Thailand is a Southeast Asian country with a lot of tourist influence. Its beaches and island paradises are something you have to see at least once in your life, as well as its countless Buddhist temples. Just like its unique Asian culture, Thai cuisine is also a stand-out feature. In this post we tell you what to see and do on your trip to Thailand, so you can let yourself be carried away by its charm.
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What to see in Thailand?
If there is something charming about Thailand, it is its natural landscapes, its temples and its food. Here are some of the must-see destinations in Thailand, especially cities that are full of history and exude tranquillity.
Bangkok
It is the most famous city in Thailand as it is the capital. It is not only important due to its temples but also for its crowded streets, street food, palaces and markets. If you want to enjoy a great Asian city you should definitely see the centre. On the other hand, if you are interested in Buddhist temples this city has around 400 such as Wat Phra Kaew, What Pho, Wat Arun or Wat Saket. There are also many museums exploring the culture of the country or famous streets like Khao San Road.
It is a destination that travellers tend to like a lot, not only because it is the capital, but also because you can enjoy the comforts of a big city and at the same time travel to some of the quieter surrounding areas. If you are a fan of gastronomy, we recommendgoing to the night market.
Chiang Mai
This city is the largest in the north of Thailand, known as the Rose of the North. It is without a doubt a very touristic cultural centre, with many temples such as Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phan Tao, Wat Chiang Man, Wat Lok Molee, Wat Sri Suphan, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep on the outskirts of the city and many more. The oldest part of the city retains many city walls and you can see beautiful scenery as it has the highest mountains in the country.
A curious fact is that this city was the historic capital of Lanna which later became the Kingdom of Ayutthaya. In fact, the architecture of its temples is very important. It is usually a very common destination for adventurous travellers. The city’s main charm is that you can find a lot of natural beauty. If you are a backpacker, you better have your camera handy.
Sukhothai
This small city is located in the north of Thailand. Its importance lies in being one of the oldest cities in Thailand, as it was the first capital of the kingdom of Siam, in the XII and XV centuries. In fact it preserves many monuments of that time, considered the golden age of Thailand. The ruins of this city are very famous, you can find several statues of Buddha.
The city has fantastic views, you can also visit the national museum to learn more about the culture of this city and different temples in it, although the most famous is Wat Chang Lom. It is a popular destination for travellers who want to know how Thai culture has developed or are interested in Buddhism, if you are a fan of world heritage it is definitely a city you have to see on your trip to Thailand.
Krabi
This city in southern Thailand is near the Andaman Sea coast. Here you can combine sightseeing with enjoying the weather and beaches. The city of Krabi is famous for being a paradise of natural beaches. You can use this city as a guide to then explore beaches such as Railay, Ao Phra Nang, Ko Poda, Loh Dalum, Maya BayAo Nang Beach and many more. Quite a few beach destinations offer activities for tourists and have a large number of bars and restaurants.
If your idea is to go to Thailand to relax, enjoy the good life and disconnect, this is the city for you. It will make you feel as though you are in a Hollywood movie where you are the millionaire resting from business life or the adventurer who is on sabbatical and has gone to find themsleves again. In fact Ao Nang Island is famous for being James Bond’s island.
Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai is located in the north of Thailand, it was the capital at the time of the Mangrai dynasty, nowadays it is a quiet city, full of beautiful landscapes and culture, very famous especially for backpackers. One of its most important temples is Wat Phra Kaew, the Chiang Rai Blue Temple, and Wat Hay Pla Kung, although there are many more. One of the most interesting things to see in the city are the markets, such as the night market, to enjoy the city’s gastronomy. If you have time, go hiking in the city’s mountains.
It is worth it just for the incredible architecture of its temples, these marked a before and after. If you are a fan of photography and architecture you can’t miss it, in fact many travellers have this city as their main destination. The food is different from that of the south and is incredible.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
Most charming places to see in Thailand
Ayutthaya Ruins
You have to see the ruins of Ayutthaya. Known as Ayutthaya Historical Park, they are recognized as a World Heritage Site by Unesco, and have a great tourist impact. It is not surprising seeing as they occupy an area of 15 square kilometres, and you can see temples and stupas from the eighteenth century half in ruins. Ayutthaya had more than 500 temples and had 33 kings, although today you can still see the ruins, they are very well preserved. It is a destination that tends to impress tourists, full of history and tranquillity. We recommend that if you go you take some time to think and meditate. The visit is free.
Wat Phra Kaew
If you travel to Thailand you have to see the Wat Phra Kaew temple. Its full name is Wat Phra Sri Ratana Satsadaram, known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. It is a Buddhist temple in Bangkok, considered the holiest Buddhist temple in Thailand, very famous for its Thai architecture, in addition to its golden colour. The temple is quite large and has a lot of land, and a very impressive statue of the Emerald Buddha that is revered, in addition to a large series of buildings that has within the grounds of the Grand Palace.
If you like places with a nice aesthetic and full of beauty, this is the temple for you. We advise you to wear a T-shirt that covers your shoulders when you enter, as it is respectful to wear good clothes. The opening hours are from 8:30 to 15:30 and the price is 100 baht.
Wat Arun
If you are interested in the Buddhist religion, you must see the Wat Arun Temple. Known as the Temple of Dawn, it is located near the Chao River in Thonburi in the capital city of Bangkok. The temple symbolises Mount Meru from Hindu mythology. The architecture is quite remarkable as it is different from other temples. It is advisable to visit it at sunset for the contrast of colours and if you can’t go inside to visit it you can choose to see it from the outside on a boat ride on the river.
Although you have to walk a long way to the top, it is a destination that usually has a great impact on travellers. We recommend wearing good shoes and carry a camera in your hand, because you will want to take a thousand pictures of how beautiful the place is. Also, if you visit this one, Wat Pho temple is nearby. To visit Wat Arun the opening hours are from 8:30 to 17:30 and the price is 100 bahts.
Wat Benchamabophit
Another essential temple to see on your trip to Thailand is Wat Benchamabophit, known as the White Marble Temple. It is one of the most unique temples in Bangkok, built in the late nineteenth century by command of King Rama V. Its architecture is different because it was influenced by European culture, as the king made many trips to Europe and was fascinated by its architecture. One of the things that stands out is the figure of the Golden Buddha, although there are also 52 statues of Buddha collected by Prince Damrong Rajanbhab. Being different from other temples has a great charm, and the majesty of this temple is striking. Visiting hours are from 8:00 to 17:00 and costs 20 baht.
Phi Phi Islands
The Phi Phi Islands are the main destination to see on your trip to Thailand if your idea is to go and enjoy the natural landscapes that this country has to offer. Located in the south of Thailand in Krabi, the beaches have white sand, full of tropical vegetation and clear water. The weather is always good in this area and there are many restaurants and hotels where you can eat and stay. These islands are Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh, although there are also many lesser-known beaches if you visit Krabi. A great place to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet after a busy trip around Thailand. Once you go you’ll never want to return to real life again.
What to do in Thailand in 3 days?
We recommend that depending on how many days you are going to stay, you organise yourself according to what you want to see and how much walking you can bear or what your limits are. It is normal to want to see everything and go to a thousand places, but it is very important that you rest well to enjoy yourself at all times.
First day:
Visit Bangkok
Second day:
Visit the Krabi Islands
Third day:
Visit the north of Thailand, Chiang Mai y Chiang Rai.
Where to stay in Thailand?
If you are clear about the dates of your trip to Thailand, we recommend booking a hotel or a hostel. But don’t wait until the last minute, because if it’s high tourist season you may have problems and if it’s summer with the heat you’re going to be very tired, this way you’ll avoid problems.
There are three types of accommodation in Thailand:
Luxury, these can be a resort on the beach, or in the centre of Bangkok, etc.
Guesthouses and hostels are ideal for a good night’s rest and a comfortable night’s sleep without costing too much money.
Establishments for one night’s sleep, a very cheap but not very comfortable option, if you are going for a day it is not bad.
What to eat in Thailand?
In general, if there is something characteristic of Thailand it is its street food. In all the cities you visit you will be able to eat cheaply and eat something typical of the country for a very good price. If you don’t like spicy food, ask beforehand, as spicy food is very typical in their cuisine. However, if you prefer to sit in a bar or restaurant to relax on your trip to Thailand, here are some of the typical dishes you should order.
Khao Soi: Typical in the north, it is a dish of yellow noodles, chicken leg, crispy noodles and soup.
Noodles soup: Noodles, vegetables to taste, spicy broth and a touch of spice.
Papaya salad: The typical Thai salad is with bean sprouts, carrots, some vegetables and orange papaya.
Moorish kebabs: Very typical in street food or in markets, they usually have pineapple or vegetables in addition to meat.
Pad thai: Probably the most typical dish, it consists of rice noodles, tofu, Chinese garlic, scrambled egg, chopped peanuts, dried shrimps and shallots.
Pad see ew: It has rice noodles with egg, fish and vegetables to taste, usually carrot, Chinese bracoli, garlic, Chinese beans.
Mango sticky rice: A very typical dessert, this is fresh mango with rice cooked in coconut milk and sugar.
Insects: It sounds strange, but there are some types of insects that are eaten there and if you are a daring tourist you might want to try them.
Tips for your trip to Thailand
- The currency in Thailand is the Thai Baht (BAHT = €0.026).
- Bring your money changed in advance and have cash on you, especially if you’re going to buy something from a small local shop.
- Book a place to sleep before you go.
- If you have a lot of money to spare, it’s advisable to change your money before you leave the country, but don’t do it at the airport as they tend to rip you off.
- If you’re travelling to Thailand in summer, always carry water, a hat or cap, sunglasses and sunscreen. Avoid going out during the hottest hours of the day.
- In Thailand there are two types of rain showers depending on the area you are in, so take an umbrella or waterproof jacket so you don’t get caught in the rain.
- If you’re going to natural parks, always wear comfortable clothes.
- Take a small first aid kit for emergencies.
- Tuk tuks are for tourists, if you need them to transport you, take a taxi.
- Bargaining is common in some markets where prices are not fixed.
Organise your trip to Thailand
Sign up or download the Passporter App and discover all its useful features.
- Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
- Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
- Add the spots you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organise your itinerary by days and according to their location (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make the necessary modifications and you are ready for your trip.
- Finally, share your experience. Upload photos of every place you’ve visited to the app and recommend to other travellers all there is to see in Thailand.
If you have any doubts about how to plan your itinerary, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about Thailand
The answer is no, but if you go alone, beware of scams at airports and in big cities be careful with your belongings. As in all big cities, they can be stolen. And if you go in a group it is not very dangerous, but it is advisable to be careful.
The currency is very cheap compared to the euro, and if you eat street food and go cheap you could easily travel for 12 euros a day. But if you want to spend more, that’s up to you. It also depends on where you go and what your destination is. In big cities like Bangkok it will always be more expensive than Sukhothai.
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