Cities in Thailand

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Where to base yourself, and how the regions differ

Thailand's cities split by region: Bangkok and the central plains, the northern towns around Chiang Mai, the southern beach bases, and the Isaan cities almost nobody visits.

Here is the list of 17 Cities in Thailand

1. Bangkok

Bangkok
4.8 /5 View 202+ photos

Known For : Grand Palace Wat Pho Bangkok Wat Arun

Glittering with lights, a lot of hustle bustle and a little bit of chaos, Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand and is packed with tourist attractions - historical, religious or natural. A haven for shoppers, it attracts people from all over the world to its markets. It is often touted as the party capital of South East Asia. Bangkok also offers a bundle of fantastic street food, non-stop action and unforgettable experiences.

Best Time: November to February

137 Bangkok Attractions

2. Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai
4.1 /5 View 135+ photos

Known For : Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Wat Chedi Luang Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan

Chiang Mai, a respite from the heavy duty travelling one experiences in South Thailand, is a haven for backpackers and travellers. With an ancient city set between a sprawling modern city, flaked by lush green fields of the countryside, Chiang Mai will engage all senses in the one hungry for travel stories and experiences.

Best Time: November to February

142 Chiang Mai Attractions

3. Pattaya

Pattaya
4.6 /5 View 55+ photos

Known For : The Sanctuary of Truth Pattaya Beach Walking Street

Pattaya is a beautiful beach resort set along the eastern coast of Gulf of Thailand renowned for its gorgeous beaches, water parks, unspoiled natureês beauty, religious temples and long walks on the street. Tourists should look out for an nightlife at the island offering a never forgetting experience.

Best Time: November to February

56 Pattaya Attractions

4. Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya
4.2 /5 View 57+ photos

Known For : Ayutthaya Historical Park Wat Mahathat Wat Phra Si Sanphet

Ayutthaya, short for Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, is a small city in Thailand containing archaeological sites like temples, monasteries, palaces, etc. It lies just 80 kilometres north of Bangkok and hence is an ideal destination for a day trip from Bangkok.

Best Time: November to February

57 Ayutthaya Attractions

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5. Kanchanaburi

Kanchanaburi
4.6 /5 View 22+ photos

Known For : Wat Wang Wiwekaram Bridge On The River Kwai (Death Railway bridge) Wat Tham Suea (Tha Muang)

Kanchanaburi is a city situated at the confluence of river Kwai Noi and Kwai Yai. It's well known for its waterfalls and national parks. The most important attraction of this place is the "Death Railway" built during the World War II. All in all, Kanchanaburi is a treat for nature and history lovers.

Best Time: November to February

21 Kanchanaburi Attractions

6. Hua Hin

Hua Hin
4.7 /5 View 47+ photos

Known For : Hua Hin Beach Cicada Market Hua Hin Night Market

Hua Hin is a seaside resort which is popular among both Thai nationals as well as tourists. What was once the royal family’s beach getaway is fast becoming a relaxing place to escape Bangkok’s city hustle and bustle. It sits a little over three hours south of Bangkok by road, has an airport of its own, and the royal summer palaces that gave it its name still stand along the shore.

Best Time: November - April

32 Hua Hin Attractions

7. Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai
4.4 /5 View 54+ photos

Known For : Wat Rong Khun Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple) Baan Dam Museum

Chiang Rai is a mountainous city in northern Thailand, near the borders of Laos and Myanmar. It has many ancient temples and tribal villages along the Mekong river. It has a plenitude of historical and cultural attractions and immerses a traveller in its pleasant collection of temples, art, music, and local food.

Best Time: November to February

18 Chiang Rai Attractions

8. Phetchaburi

Phetchaburi
4.3 /5 View 6+ photos

Known For : Phra Nakhon Khiri Wat Mahathat Worawihan Tham Khao Luang

Dating back to the 8th century, this city is known to have the oldest settlements of Thailand. The city is situated on River Phet, and is home to some beautiful temples and the famous Royal Palace. Phetchaburi is more of a working agricultural city and not very popular as a tourist spot, however, there's a lot to see for the visitors too.

Best Time: November to February

3 Phetchaburi Attractions

9. Sangkhlaburi

Sangkhlaburi
4.2 /5 View 7+ photos

Sangkhlaburi is a high altitude city at the ends of Thailand, just 25 kilometers from Burma border. It has the beautiful Vajiralongkorn Lake (Khao Laem) where most travellers take a boat ride, rest and enjoy the day. Most part of the city is covered by dense forests and limestone ranges. Sunken temple and Temple Wat Mon are the two unique and temples which should be a worth visiting in Sangkhlaburi.

Best Time: November to March

4 Sangkhlaburi Attractions

10. Surat Thani

Surat Thani
4.1 /5 View 13+ photos

Known For : Limestone Lake Rainforest Day Tours Surat Thani Night Market Saturday Night Market

Not a go-to destination in itself, Surat Thani provides a base point from which travellers meander across Thailand. Once the seat of the Srivijaya empire, Surat Thani today is an important trade and transport hub. It is a laid-back town with night markets, historical and religious sites and good Thai street food, and the boats to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao leave from its province.

Best Time: November to January

12 Surat Thani Attractions

11. Lopburi

Lopburi
4.5 /5 View 10+ photos

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. It can be easily done as a day trip if you are planning to come from nearby cities. Unlike other tourist cities, Lopburi has a very laid back atmosphere and it rarely experiences any influx of tourists.

Best Time: November to April

9 Lopburi Attractions

12. Krabi Town

Krabi Town
4.4 /5 View 7+ photos

Although it doesn’t have any beaches of its own, Krabi Town is a charming choice for people who want to experience a very local Thai culture. Most tourists use this town majorly as a pass through to go to the nearby island towns, but Krabi in itself is very beautiful, especially in terms of its markets and restaurants.

Best Time: November to March

13. Chanthaburi

Chanthaburi
4.1 /5 View 7+ photos

Known For : Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Chanthaburi Temples in Chanthaburi Taksin Shrine and City Pillar shrine

With a rich history and culture, a very relaxed vibe, scenic waterfalls and forests, hills and a riverside, and delicious fruits and seafood, Chanthaburi is an ideal destination for all kinds of people. It sits on the banks of the Chanthaburi river in eastern Thailand and is the capital of its namesake province, and the orchards and rolling hills around it are as much the draw as the town itself.

Best Time: November to February

18 Chanthaburi Attractions

14. Nong Khai

Nong Khai
4.3 /5 View 6+ photos

Known For : Sala Kaew Khu Wat Pho Chai Tha Sadet Market

Lying on the southern bank of Mekong river, Nong Khai is a lively town just 20 minutes from Vientiane, capital of Laos. The entire city is filled with images of the Naga, the giant serpant of Mekong. There are several waterfalls, riverside villages, forest temples, and many serene landscapes.

Best Time: November to February

4 Nong Khai Attractions

15. Sukhothai

Sukhothai
4.6 /5 View 23+ photos

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

4 Sukhothai Attractions

16. Phuket Old Town, Phuket

Phuket Old Town, Phuket
4.6 /5

The old town of Phuket is a place that takes one to the cultural walk amid all the beautiful traditional architectures and markets. Located on the east side of the Phuket Island, Phuket Old Town is capital of the island with coloured wit various shades of culture. One can enjoy the traditional and Sino-Portuguese architecture of the town that was built during 19th century. However, not many tourists have the town on their itinerary that flourished from the tin trade. The aroma of spices wafting from various cafes and restaurants may water your mouth as you stroll across the streets including Dubik, Ranong, Rasada, Yaowarat, Krabi and Thalang. It rewards anyone interested in history or photography.

17. Surin

Surin
4.7 /5

Surin, a city known for its sericulture and elephants, is now aspiring to become a global tourist centre. Visitors often drop in for 1-2 days from November to March since this city does not have too many things to do, and is often left quiet for the rest of the year. However, with the influx of tourists in Thailand, Surin has seen many changes recently. From food to shopping to historical monuments, this city has gained momentum over the years.

Best Time: November to March

Picking cities is the first decision on a Thailand trip. Beaches in Thailand covers the coast, night markets in Thailand the evenings, and day trips from Bangkok the obvious first excursion.

This post was published by Joysurjya Hagjer

FAQs on Cities in Thailand

Which cities should a first-time visitor to Thailand pick?

Bangkok and Chiang Mai, plus one beach base in the south. That covers the capital, the northern culture and the coast in about ten days without spending the trip in transit.

What is the difference between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai?

Chiang Mai is the larger and easier of the two, with the old city, the food scene and the mountain temples. Chiang Rai is three hours further north, quieter, and the base for the White Temple and the Golden Triangle. Most people do Chiang Mai and day-trip to Chiang Rai.

Which city is best for history?

Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, both former capitals and both UNESCO sites. Ayutthaya is an easy day trip from Bangkok. Sukhothai is further north and quieter, and rewards an overnight stay.

Where should I go to avoid other tourists?

The Isaan cities in the north-east, such as Nong Khai on the Mekong, and smaller central towns like Phetchaburi and Lopburi. They have far less English signage, which is part of the appeal and part of the difficulty.

How do I travel between Thai cities?

Domestic flights are cheap and fast for the long hops, such as Bangkok to Chiang Mai or the southern islands. Trains are slow but scenic, and the overnight sleeper to Chiang Mai is worth doing once. Buses reach everywhere the trains do not.

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