With its incredible diversity in landscapes and experiences, Thailand is a country of contrasts and one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic destinations. Travel from the riotous, sensory feast of Bangkok to quiet, contemplative temples in the countryside. Trek among remote hill tribe villages in Chiang Mai, and then trade the mountainous green forest in for the cinematic, palm-dotted beaches of the Andaman Coast.
Known just as much for its youthful and energetic nightlife as it is for its deeply spiritual, time-honored traditions, the most arduous part of Thailand travel is choosing where to go. We asked Extraordinary Journeys Southeast Asia destination experts to weigh in, highlighting 16 of the best things to do in Thailand. From street food tours to wildlife encounters and island-hopping adventures, allow these 16 inspiring experiences to guide your decision-making.
Things to Do in Thailand
1. Eat Your Way Through Bangkok
Thailand is the culinary crown jewel of Southeast Asia, and tasting one of the world’s most beloved cuisines at its source is a treat. For an authentic taste of Thai food, lose yourself in
Bangkok’s Chinatown, where a sprawling warren of back alleys dotted with streetside stalls serve classics like bright, spicy som tam and herbaceous, fragrant pad Thai. To escape the crowds, head outside the city to the weekend Amphawa Floating Market and fascinating Mae Klong Railway Market.
There are plenty of sleek, refined restaurants in Bangkok offering a modern interpretation of Thai food, too. Sit down with the hip crowd for mouth-watering curries and barbeque smoked pork at Charmgang, the recipient of a Bib Gourmand. Otherwise, dine where chefs eat, at the Michelin-starred Samrub Samrub Thai. Proprietor Chef Prin Polsuk’s menu serves recipes that herald from the era of King Rama VI, reinterpreted with local and seasonal ingredients. End your night with a nightcap at Tep Bar, an intimate lounge that features live music played on traditional Thai instruments.
2. Engage with Elephants, Responsibly
One of the most beautiful and memorable experiences in Thailand is spending time with elephants, and Extraordinary Journeys ensures these interactions are responsible, taking the guesswork out of finding an ethical option. Travel to the mountainous, lush Chiang Mai province and visit a vetted sanctuary, where you can walk alongside and bathe these gentle animals, or just observe them.
For a wilder experience, head to Khao Yai National Park, one of the few places in Thailand where elusive wild elephants roam freely. And in Chiang Rai, spend the night in a bubble dome cradled by green forest at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort. Rooted in elephant conservation, the resort has an elephant sanctuary on-site, and the animals can often be spotted lumbering around the property.
3. Hike the Emerald Green Hills of Chiang Dao
To immerse yourself in Thailand’s rugged wilderness, make time for Chiang Dao. The area is a great weekend trip if you plan on visiting Chiang Mai, which is just a short drive away. Chiang Dao is blanketed in pristine, green forest punctuated by towering limestone cliffs, natural hot springs, and tumbling waterfalls, offering the chance to trek through one of the country’s wildest landscapes. Along the way, you’ll explore hidden caves and visit hill tribe villages, connecting with locals and deepening your experience of the region’s natural beauty.
4. Experience the Magic of the Loy Krathong & Yi Peng Festivals
One of the most enchanting times to visit Thailand is during the festivals of Loy Krathong and Yi Peng, which take place in November. These colorful celebrations are a joyous and integral part of Thai culture and offer a stunning visual spectacle for travelers.
During Loy Krathong, or the “Festival of Lights,” people send beautifully decorated floating lanterns, or krathongs, down rivers and waterways in a symbolic act meant to release negativity and cultivate good wishes for the future. While celebrations take place across the country, Chiang Mai is the ultimate destination for Loy Krathong, where the entire city is enlivened with lantern releases, parades, and cultural performances. Yi Peng is unique to northern Thailand, especially Chiang Mai, and involves the release of thousands of glowing paper lanterns, or khom loi, into the night sky, carrying with them people’s hopes and dreams. These festivals make November one of the most popular times to visit Chiang Mai, so it’s wise to plan your trip in advance.
5. Take in a Muay Thai Boxing Match in Bangkok
Muay Thai, Thailand’s ancient martial art, is as much a cultural phenomenon as it is a sport. For those looking to immerse themselves in this part of Thai culture, catching a live match in Bangkok is a thrilling experience. Fighters flaunt their agility, strength, and respect in a pulse-quickening, time-honored tradition. If you’re inspired to get hands-on after witnessing a match, consider taking a Muay Thai training session with a local expert to learn about this revered practice.
6. Island-Hop the Andaman by Longtail Boat
Thailand’s Andaman Coast is marked by dreamy tropical beaches where emerald karsts and secluded islands rise from aquamarine waters. For a singular experience on the Andaman Sea, discover the natural beauty of the region as you island hop by traditional longtail boat. Glide across gin-clear waters, stopping to explore hidden caves, pristine beaches, and vibrant coral reefs. From Koh Yao Noi, visit the lesser-known Pak Bia and Koh Hong islands, or head to iconic Phang Nga Bay and James Bond Island on a day trip from Phuket or Yao Noi.
Many boat operators in the area offer scheduled group departures, but Extraordinary Journeys travelers won’t have to share this iconic longtail experience with strangers. Depart on a route designed to avoid a fray of other boats, following a schedule that flows counter to theirs. You’ll also enjoy a special picnic lunch in a secretive spot on an uninhabited island.
7. Master the Art of Thai Cuisine
Once you’ve discovered Thai food in cities like Bangkok, learn to make your favorite dishes so you can recreate the magic of Thailand travel back home. While cooking classes can be arranged in most destinations, our favorites ones don’t take place in cooking schools or at your hotel. In our opinion, who better to share a recipe than a matriarch?
On the less-visited island of Koh Yao Noi, just a short boat ride away from Phuket, enjoy a private class to discover the flavors of southern Thailand. You’ll meet Mina, at her traditional Thai home, enveloped by rice paddies and an herb garden. Name your favorite Thai dish and she will set to work in her kitchen, walking you through the herbs, flavors, and spices that form the foundation of Thai cooking. Once complete, savor the dish at Mina’s dinner table while learning more about her life.
8. Cycle the Ancient Ruins of Sukhothai
Trade the well-trodden paths of Ayutthaya in for the quieter, atmospheric ruins of Sukhothai, which served as Thailand’s first capital city during the 13th and 14th centuries. The UNESCO World Heritage site is best explored by bicycle, allowing you to navigate its ancient temples and Buddhist sculptures in relative solitude. Glide past Wat Mahathat and Wat Si Chum, hugged by lotus ponds and green forest, to enjoy a contemplative journey back in time where you’ll learn about early Thai civilization and the renowned ‘Sukhothai style’ architecture.
9. Wander Chiang Rai’s White Temple
Travelers touring Thailand will visit many grand temples. The White Temple, or Wat Rong Khun, defies categories and architectural styles, making it one of the most unique religious sites you’ll visit in Thailand. The dazzling, all-white temple was designed (and is owned by) Buddhist artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, showcasing an unconventional blend of traditional Buddhist architecture and fantastical, surrealist design. (Is that Predator emerging from the ground?) Weave through intricate sculptures, mirrored mosaics, and contemporary art that surprise at every turn. Even if you’re “templed out” by the time you reach Chiang Rai, Wat Rong Khun is one you don’t want to sit out.
10. Shop Chiang Mai’s Night Bazaar
A visit to Chiang Mai’s sprawling night bazaar is a feast for the senses. Meander down lantern-lit alleys taking in the colorful sights, a cacophony of music, sizzling food, and vendors slinging their wares while a medley of heady scents perfumes the night air. The densely packed stalls offer everything from handmade textiles to eclectic antiques. Spend the evening on a treasure hunt for one-of-a-kind keepsakes such as a hand-stitched Hmong bag or an intricately carved piece of silver jewelry, then order a steaming bowl of khao soi, the city’s signature coconut curry noodle dish, at a streetside stall.
11. Adventure in Khao Sok National Park
If you’re seeking adventure in the wilderness during your travel to Thailand, head to Khao Sok National Park on Thailand’s Andaman Coast. This immersive nature experience offers the best of the country’s natural splendor. Towering limestone cliffs rise out of emerald lakes, and misty, biodiverse rainforests teem with wildlife. Spend your days kayaking or canoeing on Cheow Lan Lake, trekking along forest trails, or birdwatching amidst the sounds of the jungle, keeping your eyes peeled for gibbons and hornbills.
12. Hike to Waterfalls in Erawan National Park
Escape to Erawan National Park, located northwest of Bangkok in the Tenasserim Hills range of Kanchanaburi Province. Named after the fierce, three-headed elephant in Hindu mythology, this park is a sanctuary for those seeking both adventure and tranquility. Follow trails that wind through evergreen and deciduous forest, and don’t miss the highlight of the park, a stunning seven-tiered waterfall that cascades through the trees. Each tier has a natural emerald pool where you can take a refreshing dip after working up a sweat on the trail.
13. Kayak the Mangroves of Ao Thalane
Get into the heart of nature not far from the popular beach destination of Krabi by exploring the serene waterways of Ao Thalane. This is one of the best kayaking destinations in Thailand, and you’ll paddle through mangroves under a sun-dappled, green canopy, and along narrow channels flanked by towering limestone cliffs, spotting the region’s abundant wildlife en route. Keep an eye out for the birdlife including kingfishers, egrets, and white-bellied sea eagles. This peaceful experience is a nice contrast to Thailand’s bustling cities and beach towns.
14. Zip Along the Streets of Bangkok in a Tuk-Tuk
Travel to Thailand should include at least one ride in a tuk-tuk, a three-wheeled rickshaw that functions like a taxi. Feel the pulse of Bangkok as you hop into the open-sided vehicle, zipping down the city’s lively streets and hidden alleys with the wind in your face. This quintessentially Thai experience offers a thrilling and immersive way to explore lesser-known enclaves, colorful markets, and the city’s vibrant nightscapes. Hold on tight as your driver expertly navigates the chaotic traffic and din of horns and motorbikes, giving you a front-row seat to this energetic city.
15. Snorkel or Dive in the Similan Islands
For those who truly want to get off the beaten track, an underwater paradise awaits in the Similan Islands, a small archipelago in the Andaman Sea off the west coast of Thailand. The islands are home to some of the best dive sites in Southeast Asia, far from the crowds of Phuket. Renowned for its biodiversity, this protected area brims with kaleidoscopic coral reefs that teem with neon fish, rays, and gentle sea turtles. Visitors will be heartened to find a thriving marine environment that hasn’t been tainted by coral bleaching.
Given The Similan Islands’ far-flung location, the archipelago is experienced as a full-day trip, departing Khao Lak and cruising 90 minutes offshore on a shared boat. Once you’ve arrived at your first sand-hemmed island, don a mask and fins to inspect clown fish flitting between anemones, then explore terra firma on a guide hike to a scenic viewpoint for panoramic bay views. Savor a Thai picnic lunch on a white sand beach before a second dip into the azure shallows.
16. Cruise the Chao Phraya River at Sunset
Step aboard a hacker boat, a luxurious mahogany motorboat, for a private cruise along the Chao Phraya River. Toast the sunset with Champagne in hand as you drift past Bangkok’s wooden riverside houses, historic temples, and iconic landmarks such as Wat Arun and the Grand Palace, all cast against the city’s glittering skyline. This intimate cruise offers a refined way to experience the past and present of Bangkok’s vibrant riverside life while feeling as if you’re living out a scene from a James Bond movie.
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