Thailand is one of the most visited exotic places in the world. I have been to Thailand and I can vouch for its beauty, serenity and charm. From the beautiful cities to tropical islands and dense jungles, Thailand never fails to disappoint its tourists. This is surely the Land of Smiles. In this post, I am sharing the 9 best places to visit in Thailand. If you are planning a trip to Thailand, make sure you include some of these places for sure.
9 Best Places to Visit in Thailand
1. Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and one of the best places to visit in Thailand. It is a fast and buzzing city which vibrant lifestyle along with spirituality in its heart. Bangkok has many iconic places to see. The temples, the palaces, the monasteries, the malls and markets, the skyscrapers and clubs, Bangkok has a lot of offer.
This city is divided by Chao Phraya River into 2 parts. I would highly recommend you to go on a boat cruise from start to end to see most of the important monuments in Bangkok. There is also a travel-inspired mall Terminal 21 which has each floor dedicated to a famous city of the world like Paris, Rome, New York etc. You also must visit the beautiful floating market, Chatuchak market and China town.
The most important places to see in Bangkok are Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho, Wat Arun and Asiatic Riverfront.
2. Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya is an ancient city located just about 80 km from Bangkok. This was Thailand’s capital in the 14th century which the kingdom of Siam was at its peak. Ayutthaya Historical Park is one of the most popular places to visit here. This is actually the ruins of the kingdom which is also a world UNESCO site. This park is surrounded by 3 rivers and deep moats. Apart from this, you must visit Wat Yai Chai Mongkol which is a beautiful temple with a giant reclining Buddha with hundreds of sitting Buddha statues surrounding the temple and all draped in golden cloth.
The most famous temple to visit here is Wat Phra Mahathat temple which has a statue of a Buddha’s head entangled in tree roots. Another famous temple to visit here is Wat Phra Si Sanphet.
2. Chiang Mai
A place of mystic mountains, Chiang Mai is one of the most popular off-beat destinations in Thailand. If you are someone looking for a different side of Thailand with ancient constructions, good hilly treks and tropical rainforests then Chiang Mai should be on your list. The top places to visit here is Doi Inthanon National Park, Doi Suthep temple, Wat Phra Singh and Wat Phra Doi Suthep. You must also visit the old city of Chiang Mai for a walk and especially the night bazaar.
4. Koh Samui
The palm-fringed beaches, luxury resorts and beautiful sea shores, Koh Samui is world’s top beach destination. There are beautiful rainforests as well. The sunsets in Koh Samui are breathtakingly beautiful. There is also a beautiful temple Wat Phra Yai which you must visit.
This island is famous for spas, scuba diving, snorkelling and exploring the little islands by boat. You must also visit the Ang Thong National Marine Park which is a protected area extending over 42 islands in the area. It is a home to many exotic animal species. Some of the parts of this park are open and you will also get to trek through the thick thai jungle.
5. Phuket
Phuket is another popular beach destination that is loved by people from all across the world. This is situated on the west coast of Thailand. The most popular beaches are Kata Noi beach, Nai Harn beach and Surin beach.
You must also hike to the top of Nakkerd Hill to witness the 45 m tall Buddha status. You must also walk through the lanes of Phuket town which has beautiful Sino-Portuguese buildings, old shops and cafes. Phuket is indeed one of the best places to visit in Thailand.
6. Krabi
Krabi province comprises of over 200 islands. This includes the famous Phi Phi island as well. This is a resort town and people usually goto Krabi to unwind, staying in beautiful beach resorts. Krabi’s coast also has limestone cliffs that are popular amongst climbers. Railay beach to be more precise, is the major attraction for climbers which is famous for the steep cliffs and caves.
You must also go for snorkeling here as Krabi is one of the most stunning places to spot corals. Apart from this, you may also go for kayaking, sailing and deep sea diving.
Over 200 islands make up Krabi province, with a significant amount of land now designated as national parks. The region is home to some of the best beaches in Asia. Krabi’s coast is also rugged, characterized by vertical steep limestone cliffs that are very popular with climbers. Stunning Railay Beach, in particular, attracts climbers from all over the world, though it’s also famous for its caves.
7. Sukhothai
Sukhothai Thani is a house of Sukhothai Historical Park which has the ruins of 12th century Sukhothai Kingdom. It is a UNESCO site. This park has 193 ruins which is comprises of temples, stupas and the royal palace. There is also a beautiful temple Wat Mahathat which is a must visit place here. It has 9 large stupas, 2 tall Buddha images and a pillared pavilion that looks stunning. There is also a Wat Si Sawai temple which is the oldest temple in the region and Wat Sa Si temple which is located in the middle of the lake.
8. Hua Hin
Hua Hin was once the King’s summer retreat. It is quiet beach town that offers you perfectly turqoise water beaches along with some beautiful temples and palaces. If you are looking some time away from the crowd, then this is your place. The places to visit in Hua Hin are Khao Takiab beach, Maruekhathaiyawan Palace, Black Mountain Water Park and Kaeng Drachan National Park and Pranburi Mangrove Forest. These parks and forest offer the beautiful waterfalls and lots of wildlife animals including the elephants.
9. Pattaya
Everyone knows about Pattaya, especially in India (thanks to Bollywood Celebrities). This place was once a quiet fishing village but now a hot beach destination for people from all across the world. Pattaya is the closest beach destination from Bangkok just about 2 hours drive away. The most famous beach of Pattaya is Hat Sai Kaew which is also known as Diamond Beach. Apart from this you must also visit Koh Larn aka Coral island, Wat Phra Yai temple and Pattaya’s museums including the Ripley’s Believe It Or Not and the 3D museum. Pattaya is one of the best places to visit in Thailand for sure!
Hope this helps!
Also read: best places to visit in thailand
11 Fun & Free Things To Do In Bangkok, Thailand
Thailand Visa Tips for Indian Travellers -Docs Required & Other Things To Note
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