Thailand attractions

The spectacularly ornamented Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew) is one of the most important Buddhist temples in Thailand. Located within the Grand Palace in Bangkok’s Old City, a site highlight is a sacred pre–15th-century statue of the Buddha in a seated meditation pose carved from a single block of jade.

Known for its limestone rock formations rising out of the turquoise Andaman Sea, the protected Ao Phang Nga National Marine Park covers a large swathe of water in southern Thailand. Many visitors come to the area to enjoy the scenery and take part in watersports.

The golden spire of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep glitters near the summit of Doi Suthep, a 5,499-foot (1,676-meter) mountain outside Chiang Mai. The wat, established in 1383, is one of northern Thailand’s most sacred temples. The International Buddhist Center at the wat hosts informal discussions, chanting, and meditation.

The prominence of Phuket’s beaches and out islands mean that Phuket Old Town is often overlooked. Yet, it offers a wealth of 19th-century architectural delights and fantastic photo ops. Beside the latticed windows of Malay-style shop-front buildings on Soi Rommanee, Old Phuket Town boasts temples, museums, and restaurants.

As the most significant of Phuket’s 29 Buddhist temples, Wat Chalong attracts hundreds of visitors daily. A mountain backdrop emphasizes a golden spire, while wall paintings inside each temple depict vibrant Buddhist images. The main stupa, known as the Grand Pagoda, is said to harbor a splinter of the Buddha’s bone.

Rising 8,415 feet (2,565 meters) above sea level, Mt. Doi Inthanon—set within Doi Inthanon National Park—is Thailand’s tallest mountain. The views from the summit are a major draw, particularly on clear days, but the journey to the top is just as rewarding. Visitors can enjoy well-marked hiking trails that showcase dramatic waterfalls, mountain forests, and dome-shaped Buddhist shrines along the way.

The Hong Islands (Mu Ko Hong or Mu Koh Hong) are a group of rocky blips in the Andaman Sea, located just off the coast of Krabi in southern Thailand. A popular day trip destination from Ao Nang or Krabi, the islands are fringed with rain forests, hidden lagoons, and white-sand beaches.

The Bridge on the River Kwai is part of the world’s collective historical memory. The site of many POW deaths during World War II, it is now home to the JEATH War Museum and is close to the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery. It’s part of the Burma Railway was built by Allied prisoners of war, and over 10,000 died of starvation, overwork, and terrible living conditions in the process.

Once the great capital of the Kingdom of Siam, this ruined island city-state is now a remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ayutthaya Historical Park lies at the confluence of three rivers north of Bangkok. It protects magnificent crumbling stone temple spires, sun-worn Buddha statues, and other remnants of the palaces, temples, houses, and markets that thrived in the city-state’s heyday.

With brilliant white spires, eaves, and bridges that all glitter in the sunshine and reflect in surrounding pools, the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) is Chiang Rai’s signature sight. The building’s surroundings and interior are filled with art inspired by everything fromThe Matrix, to Hello Kitty andKung Fu Panda.

Standing nearly 90 feet tall, the Giant Swing is located in front of Wat Suthat in the heart of Bangkok. The teak archway, originally used in religious ceremonies, was constructed toward the end of the 18th century, during the reign of King Rama I. It has since undergone several renovations.

Ang Thong National Marine Park (also known as Mu Koh Ang Thong National Park) is a protected archipelago of 42 islands in the Gulf of Thailand. The limestone-karst seascape features secluded beaches, hidden caves, dramatic cliffs, and photo-worthy emerald lagoons. Visitors also come here to spot wildlife, as it’s home to hawks, eagles, macaques, wild boars, sea turtles, and blacktip reef sharks.

Nestled among Koh Samui’s central mountains, the Na Muang Waterfall has two tiers: a lower stretch that’s easily reachable and falls into a lovely natural pool, and a higher tier that requires a 30-minute hike. The falls are set among lush jungle surroundings, and access to the site is free.

With crystal clear water, plentiful coral reefs, and beautiful stretches of fine white sand, Thailand’s Coral Island (Koh Larn) is a veritable paradise. Take a day trip to this popular spot—about 4.5 miles (7 km) off the coast of Pattaya—to enjoy beaches and a variety of water sports, including scuba diving and snorkeling.

This partially ruined wat, possibly the largest structure in ancient Chiang Mai, dates back to the year 1441 and is most famous as the former home of the incredible Emerald Buddha. Nowadays, a jade replica fills the eastern niche of Wat Chedi Luang, although you can see the original in Bangkok at the Wat Phra Kaew.

The Temple of the Golden Mount, or Wat Saket, is a low hill with a pointed golden temple (chedi). It’s built on the site of a earlier, failed temple building that turned to rubble and became a hill. Wat Saket was once the highest point in Bangkok. Visit today for great views of Bangkok and to see its Buddha relic.

The mountainous border regions of Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand come together in the exotically named Golden Triangle—a haven of Buddhist architecture, lush forest, and colorful riverfront villages. Located in the Chiang Rai province at Thailand's northernmost tip, the Golden Triangle is thick with wonders, both natural and man-made.

Koh Panyi is a charming Muslim fishing village built on stilts over the water. Visit to see the 18th-century houses, the mosque, and the floating market. The area is a popular stop on tours of the region that also take in well-known sights such as James Bond Island (Khao Phing Kan) and Hong Island.

Apart from the beaches, Koh Samui’s most distinctive attraction is the golden Big Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai) visible above the red-tiled rooftops on the island’s north coast. The 40-foot (12-meter) Buddha statue can be seen from several miles away—even from a plane—and the site is an active place of worship.

This ancient Buddhist temple situated to the southeast of Ayutthaya was first built in 1357 by King Uthong to house returning monks who had gone to study practical Buddhism in Sri Lanka. This towering chedi can be seen from far and wide and features a platform offering wonderful views of the temple site and city beyond.

Tiny Tup Island (also written Tub Island, Koh Tup, Ko Tup, Koh Tub, or Ko Tub sits just 500 feet (150 meters from neighboring Mor Island (Mo Island, Koh Mor, Ko Mor, Koh Mo, or Ko Mo, offshore from Ao Nang. When the tide is right, you can walk between the rocky islets on a picture-perfect white sandbar, framed by warm turquoise waters.

In stark contrast to its famed northerly neighbor, tiny and sleepy Koh Tan tempts visitors with empty beaches and vehicle-less roads just three miles and a 15-minute boat ride south of Koh Samui’s southern tip. Koh Tan (also spelled Koh Taen, Ko Taen, and Ko Tan) is sometimes also called Coral Island for its diversity of colorful hard and soft corals, and it often serves as a popular day-long escape for snorkel or kayak excursions through its clear inshore waters. Though the island doesn’t have quite the aquatic diversity of other more remote locations, it still affords excellent snorkeling, relatively empty beaches and navigable mangrove swamps all very close to a major tourist hub. Longboats make the crossing daily and usually stop at several unique coral spots around the island. On land, Koh Tan spans only three square miles, and its population barely tops 30 people; their rustic lifestyle with limited electricity affords a glimpse of what much of Thai Island-living was like decades ago. Koh Tan also has a thriving population of monitor lizards, a boardwalk through a mangrove forest, a quaint local temple, a handful of local restaurants and a cluster of bungalow-style accommodations.

The 17th century Bang Pa-In Palace, also known as the Summer Palace, consists of many attractive buildings spread throughout large tended grounds. Different architectural styles are represented: Chinese, European, Khmer, and pure Thai. The palace is a worthwhile stop on a day trip to Ayutthaya from Bangkok, although fewer tourists come here, making it a peaceful destination.

Koh Samui’s Grandmother and Grandfather Rocks (also known as Hin Yai and Hin Ta) are rocky outcrops located on Lamai Beach. The often-photographed, commented-upon, and giggled-about rock formations bear an uncanny resemblance to male and female genitalia, making them a must-see attraction for many tourists. Plus, the rocks are set on a lovely stretch of beach and create tranquil tide pools.

One of the few natural hot springs in northern Thailand, the Mae Kachan Hot Spring (Mae Ka Chan) is so hot—reaching temperatures of 194˚F (90˚C)—it can boil an egg in minutes, a feat that locals are more than happy to demonstrate. Along with enjoying the cooking, you can dip your toes in several pools.

Khao Sok National Park is a secluded pocket of southern Thailand that contains one of the oldest rainforests on the planet. Rugged limestone formations, dense greenery, and turquoise waters characterize the area, which you can explore by boat, swim in, and camp overnight. The park also harbors a variety of wildlife, such as sambar deer, sun bears, Malayan tapirs, and around 200 species of birds.

The Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, also known as the Don Rak War Cemetery, commemorates victims of the building of the Thailand-Burma Railway during World War II. The cemetery is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and contains the 6,982 graves of Australian, British, and Dutch POWs who were forced into labor by the Japanese.

Wat Benchamabophit—or the Marble Temple—is a Buddhist temple in the Dusit area of Bangkok made from Italian marble. Enter the working temple to take in its ornate features, including typical Thai curved roofs and glittering decorations.

Located in Koh Samui, Wat Khunaram is a functioning temple in the southern portion of the island. It’s most famous for the mummified remains of former abbot and monk, Loung Pordaeng, which have been displayed in a vertical glass casket since his death in 1973. It’s a popular, if unusual, attraction with both locals and visitors.

Jutting out into the Andaman Sea, crowned with a lighthouse and an elephant shrine, Promthep Cape (Laem Phromthep) is Phuket’s southernmost point. Sweeping views over sparkling waters, rugged islands, sailing boats, sugar palms, and maybe even a paraglider or two make the headland a favorite photo stop, particularly around sunset.