Thailand has become one of the most popular destinations in Asia, and it will remain so for a very long time. In the world, Thailand is one of the few countries that make everyone happy:
- If you want a vacation to relax and spend the day at the beach, the answer is to travel to Thailand.
- Travel to Thailand if you want to immerse yourself in an ancient culture and learn how Buddhism works.
- Thailand can be the perfect destination if you have a few days of vacation and want to treat yourself to luxury resorts at a competitive price.
- However, if you have a limited budget and wish to make the most of it so that you can travel for weeks or months, Thailand is also the answer!
You might think Thailand is only about beaches, but we're here to show you how wrong you are. This land has much to offer curious travelers.
Best Places to Visit in Thailand
In this post, we will suggest some of the places I like the most in Thailand.
It is recommended that you stay in each place for at least two weeks to make the most of all Thailand has to offer; however, if you have more time, we recommend that you stay longer in each place.
Therefore, the itinerary would be as follows:
- Bangkok: Minimum stay of 3 days
- Sukhotai: Minimum stay of 1 days
- Chiang Mai: Minimum stay of 3 days
- Pai: Minimum stay of 2 days
- Ao Nang and Koh Lipe:6 days (3 days each). Or alternatively
- Koh Chang and Koh Kood:6 days (3 days each).
Bangkok
Don't be scared by its size, if you apply the “divide and conquer” technique, you can divide Bangkok into 3 or 4 areas and dedicate a day to each of them.
If you want to start with the essentials, head to the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew Temple area. Impossible not to hallucinate with its gold pays and its guardians of gigantic proportions, without forgetting the largest Reclining Buddha in Thailand. We advise you to go with a dress that covers your knees (pants or long skirt), since if not, you will not be able to go to this place.
Here, at Wat Phra Kaew, is where the famous Thai massage was born, and around the enclosure, you can find different places where you can receive an authentic massage by professionals.
If you later go to Wat Saket, the Golden Mount, you will pass through a curious street with a Giant Swing, the Bamrung Mueang Rd, which is also full of shops with Buddhist items, very interesting and peculiar.
Once you arrive at Monte Dorado, you will be able to enjoy fantastic views of the capital, so I advise you to make your visit coincide with the sunset.
You can spend another day navigating the Chao Phraya River and crossing to the west bank where Thonburi is located, perhaps the most representative area of how the Thai capital must have been in the past: here you will not find luxury hotels, shopping centers or palaces golden ... But you will find incredible people who, like a lotus flower, show all their beauty when they open up and smile at the world. Also here you can taste the best food from the famous street stalls in Thailand. Good quality and very cheap. Did you know that many apartments in Thailand do not have a kitchen because it is much cheaper to go down to eat at the corner food stall?
And on the third day, you can go to the modern area that surrounds Lumphini Park (where lizards of a more than respectable size roam freely!) And indulge yourself in the futuristic shopping centers where it is well worth shopping, since everything It is cheaper to change, especially electronic devices such as mobile phones, laptops or cameras. I recommend you take a walk through the MBK Center, Siam Paragon or Terminal 21 . In this area, when night falls, you can go to the disco or pubs and try the famous Singha, Leo or Chang beers. Also in this area, you will be able to see, if you are curious, ladyboys, and if you dare, see a ping pong show (I will not explain what it is here). Alternatively, you can witness a match of Muay Thai, the most famous sport in the country.
Sukhotai
If we go to the north of the country, a mandatory stop halfway is the Sukhotai Archaeological Park. Stay near the entrance to the park, rent a bike and wake up early to see one of the sunrises that you will remember for the rest of your life, among pagodas, statues of Buddhas and lakes in which everything is reflected as if it were a mirror.
Unlike other tourist attractions, Sukhotai is very little crowded, or so it seems, because its extension is enormous and thus people spread out more over its surface. It is one of the best experiences that I can recommend to you in Thailand if you like history and nature, and want to escape for a few days from the bustle of big cities.
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is popular for temples, night markets, shopping centers to see the latest movie in the cinema, restaurants of all kinds these are just some of the reasons why it has become a paradise destination of Thailand. In addition, from here you can take a zip line route through the jungle or visit the Doi Inthanon Natural Park , where the highest point in Thailand is located.
Pai
The small town of Pai is at the end of a road with 762 curves, but I assure you that it is worth getting to this secluded place between the mountains: here it is best to rent a scooter and visit the tourist attractions at your own pace. Waterfalls where you can take a bath, a small canyon, A kilometer-long bamboo walkway that crosses beautiful rice fields, a bridge from the Second World War.
Ao Nang and Koh Lipe
Surely the first image that comes to mind when talking about Thailand is beaches of fine white sand where wooden boats decorated with colorful fabrics sway to the rhythm of the waves with an impressive landscape of rocks with impossible shapes in the background. Well, this is what you will find in Ao Nang and Railey . Feel like Lara Croft exploring the jungle or swimming among sharks, nature will leave you with your mouth open in this area of Thailand.
Krabi
Take the opportunity to also visit neighboring Krabi, a historic town with fantastic temples, giant dragons, and other mythological creatures.
Koh Lipe
Koh Lipe is a very small destination, so you can easily walk across it. If you love snorkeling, you will be amazed at the coral reefs that surround some of its beautiful beaches. Several uninhabited islands are nearby, so you might be able to get used to the idea of breathing the peaceful air.
Koh Chang
Koh Chang, the island of elephants, is covered in dense jungle with beautiful beaches. There are many different types of accommodation to suit everyone's tastes, from simple bamboo huts on the beach to modern eco-tourism resorts that are perfect for a spiritual retreat with yoga, massages, and vegan food.
Koh Kood
Koh Kood is a smaller island where you can see what life is like for local fishermen in their floating villages. This island has beautiful beaches, waterfalls, and other natural attractions, so we recommend renting a scooter to explore them.
When Is the Best Time to Travel To Thailand
Thailand is a bigger country than you expect, it has 1650 km from north to south, and 780 km from east to west, which means it has a variety of climates.
The climate of Thailand is generally divided into three seasons:
October to March: Best time to go, since it is cooler and the temperature is about 30o.
April to June: During these months, it is very hot and the humidity index is near 100 percent. When you are drying off after getting out of the shower, you start to sweat again. This is wonderful.
July to September: During the months of July to September, the monsoon rains begin. As it is raining here, we should avoid going now as it appears as if the sky is open.
