Part of the beautiful Wat Khlong Thom temple complex, the Wat Khlong Thom Museum offers an interesting archaeological experience for people visiting Krabi. It’s a great place to visit if you'd like to gain a better understanding of the history of the region.
Located on the grounds of a former training camp for hill tribe youth, the Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park houses an impressive collection of art and artifacts from the culturally distinct Lanna Kingdom, including many murals and teak pieces. It’s surrounded by a beautiful expanse of parkland full of indigenous plants.
Just 38 miles (50 kilometers) from the Cambodian border in Thailand’s Isan region, the Phanom Rung Historical Park (Prasat Hin Phanom Rung) houses a spectacular Khmer temple perched atop an extinct volcano. Follow in the steps of long-dead pilgrims up the warm sandstone staircase to discover towers, bridges, galleries, walkways, and more.
Soi Cowboy Street is a vibrant nightlife hub in Bangkok that’s famous for its go-go bars, lively atmosphere, and appearance in the movie The Hangover Part II. Named after a retired American airman—T.G. “Cowboy” Edwards, who opened the first bar here in the 1970s—it’s now a bustling street lined with around 40 bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
Khao Toh Sae, better known as Monkey Hill, is a popular Phuket landmark. At 360 feet (110 meters) high, it’s one of the town’s highest hills and offers panoramic views of Phuket Town, the surrounding islands, and the Andaman Sea. Its popular name comes from the hundreds of macaques that call the hill home.
The 18th-century Wat Mahathat is one of Bangkok’s royal temples, and one of the most important in the city. It’s a center of Mahanikai Buddhism, one of Thailand’s major Buddhist schools, and houses Thailand’s first Buddhist University. Vipassana meditation classes are held here, so it’s a popular place with both locals and travelers, and there are many buildings to check out.
The 10-acres (40,000-square-meter Black Mountain Water Park is one of the most popular regional attractions. Large, clean, and staffed with lifeguards, this waterpark has all the crowd-pleasers, including Thailand’s biggest wave pool, lazy river, zero-entry pool, children’s pool, and a 56-foot (17-meter tall tower with nine water slides.
Just north of Bangkok, this par 72 course is popular among golfers for its beautifully manicured, hilly expanses dotted with trees and water features. The course, designed by Ron Garl, has hosted a number of international events, including the Asian Games, the Thailand Ladies Open, and the Johnnie Walker Classic Tournament.
In keeping with Ko Pha Ngan’s party spirit, Slip N Fly is more than just a water park. It’s a daytime pool party, with two 130-foot (40-meter) slides, a couple of smaller slides, a large freshwater pool, plus dancers, musicians, and DJs. As you’d expect, the island’s notorious “bucket” drink options flow throughout the day.
Straddling the border of Thailand and Myanmar, the Mae Sai Valley is a lush, mountainous area that serves as a convenient gateway to the Golden Triangle—the intersection of Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos. The border town of Mae Sai, though not the prettiest in northern Thailand, has plenty of accommodations, food stalls, and souvenir stalls.
Just outside Bangkok, along the banks of the Tachine River, the community-style resort of Sampran Riverside has been welcoming visitors since the 1960s. Sign up for a workshop, treat yourself at the spa, or check out the organic farm—there’s something for everyone at this ecocultural park.
Set on a hill in Chaweng, High Park Samui is a small water park with an adventure zone that also hosts regular pool parties and foam parties. Besides several pools, two large slides, two climbing walls, a zipline, a freefall vertical drop, and bumper-car drift racing, enjoy massages, sunset views, DJs, and food and drink.
Lamai Beach vies with Chaweng Beach for the title of Koh Samui’s prettiest beach, especially along its less coral-strewn southern stretches. Less developed than Chaweng, and therefore more relaxed, Lamai offers year-round swimming, and boasts the granite rock formations known as Grandmother and Grandfather. As Lamai has grown in popularity, the backpacking crowd has been replaced with resort seekers.
The 2,000-store-strong Platinum Fashion Mall is an enormous wholesale shopping mall in central Bangkok. Savvy shoppers come here for retail shopping, too, as you don’t have to buy in bulk quantities. Wearable fashion is well-represented here, but you can also find souvenirs, technology, and more. With sharp bargaining skills, you’ll be able to find a few deals as well.
Kanchanaburi Safari Park is a great place to take a photo with giraffes and see several other animal species roaming around their pens. Crocodile and elephant shows are also available, which can be an entertaining way to learn about these animals that most people don’t encounter every day. This makes it a fun activity for the entire family.
Terminal 21 in Bangkok offers a unique shopping experience in an airport–inspired mall. Floors are dedicated to different destinations, staff wear flight attendant uniforms, and there are arrival and departure areas. Shoppers can explore more than 600 stores from Tokyo and Istanbul to Rome and San Francisco, visit the on-site cinema, or indulge in international cuisine at the food court.
A strip of bone-white sand lapped by the Andaman Sea and backed by limestone cliffs, Monkey Beach is an unspoiled slice of paradise. Or at least its residents think so—hundreds of long-tailed macaques call this place home. The turquoise waters surrounding it are also among the top snorkel spots in the Phi Phi islands.
For a turtle immersion, head out to the Royal Thai Navy Third Fleet Turtle Nursery near Khao Lak in Phang-nga. Nature and animal lovers will enjoy seeing the turtles, from babies to the older guys, being raised and taken care of by a compassionate staff. Your visit is welcome, and makes an educational break from jungle or beach time.
Siam Paragon is one of Bangkok's largest shopping malls, featuring international high-end fashion brands, a sprawling aquarium, a 16-screen cinema, and a diverse selection of eateries. Shoppers can spend a full day here exploring around 250 shops, as well as family-friendly attractions like SEA LIFE® Bangkok Ocean World and Madame Tussauds Bangkok.
Sea creatures are the stars at Aquaria Phuket, a large aquarium on the basement level of the Central Phuket Floresta mall. The aquarium is home to around 6,000 fish and animals, and features a solid schedule of feedings, presentations, and even “mermaid” shows.
A warren of alleyways near the soaring Baiyoke Sky building in Bangkok, Pratunam Market offers wholesale fast fashion from local factories between dawn to mid-afternoon. Later, Pratunam Night Market fills with the scent of grilled Thai food and the glow of neon, with stalls selling everything from souvenirs to off-brand electronics.
Check out the views of Bangkok from the 61st floor of the Moon Bar, the city’s best venue to sip a delicately crafted cocktail and watch the sunset. This is a popular spot, so you might have to wait—but the views are worth it, especially at nighttime. Sathon is close to Lumphini Park, so it makes a great stop after a day of sightseeing.
With over 1,000 birds including more than 100 different species ranging from colorful parrots and hornbills to giant ostrich and peacock, Phuket Bird Park offers a comprehensive introduction to Thailand’s exotic birdlife. Visitors can see the birds show off their natural skills during a live show and feed them under supervision from the staff.
After temple touring around Bangkok, take a break and head to Benjakitti Park, a green oasis in the heart of the city. With trees, a man-made lake, and bike and walking paths, it’s a pleasant place to stroll or just sit and relax. Exercisers head here to jog, ride bikes, or tone up using outdoor exercise equipment.
Phuket is a huge island, loaded with beaches that all have their own feel. Surin is perfect for those who want a more relaxed vibe, but who still want the comforts of being able to rent beach chairs and try some local goodies from food vendors. Stay for sunset, if you like a bit of a party atmosphere.
The first of its kind in Thailand, Phuket’s Upside Down House (Baan Teelanka) defies gravity by letting you walk on the ceiling and climb the walls. It might feel mind-bending as you grow accustomed to the strange sensation of having the floor above and the ceiling below, but once you do, you’ll emerge with a collection of snaps that’ll take social media by storm.
Jam-packed with blaring bars, street food stalls, and massage parlors, Khaosan Road is the epicenter of Bangkok’s backpacker scene. The strip reveals Thailand's capital at its boldest and brashest, with flashing neon signs, erotic shows, and scorpions-on-sticks. And while it might not be the most authentic side of Bangkok, it's worth visiting just to experience the electric atmosphere, which reaches its peak after dark.
Often referred to as simply the “Blue Temple" by English speakers, Wat Rong Suea Ten is a modern temple known for its intricate ornamental designs and its heavy use of the color blue. It was created by local artist Sala Nok, a student of Chalermchai Kositpipat, the artist who created the better-known White Temple just south of Chiang Rai.
Even though it is only 610 feet (186 meters) high, the Phi Phi Viewpoint offers some of the best views in town. After a short but steep hike, you’ll be rewarded with three different viewpoints, from which you can see the jungle-covered hills, white-sand isthmus, and iridescent waters of Ko Phi Phi Don.
Flowing from the Daen Lao Mountains in Myanmar and running for more than 177 miles (285 kilometers) before meeting the Mekong River along the Laos border, the Mae Kok River is one of the most important in Northern Thailand. Linking Chiang Rai to the northern villages and borders, it serves a key role in the lives of residents and as a route for trade.
