10 Things To Do In Thailand

There is so much to see and do in Thailand. Here is our round-up of the best things to do in this amazing country.

Chiang Mai Night Bazaar

The beautiful city of Chiang Mai in the north of the country should be on every visitor’s itinerary. This is a laid-back destination in direct contrast to the hustle and bustle of Bangkok and offers a wealth of options to explore. However long you choose to stay here the night market should definitely be on your to do list.

Visit the Islands

Each Thai island has its own vibe and if you have time you should try and spend time at more than one. Arriving by boat through turquoise water and stepping on to golden sand is true taste of paradise!

Touring the Temples

There are so many temples in Thailand it’s hard to know where to start, but visiting Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace in Bangkok is a must. The Emerald Buddha is the star of the show here, but the whole experience is like stepping in to a fairy tale.

Ayutthaya

This UNESCO world heritage site was the capital of Siam between 1350 and 1767 and its ruins give a glimpse in to the history of what was once a wealthy trading port and home to over a million people.

Learn to Dive

With over 5000 miles of coastline and beautiful blue sea you’d be hard pressed not to want to explore under the surface. From simply snorkelling to fully immersing yourself in an underwater world and becoming a divemaster there are a number of PADI courses Thailand has to offer and some great opportunities to see the magic beneath the tropical waves.

Elephant Sanctuary

Get to meet the country’s loveable Asian elephants at one of a number of conservation centres such as the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai. Here the focus is on the welfare of these wonderful creatures, many of whom have been rescued from working for the tourist industry.

Street Food and Floating Markets

Thailand is rightly famous for its food and what better way to enjoy it than in the bustling streets of Bangkok, cooked in front of your eyes. Whether Pad Thai or Green curry is your thing there’s plenty to choose from at prices that won’t break the bank. Going direct to the source of the fresh produce should be on your list too and what better place than one of the floating markets.

Trekking Among The Hill Tribes

In the north of the country live the different hill tribes whose way of life, customs and dress has hardly changed for centuries. The decorative clothes and jewellery adorning these peaceful and friendly tribeswomen is a real sight to behold and it is well worth staying with a family on a trekking excursion if you get the chance.

Kanchanaburi & the Bridge on the River Kwai

Immortalised in the classic film, The Bridge on the River Kwai the Kanchanburi province was where allied prisoners of war were forced to work on the building of the notorious Burma-Siam Railway. The war museum and war cemetery offer a reminder of this chilling chapter from the occupation of Thailand during WWII.

The Golden Triangle

The point where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet is known as the Golden Triangle.
In the 19th century the area was the centre of the opium trade and a visit to the Opium Museum is well worth the time to learn more about the history of the area.
Thailand has so much to offer tourists, so start planning your next trip now so you can enjoy everything from the beautiful deep blue sea to the tops of ancient mountains.

About Author

Jeff Glenn is the Founder of Go Pro Asia, one of Thailand’s most popular professional dive training resorts. Jeff is a PADI course director and technical diving instructor trainer and has over 20 years’ experience in the dive industry.