Neil Aronson Thailand is one of the most popular and best countries in Asia to visit. Every year tens of thousands of tourists, travelers and backpackers head to this amazing country, and it’s not difficult to understand why. Not to mention the affordability, especially with current exchange rates.
There is something for everyone on every budget. Incredible culture and people, history and nature, and of course all the fun things to do. Let’s not forget the food, nightlife, outdoor activities, beaches, mountains, cities, and quiet villages.
So probably the hardest part of planning a trip to Thailand, or moving there, is deciding which areas of the country to visit. Each area and province is different and lots of people have their preference as to their most popular. The food, culture and vibes are also different depending on where you go.
These places in Thailand are a must if you are visiting the country. Whether you want to explore ancient temples or just enjoy beach life, read the list and you will find something for you.
This guide will hopefully help you decide what areas to visit depending on your travel style and tastes. Are you looking for a Spring Break party scene? Or peace in the mountains or secluded beach. Culture and food tour, or adventure sports? Thailand has it all.
If you love sightseeing and history, in Thailand you will find some of the most amazing temples and ancient cities in Asia. If you love hiking and nature, in Thailand you will find wonderful national parks. If you just want to relax on a beautiful beach, in Thailand you will find it hard to pick a destination, because it’s full of dreamy islands with perfect beaches and bays.
Resources
Agoda is the best place to book cheap affordable hotels in Thailand, especially near national parks. They also book flights as well.
Expedia is my favorite place to book flights, hotels, cars, and more. Their group includes Hotels.com and Vrbo for vacation rentals.
Viator is the top choice for activities. Book everything from a waterfall tour to scuba diving, jungle trekking to cooking classes. Do the Chiang Mai Golf Challenge from Viator.
12Go is the top transportation source for Asia. From busses to trains to regional flights.
The Places:
Bangkok
It’s impossible not to include Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, in this list. Bangkok is an amazing and unusual city, you have to see it at least once in your life. Or if the big city scene is your thing, than make it your main destination. Year after year it keep changing and that’s why travelers love to visit it multiple times and come back to see what is different from the first time they have gone.
Bangkok is often used by travelers as a jumping off point for travel to other parts of Thailand, such as Chiang Mai in the north, or the many fantastic islands and beaches to the south.
Bangkok is a mix of a modern chaotic city and ancient temples, and that’s why it is so unique. If you love ancient monuments you can’t miss the Grand Palace, if you love nature you have to hike Mount Wat Saket, and if you want to see something very typical you have to go to the floating markets. And of course if you love to party and nightlife, then it is one of the most popular for that.
Where to stay in Bangkok
The good thing about Bangkok is that it is a big city and it has so many different kinds of accommodations. If you are on a budget and you are looking for cheap hostels, in Bangkok you will find a lot of backpackers hostels, and in this case you have to stay in Khao San Road.
Bangkok is also divided up into different sections, each has different vibes and things to do. So depending on what you like, it is important to pick the right area. A couple of the most popular are Sukhumvit and Siam, which are both in the middle of the city are offer lots of things to do, plus many great mid range hotels.
If you are looking for some luxury and a unique stay and you don’t worry about budget, try to look at the Riverside area, and you will find some very beautiful hotels.
For more on Bangkok hotels and area to visit, read The Best Bangkok Thailand Areas.
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai has become the most popular places in Thailand for visitors over the past 15 years. Especially for expats moving to Thailand. I can understand why, my wife is from here and we call it home. It is full of historical buildings and fortified ancient walls, as well as the friendliest people in Thailand. Home to over 300 Buddhist temple, some more than 700 years old.
Located in the Northern mountain region of the country. Chiang Mai, meaning ‘New City’, was founded in 1296 by King Mangrai, as the new capital of the Lanna Kingdom. It is the largest city in the northern region and serves as the capital of Chiang Mai Province. The population in the city is less than 200,000, however there is about 1.2 million living in the entire metropolitan area.
Because of the layout and walkability of the city, if you are staying in the city center, ‘walled city’, you can walk to everything. Or take a short tuk tuk ride, ride a bike, or take a songthaew (local bus).
The food is amazing and you can get everything from great pizza to of course local Thai Street Food. Hotels are for all budgets, from $5 hostels, to the $1,800 Four Seasons.
Nightlife and outdoor activities abound. You are also close to make amazing National Parks. If you love waterfalls, the largest in Thailand are near Chiang Mai. All these National Parks are within an hour. Read our details articles on each.
Where to stay in Chiang Mai
You can choose to stay inside the city walls and be at walking distance from the main attractions, of you can stay a little bit outside and have a quiet place if you want to relax and maybe work without distractions. Like Bangkok, there are different areas of the city to stay in, depending on your preference. I always recommend in Old City. Find out all the details in The Ultimate Guide To The Best Of Chiang Mai.
Three of my favorites in the Old City are:
Somwang Boutique House Small with nice outdoors and pool. Excellent walking location. Our standard room was very big. Staff is friendly. Only 2 parking spots.
MD Boutique Located on Ratvithi Rd, which is central. Close to Zoe In Yellow if you like to party. Very nice rooms, parking, and the staff was so friendly when we were recently there.
Bodhi Serene Our top pick. Incredible value for how nice it is. Great location to walk and friendly staff.
If you are looking for more peaceful mountain escapes, I would recommend the Mae Rim Area, and stay at one of my favorites shown below, Pak Ram.
Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai is very similar to Chiang Mai, it’s just smaller. It’s a wonderful destination, especially to see the unique White Temple Wat Rong Kuhn. Thousands of travelers go to the city just to see the temple and take some pictures of it.
Located in the northeast corner of Thailand, it is most popular for visiting the The Golden Triangle. Which is at the confluence of the Mekong and Ruak rivers, though it’s better known as the spot where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet. Located next to the Golden Triangle, the Hall of Opium is a small museum with an exhibition about the opium trade.
Chiang Rai Thailand is often overlooked by people visiting its neighbor Chiang Mai. Perhaps partly because it is a little bit isolated, and almost a 3 hour drive from Chiang Mai. But this may give it an advantage for travelers wanting to visit Chiang Rai Thailand. As a result, there are less tourists, prices are even cheaper, and there is still plenty to do and see.
It’s not the only thing to see, Chiang Rai also has some other very nice temples like the Blue Temple, and some interesting typical markets to explore. There are plenty of outdoor activities to do such as golf, hiking, hot air balloons, and taking a boat tour up the Kok river.
A most popular attraction in the area is to visit one of the many ethnic hilltribe communities. Tours can also be arranged through Viator. Check out the beautiful countryside with this tour to Chiang Saen and Chiang Khong. You’ll learn about local ethnic minority culture, see the ancient capital of the Lanna Kingdom, meet local artisans, and more
Where to stay in Chiang Rai
The city and surrounding area has something for everyone and every budget. From hostels with shared bathrooms, to the luxury on the Kok River, or the Four Season Tented Camp out in the wilderness. So all areas will have hotels of every type.
The Riverie By Katathani – Large luxury resort on the Kok River, close to temple.
Le Méridien Chiang Rai Resort – Large luxury resort on the Kok River.
Mora Boutique Hotel – Great option in the city center, close to everything. Walk to the Night Market, shops, restaurants. Borrow a bike and go for a ride around town.
Villa Mungkala – Colonial Villa – Bed and Breakfast hotel. Close to city center, river, temples, golf.
Baan Mai Kradan Hostel – Nice Hostel in city center. Walk to Night Market, Museums, and all other attractions.
Bura Resort – Super cool mountain retreat north of the city about 20 minutes. Close to waterfalls.
Pai
Pai is one of the most popular destinations of backpackers heading to Thailand. They usually go just for a quick visit and they end up staying there for such a long time. This is because there is so much to do but it’s also a good place to relax after traveling for a long time, so you can meet lots of long term travelers in Pai.
Pai is in the Mae Hong Soon Province of northern Thailand. It sits in a valley on the banks of the Pai River. It’s known for its nearby gorges, hot springs like the Tha Pai Hot Spring and waterfalls like Mo Paeng Waterfall. Downtown, food stalls and handicraft shops line Pai Walking Street. West of town lies Baan Santichon, a traditional Chinese village with clay houses and eateries serving Yunnan cuisine.
It takes about 3-4 hours to get there from Chiang Mai on route 1095. Getting there is easy from Chiang Mai as there are lots of busses and other tour options for getting you there. 12Go is a great source for transportation in Thailand.
Where to stay in Pai
If you want to be close to the streets of the city and to the good restaurants in Pai, the best option is to stay close to the city center.
Agoda has the best hotel selection for Pai and the surrounding area.
In town stay at the elegant Quarter Resort, for the price of a budget hotel most everywhere else.
If you prefer a quiet place where you can really relax and maybe try some yoga, you can stay a little bit further and rent scooters to reach the village. In this way you can really enjoy the scenery on the mountains.
Phuket
For sure, Phuket is one of the most popular destinations in Thailand, maybe too much. But you can’t miss this island on a trip to Thailand, it’s a place that you have to see and experience.
This most popular island province is located in the southern part of Thailand in the Andaman Sea. Known for its stunning beaches, clear waters, and vibrant nightlife. Many people stay there for part of their trip, and hop to another nearby island or destination like Krabi.
If you are looking for beach life, this is the place to go. The good thing is that the island is quite big, and you have plenty of options in terms of beaches. And you have also a good amount of choice if you want to head to the minor islands in the surrounding area and enjoy untouched beaches.
Aside from its beaches, Phuket is also home to cultural attractions such as the Big Buddha, Wat Chalong, and the Old Phuket Town, where visitors can explore historical buildings, temples, and local markets. The island offers a wide range of activities for tourists, including snorkeling, diving, jet skiing, and island hopping tours to nearby destinations like Phi Phi Islands below, and James Bond Island.
Where to stay in Phuket
Phuket is good to party hard all night but also to chill and enjoy the beach. If you are looking for parties, you have to stay in Patong. If you prefer a more relaxed place you have to stay in Rawai or Kata Beach.
Krabi
Krabi is a good alternative to Phuket if you can’t stand the crowds of tourists but still want to enjoy the beautiful beaches of Thailand.
It is an amazing place for outdoor sports and activities like taking a Kayak tour through Mangroves, hiking, and the many ocean activities like snorkeling and diving.
From Krabi you can take a boat and explore some amazing islands or you can go adventuring in the waterfalls and caves nearby. There is so much to do in this place, and you can’t skip it if you are visiting Thailand. Just to mention some gems, from Krabi you can visit Maya Bay beach and Phi Phi islands.
Where to stay in Krabi
You can stay by the beach in simple guesthouses if you are on a budget, or in luxurious resorts with private beach front if you don’t worry about the price.
Rayavadee Resport is situated in the heart of Krabi’s beautiful Phranang Peninsula on the border of Krabi Marine National Park. Stay here for complete luxury.
Search Agoda for all budgets and styles.
You can even choose to stay on Phi Phi islands overnight but it could be a little bit pricey.
Koh Samui
We need to include in the list another of the most popular Thai islands, Koh Samui. Koh Samui is the second largest island in Thailand, making it full of things to do. But also can get crowded.
Koh Samui is located south of Bangkok in the Gulf of Thailand, not far off the coast. There are several ways to get there so you can visit these best beaches. We recommend using AirAsia if flying. Or use 12Go which has all your options, from flights with Bangkok Airways, to busses trains and boats.
This is the island to pick if you are looking for adventure. You can go hiking in the jungle, visit some temples, waterfalls, and do some fun activities like paddle boarding. Koh Samui has no shortage of things to do, being Thailand’s second largest island. Learn more about these activities on Viator
It is most popular for its stunning best beaches, lush rainforests, vibrant nightlife, and a wide range of recreational activities. It is recommended to try and go during lower tourists times. High season is January-April.
Nearby Koh Phangan Island is famous for its Full Moon Parties, which bring a lot of people, so check those dates if you either want to avoid it or join in.
Where to stay in Koh Samui
The best places to stay in Koh Samui are all on the beach. It makes no sense to stay far from the beach, you are on an island and you just need to enjoy the beach vibes. Comparing to other more expensive beach destinations, you will find also cheap options in many nice guesthouses.
Different beaches are most popular for different things, such as nightlife on Chawang beach, or peace on Choeng Mon Beach. For a complete rundown, read our article. The Best Beaches and Hotels in Koh Samui.
Pattaya And Koh Samet
Pattaya is the most popular beach party location for people from Bangkok to get away for the weekend. It is located only about an hour from Bangkok. Most popular for the areas near the beach, including the famous walking street, if you are looking for the club scene and strip clubs.
Koh Samet Island is a short boat ride off the coast from Pattaya and Rayong city, which I why I am including them together. Most people want to visit each of these areas for just a few days. It is sort of like going to Las Vegas. I few days is enough!
Koh Samet Island has some amazing beaches and lots of great restaurants and hotels right on the beach. It is also pretty much a party scene on the weekends especially. There are some secluded resorts on quiet beaches.
Belle on the boat to Koh Samet, ten years ago!
For all the beaches and places to stay on Koh Samet, we have you covered in our complete article: Koh Samet Island.
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