Thailand is so much bigger than it looks on the map, especially if you come from a massive country like Australia, Canada or the US. The Kingdom’s infrastructure exacerbate this, especially when it comes to secondary and tertiary destinations.
You can easily fly between Bangkok and hot spots like Chiang Mai, Phuket and Krabi. But if you want to string together a trip without backtracking through the capital—and, especially, if you want to deviate from the tourist trail—it can suddenly seem a lot more daunting.
The aim of this page is two-fold: To inform you about inspiring destinations in Thailand off the beaten path, and to let you know how best to integrate them into your trip.
Why So Many Travelers Get Stuck on the Bangkok-Chiang Mai-Phuket Circuit
For many people I speak with, whether in conversation on the road in Thailand or when they email me about my trip planning service, there simply isn’t any option to explore Thailand off the beaten track. The primary reason for this is simple: They’ve only devoted a week or two to Thailand as a whole, which leaves almost no time to explore after they’ve finished in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket (or, in some cases, Krabi).
There are two clear solutions to this problem: Spend less time on Thailand’s tourist trail (and, perhaps, eliminate certain destinations entirely); or stay in Thailand longer. The second option is obviously preferable, and saves you from having to choose between the obvious and the obscure. But as I’ll outline over the next few paragraphs, even travelers on relatively short trips can take exciting excursions from typical destinations to more transcendental ones.
My Favorite Ways to Go Off Thailand’s Beaten Path
Take an excursion from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi or Ang Thong
You don’t have to go far beyond Bangkok to explore unique Thailand destinations. One way to do this is to go overnight (or, ideally, for an entire weekend) to Kanchanaburi, a western province defined both by nature (the majestic Erawan Falls) and culture, in the farm of the Wat Tham Suea (tiger cave) temple. Alternatively, head north to Ang Thong and its massive Buddha, which if you play your cards right can be a day trip.
Choose Sukhothai instead of Ayutthaya
Unless you stay overnight in Ayutthaya (in which case I think you can really see the unique essence of Thailand’s ancient capital), I generally think the even more ancient capital of Sukhothai is the better choice for history buffs. It’s smaller, less filled with tourists, and easy to explore. Just rent a bike at your guest house, fuel up on Sukthothai noodles and cycle amid the ruins (which are especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset).
Add Chiang Rai, Lampang or Mae Hong Son to your northern Thailand itinerary
Let’s be honest: You won’t find many of the unique things to do in Thailand in Chiang Mai. However, you don’t necessarily need to go far from Chiang Mai to find them. Just 90 minutes away and accessible on a day trip, sleepy Lampang offers a relaxed, riverside vibe. Or spend a few days elsewhere, whether you head north to Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle, or travel eastward by motorbike or car along the iconic Mae Hong Son loop.
(Or visit the underrated Isaan region)
Sometimes known as the “Texas of Thailand” (and sometimes not so affectionately), Isaan is not an obvious choice for many travelers. Increasingly, however it’s one of my favorite regions of the Kingdom. From rural Loei and its Phi Ta Kon festival, to Udon Thani and its “Red Lotus Sea,” to the massive standing Buddha of Roi Et, there’s an argument to be made that Isaan (which also includes Nakhon Phanom and Ubon Ratchathani provinces) is the most authentic part of Thailand.
Stop in Chanthaburi on your way to Koh Chang
Another example of off the beaten track Thailand that’s en route to somewhere more mainstream? Sleepy Chanthaburi in Thailand’s far east. Whether you come to visit its iconic cathedral, to eat the “original” Pad Thai noodles or simply to relax along the Chanthaboon Riverfront, you can stop here either on the way to or the back from Koh Chang and the other Trat islands—well, at least as long as you travel to or from Bangkok overland.
Explore Thailand’s deep south (with caution)
I’ll be honest: Some of Thailand’s far southern provinces are downright dangerous—no Thai friend of mine would let me go to Yala, Pattani or Narathiwat if they knew I planned to visit. At the same time, other provinces in that area are perfectly safe, including eclectic Hat Yai (which blends Muslim and Chinese cultures), stimulating Songkhla and Nakhon Si Thammarat, which I’ve heard described as “unadulterated southern Thailand.”
Go island hopping—like, for real
Thailand has so many islands that most people stop counting at 5 or 6. If you really want to go off Thailand’s maritime beaten path, you need to devote yourself to the cause. In the Andaman Sea, this can be as simple as a day trip from Phuket or Phang Nga to the protected Similan Islands, or starting and underrated Koh Lanta and using it as a jumping-off point for forlorn Trang and idyllic Koh Lipe. In the Gulf of Thailand, the Trat islands (especially Koh Wai) can scratch this itch.
How to Go Off the Beaten Path Without Leaving Bangkok
Planning a trip to Thailand, but aren’t planning to spend much (if any) time outside of Bangkok? Not to worry—you can go off the beaten path Thailand without leaving the capital. Here are some of my favorite ways to do so:
- The so-called “UFO Temple” of Wat Phra Dhammakaya is just a few minutes from Don Mueang Airport by Grab car, but feels like a completely different world.
- Likewise, Wat Pak Nam (on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River, itself a treasure hidden in plain sight) is known among Japanese tourists as the “Space Temple” for its celestial interior.
- While Ban That Thong Road won’t be off the radar for much longer, it’s currently a nice alternative to some of Bangkok’s more popular street food areas.
The same logic, for what it’s worth, can apply to Chiang Mai and Phuket, as I’ve alluded to in some of the sections above this one.
Other FAQ About Going Off Thailand’s Beaten Path
Where can I go off the beaten track in Thailand?
If you’ve been to Thailand many times and want to go firmly off the beaten track, exploring secondary and tertiary regions like Isaan and Thailand’s far south are the best way to discover underrated Thailand. Conversely, making shorter excursions from mainstream destinations (Kanchanaburi from Bangkok; Chiang Rai or Lampang from Chiang Mai) allows you to see other sides of Thailand without too much effort or expense, neither in time nor in money.
What is there to do off the beaten path in Bangkok?
The easiest way to go off the beaten path in Bangkok is to head over the Chao Phraya River from Rattanakosin (the part of the old city most tourists stick to), and instead explore Thonburi, which has many fewer tourists. You can also eat your way along underrated food streets like Ban That Thong Road, or make excursions to unique destinations like Wat Phra Dhammakaya “UFO temple.”
What should I avoid in Thailand?
Objectively speaking, there’s not a single place you need to avoid in Thailand—everyone has different interests, and most of them are valid. However, if you want to enjoy a relaxing time along beautiful beaches, I’d probably avoid Phuket’s West Coast, and the central area of Pattaya. Likewise, while Chiang Mai can be a lot of fun, other northern provinces (namely Chiang Rai, Lampang and Mae Hong Son) are arguably more relaxing.
The Bottom Line
Explore Thailand off the beaten path doesn’t have to be hard. The first step? Identifying where you want to go—or, at least, the sorts of places you want to go. If you know that island hopping is a priority, for example, you can easily decide which portion of Thailand’s coast to target, and even the specific islands you’ll visit. Next, you need to build secondary and tertiary destinations into your trip plan, whether you take a weekend excursion to Kanchanaburi after exploring Bangkok, or slot in an entire underrated region, such as Isaan or Thailand’s far south. Need personalized help crafting a truly unique itinerary? Consider hiring me to plan your Thailand trip!
