8 MIN READ

What To Do in Thailand: The Highlights

Thailand has everything you are looking for. From the busy Bangkok streets, full of skyscrapers and ancient temples, to the vibrant green rice paddies, stunning mountains, and breathtaking islands that are everywhere you look. Plus, Thai food is everywhere to fuel any outdoor adventure, whether you snorkel, scuba dive, sea kayak, hike, mountain bike, or wildlife watch. For the highlights, check out our Thailand Highlights Guide.

Discovering Bangkok’s Attractions

When people visit Bangkok, they often stop by must-see spots like the Grand Palace and the reclining Buddha at Wat Pho.

While air-conditioned vehicles are how we generally travel, there is another style of tour that allows you to see the city from a local’s point of view. With your guide, it is possible to travel by water taxi, tuk-tuk and the BTS Sky Train, and get more insight into local transport in Bangkok.

An experience to remember would be arriving at Jim Thompson House. Thompson was the man who revived the textile industry before he mysteriously disappeared there. This old colonial building included Thompson’s extensive collection of Southeast Asian art. To arrive at the Jim Thompson House by the little canal or ‘klong’ at the back entrance was extra special, where a local guide marks out hidden gems!

Experience the local life in Doi Angkhang

Doi Angkhang, also known as Little Switzerland, has rolling hills and a fruitful farming climate that creates a lot of fruits and vegetables. It is also located near the Burmese border, so you can rent a bike and tour the most scenic parts of The Royal Project, which was started by the King to educate villagers about sustainable farming techniques and production to grow things other than opium. After smelling the fragrant roses, you can also sample strawberries, peaches, and plenty of lychees.

For an experience of real culture and everyday local life, you could visit the Phumanee hill tribes and watch how they live – including women cooking, men working the land and cattle roaming around. The accommodation at the guesthouse was basic, but if anyone wanted to experience the daily life of a Thai tribe, this was a great way of immersing yourself into that culture.

Discover the ancient temples and dynamic markets of Chiang Mai

Located only an hour’s flight from Bangkok (or a delightful 12 hour sleeper train journey that will allow you to see the city change from the urban landscapes to lush hills, rice paddies and rivers, with the most spectacular mountain ranges adjoining), Chiang Mai is the second largest city in Thailand and a country in deep contrast to Bangkok. There are no high-rise buildings, the pace of life is much slower, and the ancient city is preserved with genuine charm.

One of my favorite past times is to explore the night market in a riverbank setting. Open all night long, we had an endless supply of street food to eat! My favorite was satay, as it smelled so good! In Chiang Mai, due to influences from Myanmar and Laos, we tasted a mix of flavors from the region with plenty of beautiful, delicious, aromatic Northern Thai street food on offer in the stalls.

Experience The Andaman Coast of Thailand

To me, the whitest sandy beaches and clearest waters are in Krabi province. The panoramic view is just dotted with limestone karsts jutting out of the water and little sand banks spreading between the unbelievably beautiful multitudes of uninhabited islands.

Phang Na Bay (Phang Nga Bay – from Phuket island to Krabi island) is great for diving and snorkeling. A worthwhile option is to have a 4 island tour! Island hop, picnic on a beach, and back at your hotel by the early afternoon.

The Tubkaak Resort is one of many resorts just a few minutes north of Krabi beach. The rooms and pool villas are very comfortable, but the very best thing about the Tubkaak is the view from the hotel beachfront! Without reservation, one of the best views I’ve seen. As the sun sets behind the islands of Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi, the array of purple and oranges and blues that stretch dramatically overhead, whilst I witnessed, the view of the bay (wow!).

Boat tour of Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya is the ancient capital of Siam and a UNESCO World Heritage Site with temples very similar to the Angkor style.
A boat cruise overnight is a great way to experience the city. The two days on the Loy Pela Song, a converted 6 berth rice barge. Leaving Bangkok and cruising up the Chao Phraya River provides visitors with an experience that’s different from driving from place to place. After watching sunset over the temples, the barge moors for dinner in the city.
The next day, you experience the temple complexes by hopping on and off an assortment of tuk- tuk. (called the Kermit tuk-tuks because they are brightly colored and frog-shaped!)

Check out an elephant conservation camp retreat

There is a definite connection between Bangkok and elephants. With all of the elephant sanctuaries now around Thailand, they continue to have a focus on conservation and education for visitors. Among the retreat, Elephant Hills can take the cake and is located in Khao Sok, which is Thailand’s oldest national park located in the southern part of the country.

Elephant Hills is comprised of two jungle tented camps set seamlessly into the national park and close to Thailand’s famous beaches. The main camp is a natural environment for you to see elephants, while a capable & knowledgeable staff care for them without riding them! You can feed and bath the elephants supervised by well-trained Mahouts!

The second camp and definitely the most unique is a floating village on the Cheow Larn Lake where we were an hour and a half from the main camp! The floating village consisted of 20 luxury tents on the lake. Again, being able to swim in the couldn’t be more relaxed, and you’ll have the chance to kayak in and out of the mangroves.

But back to waking up every morning with misty starts to the morning, the views in the background of rubber trees, limestone karsts sticking up from of the jungle floor, and whether it was the first foot out of the tent, or the sounds of gibbons in the trees singing, the anticipation was engaging!

Hiking Expedition in Khao Yai National Park

Khao Yai National Park, only a 2.5 hour drive from Bangkok, is an ideal hiking spot if you’re feeling short on time and can’t make it to Northern Thailand. The hike up hill was celebrated, fortunately the flat expanse of the park means you can take your time exploring!

Khao Yai National Park offers wild elephants which means there is a chance you might view an elephant or two, and possibly some deer, gibbons and wild boar – while nothing can be promised, I was lucky enough to see eight elephants on my last trip.

After a day of hiking, return to your hotel for a freshen up before embarking on a night safari. Store away your hiking gear, donned with a guide, armed with a high-powered spotter torch, head out and climb into an open topped jeep for a chance to see the parks night-time wildlife, like the Gaurs, the elusive mouse deer and perhaps even more with the stunning elephants you viewed earlier.

Experience the Golden Triangle

Take a trip to see the Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet at the Mekong River. Here you can witness the magical triangle that unites these countries. The Anantara Golden Triangle Hotel offers a highlight with its views overlooking the borders and serves as a basis for arranging cruises on the Mekong River and onward travel to Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.

Taste Authentic Thai Cuisine

Get your taste of Thai cuisine, a fusion of flavors and taste that join salty satay, spice, refreshing salads and sticky rice for all tastes. Be sure to try some Som Tam (green papaya salad) and Larb Gai (minced chicken salad), which combine the signature sweet, sour and aromatic flavours for which Thailand is best known.

Hike the Remote Locations

Drive east to Isaan Province for a rare chance to hike off the beaten path. Enjoy the agricultural land scape, traditional villages and stunning rice paddies by enjoying a homestay or authentic local accommodations in Ubon Ratchathani. Plus, you will have the opportunity to find those remote temples with the beautiful sights and incredible history you may not find in other travel spots.

Visit the Bridge on the River Kwai

Learn the history of the Bridge on the River Kwai, which provides an interesting site built during WWII. Consider spending the night, as it allows you time to head back out again to see the Erawan National Park, featuring Thailand’s beautiful seven tiered waterfall. The Float House accommodates a unique floating experience ON the river and allows easy access to the town, war monuments and stunning views.

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    • Iwana
    • Asia Specialist
    • Emily
    • Thailand and Asia Specialist
    • Tony
    • Vietnam Specialist

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