Places to Visit in Thailand

By | October 15, 2021

Thailand has become one of the most popular travel destinations in the world, and not without good reason. Fantastic natural scenery, tasty cuisine and a rich culture are just a few arguments that speak for the Southeast Asian country. According to hyperrestaurant, Thailand borders with Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. The capital and by far the largest city is Bangkok. The 68 million inhabitants of the country belong to the majority of the ethnic group of the Thai. The predominant religion is Buddhism, the importance of which is also reflected in everyday life. The main source of income in the country is tourism. In 2015, 19 million tourists visited the country. In total, Thailand has an area of ​​513,115 km² and is criss-crossed by different landscapes. The main rivers are the Mae Nam Chao Phraya and the Mekong. Thailand is also the habitat of numerous animal species that can be discovered on a trip to Thailand. Therefore, the most important types of tourism are recreational trips, cultural sightseeing trips, business trips and of course beach stays and backpacker trips. Therefore, there is a lot to discover from the country on a variety of inexpensive round trips and there should be something for everyone.

Bangkok

Bangkok has been the capital of the Kingdom of Thailand since 1782. It is the starting point for many travelers to Southeast Asia, as you can get cheap flights from Germany. The city has around 8.2 million inhabitants, making it by far the largest city in the country. In it, tradition and modernity mix like in hardly any other city. In addition to high skyscrapers and office buildings, there are also around 400 Buddhist temples that can be admired. Therefore, Bangkok is a must on any trip to Thailand. The oldest part of the city is the Rattanakosin Island in the Phra Nakhon district, here you should definitely visit the Royal Palace (Grand Palace) with its richly decorated temple Wat Phra Kaeo with the “Emerald Buddha”. Another unique temple is the Wat Arun “Temple of the Dawn”, as it was built in the Khmer style, which is atypical for Thailand. If you want to marvel at the huge reclining gold Buddha, which just fits into the building, you have to visit the Wat Pho temple. But do not miss the rest of the temple complex, because it is also absolutely worth seeing.
Lumpini Park is one of the most famous green spaces in Bangkok. The large green area in the city center is an interesting destination. You are not alone here, many huge monitor lizards walk through the park.

In the middle of the city is an artificially created mountain, the Golden Mount with a golden chedi on its summit. Here is one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the city. You should also have seen the Bangkok skyline from a skyscraper, or enjoy this spectacular sight in the evening from a skybar. In the evening you can also attend one of the legendary Thai boxing matches.

If you want to get to know Bangkok from a different perspective, you should take a boat trip on the Chao Phraya, the River of Kings.
Backpackers from all over the world meet on Khao San Road.

If you want to experience China in the middle of Bangkok, you should venture into Yaowarat Road, the main street of China Town. But things get even more interesting in the small side streets like Sampheng Gasse, which is so narrow that two people can just pass each other. Here you can find everything that makes the Made in China heart beat faster. The Chatuchak market, one of the largest markets in the world, is also a very special shopping experience.
If you want to see Thailand in one day, you should visit the Ancient Siam Park outside the city. There are over 120 sights that have either been reconstructed from all over Thailand or the originals are built in this park.
Ayutthaya, Siam’s old royal city, is 70 kilometers north of Bangkok. A day trip there is worthwhile. The Amphawa Floating Market, about an hour from the city, is also a special experience.

Chang Mai

After about an hour’s flight to the north, you will reach the relaxed city of Chiang Mai. The many temples and the huge night market are among the highlights and you can take part in many tours in the area, such as jungle adventures, visits to tiger temples or elephant farms. It is not for nothing that the city is nicknamed the “Rose of the North”. The Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Temple, west of Chang Mai on Mount Doi Suthep, is particularly impressive. The Bhubing Palace is a former royal residence and its magnificent gardens invite you to stroll and stroll. Just as interesting are Wat Chiang Man with the “crystal Buddha”, the richly decorated temple complex Wat Phra Singh and the huge ruins of Wat Chedi Luang. The province of Chiang Mai also has a lot to discover, here you will find endless flooded rice fields, huge mountain ranges, dense forests and jungle areas. The so-called Ping Valley impresses at first glance with its rich colors and dreamy landscapes. The Huai Nam Dang National Park, Doi Inthanon and Doi Angkhang, three of the most important national parks in Thailand, are also nearby.
Even further north is Chiang Rai with the white Wat Rong Khun temple. The place is located in the mountains near the Golden Triangle, as the border between Thailand, Laos and Myanmar is also called. The historic temple city of Sukhothai with over 200 temples, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is about halfway between Bangkok and Chiang Mai and is also worth a visit.

Adaman Sea, the west coast of Thailand

The beaches of Khao Lak, which are ideal for snorkeling and swimming, are world famous. If you are looking for more peace and quiet than in the well-known tourist resort, you should travel to the island of Koh Kho Khao in the north. From both places you can quickly get to Koh Similan National Park, Thailand’s diving paradise. But not only beach holidaymakers get their money’s worth here, because the scenic Khao Sok National Park is located in the hinterland. We recommend taking part in a two-day tour to Ratchaprapha Lake.
Phuket is located south of Khao Lak. The great beaches attract millions of package holidaymakers to the island year after year. Nevertheless, there are still undiscovered corners and lonely beaches on the island. In addition to the most important temple in Phuket, Wat Chalong, the Big Buddha is also a real highlight of the island. From Phuket you can quickly get to the most famous photo motifs in Thailand: the beautiful Phang Nga Bay, on the rocks of which James Bond hung, and the Maya Bay on Ko Phi Phi, where Leonardo di Caprio discovered his dream beach in The Beach.
The coastal town of Krabi and the surrounding countryside are famous for the soaring limestone cliffs. One should make a trip to the turquoise-blue Emerald Pool and the Tiger Cave Temple.

Further south there are islands that are largely undiscovered by mass tourism, such as Koh Ngai and Koh Muk.

Gulf of Thailand

In the Gulf of Thailand are some of the most visited islands, which with their dream beaches are among the top travel destinations in the country. The largest and most famous island is Ko Samui. Here are the hippest beaches, Chaweng and Lamai. The quieter Mae Nam Beach is also popular with families and couples. There are other sights on the island that you can visit as part of a guided tour or discover them yourself with a rented motorcycle. The Big Buddha on an offshore island, which can be reached via a dam, is something like the symbol of the island. It is a golden Buddha statue that was built in 1972 and is 12 m high. From here you have a great view of the surrounding beaches.

Not far away is the temple complex Wat Plai Laem, which combines Thai and Chinese influences. The temple Wat Khunaram is located in the south of the island and the highlight here is a mummified monk who is still sitting in meditation posture. The Tarnim Magic Garden is located in the middle of the jungle Ko Samui and is really worth a trip. The pretty Na Muang waterfalls are also located in the middle of the jungle and are not that easy to get to. The best way to discover the Ang Thong National Park, an archipelago of 42 islands, is to join a guided tour.

The legendary Full Moon Parties take place on the neighboring island of Koh Phangan. And the island is also considered to be one of the party strongholds worldwide. However, there are also quieter beaches such as Thong Nai Pan Beach.

The smallest island, Kho Tao, is ideal for divers. The underwater world here is impressive and there are some excellent diving spots. You can also get your diving license here. Those who prefer to snorkel should visit Tanote Bay and Hin Wong. Of course there are also other islands that have not yet been developed by (mass) tourism and therefore offer completely different experiences.

Mobility

There are very cheap flight connections to Thailand and within the country. The road network in Thailand is relatively well developed and there are numerous expressways. There is left-hand traffic in the country. A rental car trip is ideal for individual travelers. The long-distance bus routes are also very well developed, inexpensive and reliable. The rail network connects most large cities with trains. The trains are a bit slower but also very comfortable. In some parts of the river you can also take cruises or excursions in tourist boats. Organized round trips allow you to explore a large part of the country. Most small group tours also include a beach break on one of Thailand’s heavenly beaches.

Places to Visit in Thailand