We've hand-picked the best things to do in Thailand.
27 Attractions in Thailand:
Pattaya Cultural$$$$$
Sanctuary of Truth
A majestic, castle-like wooden temple seemingly floating above the sea at the Ratchavete Cape beachfront. Every inch of the 105-metre high structure is decorated with intricate carvings of stories from Thai folklore. The Sanctuary of Truth possesses a rare atmosphere of tranquility and is a fine example of man’s ability to craft natural materials, made entirely from untreated wood without a single metal nail.Bangkok Museum$$$$$
Jim Thompson House Museum
Former home of Jim Thomson, an American businessman best known for reviving the Thai silk industry. Thompson’s grand home was turned into a museum showcasing his collection of traditional Thai furniture, statues, and art after his mysterious disappearance in 1967.Krabi BeachFree
Railay Beach
A pristine, white sandy beach with dramatic cliff landscapes only accessible by boat. No vehicles (other than golf buggies) are allowed on the peninsula, creating a peaceful atmosphere. Activities range from lazing in the sparkling, calm sea to rock climbing. Dozens of accommodation options ranging from budget to luxury.Bangkok Religious$$$$$
Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
An elegant Buddhist temple located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. Wat Arun’s appearance is different to other religious sites in Bangkok, having been inspired by the temples of the ancient kingdom of Ayutthaya. Visitors who brave the spire’s incredibly steep steps are rewarded with views over the winding river and historic old city.Chiang Mai Religious$$$$$
Wat Chedi Luang
A 14th century Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai. Former home of the Emerald Buddha (which now resides in Wat Pra Kaew at the Grand Palace complex in Bangkok). Wat Chedi Luang features three ornate buildings with golden Buddhas, intricate paintings and religious sculptures. The main building stood 80 metres high before being damaged by an earthquake in 1545 AD. Earthquake damage can still be seen.Hua Hin Nature$$$$$
Phraya Nakhon Cave
A mystical cavern located within the Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park near Hua Hin. Views of dancing sunrays and the pin-drop quiet atmosphere are well worth the 430m uphill climb to reach the cave. Save a 2km hike and catch a boat from the main National Park entrance to the closer Laem Sala Beach.Phuket Distillery $$$$$
Chalong Bay Rum Distillery
A fully functioning rum distillery with a cocktail bar and restaurant. Most popular for its rum tasting and distillery tour which runs every hour from 2pm – 6pm. The tour includes a free cocktail, rum tasting and a detailed explanation of the fascinating distillery process covering everything from sourcing sugar cane to adding flavouring and labelling bottles. Cocktail workshops also available.Krabi Hot Spring$$$$$
Khlong Thom Hot Spring
Cascading waterfalls flowing into smooth stone pools heated by geothermal springs. The water inside these natural hot tubs averages around 35-40°C and contain restorative mineral salts to invigorate the body, mind, and soul.Bangkok Sports$$$$$
Rajadamnern Boxing Stadium
Bangkok’s home of Muay Thai fighting matches. Watch professional fighters clash in the ring every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Perhaps more popular than the fight itself is the opportunity for spectators to place bets on blue vs red-clad boxers using a series of coded hand gestures. Rajadamnern Boxing Stadium is one of the largest and most modern stadiums in Bangkok with capacity for 8,000 spectators.Pattaya NightlifeFree
Pattaya Walking Street
A one-kilometer-long street that closes to vehicular traffic at 6pm each evening and comes to life with dozens of bars, restaurants, night clubs and go-go bars.Phuket ReligiousFree
Big Buddha
A 45m-high Buddha statue with 360-degree views from its hilltop vantage point. The statue’s construction of concrete, jade and marble glistens in the sunlight and can be seen from most of the island, even as far away as Phuket Town and Karon Beach.KrabiKrabi
Emerald Pool (Sa Morakot)
A natural rock pool flowing with blue-green water and surrounded by the peaceful Thung Teao Forest National Park. Emerald Pool is the most popular of several natural springs in the area for swimming and relaxing in its cool waters. The pool's emerald color changes to turquoise during the day under the influence of changing temperature, minerals, and limestone leaching from the hillside.Bangkok Shopping Mall$$$$$
Siam Paragon
One of Bangkok’s largest and most popular shopping malls, located within the historical district of Siam. This sprawling mega mall features 9 levels of stores covering local and international clothing brands, accessories, precious jewellery, technology, homewares, hair salons, nail salons, toys, luxury cars, and more. Don’t feel like shopping? There’s still plenty of things to do at Siam Paragon including a large cinema, kids’ play centre, bowling alley, and even an aquarium.Pattaya Market$$$$$
Pattaya Floating Market
One of the world’s largest man-made floating markets with over 100 stores selling clothing, souvenirs, homewares and food in a stilted village connected by a series of bridges and boardwalks. Visitors can purchase a long-boat ride along the network of canals to see the traditionally inspired wooden architecture and catch a glimpse of stalls you might like to visit, or simply wander through the market stalls to see the items up close.Phuket BeachFree
Ko Racha Yai
Immaculate white beach sand and crystal clear, turquoise waters and one of South East Asia’s best snorkeling locations. Canoe hire and scuba-diving courses available. The Racha Resort provides a rest from snorkeling with a restaurant, cocktail bar and swimming pool. Best visited as a day tour from Chalong Pier, Phuket.Pattaya Theatre$$$$$
KAAN Show
A modern telling of Thai folk stories through drama, dance, acrobatics, and animation. Talented performers keep perfect timing with animated on-screen backgrounds and props like fire, water, puppets, and mechanical monsters to delight the audience.Bangkok DistrictFree
Chinatown (Yaowarat Road)
Centered around the electric Yaowarat Road, Bangkok’s Chinatown is a hub of street food and discount shopping contrasted against authentic Chinese restaurants and harmonious heritage sites.Pattaya ReligiousFree
Big Buddha Hill (Wat Phra Yai)
One of the largest Buddha statues in Thailand. The 18m high golden Buddha was built in the 1940s when Pattaya was still a small fishing village. The statue looks out over Pattaya and Jomtien Beaches from Pratumnak Hill.Phuket NightlifeFree
Soi Bangla (Bangla Road)
The centre of Phuket’s nightlife scene lined with restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. Closed to vehicular traffic after sunset when pumping music kicks off and neon lights blaze. Street vendors selling clothes, jewellery and imitation designer items can be pushy so don’t be afraid to say a firm ‘no’.Bangkok Religious$$$$$
Wat Pho (Temple of Reclining Buddha)
Wat Pho is home to Bangkok's 46-meter (150-feet) long golden reclining Buddha statue, one of the most sacred Buddhist relics in Thailand. The operational monastery features several areas worth visiting, including exquisite pagodas known as the 4 kings temple, long hallways lined with intricate paintings of stories from Thai folklore, and a Thai massage school where visitors can receive a massage from students.Phuket Shopping MallFree
Jungceylon Shopping Centre
Phuket’s largest shopping mall open from 11am each day. Many international fashion brands and local artisan stores selling jewellery, clothing, souvenirs and electronics. The mall features a cinema and plenty of cafes, fast food and restaurants in an open courtyard setting.Bangkok Palace$$$$$
Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew
A spectacular 18th century palace and former home to Thai royals. Exquisite buildings decorated in mosaic, painted ceramic and carved statues bring thousands of tourists to the complex each day. Also within the complex is Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, said to be the most sacred Buddhist relic in Thailand.Phuket Market$$$$$
Naka Weekend Night Market
An undercover market with a huge selection of clothing, gadgets, electronics, and homewares as well as some second-hand stalls. One section is dedicated to street food where you’ll find buttered corn, seafood, curries, fruit, insects, and desserts.Bangkok MarketFree
Chatuchak Weekend Market
One of the world’s largest outdoor markets with over 1,500 vendors forming a maze-like grid of stalls each weekend. Items for sale include clothing, souvenirs, homewares, jewellery, curry sauces, street food, and much more.Phuket DistrictFree