Thailand is the backpacker’s mecca, due the easy going Thai vibe, and the dream destination of many families and honeymooners.
With so much to choose from, this guide has Thailand’s top picks beyond its beaches.
At the end of the article, there is a link for a guide of Thailand’s best beaches.
Bangkok (กรุงเทพมหานคร)
Bangkok , Thailand’s capital is a vibrant city with a plethora of attractions, a shopping destination and all night long nightlife that will keep you busy for days.
Bangkok has tourist accommodation almost everywhere in the city, however, it’s on Talat Yot area, mainly around the bustling Khao San Road that most budget accommodation is concentrated, it’s also the busiest and noisy area, but benefits from being a foot distance from many attractions.
Places to see in Bangkok
Grand Palace (พระบรมมหาราชวัง)
The Grand Palace is a rectangular cluster of golden shining buildings, stupas and gigantic statues surrounded by tall white walls. From 1782 until 1827, the palace was the royal palace; today it’s used only for royal ceremonies.
Some of the buildings are only allowed to be visited from the outside, nevertheless, the palace grounds are a sight worth seeing due the majestic facade of each building.
The Grand Palace is at a walkable distance from Khao San Road.
Temple of the Emerald Buddha (พระแก้วมรกต)
Wat Pho , also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha is another building complex adjacent to the Grand Palace.
Its highlight is a gigantic golden buddha in a horizontal position.
China Town (เยาวราช)
China Town is a traditional neighborhood where at its heart is a network of narrow shopping alleys. The shops weren’t geared towards tourism, instead a complete chaos of people browsing, porters pushing handcarts in often overcrowded alleys.
Vanich 1 Road is one of the main streets and a good point to start your visit.
From a visitor coming from the Grand Palace, China Town is well accessible by boat getting out on the Ratchawong Pier .
Khao San Road
Khao San Road is the backpacker holy mecca, an overcrowded party street where street stalls sell all kinds of exotic things, some only for the brave to try. The street can be jam packed at night with a profusion of people, smells and colors.
Soi Ram Buttri
Soi Ram Buttri is a street adjacent to Khao San Road. Although it's also a nightlife street, it has a more chilled vibe, with plenty of restaurants and cafes with outdoor seating and live music. The street is also worth visiting during the day due to the massage places, bookstores and exotic restaurants.
Best day trips in Bangkok
Damnone Saduak Floating Market (ตลาดน้ำดำเนินสะดวก)
Damnone Saduak Floating Market is the most popular floating market near Bangkok. The floating market is solely geared towards tourism.
In most cases, tourists will buy a trip to this market as part of a day tour package on any travel agency in Bangkok, however, the floating market is accessible by the public bus but requires an early departure since most boats selling food, which make the market so colorful, are only available until noon.
A popular activity, besides eating food being prepared on the boats, is to take a boat trip to the canals.
It takes about 2h from the Old City of Bangkok to reach the Floating Market.
Taling Chan Floating Market (ตลาดน้ำตลิ่งชัน)
Taling Chan Floating Market is a weekend floating market on the outskirts of Bangkok. Although it's smaller than Damnone Saduak Floating Market and only open on weekends, this floating market is less touristy and much closer to the Old City.
The floating market is accessible by bus, or as part of a day tour package.
Ayutthaya (พระนครศรีอยุธยา)
Ayutthaya , formally known as Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, is a city approximately 80 km (49.7 miles) north of Bangkok.
Ayutthaya's major attraction is the Ayutthaya Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ruins of the old capital of the Siam kingdom.
Ayutthaya Historical Park can be visited as part of a day trip package from Bangkok, or you can take a commuter train from Bangkok Hualamphong Train Station and get off on Ayutthaya train stop , the journey takes 2-3 hours. This option can be useful if you are planning to travel by train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is a spiritual rich city, and the biggest city in the north of Thailand.
The Old City, which is Chiang Mai city center, is enclosed by the Ping River forming a rectangular shape. On the weekends the Old City becomes a market, with several streets closed to traffic and filled street stalls.
Pai
Pai is a popular backpacker town on the mountain foothills around 150 km (93.2 miles) from Chiang Mai. Pai is cooler than Chiang Mai or Bangkok.
Pai started by becoming a hippie town, later attracting the backpackers, and more recently the Chinese teenagers due the Thai movie: “Pai in Love”.
Pai urban area is small and it’s all geared towards tourism with budget accommodation and trendy cafes, however, the vicinity has plenty of attractions to keep busy for days.
You can rent a motorbike to explore the surrounding nature, make sure you rent one with enough power since the terrain is steep, or be part of a group tour.
How to travel to Pai
Pai has no airport and it’s accessible from Chiang Mai by Minivan or by public transportation.
Most of the travel agencies in Chiang Mai will sell the minivan tickets.
The roads to Pai have countless bends, altogether are 762 curves, in mountainous terrain. Take precautions since motion sickness in this journey.
