To hear many influencers tell it, the best places to visit in Thailand comprise just a few spots: Chiang Mai (or “Chang” Mai, as it were); Koh Pha Ngan (“Ko Fan Gan”) and maybe—but not always—Bangkok. That’s it. Nowhere else worth visiting!
I’m exaggerating a bit, of course, but my broader point is correct. The same few Thai destinations suck up all the online oxygen, which leads travelers to believe that there are only a few places in the country to see. It is only when they arrive and realize how diverse (and huge) Thailand that the regret sets in.
The good news? I’m here to give you a crash course on places to go in Thailand, whether you plan to stick to the aforementioned tourist trail or go far off the beaten path. The better news? This will almost certainly improve your eventual trip.
Real Talk: Seeing “Everywhere” in Thailand Takes a Long Time
When you start to expand your conception of the best places to visit in Thailand, you’ll realize that the country starts to seem larger than it did. Suddenly, it isn’t just about taking a couple of round-trip flights to Bangkok, or a short tuk-tuk or boat journey from whichever airport you arrive at. Instead, you face long land journeys (and even the prospect of needing to rent your own vehicle) and days or even weeks of meticulous island hopping.
At a minimum, I’d say that a truly comprehensive trip of Thailand takes a minimum of 2-3 weeks, and ideally a month in Thailand. And what do I mean by “comprehensive”? Well, after leaving Bangkok behind, you’d head north and visit at least one province beyond Chiang Mai. Likewise, in the islands, you’d see both the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. Beyond this, and depending upon how long you have, you might also explore the underrated Isaan region.
Where to Go in Thailand (for Most Travelers)
Bangkok and vicinity
It is neither surprising (it’s Thailand’s capital) nor impractical (the country’s busiest airports are here) that you should visit Bangkok when you’re in Thailand. The question is what you do there. It might sound shocking, but back when I first started traveling to Southeast Asia, many travelers actually recommended skipping the so-called “City of Angels” (which was then dirty, disorganized and filled with scams) all together. These days, I suggest spending a minimum of 2-3 days here, whether you focus on historical districts like Rattanakosin and Thonburi, or modern Silom and Sukhumvit.
TIP: If you don’t have thet time to diverge much geographically from central Thailand, but still want to explore outside the city, check out my central Thailand road trip itinerary!
The North: Chiang Mai and beyond
Likewise, there’s nothing novel among naming the northern hub of Chiang Mai among Thailand places to visit. Here again, the question is not whether you’ll go, but where you’ll go from here. On a shorter trip (say, two weeks in Thailand or less), you might not go anywhere else. If you do have time, however, then Thailand’s north is replete with onward journeys. A more mainstream option might be to head northeastward to Chiang Rai or west onto the Mae Hong Son Loop; heading eastward to Lampang, Phayao or Nan is more a journey off the beaten path.
The Andaman Sea
When it comes to The Islands™, the reality is that the Andaman Sea comprises most of what people imagine when they imagine this part of Thailand, namely dramatic limestone karsts rising above impossibly blue waters. However, this is a very big part of Thailand, with nearly a dozen worthwhile islands. Some travelers will play it pretty safe, choosing between Phuket or Krabi and calling it a day. Others will head north into Phang Nga; still others will board their first of many boats heading eastward and then southward, whether to more mainstream islands like Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta, or down to the remote Trang archipelago or even all the way south to Koh Lipe.
(And/or the Gulf of Thailand)
Of course, there’s an argument that the best place to visit in Thailand for beach lovers is on the “other side” of the country—namely, the Gulf of Thailand side. In many cases, this means choosing either popular Koh Samui or one of the two islands (Koh Pha Ngan or Koh Tao) that’s a short boat ride away from it. Alternatively, you can head to Trat in Thailand’s far east, where four islands (Koh Chang; Koh Kood; Koh Mak; Koh Wai) await your discovery.
Pattaya or Hua Hin
If you want to hit the beach, but don’t necessarily need to be an island and/or if the quality of the beach itself is necessary, one of two coastal idylls a couple of hours from Bangkok might be a good bet for you. Partiers and those in Thailand for…certain activities may prefer seedy Pattaya (which, to be fair, has done a lot of work to clean up its reputation in recent years). Alternatively, Hua Hin has a decidedly sleepier vibe, and tends to be home to more older couples than to the singles that frequent Pattaya.
Isaan
Very few people would put the northeastern Isaan region on a list of Thailand tourist places, with the possible exception of Udon Thani’s Red Lotus Sea following Blackpink singer Lisa’s campaign featuring it in the mid-2020s. Of course, for me, that’s a great deal about why this part of Thailand is so appealing. You’ve got so many authentic places to discover, from large cities like Ubon Ratchathani and Roi Et, to sleepy river towns like Nakhon Phanom and Chiang Khan, to natural attractions like Sam Phan Bok, which is (incorrectly, in my opinion) known as the “Grand Canyon of Thailand.” Oh, and lots and lots of spicy food!
Off Thailand’s beaten path
I’ve covered so many destinations in this guide so far (many of them far from tourist traps) that it might seem redundant to talk about going off Thailand’s beaten path. But I promise you, there’s more! Some of these destinations are easy add-ons to ones I’ve mentioned before. After finishing up in Trat’s islands, for example, you can visit the underrated town of Chanthaburi (birthplace of the noodles in Pad Thai) on your way back to Bangkok; Chachaoegsao and Si Racha are close enough to the capital to comprise à la carte day trips.
Alternatively, if you don’t mind traveling far afield and going literally off the beaten, you could take a rainy season road trip to see Chaiyaphum‘s “Siam Tulips” or trek to the Thi Lor Su waterfall near Mae Sot.
A Foolproof Way to Choose the Best Thailand Destinations
Deciding where to go in Thailand is one of the hardest things to do, in part because there are just too many choices. Even if you can whittle the list down, it can be impossible to choose the right spots (or even to know if you’ve chosen the right ones) because…well, you’ve never been to them. Phuket or Pattaya might be your dream destinations on paper, only to disappoint or devastate you once you arrive.
When you hire me to plan your Thailand itinerary, however, it transcends simply reading off a list of Thailand best places to visit. I leverage nearly 20 years of experience exploring the Kingdom to expertly curate destinations and experiences that perfectly match your preferences and travel style. I then create an intricate document that combines personalized daily recommendations for activities, meals and accommodation with detailed transportation advice throughout.
Other FAQ About Places to Visit in Thailand
What are the top 5 places to visit in Thailand?
For most travelers, the top five places to visit in Thailand are the following, in no particular order: Bangkok; Chiang Mai; Phuket; Pattaya; and Koh Samui. These aren’t necessarily the “best” places to visit in Thailand, but are certainly the most popular ones based on visitor numbers.
What is the best part of Thailand to go to?
Northern Thailand is not necessarily home to the objective best places in Thailand, but these are the richest and most rewarding areas to visit. For example, you can fly northward to popular Chiang Mai, and easily continue onward to underrated provinces like Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son and Lampang.
Where do most tourists visit in Thailand?
The majority of tourists in Thailand stick to a pretty narrow tourist trail. This includes the capital of Bangkok and the northern city of Chiang Mai, plus islands like Phuket and Koh Samui, and coastal (but not island) cities like Pattaya and Hua Hin. Most destinations beyond these core few see significantly fewer tourists, even if some are objectively quite popular in their own right.
The Bottom Line
The range of places to visit in Thailand is far more eclectic and expansive than most travelers consider, even when you limit it to frames like “Bangkok,” “The North” and “The Islands.” In Northern Thailand alone, for example, you can easily escape the confines of Chiang Mai, whether you head northward to Chiang Rai, southward to Lampang, eastward to Nan or westward onto the Mae Hong Son Loop. This is to say nothing of how many islands you can explore in Thailand’s various coastal regions, let alone addressing the true complexities of Bangkok. Need personalized help planning your next Thailand trip? Consider hiring me to help!
