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6 Best Places in Thailand to Visit

Historic Phra Nakhon is home to the 18th-century Grand Palace, a royal residence with lavish throne halls, museums, and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

From its capital city of Bangkok and its beautiful islands, experiencing all Thailand offers in one trip would not be easy. But here are some of the best places in Thailand to visit to get the full experience, eat well, and have a lot of fun!

The Grand Palace is a complex of buildings at the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. The palace has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam since 1782.
The Grand Palace is a complex of buildings at the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. The palace has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam since 1782. Photo: Pixabay

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6 Best Places in Thailand to Visit

Thailand is home to many cultural sites, national parks, and beaches. This Southeast Asia country is also well known for its outstanding cuisine and fun nightlife. Known as the “Land of Smiles,” travelers will also deliver friendly, helpful, and (almost) always smiling locals.

Too many years ago, I visited Thailand and spent three weeks exploring and experiencing its cities, islands, and people — and still, that wasn’t enough time to see all the best destinations in Thailand! Read on for some of the best places in Thailand to visit.

Bangkok

Historic Phra Nakhon is home to the 18th-century Grand Palace, a royal residence with lavish throne halls, museums, and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
Historic Phra Nakhon is home to the 18th-century Grand Palace, a royal residence with lavish throne halls, museums, and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Photo: Pixabay

The beautiful capital of Bangkok is known for many things from its incredible architecture and cultural richness to its fun and lively nightlife. The fun never stops, so you’ll be having the time of your life all day and night.

Options for shopping range from small floating markets to big and fancy malls. Food is also a prominent thing and the restaurants and street food are a must-try! When talking about Bangkok, it’s pretty safe to say that there’s something for everybody, and best travel destination for all ages including seniors.

Phi Phi Islands

Maya Bay, Phi Phi Island, Thailand
Maya Bay, Phi Phi Island, Thailand. Photo by Humphrey Muleba on Unsplash

The Phi Phi Islands are filled with nature and beautiful sights. Home to the famous Maya Bay with stunning beaches with the softest sand and the clearest water. But in order to uncover the full beauty of the Phi Phi Islands, you can’t do it on foot. Experts at Phi Phi Island Tour Simba suggest that the best way to see everything properly is to have an exact plan of action and do it by boat! You simply can’t see everything at once and even worse if you are on your own.  Beautiful coral reefs, 100-meter high cliffs, and other stunning details can all be seen with a simple speedboat tour.

Chiang Mai

Doi Inthanon, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Doi Inthanon, Chiang Mai, Thailand – Photo by Haydn Golden on Unsplash

When talking about Chiang Mai you certainly can’t look past its beauty – it’s simply other-worldly. Located in mountainous northern Thailand, this city is extremely important as it holds historical and cultural value.

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep to Wat Chiang Man (and many more!), Chiang Mai has a large number of incredible ancient temples that first-time travelers must see! This cultural capital is not a small place, so it’s pretty impossible to grasp it at once. You’ll get lost in its beauty – so make sure to ask the locals for help.

A land of misty mountains and colorful hill tribes, Chiang Mai also offers adventures just outside the city limits.

Phuket

Stunning beaches and friendly people, visiting Phuket, Thailand makes the list of best vacations for empty nesters.
Stunning beaches and friendly people, visiting Phuket, Thailand makes the list of best vacations for empty nesters. Photo: Pixabay

Thailand’s biggest island is also one of its top locations, famous for the outstandingly beautiful beaches with Patong Beach as the most popular one. Phuket is also a place with a strong cultural background with the Big Buddha and Wat Chalong as the main sites of the island. Phuket offers a good time with its amazing nightlife. Take part in fun activities like hiking or scuba diving. You’ll basically never get bored here!

Ko Samui

Big Buddha temple sits majestically on a small rocky island off Koh Samui’s north-eastern corner. Known locally as Wat Phra Yai, its golden, 12-metre seated Buddha statue was built in 1972 and remains one of the island’s most popular attractions.
Big Buddha temple sits majestically on a small rocky island off Koh Samui’s north-eastern corner. Known locally as Wat Phra Yai, its golden, 12-metre seated Buddha statue was built in 1972 and remains one of the island’s most popular attractions.

Located in the Gulf of Thailand, Ko Samui’s inland is still awe-inspiring with its rugged jungle draped inland.  As the country’s second largest island, it’s known for its palm-fringed beaches, coconut groves and dense, mountainous rainforest, plus luxury resorts and posh spas.

Banking on its reputation as a holiday destination for relaxation, Samui is now as popular as Phuket. In addition to its relaxing beaches, cultural offerings, shopping and local cuisine, this island offers more than 80 spa resorts (and counting), plenty of reasons to say ah to Thai Spas in Ko Samui, Thailand. 

Chiang Rai

Wat Rong Khun, perhaps better known to foreigners as the White Temple, is a privately owned art exhibit in the style of a Buddhist temple in Chiang Rai Province, Thailand.
Wat Rong Khun, perhaps better known to foreigners as the White Temple, is a privately-owned art exhibit in the style of a Buddhist temple in Chiang Rai Province, Thailand. Photo: Pixabay

The Chiang Rai Province is home to plenty of treasures such as the recognizable Wat Rong Khun – or better known as the White Temple. Another breathtaking site is Wat Huay Pla Kang, a tall temple with a magnificent statue of Guan Yin. This glorious structure is a must-see for every tourist that comes to Thailand.

Thailand offers something for everyone!

From Bangkok to Phi Phi Island, 6 best places in Thailand to visit #bestplacesinthailandtovisit #visitthailand #familyvacation #multigentravel #southeastasiatravel

Thailand is such a good location for any type of tourist, doesn’t matter if you go for the beaches or for the cultural sites and nature, you should definitely give everything a shot while you are there! From the glorious architecture and historical value to hot beach days and night safari – there’s something for everybody!