Best Tourist Attractions In Thailand Tips This Year

Thanks to a thriving tourism industry, Thailand is well-developed and provides all kinds of modern comforts—yet it's also still wild enough to offer off-the-beaten-path adventure and once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences. Whether you are here for the world-class beaches in the south or the mountain villages in the north, Thailand will not disappoint. Cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai are bustling hives of activity and commerce, but you haven't really seen the country until you've trekked in the mountains or enjoyed some face-time with elephants or the bold monkeys always ready to steal your lunch. Thailand's attractions are diverse, and each provides a rewarding and memorable experience in its own way.

For some inspiration when planning your trip, here's our list of top tourist attractions in Thailand.

1. Railay Beach
Krabi province is home to some of Thailand's most famous beach destinations—and Railay tops the list as one of the most stunning. Considered by many as one of the best beaches in the country, Railay delivers on promises of white sand, turquoise-blue water, and the feeling that you've found a slice สถานที่ท่องเที่ยว of paradise even before your feet touch the sand. The island can be reached by boat from Krabi town and Ao Nang—and the trip on a long-tail traditional boat is just as magical as what you'll encounter when you reach the shores. While the beach might be the main reason to visit the island, Railay is also a rock-climbing hot spot, with karst peaks drawing adventurers both experienced and novice, ready to take on the towering limestone cliffs.

2. Koh Phi Phi
The Phi Phi Islands are one of Thailand's most popular resort areas for a reason—the clear blue waters, the soft sand, the breathtaking views that go on forever. You can reach Phi Phi Don —the largest of the islands and the only one permanently inhabited—on a rented kayak or by hiring a small wooden boat to take สถานที่ท่องเที่ยว you here. Perhaps one of the most fun spots on Koh Phi Phi is Monkey Beach, where you'll come face to face, literally, with plenty of macaques ready to steal your lunch. Long Beach is another nice spot on the island; while not a secluded place where you can hope for privacy, it's great for watching the sunset. If you're lucky and the tide is out, it's a beautiful walk back towards the main part of the island.

3. Sunday Walking Street, Chiang Mai
Every Thailand visitor looks forward to cheap and delicious food—and that's exactly what they can find in abundance at Chiang Mai's Sunday Night Walking Street. Vendors sell all kinds of treats here: from the popular pad Thai and chicken satay to samosas, fried bananas, sweet roti, and fresh fruit shakes—often for สถานที่ท่องเที่ยวไทย less than $2 a piece. Once you've satisfied your culinary cravings, you can peruse hundreds of stalls selling an array of unique goods such as all-natural soaps, hand-dyed textiles bearing the unique patterns of local hill tribes, incense and essential oils, musical instruments, paintings, wall hangings, and more.

4. Historic City of Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya offers a magnificent peek into the glory of ancient Thailand, where visitors can wander the haunting but romantic ruins of the former capital. Ayutthaya was once the most important city in Thailand, and the old palaces and temples stand as a testament to this. Over a hundred wats, chedis, prangs, and thousands of ท่องเที่ยวไทย Buddha statues are spread around the park. Some sights-like the temple that houses the 12-meter-long reclining Buddha and the tree roots embracing a Buddha head-are particularly stunning and not to be missed.

5. Wild Elephants at Khao Yai National Park
Elephants are revered in Thailand, and statues and paintings of them can be seen everywhere you go, including the royal palaces and many temples. For the ultimate experience, however, nothing beats the chance to see elephants in their natural environment—and Khao Yai National Park provides a great opportunity to do สถานที่ท่องเที่ยวไทย just that. Here, you'll run into elephants roaming near rivers, exotic birds of prey, monkeys, and plenty of other tropical creatures that call the park home. The park is also home to many waterfalls, including the 150-meter-tall Haew Narok and the even more famous Haew Suwat, which appeared in the Leonardo DiCaprio's film, The Beach.

6. Doi Suthep
Perhaps the best-known wat in Chiang Mai sits atop Doi Suthep, a mountain overlooking Thailand's second-largest city. A favorite destination of devout Buddhist followers and travelers from all over the world, Doi Suthep is a marvel of intricate religious carvings-a visit here means seeing monks praying, witnessing worship rituals, and a chance to gaze out over the ever-growing sprawl of Chiang Mai city.

7. The Grand Palace, Bangkok
Even if your plans for Thailand mainly involve frolicking on a beach and eating as much Massaman curry and pad Thai as humanly possible, you'll probably spend at least a day or two in Bangkok. There are plenty of things to see and do in the capital, but the Grand Palace should definitely be at the top of your list. This is the number one sightseeing attraction in the city, and it's staggering in both historical สถานที่ท่องเที่ยว significance and craftsmanship. The grounds are a maze of royal halls, temples, and ancient relics, the most important being Wat Phra Kaeo, said to hold a fragment of either hair or bone from the enlightened Buddha himself.

8. Sukhothai Old City
A favorite stop for history buffs and photography enthusiasts, Sukhothai offers many lovely photo ops at a smaller scale than Ayutthaya. Ruins of this old city still ท่องเที่ยว stand proud despite enduring centuries of battle and exposure to the elements. Sukhothai's Old City is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and much has been invested to restore and preserve one of Thailand's most significant historical sites.

9. Pai
Thailand's reputation as a country of beautiful landscapes and friendly people is due largely to the world-renowned southern beaches. Because of this, most people don't realize that the vast north is also home to entirely different but equally breathtaking landscapes. Northern Thailand, particularly the western region สถานที่ท่องเที่ยวไทย near the Burmese border, is marked by mountainous jungle terrain that is both rugged and beautiful. Pai, in Mae Hong Son province, is the perfect starting point from which to enjoy the country's natural beauty, as well as the famed Thai hospitality and cooking.

10. Floating Markets
Thailand's floating markets offer a unique way to do some shopping and eating while supporting local vendors and getting a closer look into a traditional way of life. While some of the markets do seem to cater more to the tourist crowds, others make for a nice authentic travel experience that involves ท่องเที่ยวไทย getting in a boat and letting your guide take you through canals, where you'll see traditional houses on stilts and run into sellers offering wares from their own boats. You'll need to get up early to visit a floating market, as vendors are out in their long wooden boats first thing in the morning with their goods, fresh fruits, vegetables, spices, and tasty dishes.