Our guide on travelling to Thailand – With several sights to see and surprises on offer, Thailand is one of the best countries you should not miss. Culture, beaches, excursions, people and heritage sites are just some of the things you can expect when visiting Thailand.
Bangkok
Travelling to Thailand for your holiday wound not be complete without visiting Bangkok. As the nation’s capital with an estimated population of over 10 million (including the neighbouring provinces), this city is by far the largest in the country.
The city is divided into 50 districts or khet, but for tourists and those who are new to the country, 6 divisions are easier to remember. These are Ratchadaphisek in the northeast section of the city, Sukhamvit in the southeast, Silom in the south, Thonburi in the west, Rattanakosin in the central north and Phahanyothin in the north.
The whole Bangkok district will give you a diverse taste of culture, history, religion and fast-paced lifestyle. Buddhist temples, historical museums, towering buildings, contemporary restaurants and hotels, shopping centres, canals and rivers and food make Bangkok a one of a kind city in Southeast Asia.
Phuket
Down south, Phuket features magnificent beaches, tropical sunsets, white sands, blue seas, and breath taking sceneries. No wonder it is the most popular vacation destination in Asia.
Popular with British tourists, it has several beaches like Kata Beach, Karon Beach, Patong Beach, Kamala Beach, and Surin Beach. The island showcases several water sports excursions and activities including parasailing, jet-skiing and scuba diving.
Daytime & Nightlife – By day, Phuket is alive with beachgoers and shoppers and by night, lights, sounds, and party people dominate the whole island. There are many restaurants and bars to visit in the area and are easily found. There are plenty of family orientated places to relax in the evenings as well as more adult themed establishments for those who like to party!
Phi Phi Islands – If you visit Phuket, be sure to book an excursion to Phi Phi Islands (pronounced “Pee Pee” as opposed to “Fee Fee”) – The Phi Phi islands tour is the most popular excursion and is located around 25 miles south of Phuket, made famous by the movie ‘The Beach’ with Leonardo DiCaprio. You will get there by boat and can take in the amazing views on the way. Most tours include a long trip around the 6 Islands by boat, then you embark onto the main Island and have a few hours to take in the sunshine. A meal at a designated restaurant is usually included, just check with the excursion tour operator at the time of booking. A day excursion usually costs around £25 per person which includes transport & a meal with refreshments.
Chiang Mai
The second largest city in Thailand with an estimated population of more than 127,000 and is 435 miles north of Bangkok. This city located in the northern part of the country offers a more scenic and quiet city. Chiang Mai’s tourism is becoming ever more popular and expats permanently settling here is becoming more common.
When you travel to Thailand and visit Chiang Mai, you should go and see museums such as the Hilltribe Research Institute Museum and the Chiang Mai City Arts & Cultural Center.
With religion and history enriching the city, you can see several Buddhist temples such as Wat Chiang Mun, Wat Chiang Mun, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Oo-Mong, Wat Phra Jao Mengrai, Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep and Wat Chedi Luang. The oldest temple dates back in the 11th century.
Chiang Mai features attractions such as Chiang Mai Flower Festival in February, Bo Sang Umbrella & Sankampang Handicrafts Festival in January, The Orchid Fair is also in January and the Loi Krathong Festival usually falls in November.
Elephant Rescue Park – You can also visit the Elephant Rescue Park which is a happy place for rescued elephants, located in the green valley of Chiang Mai. Animals saved from the darkness of circus’s and entertainment prisons are kept here, in a clean and safe environment.
Saturday Night Market Walking Street – If you are in Chiang Mai over the weekend, why not pay a visit to the Saturday Night Market Walking Street – Wua Lai Road. There are lots of local foods to enjoy and cultural souvenirs and clothing to buy. It a great night out for all the avid shoppers and bargain hunters.
Ploen Ruedee Night Market – If you are looking for markets during the week where you can sample local cuisine, check out Ploen Ruedee Night Market which is a chilled out food park in an open space environment right in the heart of Chiang Mai town. They serve different varieties of delicious food from selected vendors.
Mae Sa Waterfall – Another great place to visit whilst in Chiang Mai is the Mae Sa Waterfall. With around 10 waterfalls to see, you can take amazing photos and take in the natural beauty Thailand has to offer. There are many places to relax and take in the views whilst having a small picnic or just lying back and soaking up the surrounding natural beauty.
Pattaya
Located around 90 miles north of Bangkok, Pattaya is one of the most popular tourist destinations, which offers great beaches, beer and go-go bars and a wide array of sporting activities. Although it is the most overdeveloped part of the country in terms of tourism, prices in Pattaya still remain fair. In fact, prices for food, accommodation and transport are very affordable indeed compared to here in the UK.
There are so many things to do in Pattaya and places to visit, we have listed the main attractions for you:
The Sanctuary Of Truth – The Sanctuary of Truth is an unfinished museum in Pattaya which is a hybrid of temple and castle based on Ayutthaya period and Buddhist, Hindu beliefs. It is a huge wooden construction which covers the area of more than 3200 square meters. The top point of the building is around 105 meters high. It was constructed to withstand the wind and sunshine on the seashore at Rachvate Cape, Tumbon Naklea, Amphur Banglamung, Chon Buri Province. In addition to guided tours of the building, the museum offers tourist activities such as quad bike rides, cruises on traditional Thai gondolas and elephant rides. There is also a restaurant serving Thai and halal food, a miniature zoo and an area where visitors can watch wood carvers at work on the ongoing construction which has been ongoing since 1981.
Ramayana Water Park – With an area of 170,000 square meters of fun and adrenaline, Ramayana Water Park is the biggest waterpark in Thailand. Opened in 2019, it’s ranked in the top 10 water parks in the world. The ideal place for a carefree and fun day of entertainment for young people and also families with children of all ages. There are lots of great Water slides and a Wave pool. It also hosts a 160-meter beach, lazy river 600 meters long with waves and waterfalls, 2 children’s playgrounds, swimming pool for sports with an obstacle course, pool bar, floating market and much more! The water park is located next to the Silverlake vineyards and the Kao Chee Chan mountain. The road takes 20 minutes from Pattaya or 1.5 hours from Bangkok.
Tiger Park Pattaya – Located in Pattaya on Jomtien Sukhumvit Road. If you love wildlife and animals, visit the Tiger Park Pattaya where you can touch and take pictures with tigers in a safe and comfortable environment. There are restaurants and places to eat and take in the amazing Tigers of Thailand.
Pattaya Nightlife – Pattaya is known around the world for its rich and exciting nightlife scene. Incredible amounts of tourists visit here all year round and Pattaya caters for all styles of nights out. You can relax in one of the many pubs and restaurants or you can spend the night in one of the gogo bars. There is much to see so take your time and enjoy the night of Pattaya!
Koh Larn
Koh Larn is a wonderful little island in the Gulf of Thailand. It is located around 5 miles off the coast of Pattaya Beach and it is around a two hour drive south of Bangkok.
Koh Larn has six main beaches and a few smaller beaches for visitors to enjoy. All are white sand beaches and have clear azure waters. There are many water sport activities to enjoy like scuba diving, snorkelling etc. There are also other activities such as para sailing for you to enjoy while visiting Koh Larn. All the beaches have bathrooms and shower facilities and restaurants that serve up delicious fresh catch of the day seafood or just about any other dish you may want. You can choose to order your meal in the restaurant or straight from your beach lounger. A day at Koh Larn is a relaxing experience, with the gentle sounds of the ocean, without all the noise of the busy city.
There are also many places to stay on the island of Koh Larn. They range from budget rooms to luxury accommodation. While room rates are a little higher on the island than in Pattaya or Jomtien, it is well worth the experience of spending the night on the island of Koh Lar whilst you are in Pattaya.
Krabi
In a small province of Krabi lies a small town with the same name. Paying a visit Krabi town when you travel to Thailand is worth the time. Located south of Bangkok near Phuket and Phi Phi island, the town features great beaches along with high end hotels and also some not so expensive hotels that cater tourists with different budgets.
Railay Beaches & Caves – Railay beach is one of the most attractive beaches in Thailand, accessible only by boat due to the large cliffs on wither side closing it off from the mainland. you’ll find stunning white sand shorelines with breath taking views and fantastic limestone cliffs. You wont find cars or roads for that matter, just a few long tail boats and a few bars to spend your evenings relaxing in the quiet, calm surroundings. If you feel like just getting away from it all for the day, This may just be the best place to unwind.
Thung Teao Forest Natural Park – Home to many plants and animals, the Natural Park has outstanding natural beauty. A must see whilst here is the Crystal Lagoon. Also known as the Emerald Pool. The water is naturally warm and completely clear. You can go for a swim whilst admiring the waterfall. Keep your eye out for the Pita Gurney bird, once thought to be extinct but some have been spotted within the park!