Located near Kanchanaburi, the Hellfire Pass Memorial and Museum pays tribute to the thousands of prisoners of war who lost their lives building the Thailand-Burma Railway (or Death Railway), during World War II. You can watch a movie and first-hand testimonies from former prisoners of war, and walk along the railway itself.
One of a number of stadiums in Patong dedicated to the martial art of muay thai (Thai boxing), the 350-capacity Patong Boxing Stadium offers fights three nights a week. Fighters come from all around the globe, and the stadium hosts men’s, women’s, and junior bouts, including title matches. Drinks, french fries, and popcorn are for sale.
The Krabi area is famous for its towering limestone cliffs, idyllic beaches, and peaceful mangrove forests, and Ao Thalane (Thalane Bay represents one of the most beautiful mangrove forests in all of Thailand. On this stretch of coast, dense mangroves shroud the karsts and cliffs, hiding caves, small inlets, and secluded lagoons.
Join other Thai culture and architecture enthusiasts at Suan Pakkad Palace, a museum complex of renovated houses from all over Thailand. See artifacts and antique objects representing the arts, crafts, and traditions of Thailand in each house. The palace was formerly home to Prince and Princess Chumbhot, who made it a museum in 1952.
One of Thailand’s most extraordinary structures, the 144-foot-tall (44-meter-tall) Erawan Museum features a 275-ton (250-metric-ton) copper statue of a 3-headed elephant. Inside, there’s a ceramic museum, a pavilion with art, and a replica heaven, all richly decorated. You can climb or ride the elevator right up to the elephant’s tusks.
Take a walk beneath the water as sharks and rays glide overhead at Underwater World Pattaya. This walk-through aquarium highlights the diverse range of marine creatures found in Thai waters, from shallow rock-pool dwellers to colorful coral and deep-ocean fish. More than 2,500 critters are on display, representing some 200 species.
Bangkok’s Dream World is a family-friendly attraction that is popular with locals and sees very few international visitors. The amusement park offers a variety of entertaining live performances, dozens of thrilling rides, and lots of places to try traditional Thai cuisine.
Located at the heart of the Golden Triangle—the intersection of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar—the Hall of Opium Museum explores the impact that opium seed has had on the area. Exhibits trace the seed back to its first use 5,000 years ago and raise awareness of current abuse and addiction issues.
The ninth-largest shopping complex in the world, Bangkok’s behemoth CentralWorld has roughly 500 stores, 50 dining outlets, cinemas, an ice rink, a fitness center, and even its own 5-star hotel. The mall measures around 5,920,000 square feet (550,000 square meters), divided into several zones for easier navigation.
Located southwest of Koh Lanta within Koh Lanta National Park, Koh Haa (Koh Ha) is a group of six uninhabited islands (even though Koh Haa actually means five islands in Thai). The island’s real beauty is underwater, where good visibility and plentiful marine life offer a paradise for scuba divers, snorkelers, and free divers.
Siam Park City, a large theme park and water park located in the Khan Na Yao district of Bangkok, may seem a little old-fashioned to international visitors. However, some of its newer attractions are impressive, including the Vortex ride, which is one of just two of the world's largest suspended looping roller coasters.
Emerald Cave (Tham Morakot) takes its name from the water’s vivid green color and is one of the most popular attractions in Thailand’s Trang islands. At first blush the cave looks like only a hole in a limestone cliff—but once you venture inside the dark entrance, a paradisiacal, sunny white beach appears.
See hyper-realistic wax models of your favorite stars—plus a collection of local celebrities—at Madame Tussauds in Bangkok.
Khao Sam Roi Yot, which roughly translates to “the mountain with three hundred peaks,” protects the largest wetlands area in Thailand. The park’s most popular feature is Phraya Nakhon Cave—arguably one of the most spectacular caves in all of Southeast Asia, and home to a stunning gold and green pavilion.
Temple of the Protruding Buddha (Wat Phra Thong) is most famous for the half-buried golden Buddha statue—only the head and shoulders are visible—found on its grounds. The temple, believed to be one of the island’s oldest, holds special significance to the local Thai-Chinese population, who often visit during the Chinese New Year.
The Princess Mother is what Thais call Srinagarindra, the mother of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. She passed away in 1995, and the Princess Mother Memorial Park was opened in her memory by her son, the king, in 1997. It contains a wealth of information on the influential and well-loved woman, and travelers interested in learning more about Thai history and culture will enjoy visiting.
Bangkok is a huge, congested city, but using the Skytrain makes getting around a breeze. Also called the BTS, it comprises two Skytrain lines that connect many points of interest throughout the Thai capital. Plus it’s air conditioned, clean, and affordable. Visitors to Bangkok would be well-served to travel by Skytrain at some point during their stay, if not making it a main means of transportation.
Kata Beach is both the name of a small town on Phuket’s west coast and its popular beach. The mile- (1.5 kilometer-) long, picture-perfect crescent of sand is lined with shade-giving trees and seafood restaurants and is a go-to spot for sun worshippers, families, and water sports enthusiasts.
One of Southeast Asia’s biggest aquariums, SEA LIFE® Bangkok Ocean World is home to more than 400 marine and freshwater species, from tropical fish to otters. Visitors can explore the interactive themed areas, including a Shark Walk and penguin-filled Antarctic zone, and enjoy family-friendly marine activities and 4D movies.
Situated within Chiang Dao National Park, the 6-mile-long (10-kilometer-long) Chiang Dao Caves system penetrating Thailand’s third-highest peak ranks among the most spectacular in the country. Impressive stalagmites and stalactites grow from the ceilings and floors of the five interconnected caves, along with other limestone and crystal formations.
In a country rich in traditional crafts and designs, Bangkok’s Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA provides a space for the display and celebration of contemporary art. It displays permanent and temporary exhibits, mostly from Thai artists but with some international artists on display too. MOCA is a must-visit for art lovers, and anyone interested in Thai culture, society, and history.
In a city dotted with golden Buddhist temples, Bangkok’s Hindu Sri Mariamman Temple is a colorful exception. It was founded in 1827 by Tamil immigrants from South India, and these days it’s the heart of the city’s Hindu community. Visit the temple to experience a different side of Bangkok’s religion and culture.
Golden Mountain Temple (Wat Phra That Doi Kham) is named after the forested mountain on which it’s located, just outside Chiang Mai. A much-revered site in Thailand, the temple was built towards the end of the seventh century and is known for its 56-foot-tall (17-meter-tall) Buddha statue swathed in gold robes.
Bangkok is one of Asia’s most exciting capital cities, and there’s plenty to keep visitors entertained while in port. Bangkok Cruise Port (Laem Chabang) is a popular start or end destination for cruises to China, Singapore, and Southeast Asia, welcoming cruise liners from Viking, Windstar, and Silversea, among others.
Sister island to Koh Yao Noi, Koh Yao Yai (also written Ko Yao Yai) is an unspoiled gem that sprawls amid the karst seascapes of Phang Nga Bay (Ao Phang Nga). The coast offers white sand beaches, fishing villages (many on stilts), and mangrove forests; inland are timeless landscapes of orchards, rice fields, and rubber plantations.
Nearly 200 different ruins are strewn across the 27-square-mile (70-square-kilometer) Sukhothai Historical Park (Historic Town of Sukhothai), including towering Buddhas, ornate palaces, and crumbling temples. The UNESCO World Heritage Site—one of Thailand’s most impressive—hints at what the country’s first capital might have looked like in its golden age.
Unlike typical zoos that only welcome visitors during the day, Chiang Mai Night Safari stays open from morning till late at night—so you can see how animals such as tigers, rhinos, hyenas, lions, cheetahs, wildebeests, and giraffes behave after dark. It’s modeled on Singapore Night Safari but is twice the size; the site is sprawled across some 300 acres (120 hectares) and is home to around 1,400 animals.
Perched on the banks of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, Bang Rak is a bustling neighborhood alive with sights, smells, and sounds. Most famous for its street food, sleek shopping malls, high-rise hotels, and Hindu and Buddhist temples, the area encapsulates all of Bangkok’s best bits.
This historic town in the north of Thailand is known for its quaint streets and horse-drawn carriages. Travelers use this quiet area on the bank of the Wang River as a convenient jumping-off point for trips throughout the region, but it’s also worth exploring in its own right thanks to its excellent markets, restaurants, cafés, and attractions.
Wiang Kum Kam, an ancient “lost city” on the banks of the Mae Ping River, was founded in the 13th century by King Mangrai as the Lanna capital before Chiang Mai. The city was abandoned in the 16th century due to flooding and was only rediscovered in 1984. Since then the temples and other structures have been partially restored.
