The "Land of Smiles" is one of the gems of Southeast Asia. Thanks to a thriving tourism industry, Thailand is very well developed and offers a variety of modern comforts, but it's still wild enough to offer off-the-beaten-path adventure routes and a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience. Whether you're visiting a world-class beach in the south or a mountain village in the north, Thailand won't let you down.
Cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai are bustling places of commerce, but you don't really see the country until you're trekking through the mountains or coming face-to-face with elephants or daring monkeys. Or the camera (if you're not careful). The attractions in Thailand are diverse, and each attraction offers an unforgettable experience in its own way.
To get some inspiration when planning your trip, here's our list of top tourist attractions in Thailand.
1. Railay Beach
Krabi is home to some of Thailand's most famous beach resorts – Railay is one of the most stunning beaches. Considered by many to be one of the best beaches in the country, Railay promises to bring white sand, turquoise waters, and even let your feet discover a slice of paradise before touching the sand.
You can reach the island by boat from Krabi town and Ao Nang, while the longtail traditional boat tour is as magical as when you reach the coast.
While the beach may be the main reason to head to the island, Railay is also a climbing hotspot, with karst peaks attracting experienced and novice adventurers alike, ready to stand on towering limestone cliffs.
Among the many other activities, Railay is known for rafting, kayaking, snorkeling, and scuba diving, but visitors can also try cooking classes or enjoy a massage.
There is also a tourist-friendly Diamond Cave, along a beautiful path with stunning views and ready to accommodate curious visitors looking to explore some between sunbathing.
2. Phi Phi Island
Koh Phi Phi is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Thailand due to the clear blue waters, soft sandy beaches, and breathtaking views.
You can take a rented kayak or rent a small wooden boat to take Phi Phi Don (this is the largest island on the island and the only one to live permanently).
Perhaps the most interesting spot on Phi Phi Island is Monkey Beach, where you will come face-to-face and literally there are plenty of macaques ready to steal your lunch.
Long Beach is another great place on the island; While it's not a secluded place where you can expect to get privacy, it's a great place to watch the sunset. If you're lucky and the tide is high, this beautiful trail returns to the main part of the island.
The tour operator offers packages for snorkeling and diving trips to the islands, as well as excursions to the famous Maya Bay, where Leonardo DiCaprio's film The Beach was filmed. Since Koh Phi Phi attracts so many tourists, many tour companies are arranging tickets to other beach destinations such as Phuket, Koh Chang and Koh Lanta.
Phi Phi Don was one of the hardest hit areas by the 2004 tsunami, but since then, hotels, restaurants and markets have been rebuilt and there are still swarms flocking to the resort island. There is a small, gloomy memorial park dedicated to those who lost their lives in tragedy, but the resort has been revived and looks as beautiful as ever.
3. Grand Palace, Bangkok
Even if your Thai plan mainly consists of frolicking on the beach and eating as much Masaman curry and Thai fried pho as possible, you may spend at least a day or two in Bangkok. The capital has a lot to see and do, but the Grand Palace should definitely be number one on your list. This is the city's number one sightseeing spot, and its historical significance and craftsmanship are breathtaking.
Above ground are labyrinthine royal halls, temples and ancient artifacts, most importantly the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaeo), which is said to be fragments of hair or bones preserved from the enlightened Buddha himself.
Please spend a few hours on the Grand Palace trial, but if you're going to take a walk later, you have easy access to some of the city's major landmarks nearby. The famous Wat Poand, the Temple of Dawn (a great place to watch the sunset) is just a few minutes away.
4. Chiang Mai Sunday Walking Street
Every Thai tourist wants to find cheap and delicious food, and that's exactly what they find on the streets of Chiang Mai on a Sunday night. Vendors sell a variety of snacks here: from the popular Thai fried pho and chicken satay to Satsuma, fried bananas, sweet roast meats and fresh fruit shakes — often for less than $2 per slice.
Once you've satisfied your desire for cooking, you can peruse hundreds of stalls selling a variety of unique goods such as all-natural soaps, hand-dyed textiles with unique patterns from local hill tribes, incense and essential oils, musical instruments, paintings, wall hangings, and more.
No matter what time of year you are, the market is endlessly crowded every week, so be prepared and try to enjoy being part of the chaos. It's a must do in Chiang Mai and an important part of the Thai experience. If you don't plan on visiting the Sunday market, or just want to experience other market experiences in Chiang Mai, check out the daily events saturday night walking street or night bazaar at chang Klan Road. If you don't like to travel, you can visit the Wolter Market near Mae Ping River
5. Pai County
Thailand has beautiful scenery and friendly people because of its world-famous southern beaches. As a result, most people don't realize that the vast north is still home to completely different but equally breathtaking landscapes.
Northern Thailand, especially the western part near the Myanmar border, is rugged and beautiful. Pai in Mae Hong Son province is the perfect starting point to enjoy the country's natural beauty and famous Thai hospitality and cooking.
The town has become a mecca for hippies and backpackers, although you will also see a lot of families traveling in the area. There is an active small pedestrian street market every evening offering a variety of local and Western food, with easy access to nearby Buddhist temples, waterfalls, and impressive Pie Canyon.
Filled with joy and relaxation as you make your way through the heart of the town, this atmosphere still draws people season by season, despite its somewhat remote location.
6. Wild elephants in Khao Yai National Park
Elephants are widely revered in Thailand, and you can see statues and paintings anywhere, including the Royal Palace and many temples. However, for the final experience, there is nothing better than the chance of seeing an elephant in its natural environment, and Khao Yai National Park offers a fantastic opportunity to do just that.
Here you will encounter stories of elephants roaming along the river, exotic birds of prey, monkeys, and many other tropical creatures that call the park home. The park is also home to many waterfalls, including the 150-meter-high Haew Narok and the more famous Haew Suwat, which appeared in Leonardo DiCaprio's film The Beach.
If a day trip isn't enough to soak it all up, camp in the park and get up early to watch the sunrise over the lush landscape.
7. Sukhothai Old Town
Sukhothai is a favorite stop for history buffs and photography enthusiasts alike, and it offers many lovely photographs on a smaller scale than the Ayutthaya. Despite centuries of fighting and exposure, the ruins of this ancient city are still proud. Sukhothai's Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and significant funds have been invested to restore and preserve one of Thailand's most important historical sites.
Among the many swamps of Sukhothai, Wat Mahathat is the most impressive. Built sometime in the 13th century to enshrine Buddha relics, this temple is surrounded by huge Buddha statues, whitewashed sculptures, stupas, and more.
8. Ayutthaya Historic City
Ayutthaya offers you a glimpse into the splendor of ancient Thailand, and visitors can wander through the stunning but romantic ruins of the former capital.
Ayutthaya was once the most important city in Thailand, as evidenced by ancient palaces and temples. The park is dotted around more than 100 watts of ched, Thai pagodas, grasslands and thousands of Buddha statues. Some of the attractions are particularly breathtaking and not to be missed, such as the temple that houses the 12-meter-long reclining Buddha and the roots of the trees that hold the buddha's head.
Ayutthaya is only a short bus or train ride from Bangkok, so if you're running into time, it's convenient to take a day trip. If your trip is more leisurely, plan to spend a few days exploring the ancient capital and rent a power-assisted bicycle to explore the Old Town and New Town.
9. Doi Suthep
Chiang Mai's most famous temple is probably located atop Doi Suthep, which overlooks Thailand's second largest city. A favorite destination for devout Buddhist followers and travelers from around the world, Doi Suthep is a marvel of intricate religious carvings – visiting here means seeing monks praying, witnessing liturgies, and having the opportunity to gaze at the growing city of Chiang Mai.
Just make sure to bring a bottle of water and walking shoes - you have to climb a steep staircase to get to the top of the hill where the temple is located. At the bottom of the staircase, hawkers sell everything from delicious local delicacies to handmade goods made by villagers in the surrounding mountains. There is also a shop selling masks, elephant carvings, and furniture, so you can shop while you recover on your way up and down the stairs.
You can combine a tour of Doi Suthep with a tour of the small Hmong village of Doi Pui in the mountains. Although there are more tourists than other villages, it can still take you on a journey through Hmong culture and have the opportunity to gain insight into the mountain tribal communities of the region, not to mention buying some exquisite hand-woven textiles. The Bubing Palace, which is open to tourists, is also traveling from Doi Suthep to Doi Pui.
10. Floating market
Thailand's floating market offers a unique way to shop and eat while supporting local suppliers and gaining a deeper understanding of traditional lifestyles.
While some markets do seem to cater to tourists, others offer a great authentic travel experience that includes a boat trip and having your guide take you through the canals, where you'll see traditional houses on stilts and bump into them. Sellers offer goods from their own ships. You need to get up early to visit the floating market, as the vendors are the first to go out in the morning with long wooden boats, their cargo, fresh fruits, vegetables, spices and delicacies.
There are several floating markets near Bangkok, with Amphawa and Damnoen Saduak being the most popular. You can visit the market on your own or take a guided tour, which usually includes visits to other local attractions and shops.
11. Tonsai Beach
Thailand, with its stunning limestone cliffs surrounding the sandy coastline and turquoise waters, attracts a large number of climbers year round. Although there are many destinations that offer fascinating routes, Tonsai Beach has long been seen as a paradise for climbers. One of the great advantages of doing a climb here is that you can easily climb alone or find a climbing partner or club once you arrive. And, if you need to review the course, you can also find the questions here.
Since there are many climbing and bouldering schools in the area, the easier routes are usually busy and you may even have to wait in line for the most popular viewpoints. If you're an experienced climber and can get around stalactites, overhangs, and limestone, you'll get a better ride and have (almost) full views of your own bay.
12. Kanchanaburi Bridge
Kanchanaburi Bridge, known to many as the "Bridge of the River Kwai", is part of the Thai-Burmese Railway and has never been. During World War II, the Japanese intended to establish a rail link between Thailand and Burma and use Allied prisoners of war (mainly British, Dutch and Australian citizens) for forced labor. During the construction and reconstruction of the bridge, more than 12,000 Confederate prisoners were killed in the final year, and because the bridge was bombed and damaged so many times, it became known as the "Death Railway".
Kanchanaburi Bridge remained closed after the war, but is now back in service and can be crossed by slow local trains. About 130 kilometers of the original 415 kilometers of railway routes in use today are reminiscent of the horrors that took place here in history.
Near the bridge, the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery is the final resting place for Confederate military personnel from many countries except the United States, which repatriates all remains to the United States. Both the Hellfire Pass Museum and the Jet War Museum provide insights into the history of the railway and the impact of the war in Thailand.
13. Waterfalls in Erawan National Park
Erawan National Park has a lot to offer visitors, including many caves. Paths through dense deciduous forests; fauna include wild elephants, gibbons, and hornbills. But what attracts a lot of tourists is the waterfall here, especially the seven-story Erawan Waterfall.
The waterfall is named after the white elephant that travels with the Hindu god Indra, as these layers are said to bear a slight resemblance to the shape of the elephant's head.
Each of the seven levels has its own name, and it becomes increasingly difficult to reach them as you reach your destination. After the fifth level, visitors will need to use the slide while pushing through the lush vegetation to continue. Still, you probably don't need to venture that far. The first three floors are actually the most impressive, offering an emerald green pool, a small cave and a cool waterfall. There are many exotic fish living in the pool, so it is not surprising to feel that they swim between their feet.
14. Teak Palace
Originally built in 1925 as the summer residence of King Rama VI, this unique teak palace is amazing in many ways. The king originally ordered the construction on the advice of his doctor, who believed that the ventilated seaside climate would help the king's rheumatoid arthritis.
The palace was built in Hua Hin, a seaside town about three hours south of Bangkok. Nowadays, Hua Hin has become an ideal choice for many families and travelers looking to enjoy the beach in a relaxed atmosphere away from the crowds.
Mrigadayavan Palace (Maruekhathaiyawan) is designed to stand completely on stilts, which allows the sea breeze to circulate on all sides and keeps the building cool. The palace complex consisted of many buildings and was divided into three main categories: the official reception area; the king's private residence; and the ladies' quarters, which were originally designed for the queen and were not accessible to anyone other than the king.
The palace is a perfect combination of Western standards (including modern bathrooms and badminton courts) with traditional Thai architecture that everyone can visit and admire today.
15. Khao Sok National Park
Khao Sok National Park is a unique combination of very diverse ecosystems. Home to rainforests older than the Amazon River, the park is also covered with limestone mountains, karst landforms, kilometers of trails, and even rivers that can be explored on canoes or bamboo rafts. The park is home to Malayan sun bears, tigers, and wild elephants, and once you're deep into the evergreen rainforest, you won't have rare witnesses.
The park is also famous for its eco-glamping, where tents come with en-suite bathrooms, luxury bedding, your own kayak, and some of the best delicacies you'll try in Thailand.