely stunning. I highly recommend taking a guided tour as the signage here is minimal. Nearby Wat Pho is famous for two things: a 150 foot (46 meters) reclining Buddha statue and a very relaxing massage school. The temple is wonderful and the statue really impressive. Both can be done back-to-back and should not be missed.
2. Hike in Khao Sok National Park
Located in the south of Thailand, Khao Sok National Park is constantly rated as one of the best national parks in the country, offering incredible trekking, camping, limestone karsts, cooling rivers, and a glistening lake. The park offers semi-challenging hikes, tons of wildlife (including sun bears, elephants, gibbons, and more), walking paths, and incredible sunsets. You can pay for general admission or take a half-day guided trek. Try to spend at least one night sleeping on the lake as the stargazing is top-notch.
3. Hop around the ancient capitals
Thailand’s three ancient capitals — Sukhothai, Lopburi, and Ayutthaya — lie between Chiang Mai and Bangkok. Visiting them on your way north is a unique way to head between the cities. Lopburi, which is so old it is mentioned in texts by Marco Polo, was the capital in the mid-17th century while Sukhothai, founded in 1238, was the capital for over 140 years between the 13th and 14th centuries. Lopburi is famous for its monkeys (watch out as they are aggressive) and Sukothai is a massive complex that sees very few tourists! My favorite is Ayutthaya, which is located about 1.5 hours from Bangkok by train. It was the capital of Siam from 1350-1767 (it was razed in 1767 by the Burmese during the Burmese-Siamese War). You can easily visit on a day trip.
4. Relax on the tropical islands
Thailand has tons of beautiful tropical islands. Some are grossly overdeveloped and others are still an undeveloped tropical paradise with few people and cheap accommodation. Some of my favorite spots are Ko Samet, Ko Taruato, Ko Lanta, Ko Chang, Ko Tao, Ko Jum, Ko Lipe, the Similan Islands, and Ko Samui. It’s hard to go wrong here as they all have beautiful beaches but the atmosphere of the islands will decide how much you enjoy it so think about whether you want to prioritize peace, parties, activities, etc. Some of the most chill beaches have fewer activities and accommodation options while more touristy places provide a range of lodging and tons of activities and parties but can sometimes be a bit intense. Be sure to do your research before you select a spot.
5. Hit the Full Moon Party
There’s no better party in the world than the famous Full Moon Party. The Full Moon Party is a giant festival-like party with a lot of drinking, dancing, and drugs. Each bar has its own sound system, so you’ll hear different music loudly blasting onto the beach every few feet. The beach itself is lined with people selling alcohol, fire dancers putting on shows, and little booths selling glow-in-the-dark face paint. Sure, it is super touristy, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a lot of fun if that’s your vibe. Just don’t take part in the fire jump rope — I’ve seen people get burned badly!
6. Go jungle trekking
There are some great multi-day jungle trekking opportunities in northern Thailand. For longer treks, the biggest departure points are Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. You can book these sorts of outings through the hostel or hotel you’re staying in. While day trips are popular and cheap, try to head out for at least 3-4 days as you’ll be able to get to much more remote areas and see some incredible wildlife (there are tons of birds and bats, as well as lizards, monkeys, and even wild boars) as well as some gorgeous waterfalls. If you book online ahead of time, you will pay more. Skip the shorter day hikes that include meeting “authentic” hill tribes; they are exploitative and the visits are usually unethical. The three-day tour is the way to go, but it can be a little spendy.
7. Scuba dive in the Similan Islands
Scuba diving is a popular activity here because of the crystal-clear waters and majestic sea life. While you can dive all over the country, the Similan Islands offer some of the best uncrowded diving. Given the islands’ remote location, most of these dive trips last a few nights. If you dive here, be sure to see Elephant Head Rock, as the reef there is home to plenty of fish, snappers, rays, and turtles. You can find day trips with two dives, that include equipment and park fees.
8. Learn to cook
Thai food is delicious and it’s relatively easy to cook. There are cooking schools all over the country but the best are in Chiang Mai and Bangkok. It’s a fun experience as you’ll get to spend a day making and eating (hopefully delicious) food. I loved being able to go to the market and pick out my fresh ingredients and then learning how to make my own paste for a delicious green curry and a tasty shrimp pad Thai. I recommend taking a half-day cooking class in Bangkok (it also includes a market visit). Chiang Mai also has lots of cooking classes and, if you make it to Ko Lanta, Time for Lime is my favorite cooking school in the country.
9. Explore the Khmer temples in Isaan
There are many temples built throughout the Isaan region, all along the ancient roads connecting Angkor (the capital of the Khmer Empire) to the other villages. The largest of these is Phimai, located at the end of the ancient highway. It dates to the 11th century and is one of the largest Hindu Khmer temples in Thailand (and hardly anyone visits so you’ll get the place mostly to yourself). Two other magnificent Khmer temples (Phanom Rung and Muang Tum) can be found in the Buriram province, only a few kilometers apart. Phanom Rung is built on top of a hill, and Muang Tum is at the base of the hill. While in Isaan, be sure to spend a day or two in Korat (Nakhon Ratchasima) and visit Wat Ban Rai and Wat Phayap, two beautiful local temples that I especially love.
10. Take the day train to Chaing Mai
Taking the day train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is not only cheaper but a much better way to see the countryside than the night train. Sure, you “waste” a day, but you see the countryside, experience how Thais take the train and can eat from vendors coming on and off at every stop. The day train remains one of my favorite experiences in Thailand. Just make sure you have a good book since the journey is 10-13 hours long! You can also break up the journey by stopping in Lopburi and Sukhothai.
11. Visit Elephant Nature Park
While you can come to Thailand and ride an elephant, once you know how they suffer from abuse in order to provide these rides, you might think twice about this unethical activity. An even better way to get up close and personal with the animals is to volunteer at or visit the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai. It’s a phenomenal place, allowing you to give back to the community and letting you help these magnificent animals all at once. After coming here, you will know why you should NEVER ride an elephant.
12. Admire Wat Doi Suthep
This stunning Buddhist temple lies in Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, 16 kilometers (10 miles) outside of Chiang Mai. A tram or a trek up 300 steps takes you to the summit of Doi Suthep, where the glittering gold temple spire awaits you. The temple dates back to the 14th century and holds rare relics of Buddha. It’s too beautiful of a view to miss, so don’t leave Chiang Mai without visiting Wat Doi Suthep. Admission is free.
13. Visit the Golden Triangle
The point where the Mekong River meets the Ruak River is known as the Golden Triangle. It’s also the meeting point of Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar. Once known for its opium production (which is used to make heroin), today the region thrives on tourism. You can take a boat along the river and visit the Golden Triangle Park, check out some of the many Buddha statues, scenic viewpoints, and markets. It’s just 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) north of Chiang Saen. Golden Triangle day trips from Chiang Mai are an excellent way to visit and learn more along the way. If you’d rather visit solo, you can visit the region from Mae Sai or Chiang Saen via songthaew. Don’t miss the Hall of Opium, one of the most interesting museums in the entire country. It explores the history of opium production, shows how it was made and trafficked around the world, and more.
14. Party on Ko Phi Phi
Ko Phi Phi is one of the most popular tourist islands in Thailand. From the infamous Maya Bay (made famous in the 2000 film, The Beach, with Leonardo DiCaprio) to the monkeys on the aptly named Monkey Beach, to the diving and nightlife, there are reasons people flock here. Destroyed by the tsunami in 2004, the island has been rebuilt and developed to an even greater extent than before. While I personally don’t love Ko Phi Phi, it’s nevertheless one of the most popular places in the country. You’ll just have to see for yourself whether it’s for you.
15. Relax on Ko Lipe
Located in southern Thailand, this island is one of my favorite places in the world. Here on Ko Lipe, the super friendly locals bring in the daily catch for amazing seafood meals. The beaches are beautiful, the water is warm, and the island is cheap. I came for three days and ended up staying a month. In the last few years, it has become pretty developed and it’s not the sleepy little island it used to be but you’re near a pristine and undeveloped national marine park where you can snorkel and enjoy some beaches to yourself! The area lives up to the hype.
16. Explore Kanchanaburi Province
This region is home to a lush forest perfect for trekking, though the history of this area is rather dark. The infamous Death Railway linking Myanmar and Thailand runs through here, which was constructed during World War II by prisoners of war and civilians. Around 90,000 Southeast Asian civilian forced laborers and more than 12,000 Allied prisoners perished in the railway’s construction. The bridge over the River Kwai is also located here, built using POW labor and is the subject of both a famous film and a book. While visiting is a haunting reminder, it is an essential part of Thailand’s history.
17. Motorbike through Northern Thailand
There are lots of picturesque routes for motorbiking all around the country but especially near Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Many people rent bikes and tour the scenery, taking a day trip or a few days. The Mai Hong Son Province offers a great loop that you can do starting in Chiang Mai and ending in Pai. Note: Make sure that if you’re renting a motorbike, you’re comfortable with driving it and never (ever) drink and drive. Accidents are incredibly common.
18. Relax in Pai
Pai has grown as a tourist destination in more recent years, but it is still a great place to escape the crowds and noise of the larger cities. In the last few years, it’s become a big center for yoga and holistic living. Located in Northern Thailand, it’s nestled in rolling green mountains, surrounded by waterfalls and incredible hiking trails. While I wasn’t a huge fan of Pai itself, I loved the area. I spent a lot of time hiking and swimming. Be sure to take a day trip to the Tham Lot Caves, where you can stop off to swim in waterfalls and hot springs on the way there. It’s an awesome experience.
19. Bounce around Phuket province
Phuket is the biggest destination for tourism in Thailand. There are great beaches and amazing activities on this island, and if you stay away from Patong Beach and the surrounding area, you can avoid most of the over-development, seedy nightlife, high prices, and crowds. The more north you go, the more relaxed the island is and the more empty the beaches are. Plus, there’s some great hiking here too. Don’t miss visiting Wat Chalong, hiking to the Karon Viewpoint, and visiting the weekend Night Market.