Thailand
Thailand, a dreamy beachside paradise, is a country that has managed to retain its cultural integrity in spite of being a major tourist destination. One can find everything here – from pristine beaches to dense forests, ancient monasteries to coral reefs, from Buddhist monks to floating markets and finally the fragrant and rich food to treat your taste buds. Bangkok, the capital, in central Thailand, is regarded as a modern hub of various cultures, faiths and experiences. Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai to the north cater to those looking the quiet countryside and to spend time in the wild. Down south, beach destinations such as Phuket, Krabi and Koh Samui offer some of the best tropical experiences by the sea. On the western end, the Hua Hin region is popular for resorts where one can relax luxuriously. Finally, towards the east, Ubon Ratchathani is a spiritual and historical escape where one can immersively learn about Buddhist and Thai culture.
Bangkok
A city that never sleeps, Bangkok, the capital of Thailand is a modern-day melting pot of contrasting cultures and faiths. Here, towering skyscrapers stand in harmony next to temples and monasteries. The luxury malls and shopping centres compete with the street bazaars and floating markets. Cuisines – both Thai and from around the world are showcased in all their glory on the streets as well as in rooftop restaurants. The nightlife of Bangkok, on the one hand, revolves around flashy nightclubs, rooftop and go-go bars, bright neon light signs and cheap drinks. While on the other, it also includes cabaret shows, muay thai and dance exhibitions and even cultural walking tours. Sites like the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Phra Kaew showcase the city’s rich history, while the likes of museums such as Art in Paradise and parks such as the Sea Life Ocean World cater to those seeking modern-day experiences.
Chatuchak Market
The king of markets in Bangkok, and one of the largest markets in the world, Chatuchak is spread over 35 acres with more than 8,000 stalls. Everything ranging from clothing, accessories, handicrafts, furniture, art, food, books, antiques, and many more interesting souvenirs are is available here. Keep your bargaining skills ready to enhance your shopping experience at this bustling market.
Wat Pho Bangkok
Wat Pho is a famous temple located immediately south of the Grand Palace precinct in Bangkok. The place is renowned for being headquarters for the teaching and preservation of traditional Thai medicine. The temple is largely visited to view the large reclining Buddha within, thus also known as ‘Temple of the Reclining Buddha’.
Grand Palace
The Grand Palace, the residence of royals for several generations, is the perfect place to begin your historical tour in Bangkok. It houses one of the holiest Buddhist temples, Wat Phra Kaew, built in the year 1782. The Grand Palace stands among the top tourist attractions in Bangkok, Thailand, showcasing the rich history of Bangkok.
Wat Arun
An ancient structure dating back to the battles between the former Siam and Burma, Wat Arun is a place of worship with rich past. Also known as the Temple of Dawn, the site was built by remaining survivors and General Taksin. Later, the temple was renamed as Aruna after the Indian God of dawn to commemorate the founding of a new Ayutthaya, the former capital of the kingdom.
Dusit Zoo
The oldest zoo in Thailand, Dusit Zoo lies in the vicinity of Bangkok’s governmental headquarters in the Dusit District. Boasting of a heavy annual footfall, Dusit Zoo exhibits many species, ranging from exotic to rare, such as monkeys, penguins, camels, the albino barking deer and the white Bengal tiger. It also offers tram rides and boating services, which guarantee an uninhibited day of fun.
Pattaya
Popularly known as Thailand’s Sex capital and party hub, Pattaya is a coastal city in the Gulf of Thailand which over the years has steadily grown out of its infamous tag. The beaches and islands in Pattaya offer a wide variety of watersports, snorkelling options, restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops, making it ideal for families, friends and couples. The nightlife in Pattaya is quite famous for being loud, flashy and handsy. Walking Street in Pattaya is characteristic of bright streets lights and signs hovering over open bars, go-go bars and women standing along the streets. Cabaret shows such as the Alcazar Show and Tiffany’s Cabaret Show also are popular tourist attractions\ during the night. Located within a two hours drive distance from Bangkok, most tourists to Pattaya come via trains, buses or cars from the capital.
Krabi
One of the oldest provinces in Thailand, Krabi is home to the traditional yet the modern, the touristy and the local flavour. Sample what you like and see what the other side of the coin has to offer too in this Thai province. The number of guesthouses, travel operators and souvenir shops in Krabi might be overwhelming at first glance. However, there is much more to the province beneath the surface. Krabi, a popular Southern Thai beach destination, is gaining popularity and is adored by many. Not as popular as Bangkok or Phuket, Krabi has its own charm and can manage to sweep you off your feet if you give it a chance.
Tiger Cave Temple
Tiger Cave is a splendid Buddhist temple in Krabi town which is located in a natural beautiful surrounding. Tiger Cave, or the Wat Tham Sua is a temple located in a serene natural environment. It is mainly known for the Tiger paw prints, the Buddha footprint, and the long array of staircase to reach the top. This climb is a difficult one and you should only go ahead with it if you think you’re ready. The cave is occupied by many monkeys and hence you should be careful about that too. This place is a must visit considering it’s stunning natural location and spirituality.
Railay
Accessible just by boat, this peninsula of limestone crags is a beautiful destination for a laid-back rest in the middle of your Thailand holiday. An absolute best for rock climbers, Railay is a one-of-a-kind spot for active diving, kayaking and rock climbing; as well as just relax at your resort.
Phuket
The largest Island in all of Thailand, Phuket has everything Thailand has to offer. Serviced by the Phuket International Airport, the island sees no dearth of travellers during any time of the year. Golden beaches, numerous offshore islands, upbeat markets, a high octane nightlife and thrilling watersports characterise Phuket in a nutshell. Beaches like Surin and Kata cater to families and those individuals with eccentric tastes. Patong beach, on the other hand, caters to all those who like it cheap, loud and crazy, even after the sun sets. Bangla road with its numerous bars, ping pong shows and street food vendors comes alive as the night grows older. Those who shy away from dizzy bright lights and alcohol will find themselves at the Cabaret shows or even at the ever-popular street markets. The Phuket Walking Street or Phuket Weekend markets are places where one can spend hours sifting through various clothes, souvenirs and novelty items.
Big Buddha
Big Buddha is a 45 m high statue of Buddha visible from miles away showcasing an impressive e work of craftsmanship and dedication
Karon View Point
Karon View Point in south Phuket is a sought-after stop point by many tourists on their way to visiting the surrounding beaches.It offers a beautiful panoramic view over the sea, including three bays and is an ideal spot for relaxing and having a bite or two.
Phi Phi Islands
Phi Phi consists of a group of six islands. Only 40 km away from Phuket, Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh are the two most famous islands of the six. With their pristine waters and vibrant parties, these islands are a wonderful way to spend a few days in Thailand.
James Bond Island
James Bond Island or locally known as Khao Phing Kan is the name given to a pair of islands situated on the West Coast of Thailand. Located in the Phang Nga Bay of Andaman Sea and about 40 meters away from the shore is another islet named Ko Tapu or Khao Tapu. The massive nail-like rock structure rising from between the water is a limestone cliff. James Bond Island is a significant and unique formation among tourist attractions. The island is famous for its natural curiosity, ideal photography opportunities, and is one of the most beautiful landscapes in this region.
Chiang Mai
Formerly the seat of the Lanna Kingdom and regarded as the northern capital of Thailand, Chiang Mai is completely opposite to what first-timers to Thailand expect it to be. Unlike its southern counterparts, Chiang Mai is known for its laid back vibes, numerous temples and monasteries, crowded local markets, natural and historical sites and countryside with lush greenery. Catering to a large number of expats, young contemporary travellers and families alike, Chiang Mai is a backpacking haven where activities like hiking, cycling, rafting and a plethora of outdoor activities take precedence over a supercharged nightlife of drinks and loud music. Serviced by Chiang Mai International Airport and lying just an overnight train journey away from Bangkok, this sleepy northern town sees a rising footfall of enthusiastic tourists with each passing year. But despite the increase in demand for modern-day tourism, Chiang Mai vehemently has been able to defend it’s rustic and old world charm.
Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya, short for Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, is a small city in Thailand containing archaeological sites like temples, monasteries, palaces, etc. It lies just 80 kilometres north of Bangkok and hence is an ideal destination for a day trip from Bangkok.
Trang
Trang is a city in Southern Thailand known for its food and culture. It shares the same traditional heritage as the nearby cities of Krabi and Phuket. It is not crowded, but still a very lively city with many natural attractions surrounding it. Most people use Trang just as a transit destination to get to the other cities, but you should definitely stay for a day ot two to experience beautiful local culture and markets.
Kanchanaburi
Kanchanaburi is a city situated at the confluence of river Kwai Noi and Kwai Yai. It’s well known for its waterfalls and national parks. The most important attraction of this place is the “Death Railway” built during the World War II. All in all, Kanchanaburi is a treat for nature and history lovers.
Surin
Surin, a city known for its sericulture and elephants, is now aspiring to become a global tourist centre. Visitors often drop in for 1-2 days from November to March since this city does not have too many things to do, and is often left quiet for the rest of the year. However, with the influx of tourists in Thailand, Surin has seen many changes recently. From food to shopping to historical monuments, this city has gained momentum over the years.
Lopburi
Lopburi is one of the oldest cities in Thailand, located around 150 kilometres from Bangkok city which takes around 2.5 hours. It is a city which houses historic ruins and artifacts which play a major role in Thailand’s culture. It is famous for monkeys, architectural remains of Khmer empire, rock climbing and sunflower fields. It can be easily done as a day trip if you are planning to come from nearby cities. Unlike other tourist cities, Lopburi has a very laid back atmosphere and it rarely experiences any influx of tourists.
Mae Sot
Languishing in the western most corner of Thailand, sharing a border with Myanmar, Mae Sot in Tak province is the trading hub of Thailand. The city renowned for its indigenous pottery culture, brims with a variety of products that are reminiscent of its majority of population, which is Burmese. One can expect to find an eclectic range of street food, clothing, jewelry all at an affordable price range here.