Discover the top ten best places to visit in Thailand for a perfect stay!
Land of smiles and happiness, Thailand is a great place to visit throughout the year. Its pristine white beaches are lapped by the stunning waters of the Gulf of Siam and the Andaman Sea with their white sands dazzling like pearls you find underwater. To uncover the magic of Thailand head to the ten best places to visit in Thailand, all different but similar through the unique mix of unbounded happiness, joviality and transcendent calm of this ancient Buddhist land.
Keep reading to find the 10 best places to visit in Thailand.
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10 Best Places to Visit in Thailand
Bangkok
The thrilling capital of Thailand is located on the banks of the vast Chao Phraya River and is one of the best places to visit in Thailand. The people can be divided into two groups: those that love it and those that don’t.
For those lucky who had their heart snatched by the city, you are in luck. While here, be sure to head to Khao San Road. This is a youthful area near the Grand Palace, known for its frenetic nightlife where hostels, eateries of all kinds, and bars are full of tourists.
Join in the never-ending joyful frenzy and if tired, cross over the Ratchadamnoen Road and take pleasure in the calm of the canals flowing around the area. The area beyond the Ratchadamnoen is known for good street food and hostels, with less noise than on the Khaosan.
Another must-do in Bangkok is to take a public boat to delight in the beauty of the majestic Chao Phraya. Hop on at Khao San to jump off at the China Town area, one of the best places to visit in Bangkok. Then head to the Silom area to either visit the commercial center or Lumpini Park with huge lizards crawling around, a great place to take a selfie.
What makes Bangkok one of the best places to visit in Thailand is its revered religious sites such as Hinduist Sri Maha Mariamman, Buddhist Temple of Dawn and Chinese Guan Yin Temple, among many others.
Head there next, and when the twilight descends on the city make your way to one of the world’s largest flower bazaars, situated close to Khao San.
Chiang Mai
The northern capital of Thailand is just as youthful and full of joy as Bangkok but is deemed far more calm and less hectic. It is one of the best places to visit in Thailand to go to a monastery, a great way to save up money for some monastic establishments and to try the great cuisine of the North.
What makes Chiang Mai one of the best places to visit in Thailand is its great trekking routes and the nearby nature marvels such as the scenic Chiang Dao, the third highest mountain in Thailand.
Ko Samui
Koh Samui is one of the best places to visit in South Thailand where you can go to enjoy sunbathing, swimming, and stunning scenery.
Whereas the crowds of paradise-seeking jet-setters arrive on the island directly by plane, there is a cheap way to visit Koh Samui. True backpackers first fly to Surat Thani, from where they are bussed to Don Sak Pier to sail on a ferry to the island. An AirAsia flight usually includes the fare of all three means of transport and is a great way to visit Samui.
At nightfall head to ArkBar, a beach bar with a pool and one of the best places in Samui to start a night of partying, or to one of the settlement’s many reggae bars, also predominantly located at the seaside. Later in the night head to the cult-like Green Mango, open till 3 am; then to Arena-Stadium, working till 6 am and then Hendrix, often revelling well beyond sunrise. Other things to do in Koh Samui include canoeing, elephant riding, watching pink dolphins, island hopping and a visit to the majestic pagoda towering over Chaweng.
Don’t forget to pay a visit to Lamai, a more tranquil area with paradisiac Silver Beach lying close by or the Fisherman Village a great place in Koh Samui to eat mouth-watering food and visit a night market.
Phuket
Phuket has great nightlife, affordable accommodation, delicious food and modern infrastructure. Here you will find a multicultural crowd of backpackers and tourists in search of adventure. Phuket is a great place to visit the nearby Krabi and Phi Phi, and is one of the best places to visit in Thailand to dive and surf, with Kalim and Katha beaches’ waves, especially Marley.
Ko Phangan
Koh Phangan is one of the best places to visit in Thailand for a party. It is known worldwide for its famous Fool Moon Party. More so, it is home to many pristine beaches plus a plethora of watersports such as jet-skiing, boat-riding and snorkelling. Note that Ko Phangan is just half an hour’s ferry ride away from Koh Samui, so you can visit it on a day trip from the larger island close by.
Ko Tao
The island of Koh Tao is reputed to be one of the best places to visit in Thailand to go diving. It is also one of the best places to visit in Thailand to enjoy pristine nature and is known for its large expat community.
The great food, cheap accommodation and untouched nature make it one of the best Thai islands to visit.
Hat Yai
Located right at the border with Malaysia, Hat Yai is unique. One of the most under-visited metropolises in Thailand it boasts unique urban architecture such as Yellow-Blue Peranakan buildings, yummy street food and great-bargain lodgings, but without the over-tourism that has ravaged the places like Pattaya, Phuket and parts of Bangkok.
Head to Hat Yai to uncover your unique untarnished piece of urban Thailand, and enjoy its multicultural aura, where the Malay and Thai meet. Also, note that it is one of the best places to visit in Thailand to explore the country’s South.
Pattaya
Pattaya is one of the last places where the charm of old Saigon, Singapore and HK still dwells. It is known for its walking street, unleashed dancing spots, cheap bars, and hostels where people from all walks of life meet. It is predominantly frequented by lovers of nightlife, the seaside, island hopping, and those who value culture-rich destinations.
A vibrant beach resort, it is ranked among the best places to visit in Thailand to do water sports and offers a great get-away from the traffic-choked Bangkok some two hours away. It is also a great place to visit nearby islands such as Ko Samet.
Ranong
The seaside city is one of the most unknown destinations in Thailand. Whereas most other coastal cities have become tourist hubs, Ranong is a great place to enjoy both the hectic city, splendid sea views and the original serenity of the Thai way of life.
Huahin
Huahin is the historical resort where the Thai royalty has found solitude and a fresh sea breeze. It features architectural sites such as Klai Kang Won Palace and Mrigadayavan Palace, kings’ residences located in one of the best places to visit in Thailand to enjoy great beaches and the sea.
This list of the best places to visit in Thailand is ever-growing! Visit them all and then more and more.
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SSW
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