Guides

•QUICK GUIDE MUST-SEE DESTINATIONS•

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Thailand is a country of extraordinary diversity. From sprawling megacities to paradise islands, from the misty mountains of the north to ancient temples, each region has its own identity, energy and secrets. This guide is a first compass — a quick overview of the must-see destinations to help you choose where to go and what to prioritise. Each of these destinations will have its own detailed guide in our upcoming publications. Here, we give you the essentials to start dreaming and planning.

Bangkok: The Starting Point

For the vast majority of travellers, the Thai adventure begins in Bangkok. Suvarnabhumi International Airport, one of the largest and busiest in Asia, is the country’s main gateway. Whether arriving from Europe, America, the Middle East or elsewhere, Bangkok is almost always the first stop — and often the last before heading home.

Some travellers land at Don Mueang, Bangkok’s second airport, mainly used by Asian low-cost carriers for domestic and regional flights. But in any case, Bangkok naturally establishes itself as both the starting point and the arrival point of any trip to Thailand.

And that is a very good thing. Because Bangkok deserves to be savoured.

Bangkok is not a city you visit. It is a city you live. And often, it overwhelms you.

The Thai capital is one of the most intense cities in the world. Loud, chaotic, spellbinding — it can feel overwhelming at first. Then it gets hold of you, and you never want to leave.

What strikes you first in Bangkok is not necessarily the temples or the palaces. It is the permanent spectacle of the street. Street food stalls spilling onto the pavements, tuk-tuks weaving between cars, monks in saffron robes walking at dawn, skyscrapers rising behind century-old neighbourhood markets. That is Bangkok. A collision of eras, cultures and energies coexisting without even looking at each other.

You can spend hours simply walking, stopping, watching. Strolling along the banks of the Chao Phraya, getting lost in the backstreets of Chinatown in Yaowarat, wandering through floating markets, sitting in a café and watching the city breathe. Bangkok is best enjoyed with wide-open eyes, no fixed plan, no checklist.

The big sites are there — the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun — and they are worth seeing, often just from the outside or from the river. But Bangkok is like Paris. You do not need to enter every monument to be overwhelmed by the city’s beauty and energy. The spectacle is everywhere, all the time, for free.

Getting around Bangkok. The BTS Skytrain and MRT are your best allies for avoiding the legendary traffic jams. For short distances, the tuk-tuk is an experience worth having at least once. The Grab and Bolt apps let you take a taxi at a fixed price with no nasty surprises. To use them from the moment you leave the airport, you need to be connected. An eSIM 5G with unlimited data active from the moment you land means Bangkok is right at your fingertips — Grab, Google Maps, translation, everything works without hunting for wifi or a local SIM card. Our 7, 15 and 30-day plans are available at thailandentry.com.

Bangkok deserves to be lingered over. Whether you have a day or a week, the city will always give you more than you expected. And those who leave too quickly always go with the urge to come back.

The North: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Beyond

Northern Thailand is another planet entirely. No beaches, no mass tourism. Instead, jungle-covered mountains, temples of absolute serenity, ancient hill tribes, enchanting night markets and a cuisine that bears no resemblance to the rest of the country.

It is the Thailand that many travellers never discover. And it is often the one they fall most in love with.

Chiang Mai — Capital of the North

Chiang Mai is one hour by plane from Bangkok, in another world entirely. The ancient capital of the Lanna kingdom, the city has preserved its historic centre surrounded by moats and ramparts. Within these walls, over 300 temples, cobbled lanes, trendy coffee shops and artisan markets that delight wanderers.

The Old Quarter. This is the historic heart of Chiang Mai. Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chiang Man — the temples follow one another in an atmosphere of rare serenity. In the evenings, the lanes come alive with restaurants and bars lit by lanterns. It is one of the most beautiful evening atmospheres in all of Thailand.

Doi Suthep. The temple perched on the mountain that dominates Chiang Mai is one of the most sacred in the North. The view over the city and the plain below is exceptional. The temple is even more beautiful at dawn, before the tourists arrive.

The markets. The Saturday and Sunday Walking Streets are among the best in the country. Local crafts, northern street food, traditional music — the atmosphere is unique. Arrive early, stay late.

The elephants. Northern Thailand is elephant territory. But be careful — not all sanctuaries are equal. Choose ethical sanctuaries where the animals are not used for shows or rides. Watching these animals in their natural environment, seeing them bathe and interact freely, is an experience that stays with you for life.

The hill tribes. In the highlands around Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai live communities that have preserved their traditions, costumes and languages for centuries. The Karen, the Hmong, the Akha. Respectful, organised visits with serious local guides offer a window into cultures of extraordinary richness.

Chiang Rai — The Authentic North

Three hours north of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai is smaller, calmer and less touristy. And often more endearing.

Wat Phra Kaew — history first. Before talking about the spectacular temples that made Chiang Rai famous, this one must come first. The Wat Phra Kaew of Chiang Rai is where the Emerald Buddha statue, the Phra Kaew Morakot, was discovered — one of the most sacred relics in all of Southeast Asia. The statue was later transferred to Bangkok, where it now sits in the Grand Palace. The temple in Chiang Rai is not the most visually impressive, but it carries a history and spiritual significance that few places in Thailand can match. It is a place to visit with humility and respect, above all.

Wat Rong Khun — the White Temple. Entirely white and covered in mirrors that shimmer in the sun, this contemporary temple designed by artist Chalermchai Kositpipat is an artistic statement in its own right. Spectacular, surreal and highly photogenic. The visual impact is undeniable.

Wat Rong Suea Ten — the Blue Temple. In the same contemporary artistic vein, the Blue Temple impresses with its palette of deep blues and golds. Fewer tourists than the White Temple, more serenity.

The Golden Triangle. At the far north, where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet on the banks of the Mekong. A place steeped in history, once the heart of the opium trade in Southeast Asia. Today a fascinating site with a remarkably well-done opium history museum.

Chiang Rai as a base. Beyond its temples, Chiang Rai is above all an extraordinary base for exploring the deep North. Lake Tali, the Maesai road and the Burmese border, the Golden Triangle on the Mekong banks, Doi Tung and its mountain gardens.

Pai — The Village That Enchants

Three hours from Chiang Mai along a mountain road with 762 bends, Pai is a place apart. A former bohemian backpacker haunt, it has kept its soul while becoming a family-friendly, accessible destination on a human scale, far from mass tourism.

Pai means natural hot springs in the middle of nature, meditation and yoga centres that attract travellers seeking serenity, guesthouses tucked away in rice paddies, riverside cafés. A slow pace of life that does you good.

But Pai also has an unapologetically festive, rock’n’roll side. The village has its legendary spots, its bars with a unique atmosphere, its evenings that stretch into the early hours in a relaxed and welcoming vibe. You meet travellers from all over the world, artists, nomads, people who were meant to stay three days and are still there three weeks later. It happens often in Pai.

The best way to describe Pai? It feels like an island, but in the countryside. That particular atmosphere, that sense of being cut off from the world without really being so, that freedom that hangs in the air. It gives off something rare and indefinable that very few places in the world possess.

And for the more adventurous, Pai fits perfectly into the great North loop — one of the most beautiful routes in Southeast Asia. Up from Chiang Mai along the mountain road, exploring Pai and surroundings, continuing to Mae Hong Son, and depending on the season, crossing absolutely spectacular fields of wild sunflowers near Khun Yuam before descending toward Mae Sariang and returning to Chiang Mai via Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s highest peak. A multi-day loop, by car with a driver or by motorbike for the more experienced, following your own pace and encounters. One of the most beautiful itineraries in all of Thailand. And one of the least known.

In the North, mountain roads between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai pass through sometimes isolated areas, far from any wifi. An eSIM 5G with unlimited data keeps you connected at all times — for navigation, translation, or simply sharing these exceptional moments in real time. Our 7, 15 and 30-day plans are available at  thailandentry.com.

The South: Beaches, Islands and Infinite Turquoise

Southern Thailand deserves weeks of travel and entire guides of its own. What you are about to read is just a taste — a quick overview of the key destinations to help you choose your direction.

Phuket — The Pearl of Asia

Phuket is the gateway to southern Thailand. Thailand’s largest island, connected to the mainland by a bridge, has an international airport receiving direct flights from all over the world. It is often where you first set foot in the south — and often where you come back.

Phuket is everything and its opposite. Sumptuous beaches like Kata, Karon or Surin on one side, and Patong on the other, with its electric atmosphere, unapologetic nightlife and unique energy that leaves no one indifferent. Love it or hate it, Patong is part of Phuket’s DNA and Thailand’s tourist identity.

But Phuket is also a destination for activities and entertainment in its own right. Jet skiing, diving, snorkelling, parasailing, boat trips, muay thai, water parks, shows, night markets, gourmet restaurants, luxury spas. There is something for every taste, every age, every budget. You never get bored in Phuket — that much is certain.

Phuket is also an ideal base for exploring the surrounding islands, Phang Nga Bay with its spectacular karst formations, the Phi Phi Islands, Koh Yao Noi for lovers of calm and authenticity. The Pearl of Asia deserves time — a lot of time.

Krabi and Surroundings — A Dream Setting

Krabi is perhaps the most beautiful natural setting in the south. Limestone cliffs dropping into turquoise sea, Railay Beach accessible only by boat, the Phi Phi Islands with their crystal-clear waters, Koh Lanta quieter and more family-friendly. This is where Thailand looks like a life-size postcard.

The Krabi and Phang Nga region is also the place for kayaking through mangroves, sea caves, and sunsets over the Andaman Sea that stay with you forever. A destination that suits everyone — families and backpackers, divers and seekers of serenity.

Koh Samui and the Gulf of Thailand — Two Vibes, One Choice

Koh Samui is the large island of the Gulf of Thailand, accessible by ferry or plane from Bangkok. More sophisticated than Phuket in some respects, it offers a range of possibilities that suits all types of travellers.

Chaweng for the party scene, Bophut and its Fisherman’s Village for charm and authenticity, Lamai for a pleasant in-between. Koh Samui is also the natural departure point for two neighbouring islands with very different characters.

Koh Phangan — world-famous for its monthly Full Moon Party on Haad Rin beach. But it is also a preserved, lush island with wild beaches of rare beauty and one of the best yoga and wellness scenes in Asia.

Koh Tao — a diver’s paradise. One of the best diving and snorkelling destinations in the world, with exceptionally clear waters. It is also the ideal place to get your diving certification at very affordable rates.

And for those arriving along the eastern coast from Bangkok, the Surat Thani region is worth a stop. Kanom in particular, this small, still-preserved seaside village, is a destination slowly gaining momentum that will clearly be worth the detour in the years to come.

Koh Lipe and the Deep South

At the far south, on the doorstep of Malaysia, Koh Lipe is a tiny island with absolutely stunning turquoise waters. Still preserved, still authentic — a destination worth discovering before the masses fully find it.

Hidden Gems of the South

Koh Tarutao and its marine national park, one of the most preserved areas in the country, where sea turtles come to lay their eggs each year. Koh Kradan, Koh Mook and its secret sea caves accessible only by swimming at low tide. The Similan Islands, considered among the ten best diving sites in the world. And inland, Khao Sok National Park, a primary rainforest older than the Amazon, with its Cheow Lan lake and floating bungalows set on emerald water surrounded by karst cliffs. A place of absolutely breathtaking beauty, often overlooked by standard itineraries.

Southern Thailand is immense, generous and infinitely varied. This overview barely scratches the surface.

The East: Pattaya and the Gulf Islands

Pattaya — The City That Never Sleeps

Pattaya has a reputation that does not do it justice. Many only know its reductive image — a city of debauchery and frenetic nightlife. The reality is far more nuanced and far more interesting than that.

Yes, Pattaya has its red-light areas, its hostess bars, its unapologetic and laid-back nightlife. These are places that are part of the city’s DNA, that have their clientele and their atmosphere, and that are worth seeing for the unique vibe alone. But reducing Pattaya to that is like reducing Paris to Pigalle.

Jomtien, a few kilometres south of Walking Street, is a completely different atmosphere. Family-friendly, calm, with lovely beaches, seafront restaurants and a clientele of expats and retirees who chose to settle there for good reason. And for a family or couple stay, treating yourself to a good four or five-star hotel in Jomtien or Central Pattaya remains one of the best value-for-money options in all of Thailand.

Pattaya for families — the myth to bust. The city has a family entertainment offering that rivals the best destinations in the world. Water parks with slides ranked among the best in Asia, spectacular aquariums, theme parks, interactive zoos, children’s mini-cities. Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, Cartoon Network Amazone, Underwater World — the list is long and impressive. With children, Pattaya is in fact one of the most complete and best-equipped destinations in all of Thailand. You just need to know where to look.

And then there is that unique thing that very few cities in the world can offer: in Pattaya, everything is possible at any hour. Want a haircut at 3am? There is a salon open. A plate of seafood pasta at 4am? No problem. A massage, a pharmacy, a night market, a cocktail bar — everything runs continuously in a city that does not know curfew. Entertainment in its purest form, twenty-four hours a day.

Pattaya as a base. What many people do not realise is that just one hour from Pattaya, you step into a completely different Thailand. The islands of Trat province — Koh Chang, Koh Kood, Koh Mak, Koh Samet — are all accessible from Pattaya and its surroundings. You go from Pattaya’s buzz to total immersion in nature in under an hour.

Pattaya is like no other city in Thailand. It is excessive, alive, surprising, generous. Give it a chance beyond the clichés — it has plenty of surprises in store.

The Eastern Islands: Trat Province

At Thailand’s far east, on the doorstep of Cambodia, Trat province is home to an archipelago of some of the most wild and preserved islands in the country. Authentic, generous Thailand that rewards those who make the effort to get there.

Koh Chang — Thailand’s second largest island after Phuket. Mountainous, lush, crossed by waterfalls and dense tropical forest. Quiet beaches, a relaxed atmosphere and remarkable marine life.

Koh Kood — perhaps the most beautiful and wild island in the east. Absolutely turquoise waters, near-deserted white sand beaches, preserved nature of rare generosity. Very few tourists, a great deal of serenity.

Koh Mak — small, calm, family-friendly. No cars, no noise, no crowds. Gentle beaches, coconut palms, a slow pace of life that feels like a genuine reset.

Koh Samet — the most accessible from Bangkok, about three hours by road. Fine sand beaches, calm waters, a festive but relaxed evening vibe. Perfect for a short break from the capital.

The West and Bangkok’s Surroundings: History, Nature and Escapes

Just two hours from Bangkok, Thailand offers escapes of extraordinary richness. No need to fly, no need to plan days of travel. A car with a driver or a comfortable bus, and you are in another world.

Kanchanaburi — History and Nature

Kanchanaburi is one of the most historically charged destinations in all of Thailand. This is where the infamous Bridge on the River Kwai was built during the Second World War, by thousands of prisoners of war under Japanese army orders. The bridge is still there, walkable on foot, and the Allied war cemetery next to the town is a place of remembrance of rare sobriety and emotion.

But Kanchanaburi is also generous and soothing nature. The River Kwai and its floating rafts, the Erawan Falls with their turquoise pools deep in the jungle, Sai Yok National Park and its waterfalls, caves, forests. A destination that perfectly combines historical memory and immersion in Thai nature.

Hua Hin — The Royal Seaside Resort

Three hours south of Bangkok on the Gulf of Thailand coast, Hua Hin is the country’s oldest and most distinguished seaside resort. For decades, the Thai royal family has stayed at its summer palace here, giving the town a reputation as a refined and peaceful destination.

Hua Hin is far from the bustle of Phuket or Pattaya. The atmosphere here is more relaxed, more elegant. Beautiful beaches, charming hotels, excellent seafood restaurants, lively night markets, some of the country’s best golf courses. An ideal destination for those seeking the beach without the mass tourism.

Ayutthaya — The Ancient Capital

One hour north of Bangkok, Ayutthaya is one of the most impressive historical destinations in Southeast Asia. The ancient capital of the Kingdom of Siam for more than four centuries, the city was destroyed by the Burmese in 1767. What remains today, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an archaeological site of absolutely breathtaking melancholic beauty.

Dozens of ruined temples, Buddha heads that have become entwined in tree roots over time, stupas rising toward the sky. Ayutthaya is best explored by bicycle, following the canals and stopping as discoveries present themselves.

Bangkok’s surroundings are a goldmine often overlooked by travellers eager to reach the southern beaches or northern mountains. Kanchanaburi for history and nature, Hua Hin for elegant seaside, Ayutthaya for the splendour of the past. Three escapes, three atmospheres, all within three hours of the capital.

Thailand is infinite. This guide barely scratches its surface. Every destination deserves time, curiosity and openness. Detailed guides for each destination are coming soon. Find our upcoming publications at thailandentry.com.