Best Places to Visit in Thailand and What to Explore There

If you’re an architecture or history buff – there’s no better place for you in Thailand than the Grand Palace. Located in the heart of Bangkok, the Grand Palace has been a major architectural symbol of the Thai Royal Family. To this day, the Grand Palace is used for ceremonial purposes, where the king welcomes his guests. It’s divided into two main zones, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the royal residence. Before visiting, note that there’s a strict dress code in place.

Thailand boasts several floating markets, but the Damnoen Saduak is the biggest and most famous one. Boats going up and down the canal sell all sorts of foods and fruits there and it’s really a sight to behold. When you visit the Damnoen Saduak market, you’ll get a real insight into how things were done many years ago in Thailand. Located 100 kilometres southwest of Bangkok, the market is a true gem that only opens in the afternoon.

Koh Phi Phi or the Phi Phi islands are located in the middle of the Andaman Sea, the gorgeous nature and nightlife are truly a sight to behold. If you love snorkelling and want to explore the vibrant marine life, Koh Phi Phi is tough to beat.
However, if you’re more in a party mood, you’ll be happy to know that the islands feature many restaurants and clubs. In addition to snorkelling and partying, there’s so much to do there, and you will never be too far from some fun activities.
If you want a better look at Koh Phi Phi, book your excursion through Club Med Phuket.

The first national park in Thailand, Khao Yai is home to wildlife and a paradise for trekkers. It is a world heritage site that covers almost 2,168 square kilometres and four provinces.
Khao Yai National Park is home to 350 important rare and endangered species. If you’re an avid bird-watcher, there’s no better place to be, as the Park features 280 bird species. In addition to the mellifluous sounds of island birds, you can also come across wild elephants, deer, and much more.

Wat Arun, nestled on the banks of the Chao Phraya river is a missile-shaped temple and one of the best places to visit in Thailand. Also known as the Temple of Down, it was named after the Indian god of dawn, Arun. Today, Wat Arun is one of Thailand’s most iconic structures and visitors are encouraged to climb to the top. Following a steep ascent on the stars, the temple boasts incredible views of the Chao Phraya River.

If you like shopping and want to pick something up for yourself or your family, Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is one of the best places to visit in Thailand. It runs every evening from 5 PM and takes over the entire neighbourhood. At the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, you can shop for souvenirs, handicrafts, artwork, clothes, homeware, and so much more. Once you’re finished with your shopping spree, you can unwind in any number of bars or restaurants nearby.

Phang Nga Bay is an inlet on the Malay Peninsula in the Andaman Sea and by far one of the best places to visit in Thailand. A day trip to the bay will give you ample time to explore the beauty there. The pristine nature of the inlet is ideal for kayaking, swimming, snorkelling, or even enjoying a picnic on the beach. However, the true gem of the Phang Nga is the Ao Phang Nga National Park. The National Park is a protected area where you’ll find the classic karst scenery and much more.

Doi Suthep-Pui is a national park in the Chiang Mai Province, covering 265 square kilometres. The park is separated into two areas and there, you’ll find gorgeous waterfalls, breathtaking mountains, and many viewpoints and trails. The Doi Suthep-Pui is one of the best places to visit in Thailand if you love hiking as it features “endless” trails from all directions and elevations. What’s more, at the national park, you can maybe catch sight of dholes, a scarce species. There are also wild boars, Indian muntjacs, Indochinese serows, Asian black bears and golden cats, Malayan porcupines, and more.

The pristine island of Koh Lanta has one of the best diving spots in the Andaman Sea, such as Koh Haa and Hin Daeng. Koh Haa is a popular diving and snorkelling site, famous for the lagoon area and the Cathedral where divers can explore large caverns. It’s also where you might catch a glimpse of a whale shark. On the other hand, Hin Daeng and Hin Muang offer dramatic underwater scenery, with steep walls covered in purple and red corals. There, you can spot a manta ray or two. Finally, there are the Koh Bida islands, a national marine park, easily accessible from Koh Lanta.

Even though we’ve already covered a few things to do in Bangkok, the truth is that this incredible city has so much to offer. In addition to the Grand Palace, there are also museums, rooftops, massage parlours, restaurants, and so much more. That’s why it’s by far one of the most unmissable and best places to visit in Thailand.
Depending on your preferences and how long you’re staying, there will be so much for you to visit. However, if it’s just a one-day stop on your way to more tropical destinations, you can start the day with the Grand Palace before moving on to Wat Pho for the reclining Buddha.
Then, across the river for Wat Arun and a visit to the National Museum of Thailand and end the perfect day with a dinner cruise on the river.

Located 130 kilometres northwest of Bangkok, Kanchanaburi is the site of the Bridge Over the River Kwai, one of the most important historical sites in Thailand. It’s a symbol of the city’s tragic past during the Second World War. It’s where thousands of Japanese prisoners of war were made to build a railway line, 400 kilometres long between Thailand and Myanmar.
At Kanchanaburi, several points of interest will excite any history buff. These include the Railway Museum, the Allied Military Cemetery, the JEATH War Museum, and a World War II Museum.

Founded in 1350, Ayutthaya was the second capital of the Siamese Kingdom, flourishing up to the 18th century. It was an important centre of global diplomacy and commerce, but Ayutthaya is now an archaeological ruin, famous for the remains of the tall prang, or reliquary towers.
Surrounding Ayutthaya are a few Buddhist monasteries of monumental proportions. They can give you the best idea of the size and splendour that was once there.

Sukhothai was the very first capital of Thailand and it dates back to the 13th and 14th centuries. Within the imposing city walls, the Central Zone of the historical park is an emblem of a kingdom’s opulence.
In the historical park, you will find Wat Mahathat, which is the principal site in the city centre and the largest temple there. The ruins are divided into five zones and Sukhothai has been hailed as one of Thailand’s most impressive World Heritage sites.

When talking about the best places to visit in Thailand, we’d be remiss not to mention the Mae Hong Son province. Also known as the City of Three Mists, it’s surrounded by high mountains with cold temperatures and is covered in mist almost all year long.
The city is rich in many natural resources and offers breathtaking views. From mountains, forests, and flowers, it’s one of the must-see cities in Thailand. Nestled deep in a valley and hemmed by high mountain ranges, Mae Hong Son Town has long been isolated from the outside world.

Elephants are Thailand’s national symbols and are highly-revered. Unfortunately, some elephant sanctuaries don’t follow ethical practices and can be a common site of animal cruelty.
That’s why it’s so important to visit an ethical elephant sanctuary and one where the animals aren’t performing or being ridden. Luckily, there are many sites where you can see the elephants enjoying and frolicking in their natural habitats. Ethical sanctuaries are some of the best places to visit in Thailand and they’re not something to be missed.
If you’d like to catch a glimpse of these majestic creatures, Club Med Phuket can help. Through our all-inclusive resort in Thailand, we can help you book an elephant care adventure

Locally known as Sop Ruak, the point where the Mekong River meets the Ruak River is a sight to behold. It’s the sight of the Golden Triangle, or the point at which Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand meet.
Simply standing on the river bank, you can look across to see Myanmar and Laos. However, for a closer glimpse, you can rent a boat and also visit the many Buddha and elephant statues, and market stalls.
Another thing to know is that Sop Ruak was once a prolific area for growing opium and you can see that history in the Hall of Opium in Golden Triangle Park. The Hall offers a great introduction to the local history and the effects the crisis had on the region.

Racha Yai comprises two islands, Koh Racha Yai and Koh Racha Noi, and they’re the two islands closest to Phuket. One of the reasons the islands see so many tourists and are considered one of the best places to visit in Thailand is their gorgeous, crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches.
Racha Yai is very popular with divers and snorkellers, and there’s plenty to do for both beginners and advanced divers. The main beach is located in a U-shaped bay and features fine, powdery sands. However, if you want to take a break from diving, snorkelling, and lounging, you can do so in one of the many restaurants and resorts there.
For a better look at Racha Yai, you can book your excursion at Club Med Phuket.

Phuket Province is a beautiful place to explore, nestled in the Andaman Sea with incredible destinations and some of the places to visit in Thailand. In addition to Phang Nga Bay and Koh Racha Yai, Phuket is home to beautiful old towns, vibrant nightlife, and plenty of activities.
If you love shopping, Old Town Phuket is the place to be, but if you want if you’re looking for a party – nothing beats Bangla Road. For the perfect photo op, we recommend the Big Buddha, which is an iconic 45-meter-tall white marble statue.

Erawan National Park is one of the best places in Thailand if you like unspoiled nature, lush forests, and gorgeous greenery. Covering an area of 550 square kilometres, the biggest attraction in the park is the 7-tiered Erawan Falls.
In addition to the Falls, Erewan also features several impressive caves. You can find them along the roads around and deep inside the park. The surrounding mountains protect the park from the eastern monsoon. That means the forest sees much less rainfall compared to others in the west.

The final spot on our list of the best places to visit in Thailand goes to Krabi. It’s famous for its breathtaking islands, beaches, and scenery. The coral reefs there are some of the most beautiful in the world, which is why Krabi is a great diving spot.
In addition to the beaches, there are also many hot springs, wildlife sanctuaries, caves, and limestone cliffs there. What’s more, you can catch some incredibly exotic marine life and explore gorgeous nature.