boats near the beach in phuket_landscape

6 Best Places to Visit in Thailand

With the ease of COVID-19 restrictions, Thailand – one of the most if not the most popular tourist destinations in Southeast Asia – once again welcomes visitors from all around the world to be guests in the Land of Smiles. Thanks to its exotic nature, tropical beaches, vibrant culture and tourist-friendly people, Thailand undoubtedly holds a special place in hearts that long for adventure and excitement. Whether you are a first-time visitor or a regular traveler, there is always plenty to explore and revisit in Thailand, and sometimes it’s a bit overwhelming to pick the top ones among many wonderful choices. Hence, we decided to take that burden off of you and came up with 6 best places to visit in Thailand so that you can add them to your bucket-list and prepare for your dream trip ahead with peace of mind.

1. Bangkokthe grand palace_bangkok

The Grand Palace at sunset, Bangkok.

You might be wondering why we would even include Bangkok in this list as it is the first place any tourist sets foot in Thailand and probably they already have it in mind, right? Not quite! A lot of people come to the country planning to visit beautiful beaches, secluded islands and vast national parks, which is absolutely great, however some tend to skip the hidden gems of the capital right under their noses. Believe it or not, Bangkok and its immediate surroundings are packed with fascinating sites and spots that you could spend days roaming around and still have more to explore. Here are a few mentions to give you an idea of what places to check out during your stay in Bangkok: 

  • The Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew
  • Floating Market
  • Wat Arun
  • Khaosan Road
  • Dream World Amusement Park
  • Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World
  • Ayuthaya

2. Phuket

morning traffic on the street in Phuket TownMorning traffic on the streets of Phuket Town, Phuket.

It’s hard to find someone who loves traveling and hasn’t heard of Phuket. Phuket is the largest island in Thailand and located to the southern end of the country, in the Andaman sea. If you are seeking after crystal clear waters and dazzling scenery, Nai Harn Beach and Kata Noi Beach are the first places to suggest whereas Surin Beach is the best choice for those who love luxury resorts and high-end restaurants. 

If you wish to explore the spiritual side of Phuket, Nakkerd Hill is quite a site to take a trip to as it features 45-meter-tall Big Buddha towers and Wat Chalong – the biggest temple on the island. The history of the temple is a whole other story to look up as well. 

Another captivating side of the island is its Sino-Portuguese architecture that reflects on buildings in Phuket Town thanks to Thailand’s long friendly relations with Portugal. These buildings line up on the Thalang Road where hundreds of shophouses, coffee shops and eateries attract tourists day and night.

3. Koh Samui

palm-fringed beach and azure waters in Koh Samui islandPalm-fringed beach and azure waters, Koh Samui.

Situated on the east coast of Thailand, Koh Samui is the second largest island in the country and home to countless tourist attractions including luxury resorts, immaculate palm-fringed beaches, tropical rainforests and unforgettable sunset that takes your breath away! 

If Koh Samui’s attractions are not enough to satiate your hunger for adventure, then a shouting distance away from the main island lies Koh Tao – a small island famous among water enthusiasts. Whether you are a professional scuba diver or a newbie snorkeler, you get to take a glimpse at the true beauty of sea life and its mesmerizing colors. 

Meanwhile, Ang Thong National Marine Park unveils other diverse natural treasures of Thailand such as rare exotic animal species, thick canopy jungles and pristine shores that haven’t been littered by human activities.

4. Krabi

mystic fog sit on the mountainous valley_krabiMystic fog sits on the mountainous valley, Krabi.

Although Thailand is all about stunning beaches and serene waters, one place stands out among many and that destination is Krabi! Made up of more than 200 islands, Krabi is located in the west of southern Thailand and most of its area is declared national parks, which shows its significance as a top tourist attraction. Its coastline is unique in formation due to the rugged steep limestone cliffs that draw rock climbers to Railay Beach all year round while further from the sea, there are tons of natural caves that are definitely worth taking a look. 

In addition to Krabi’s endless charms, Phi Phi Islands – about 50 km away from Krabi – offer visitors even more activities including snorkeling, sailing, kayaking and birdwatching. If you want to get more adventurous, then you can head to the Thung Teao Forest Natural Park where you can hike through lush rainforests, and bathe in natural warm-water pools to refresh your body and soul.

5. Chiang Rai

Wat Rong Khun temple in Chiang RaiWat Rong Khun temple, Chiang Rai.

Chiang Rai is a province and also a city located in the northern part of Thailand, bordering both Myanmar and Laos. Unlike Phuket or Koh Samui, Chiang Rai boasts soaring mountains, dense forests and majestic waterfalls such as Khun Kon waterfall that plunges from 70 km height in Lam Nam Kok National Park. According to some, Khun Kon is the most beautiful waterfall in all of Thailand and that’s probably true. Why not venture into Chiang Rai and figure it out for yourself! 

As any other provinces, Chiang Rai is also proud of its magnificent temples, Wat Rong Khun or the White Temple being one of the most visited among others. Although the building no longer serves as a temple after redesigning and reconstructing by the famous Thai visual artist, Chalermchai Kositpipat, its current grand appearance leaves you awe-struck.

6. Khao Lak

Light beacon at nang thong beach, khoa lakLight Beacon at Nang Thong Beach, Khao Lak.

Sitting between the Takua Pa District and Thai Mueang District in the south of Thailand, Khao Lak is a less known and visited area that is brimful of virgin sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. Going unnoticed for so long, Khao Lak has now come alive unveiling its gems to tourists from around the world.

Bang Sak Beach stands out with its gorgeous strip of white sand that seems to last for eternity and provides visitors with the ultimate escape and seclusion they look for when they withdraw from their loud and hectic urban lives. There are several resorts that are established along the coastline for those who wish to make the best out of their stay in Khao Lak.

Wrapping Up

RMC Asia's CEO, Mike, with our hospitality internship participant, and hotel supervisors in ThailandRMC Asia’s CEO, Mike, with our hospitality internship participant, and hotel supervisors in Thailand.

Thailand has long been a popular tourist destination in the world and certainly has the most amazing attractions that everyone deserves to see and experience. Therefore, we encourage visitors to extend their vacation and explore the country at their own pace. There are many ways to do so and one of them is to take part in our internship programs at 5-star hotels in Thailand such as Le Méridien Phuket Beach Resort, Le Méridien Khao Lak Resort & Spa or  Vana Belle, a Luxury Collection Resort, Koh Samui. If you are a young, adventurous and enthusiastic student or a fresh graduate, you have a chance to gain solid experience from top experts of the hospitality industry while discovering Thailand’s utmost beauty for yourself.

Khudoyor Rakhmatov

Khudoyor Rakhmatov

Khudoyor Rakhmatov has a Bachelor's degree in Linguistics and a Master's degree in International Business Communications. Although he undertook multiple positions throughout his career, he has always admired digital marketing as well as content marketing so RMC Asia has given him the opportunity to show his marketing and copywriting skills. By the way, he also occupies himself with front-end development and programming when he gets nerdy or bored.
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