Known For : Bangla Road Water Sports Phi Phi Islands
Accessible just by boat, this peninsula of limestone crags is a beautiful destination for a laid-back rest in the middle of your Thailand holiday. An absolute best for rock climbers, Railay is a one-of-a-kind spot for active diving, kayaking and rock climbing; as well as just relaxing at your resort.
Time Required : 1 - 2 days
Best Time: November to February end
Standing at 250 metres, this limestone waterfall flows down from Huai Klotho into the Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary, a UNESCO world heritage site. The Thi Lo Su Waterfall is claimed to be the largest and the highest waterfall in Thailand. Along with the reserves and national parks, it forms Thailand's most extensive wildlife haven and Southeast Asia's top virgin forest. Visitors can also take a rubber boat trip or take a cave survey.
Known For : Grand Palace Wat Arun Chatuchak Market
Phi Phi consists of a group of six islands. Only 40 km away from Phuket, Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh are the two most famous islands of the six. With their pristine waters and vibrant parties, these islands are a wonderful way to spend a few days in Thailand.
Best Time: Late November to Mid Jaunary
Explore this prehistoric and one of the most extensive caves in Thailand for a magical and immersive experience. The Tham lot cave is located in Pang Mapha District, northern Thailand, known for the Nam Lang River flowing through the cave, also offering a mystical subterranean place to be explored on a raft. Besides the magnificent stalactites, bats and swifts, people also visit Tham lot for the Column Cavern, Doll Cave, Ancient clay pottery and Coffin Cave with carved teak wood coffins.
Also known as the Grand Canyon of Thailand, Sam Phan Bok is a rock reef in River Mekong. With over 3000 naturally formed holes of various shapes and sizes, Sam Phan Bok is the most significant such formation in the river and a famous tourist attraction in Thailand. Nestled between majestic cliffs on both sides, Sam Phan Bok, also known as the Grand Canyon of Thailand, is a wonder of nature, created by the erosion of the swirling water in the Mekong River, making more than 3,000 holes or Bok, the most popular being the Arch bridge-shaped stone cliffs. The best time to visit is during the dry season, revealing the large rocky hill in the middle of the Mekong River.
Known For : Jomtien Beach Walking Street Nong Nooch Botanical Gardens
The Grand Palace, the residence of royals for several generations, is the perfect place to begin your historical tour in Bangkok. It houses one of the holiest Buddhist temples, Wat Phra Kaew, built in the year 1782. The Grand Palace stands among the top tourist attractions in Bangkok, Thailand, showcasing the rich history of Bangkok.
Timings : 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Entry Fee : THB 500
Audio guide: THB 200 (two hours)
Best Time: November to June
Rightly termed as ‘Thailand’s best hidden secret’, ‘the most beautiful place you would have never heard of’ and ‘the place that offers the best sunrise view in all of Thailand’, Phu Chi Fah is a mountainous area and a national park which is located in the Toeng County of Chiang Rai in northern Thailand. Just next to the border of Laos, these mountain ranges boast of offering sights of one of the most beautiful sunrises you will ever see in all your life.
Known For : Tiger Cave Temple Island Hopping Tours in Krabi Krabi Town Night Market
The White Temple, also renowned as Wat Rong Khun is the brain-child of one-of-a-kind artist - Chalermchai Kostipitat. An architectural wonder in its own right, this temple is filled with a lot of Buddhist elements in its architecture, mirror decorations, and ornate reliefs. A privately-owned art exhibit in the form of a temple, Wat Rong Khun beautifully depicts the Buddhist teachings of karma, hell, heaven, and earthly sins. The white colour of the temple embodies the purity and sacredness of Buddha and his Dhamma teachings.
Timings :
Monday to Friday : 8 AM to 5 PM .
Saturday to Sunday : 8 AM to 5:30 PM
Time Required : 1-2 hours
Entry Fee : THB 50
Best Time: November to April
In the Khao Sok National Park, the beautiful Cheow Lan Lake embraces aesthetic emerald green waters with majestic limestone cliffs, the highest being 960 metres. The visitors can swim in the waters at the perfect temperature or take a canoe long-tail boats and explore. The cliffs are covered with dense rainforests habiting animals and birds like elephants, gibbons and hornbills ideal for trekking to scenic waterfalls and caves and unwinding in unique accommodation in Khao Sok, including floating hotels.
Emerald Lake is a sinkhole with pristine clear water in the middle of a forest in Lampang, Thailand. One can sit on the rocky terrain that surrounds the lake and watch the tranquil waters and the catfish in it for hours. This natural waterbody has some religious significance in the region, but mostly, it is an accessible getaway amid nature.
Doi Inthanon National Park is home to the highest peak in Thailand, Doi Inthanon. The Park is a treasure trove of natural beauty, containing many specimens of the animal kingdom, lush jungles, waterfalls and a massif of mountains in the background. Some tribal communities also reside within this protected area, with authorities working tirelessly towards their cultural growth.
Erawan National Park, named after the white three-headed elephant of the Hindu mythology, is a little far from Kanchanaburi centre. It is a beautiful forest with the 7 layers of waterfalls, bridges and many rocks. Many of the waterfalls have tranquil and serene pools where you can enjoy a swim.
Known For : Elephant Trekking Waterfalls in Koh Chang
Koh Chang is one of the most beautiful islands of Thailand with pristine white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, great for snorkeling and diving. There are also some breath taking mountains and jungles where hiking is very popular. All in all, Koh Chang is an idyllic destination for a backpacker looking for adventure and parties in equal amounts.
Best Time: November to March
Situated around 60 Km west off the coast of Khao Lak, and oiginally a part of the Mu Ko Surin National Park, the Surin Islands comprises of a group of Five Islands. These islands are namely Ko Surin Nuea, Ko Surin Tai, Ko Ri, Ko Kai and Ko Klang. Known for dense forests with beaches surrounded by corals, Surin Islands is most visited by snorkelers, nature lovers, and wildlife photographers hoping to indulge in diving, snorkelling game fishing, and hiking. It is a haven for people looking for a quiet refuge.
The tranquil island of Koh Yao Noi is the sister island of Koh Yao Yai located in the middle of Phang Nga Bay, west of Phuket. It is an ideal getaway for the traveller who seeks solitude under sun and sand. Far from maddening crowds, Koh Yao Noi is your place to relax and rejuvenate without any fuss or frills. Ideal for the couple who wishes for some precious moments of togetherness or for someone who wants to take a break and introspect on the worldly ways.
Known For : Koh Nang Yuan Hike to John Suwan Viewpoint Sairee Beach
Koh Tao is an island in the Chumphon Archipelago group of islands in the southeastern part of Thailand. It has some of the best and cheapest diving spots in the world. On one hand, it has a proud and vibrant local culture, and on the other, has a relaxing atmosphere and an exciting night life.
Best Time: December to September
Known For : Thong Nai Pan Beach Thong Sala Night Market Bottle Beach
Koh Pha Ngan is an island that is part of the Chumphon Archipelago, located between the islands of Koh Samui and Koh Tao. It being world famous for its full moon parties on Haad Rin, usually the rest of the time the island remains half empty. But Koh Pha Ngan is so much more than just parties. This vast inland jungle is very peaceful and it's serene bays can be just as beautiful for families and backpackers.
Best Time: June to September, December to February
Known For : Sukhothai Historical Park Ramkhamhaeng National Park Loy Krathong Festival
Sukhothai is home to approximately 190 ancient sites and temple ruins. It is known to mark the beginning of the Thai civilisation. Most of the monuments and ruins are restored at the Sukhothai Historical Park, which has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Best Time: November to February
Known For : Ban Vichayen Phra Prang Sam Yot King Narai's Palace
Lopburi is one of the oldest cities in Thailand, located around 150 kilometres from Bangkok city which takes around 2.5 hours. It is a city which houses historic ruins and artifacts which play a major role in Thailand's culture. It is famous for monkeys, architectural remains of Khmer empire, rock climbing and sunflower fields. Unlike other tourist cities, Lopburi has a very laid back atmosphere and it rarely experiences any influx of tourists.
Best Time: November to April
Known For : Snorkelling and Scuba Diving in Koh Lipe Trash Hero Island tours in Koh Lipe
Rightly termed as ‘Thailand’s best hidden secret’, ‘the most beautiful place you would have never heard of’ and ‘the place that offers the best sunrise view in all of Thailand’, Phu Chi Fah is a mountainous area and a national park which is located in the Toeng County of Chiang Rai in northern Thailand. Just next to the border of Laos, these mountain ranges boast of offering sights of one of the most beautiful sunrises you will ever see in all your life.
Best Time: November to March
How many of these places have you been to? Have we missed out on some beautiful places? Let us know in the comments below.