Top 15 Interesting Places to Visit in Thailand
Aerial View Of Bangkok, Thailand
Formerly known as Siam, Thailand is a beautiful country located in Southeast
Asia. From the cultural hub of Bangkok to its outlying cities, it's full
of exciting activities to do and places to visit. This beautiful Asian country
has an incredible amount to offer and has long been considered an exotic get
away. Thailand has distinct seasons that can be cool, hot, or rainy depending on
the time of year you visit. There is always something to do every time of the
year in this captivating country and it’s a guarantee you’ll find something for
every interest. In fact, many tourists who visit end up staying longer than
planned because they enjoyed their stay and the culture so much.
15) Railay Beach
Accessible only by boat, this exclusive island beach is secluded from the
mainland. It's located between Ao Nang and Krabi beach. The tiny islet
forms a peninsula that is cut off by limestone cliffs, making this an ideal
location for any rock climbing enthusiasts. Being set away from the rest of the
country makes this relaxing private getaway one of the great places to visit for
any traveler. There is a great variety of lodging available and visiting Railay
Beach is financially feasible for almost everyone. Depending on your budget, you
can find anything from cheap bungalows to The Rayavadee, a luxurious renowned
resort. Visit the east side of the beach for cheaper lodging prices as well as
for their boardwalk that has an array of bars and delicious restaurants serving
up authentic cuisine. Top your day off on the east side by following the trail
that leads to Tonsai and pay a visit to the Diamond Cave. Be sure to visit the
west side too because that’s where the prime part of the beach is located. On
the west side you can enjoy the crystal clear waters by renting a longboat then
kick back on the beach afterwards with a cool drink.
14) Grand Palace
Located in the scenic heart of Bangkok, the Grand Palace is an architectural
marvel and the gem of Thailand.
This political cornerstone is a top tourist
destination and for a good reason. Occasional lavish processions and festivals
center on the palace year round, making it a landmark of Thailand that is still
in use. Originally built in 1782, the Grand Palace has been added onto over the
years to make it even bigger and more beautiful. Instead of being a single
building, the Grand Palace is a cluster of small buildings that form a unit.
There is so much to do in the palace, like: touring around the
ornate open-air courtyards, exploring the palace gardens, wandering the great
many halls, checking out the pavilions, admiring the throne hall with its
beautiful sculptures of various gods as well as ornamental pillars and visiting
the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The Temple of the Emerald Buddha is actually a
chapel with a number of cloisters lining its walls. Inside the walls of
the Grand Palace are a series of buildings that all reflect different time
periods and showing off classical Thai architecture, it is worth the time to
trek around the whole palace.
13) Siam Park City
After a fun day of history at the Grand Palace, treat yourself to Siam Park City
as your next attraction. Located in the Khan Na Yao district in Bangkok, this
amusement park is relaxing fun for the entire family. It’s been open for over 35
years now, originally as a way to bring fun to the community and that still
holds true. Siam Park City sees over two million happy customers each year and
has some of the biggest rides in the area. The risk-takers and thrill seekers
should check out the vortex, this signature ride sends you screaming through
five tight loops over 765 meters of track. This is one of the largest looping
coasters in the world and is a must for the roller coaster fanatic. Topspin is a
great ride for the adrenaline lover who loves water, it flings you up into the
air and out of fountains at top speed. This ride isn’t the only way to get wet
at the park because there is also a section that is a water park. Surf in the
world’s largest wave pool, the Talay Krung Thep, that has waterfalls and
sparkling rock pools for your enjoyment. A good way to end the day is by winding
down at the spa club, where you can experience an authentic Thai massage.
By Apichyy min,
via Wikimedia Commons
12) Wat Phra Kaew
(Temple of the Emerald Buddha)
This attraction is located in the Grand Palace and is known as the Temple of the
Emerald Buddha, as mentioned previously. This is an ideal stop for anyone
interested in art history, religion, architecture or someone who just wants to
learn as much as they can about the history of Bangkok. It is considered to be
the most sacred Buddhist temple in the country and is located at the very heart
of Bangkok’s historical core. The centermost building of the temple houses is
the Emerald Buddha that is surrounded by an elaborate ornamented case where
people come to pray from all over the world. If you visit in the spring you can
experience Chakri Day at the temple, where you can see the king as well as the
glamorous over-the-top outfits worn at important Thai ceremonies. Step out onto
the portico and take in the traditional Thai architecture. Tour the
pagodas, where one houses the ashes of the Buddha. Wat Phra Kaew also houses a
gorgeous library with hand-carved mother-of-pearl doors, inside are extensive
bookcases with Buddhist scrolls and depictions of Chakri kings as well as
mythical nagas. Make sure not to leave without getting a good look at the nine
towers on the east side of the temple, they are all decorated with glazed tiles
of different colors that are meant to represent the colors of the planets.
Inside the Temple of the Emerald Buddha
Emerald Buddha inside the Temple of the Emerald Buddha
By Gremel Madolora,
via Wikimedia Commons
11) Ko Samet
Less exclusive and easier to access than Railay Beach, Ko Samet is a great place
to go for vacationers looking to gain insight into the local culture. This
scenic stretch of beaches on the Gulf of Thailand is a popular travel
destination for foreigners and those wanting to enjoy a few days away from
Bangkok. It’s a great place to go year-round and has fewer rainy days than the
other provinces in Thailand, so you won’t get rained out of your beach vacation.
Opposite of Railay, most of the swimming beaches are located on the east side
and are small enough to feel homey but large enough to allow for plenty of
beachgoers. The most popular beach is Hat Sai Kaeo, also known as the Crystal
Sand Beach. During the night it’s a hot spot for partygoers with amazing drinks
and fire shows. The daytime activities are just as great because you can jet
ski, windsurf, swim, or just lay out and get some sun. Visitors also enjoy
looking at the bizarre population of short-legged dogs that roam about. If you
really want a taste of what it's like to be a local then swing by Ao Karang and
enjoy the traditional atmosphere as you sit down to great seafood dish prepared
by skilled Thai chefs.
By Bjørn Erik Pedersen,
via Wikimedia Commons
10) Chiang Mai Zoo
For more family fun look no further than the Chiang Mai Zoo in Northern
Thailand. The place began as a nature sanctuary run by U.S. native Harold Mason
Young, he looked after ailing animals and got an audience with the natives for
his large collection. After Young’s death in the 1970’s, the sanctuary was
reborn as a full-blown zoo and the first in Thailand. It began in 1974 with 200
different species and is currently at over 400 and still growing. It has
recently added two large aquariums, one that is a tunnel for visitors to go
through and the other is a marine aquarium. Species at the zoo include all the
family favorites, such as: hippos, giraffes, lions, pandas and the only
rhinoceros in Thailand. As of 2006, the zoo has added a new attraction called
the Chiang Mai Night Safari that features three different zones. Lead your
family through a night of fun-filled animal antics with species like black
bears, wildebeests, white tigers, and monkeys. Go through the Savanna Safari
Zone and feel like you were transported to Africa, scout over 30 different types
of grassland animals. See the carnivorous animals in the Predator Prowl Zone,
which features 200 different species. See over 50 species of small animals in
the flower gardens of the Jaguar trail and enjoy the scenic walk around the Swan
Lake.
Panda Exhibit
By KayEss,
via Wikimedia Commons
9) Wat Phra That Doi
Suthep
This Theravada Buddhist temple is on top of the Doi Suthep Mountain and is a
jewel in the province of Chiang Mai. From the temple you can get a great view of
Chiang Mai, making it a prime photo location. This is an interesting location to
take a tour because the origins of the temple itself are a legend and the truth
isn’t known. You’ll hear a few stories that vary in nature but the actual
structure was built in the 14th century. Over the years it has been added onto
to make it larger and more regal, though it was very secluded until the first
road to it was built in 1935. When visiting this temple you must remember to be
respectful because it is considered a very sacred location to the Thai people.
Appropriate dress is required and the temple is accessible either by taking a
tram for a small fee or climbing over 300 stairs for free. The temple shares its
influence with both Hinduist and Buddhist because it has statues of both Buddha
and the Hindu god Ganesh. A truly beautiful location, this temple is a great
place to unwind and breathe in the fresh air while hearing about Thai legends.
Gold face of Buddha statue
8) Sanctuary of
Truth
If you’re not wanting to take a hike up a mountain, the Sanctuary of Truth may
be more your speed. This beautiful temple is located in Pattaya and is carved
entirely of wood, which makes it stand out against a culture whose architecture
is primarily decorated with glazed tiles. The building takes its influence from
both Buddhist and Hindu motifs, where the details complement each other nicely.
The temple’s art collection is very impressive as well, hosting a large number
of contemporary visionary art pieces that feature religion and religious themes.
Aside from the contemporary art, the temple boasts a small but beautiful
collection of art from the time it was built. There are a great number of
elegant sculptures, also made entirely of wood. Most notable are the four large
scale statues depicting the Buddhist and Hindu religions as well as the
mythologies of India, China, Cambodia, and Thailand. This temple is more for
those who enjoy soul searching because its purpose is to invoke a great
understanding in its visitors.
7) Rajamangala
Stadium
For the sports fans, Rajamangala Stadium is a must. Situated in busy Bangkok,
it’s the national stadium of Thailand and home to Thailand’s national football
team. It was first used for the Asian Games in 1998 and the stadium has been a
host to many big sport events since then, including the 2007 AFC Asian Cup. This
stadium still resembles a traditional stadium but is very unique because the
stands of the Rajamangala rise and fall, almost like the entire thing has been
stretched out of proportion. The seats vary in price, the cheapest are on the
east side and the spots are uncovered. The west side’s seats are covered and
more expensive, therefore less popular.
When traveling to the stadium, you want to be conscious of which bus service
you take. Most bus and taxi systems don’t travel close enough to the stadium to
get to it easily. The Suvarnabhumi Airport Link is the only way currently to get
near it, so be sure to take that rather than the typical bus system. The Airport
Link is a new innovation, having opened in 2010 because fans were very
frustrated by how difficult the stadium was to access. Don't miss out on this
great opportunity for the sports enthusiast in your family, since it is the
biggest sports complex in Thailand.
By Chrstian Bellgardt,
via Wikimedia Commons
6) Buddha Park
The artist in your family will love the opportunity to visit this beautiful
sculpture park. Known by the locals as Xieng Khuan, or Spirit City, it is nearly
on the border of Laos and Thailand. Though it isn’t a temple, it is often called
that due to the sheer number of religious images represented in the park. Over
200 Buddhist and Hindu sculptures are there and it was created by the
shamanic priest named Luang Pu Bunieua Sulilat. The priest wished to bring
together the ideas of Buddhism and Hinduism via the park, the subject matter
ranges from gods to demons. The strange thing about the sculpture park is that
the sculptures aren’t modern art, some look like they could be centuries old
but they are all made of reinforced concrete.
The sculptures are all unique and most are fantastically bizarre. There are
three levels of this park that visitors can go through called: Heaven,
Earth, and Hell. Guests begin by climbing through a large sculpture of a demon’s
mouth that leads them into Hell, where demonic sculptures are located. Then they
climb the stairs until they reach Heaven and get a lovely view of the park that
has a humongous statue of Buddha. A bit out of the way and an oddity for sure,
Buddha Park is the perfect place for the more eccentric.
The Demon's Mouth at Buddha Park you walk into
By Dezwitser,
via Wikimedia Commons
The park's humongous statue of Buddha
5) Bangkok National
Museum
The Bangkok National Museum is a must for the history enthusiast, it is the main
branch of Thailand’s National Museums and holds a great number of exhibits on
Thai history as well as art. Its almost a century and a half old and originally
opened in 1874 as a place to store relics of the previous king’s rule. Their
gallery has expanded significantly over the years to include a wide variety of
pieces ranging from the Neolithic to modern times, there are also temporary
exhibitions that change regularly. The museum offers quite a few services to
guests as well to make certain that they get the most out of their visit. Groups
can schedule a guide to lead them through the museum or visit the library at
their leisure, foreigners can even get guides specifically for them at
designated times. The museum is free and open every day, except for Mondays as
well as Tuesdays because those are museum holidays. There is no better way to
learn about the history of a country than to learn about it in the country
itself and the Bangkok National Museum is a great resource for tourists to learn
about Thailand.
By Masgatotkaca,
via Wikimedia Commons
4) Bang Pa-In Royal
Palace
Though it’s technically the summer palace for the king and queen of Thailand,
the Bang Pa-In Royal Palace is very rarely used and is easily accessible for
tourists. It is located in the Bang Pa-In district in the Ayutthaya Province on
the bank of the Chao Phraya River. The architecture in this palace is
interesting because it has more of a Chinese influence than most architecture in
Thailand did at the time it was built. Since it was rarely used, the palace fell
into great disrepair for a few centuries but renovations began in the middle of
the 1800’s. Today the palace is as good as new with many new buildings to add to
it. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful extensive gardens and landscapes as they
take in the magnificent view. The palace is rarely crowded even though it is
gorgeous, so you’re sure to get a great look at everything you want to see. The
centerpiece of the palace is a small pavilion situated on a man-made crystalline
pond and bright colors of the building are in deep contrast to the pale blue
water, making the sight completely breathtaking.
3) Wat
Benchamabophit
Wat Benchamabophit is a huge tourist attraction in Bangkok to add to the list of
memorable Buddhist temples to visit in Thailand. It's popular enough that
the façade is featured on the official Thai currency and can be seen in multiple
television programs. The entire place is a work of art from top to bottom with
bright booming colors, elaborate rooftops and an overall ornate style that
exemplifies the height of Bangkok architecture. Every part of the Wat
Benchamabophit is decorated in some fashion and the structure is made from
Carrera marble that can only be found in Italy, this makes it impossible to look
away from. When visiting, be sure to venture through the gallery to see
the 52 sculptures of Buddha all doing different signs. If you decide to go in
the early morning you’ll get the benefit of seeing monks come to the temple to
receive their daily donations. During certain times of the year festivals are
held where there are processions every evening via candlelight, illuminating the
temple with a beautiful glow.
Wat
Benchamabophit at Twilight
2) Khao Yai National
Park
Khao Yai National Park is the third largest park in Thailand and is located
mostly in Nakhon Ratchasima Province. There are many scenic mountains though the
landscape that includes everything from grasslands to forests of lush
evergreens. Take a misty morning hike through the woods to enjoy the flora and
fauna around you then stop by the many waterfalls, a few so beautifully large
that they have become famous worldwide. The best time to visit is between
November and February, which is the “cold season” in the park as well as
the best time for hiking. From May to October is the rainy season but that's
when the waterfalls are the prettiest. March up through April is the hot season
with more humidity than normal, making a hike a bit more difficult but the
plants are more lush. The cold, rainy and hot seasons are all beautiful but it
is up to you which season you would enjoy the most. At night the park
includes a nighttime safari program with pick-up trucks for guests as well as
camping opportunities. For those who are particularly adventurous, there is a
four-day trek offered to go see a dinosaur footprint or you can just stick to
the many hiking trails that vary widely in difficulty and length. This location
has so many options that you could nearly spend your entire vacation just in
this beautiful spot.
1) Elephant Nature
Park
For the animal lover in your party, the Elephant Nature Park is the perfect
stop. Close to the Chiang Mai City, the park caters to distressed elephants all
over Thailand. It’s designed in a natural valley to provide a sanctuary for them
while still maintaining their habitat with mountains surrounding it and a river
flowing smoothly around it. The herd includes elephants that are orphaned, blind
or disabled. Rather than having shows that require rigorous training with the
elephants, the goal of the park is to show elephants in a happy natural setting.
Visitors are welcome all year round and can even make special accommodations to
stay overnight.
Final Thoughts
With these wide variety of attractions, Thailand truly has a little bit of
everything to offer. From thick lush jungles to crystal blue waters and food
that’s guaranteed to be an adventure for any taste connoisseur, there is
something to appeal to everyone. Whether you and a tour guide end up climbing
the steps of ancient temples or relaxing on one of Thailand’s luxurious beaches,
you’ll enjoy everything beautiful Thailand has to offer. Immerse yourself in the
blend of culture as well as the long-standing traditions that comprise the core
of Thailand’s tourism appeal and stay for a while.
Vacation Destinations
Top Lists:
Top 15 Interesting Places to Visit in the Bahamas
Top 15 Fun Things to Do in Miami, Florida
Top 15 Fun Things to Do in Chicago
Top 15 Best Unknown Things to do in Las Vegas
Top 15 Fun Things to Do in Hollywood
Top 10 Best Places to Visit in Turkey
The Top 15 Best Things to Do and See in Sydney
Top 10 Things to Do in Edinburgh
Top 10 Things to do on Oʻahu
Top 15 Things to Do in Albuquerque
Top 15 Interesting Places to Visit in Spain
Top 15 Places to Visit in New York City
Top 15 Things to Do in Portland Oregon
Top 15 Things to do in Greece
Top 15 Places to Visit in Houston Texas
Top 15 Interesting & Safe Places to Visit in Mexico
Top 15 Interesting Places to Visit in the Netherlands
Top 15 Interesting Places to Visit in Thailand
Top 15 Interesting Places to Visit in Switzerland
Top 15 Interesting Places to Visit in Portugal
Top 15 Places to Visit in San Francisco
Top 15 Interesting Places to Visit in Shanghai
Top 15 Interesting Places to Visit in Puerto Rico
Top 15 Interesting Places to Visit in Norway
Top 15 Interesting Places to Visit in Las Vegas
Top 15 Interesting Places to Visit in Jamaica
Top 15 Interesting Places to Visit in Croatia
Top 15 Interesting Places to Visit in Belgium
Top 15 Interesting Places to Visit in Bangkok
Top 15 Things to Do in Rio de Janeiro
Top 15 Things to Do in Monaco
Top 15 Interesting Places to Visit in Dubai
Top 15 Interesting Places to Visit in Amsterdam
Top 15 Things to Do in New Zealand
Top 15 Interesting Places to Visit in Paris
Top 15 Interesting Places to Visit in Italy
Top 15 Interesting Places to Visit in Singapore
Top 15 Most Interesting Places to Visit in Berlin
Top 15 Best London Attractions
15 Little Known Facts About New York City Disney World Articles
Top 15 Disney World Rides for Adults
Top 15 Disney World Rides for Kids
Top 15 Disney World Resorts for Adults
Top 15 Disney World Resorts for Kids
15 Fascinating Facts About Disney World
Top 15 Fun Things to Do at Disney World’s Animal Kingdom
Top 15 Fun Things to Do at Disney's Hollywood Studios
Top 15 Fun Things to Do at Disney World's Epcot
Top 15 Fun Things to Do at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom
Shorter Top Lists:
Top 10 Tourist Attractions in San Diego
Top 10 Tourist Attractions In India
Top 10 Things to Do In Kansas City
5 Places You Should not Miss in Brazil
Top 5 Things to do in New York City
Informational:
Best Tourist Attractions In Vietnam
Taking in the Sights in Shanghai
Top Tourist Attractions in Perth, Australia
Nice places to visit while in Great Britain
Sampling the Foods at the Night Markets in Taipei
What to do for a Kenya Vacation
Best Attractions in Victoria, B.C.
Photos of the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas
|
