Things to do in Thailand

32 things to do in Thailand

Listed in full below. The running order is set by votes and loads with the page.

• Eat at a Bangkok night market

  Build dinner from skewers, noodles, fruit, curries, and whatever smells best next.

  Bangkok

• Island-hop by long-tail boat

  Spend a day between limestone cliffs, warm water, and beach stops.

  Krabi

• Visit Chiang Mai during Yi Peng

  See the north at its most atmospheric with lanterns, temples, and night markets.

  Chiang Mai

• Visit the Grand Palace early

  Arrive before the heat and crowds to see Bangkok's most ornate royal complex.

  Bangkok

• Take a cooking class in Chiang Mai

  Shop, pound curry paste, and bring home a better understanding of Thai flavor.

  Chiang Mai

• Kayak through Phang Nga Bay

  Paddle between limestone towers, hidden lagoons, and water so green it looks unreal.

  Phang Nga

• Ride the overnight train south

  Let the country unfold through stations, bunks, food carts, and morning light.

  Bangkok to Surat Thani

• See ancient ruins in Sukhothai

  Cycle between temple remains, lotus ponds, and wide old kingdom landscapes.

  Sukhothai

• Snorkel around Koh Tao

  Spend the day in calm bays with reefs, clear water, and slow island evenings.

  Koh Tao

• Watch sunset from a rooftop in Bangkok

  Trade street-level heat for skyline, river bends, and a glowing city.

  Bangkok

• Marvel at the Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho

  Home to a colossal 46-meter-long gold-plated Reclining Buddha, this temple is also the birthplace of traditional Thai massage. The serene courtyards and intricate mother-of-pearl inlays make it a cultural treasure.

  Bangkok

• Climb Wat Arun at sunset

  Ascend the steep stairs of the Temple of Dawn, adorned with colourful porcelain mosaics, for panoramic views over the Chao Phraya River as the setting sun bathes the spire in golden light.

  Bangkok

• Shop and snack at Chatuchak Weekend Market

  Lose yourself among 15,000 stalls of Thailand's largest open-air market, where you can find everything from vintage clothing to exotic pets, while sampling spicy papaya salad and coconut ice cream.

  Bangkok

• Feast on street food in Yaowarat (Bangkok's Chinatown)

  Dive into the neon-lit chaos of Yaowarat Road after dark, where sizzling woks serve up pad Thai, roasted duck, and fresh seafood. This culinary artery is a non-stop feast for the senses.

  Bangkok

• Navigate the floating market of Damnoen Saduak

  Glide through narrow canals in a long-tail boat past vendors selling tropical fruits, steaming noodle bowls and colourful handicrafts straight from their wooden boats at this iconic floating market.

  Ratchaburi

• Cycle through the ruined temples of Ayutthaya Historical Park

  Explore the UNESCO-listed former capital's crumbling prangs and giant Buddha statues entwined with tree roots, best discovered on two wheels at dawn when the light turns the brick ruins gold.

  Ayutthaya

• Wander the first capital at Sukhothai Historical Park

  Stroll among lotus-filled ponds and graceful Buddha figures in old Sukhothai, where the dawn of Thai art and architecture shines in the well-preserved ruins of temples like Wat Mahathat.

  Sukhothai

• Befriend rescued elephants at Elephant Nature Park

  Spend a day feeding and bathing elephants in a responsible sanctuary near Chiang Mai, observing these gentle giants roaming free in a natural valley. No riding, just ethical connection.

  Chiang Mai

• Reach Thailand's highest peak at Doi Inthanon

  Trek through mist-shrouded cloud forests and past terraced rice fields to the summit of Doi Inthanon, passing twin royal pagodas and breathtaking waterfalls like Wachirathan along the way.

  Chiang Mai

• Snorkel in the turquoise waters of Phi Phi Islands

  Sail to the phi-shaped isles where limestone cliffs plunge into emerald seas. Swim among vibrant coral gardens and visit the famous Maya Bay, made famous by the film 'The Beach'.

  Krabi

• Rock climb the limestone cliffs of Railay Beach

  Tackle world-class climbing routes on the towering karst walls that meet the Andaman Sea, with grades for beginners to experts, then cool off on powdery Phra Nang Beach.

  Krabi

• Sleep in a floating bungalow on Cheow Lan Lake in Khao Sok

  Drift off to the calls of gibbons in an otherworldly reservoir surrounded by ancient rainforest. Canoe into hidden coves, trek to caves, and wake up to mirror-still water.

  Surat Thani

• Dance until sunrise at the Full Moon Party on Haad Rin Beach

  Join thousands of revellers on the crescent sands of Koh Phangan for a legendary all-night beach party fuelled by neon paint, fire shows, and thumping bass under the full moon.

  Koh Phangan

• Temple-hop in Chiang Mai's Old City

  Wander within the ancient moat to discover Lanna-style temples like Wat Chedi Luang with its massive ruined stupa and Wat Phra Singh's revered Buddha image, all within walking distance.

  Chiang Mai

• Chase sunsets at Pai Canyon

  Walk narrow red-soil ridges with steep forested drops on both sides at this narrow canyon near Pai, offering spectacular 360‑degree views as the sky ignites over the mountains.

  Pai

• Be dazzled by the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun)

  Enter a surreal contemporary vision of a Buddhist temple, entirely white and covered in mirrored glass, with a bridge over a sea of reaching sculpted hands leading to the main hall.

  Chiang Rai

• Admire the blue majesty of Wat Rong Suea Ten

  Gaze up at the striking sapphire‑blue walls, ornate gilded trim and a large white Buddha inside Chiang Rai's newer architectural gem, often called the Blue Temple.

  Chiang Rai

• Browse the Chiang Rai Night Bazaar

  Sample northern Thai snacks like khao soi and shop for hill‑tribe handicrafts in the lively open‑air market that fills the street with food stalls, live music and local art.

  Chiang Rai

• Swim in the seven tiers of Erawan Waterfall

  Hike through lush jungle to a chain of emerald‑green pools linked by cascades, where small fish nibble your feet. Each level offers a new spot to cool off in crystal-clear water.

  Kanchanaburi

• Walk the Bridge over the River Kwai and the Death Railway

  Stand on the infamous black iron bridge built during WWII and ride a historic train along a cliff-hugging track, deeply poignant reminders of the human cost of the Japanese occupation.

  Kanchanaburi

• Dive the Similan Islands in the Andaman Sea

  Plunge into some of the world's finest dive sites, where underwater rock formations teem with manta rays, whale sharks and technicolour coral gardens, accessible only by liveaboard.

  Phang Nga

• Party on the legendary Khao San Road

  Immerse yourself in the backpacker mecca where cheap cocktails, street performers, and blaring music spill onto the street, drawing a young international crowd all night long.

  Bangkok