Thailand Attractions

Recommended by Aleem Raheem, Earth Trip co-founder and Thailand specialist · Updated November 2026

Things to Do in Thailand: Temples, Rivers, Mountains and Islands

The best things to do in Thailand are exploring the Grand Palace and riverside temples of Bangkok, riding the Death Railway along the River Kwai, cycling around the ancient capitals of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, eating your way through Chiang Mai’s old town, seeing the White Temple in Chiang Rai, staying on a floating raft house in Khao Sok and island-hopping among the limestone cliffs of Krabi and Phang Nga Bay.

These are the experiences our Thailand specialist Aleem Raheem recommends most. Every one can be arranged privately, with your own English-speaking guide and driver, as part of a tailor-made Thailand holiday.

1. Bangkok

• The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew: the former royal palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Thailand’s most sacred temple. Go early, and cover your shoulders and knees.
• Wat Pho and Wat Arun: see the 46-metre Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho, then cross the river by ferry to climb the porcelain-covered tower of Wat Arun.
• Canals by longtail boat: explore the Thonburi canals, with wooden houses and small temples along the water.
• Street food tour: try the best dishes of Chinatown and the old town with a local guide in the evening.

Where to stay: Riva Surya Bangkok, a boutique hotel on the river. See our Thailand hotels.

2. Floating Markets and the Railway Market

West of Bangkok, the Amphawa floating market is busiest at weekends, with food sold from boats along the canal, and evening boat trips to see fireflies. At Maeklong, market stalls are set up right on the railway tracks and pulled back just in time for each passing train.

3. Kanchanaburi and the River Kwai

• The Death Railway: ride the train built by prisoners of war in the Second World War, over wooden viaducts along the River Kwai.
• Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum: walk the cutting dug by hand by prisoners, a moving place for British visitors.
• Erawan National Park: swim in the turquoise pools of the seven-tiered Erawan Falls.

4. Ayutthaya and Sukhothai

• Ayutthaya: the ruins of Thailand’s old capital, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the famous Buddha head wrapped in tree roots at Wat Mahathat. Explore by tuk-tuk and end with a cruise on a teak rice barge.
• Sukhothai: the first Thai kingdom, also UNESCO-listed. Cycle between lotus ponds and temple ruins early in the morning, when it’s cool and quiet.

5. Chiang Mai

• Old town temples: Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang, visited by rickshaw, and the morning alms giving.
• Doi Suthep: the hilltop temple above the city, reached by a staircase lined with dragons, with views over Chiang Mai.
• Cooking class and markets: shop at a local market and learn to cook northern Thai dishes such as khao soi.
• Ethical elephant sanctuary: watch rescued elephants feed and bathe, with no riding or shows.

Where to stay: Tamarind Village, a Lanna-style hotel inside the old city walls.

6. Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle

Chiang Rai’s White Temple, Wat Rong Khun, is a dazzling modern temple covered in white plaster and mirrored glass, and the Blue Temple is close by. Continue to the Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet on the Mekong, and take a boat on the river.

7. Khao Sok National Park

One of the oldest rainforests in the world, with limestone peaks rising from Cheow Lan Lake. Stay a night in a floating raft house on the lake, go kayaking, and look for gibbons and hornbills on a jungle walk. It fits well between Bangkok and the Andaman coast.

8. Krabi, Phang Nga Bay and the Islands

• Island-hopping by longtail boat: visit the islands around Krabi and Railay, with their limestone cliffs and white beaches.
• Phang Nga Bay: kayak through sea caves and lagoons among hundreds of limestone islands.
• Phi Phi and Maya Bay: one of Thailand’s most famous beaches. Swimming is not allowed, and Maya Bay closes every year in August and September to protect the reefs.
• Similan Islands: some of Thailand’s best snorkelling and diving, open only from mid-October to mid-May.

Where to stay: Krabi Tipa Resort, above Ao Nang.

Thailand Experiences at a Glance

Travelling Responsibly in Thailand

We choose ethical elephant sanctuaries where elephants are never ridden or made to perform, and we never include tiger attractions or animal shows. We use small boats and local guides on the islands, respect the annual closures of Maya Bay and the Similan Islands, and visit the busiest sights early to avoid the crowds. Read more about our responsible travel approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days do I need in Bangkok?

Two or three days is enough for the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, a canal trip and a street food tour. Add a day for the floating and railway markets on the way west to Kanchanaburi.

When is Maya Bay closed?

Maya Bay on Koh Phi Phi Leh closes every year for about two months, usually from 1 August to 30 September, to let the reefs and sharks recover. Swimming is not allowed even when it is open, and visitors reach the beach along a boardwalk from a pier at the back of the island.

When can I visit the Similan Islands?

The Similan Islands National Park is only open from about 15 October to 15 May. It closes for the rest of the year because of the monsoon and to protect the coral. Day trips leave from Khao Lak, north of Phuket.

What is Hellfire Pass?

Hellfire Pass is a rock cutting on the Thailand-Burma “Death Railway”, dug by Allied prisoners of war, including many British soldiers, and Asian labourers in 1943. The memorial museum and walking trail near Kanchanaburi tell their story and are a moving visit.

Is Khao Sok worth visiting?

Yes, if you like nature. A night in a floating raft house on Cheow Lan Lake, with limestone cliffs all around, is one of the most peaceful experiences in Thailand. It’s around three hours by road from Krabi or Phuket, so it fits easily into a beach trip.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai?

Ideally both. Chiang Mai has the old town temples, markets, cooking classes and elephant sanctuaries, while Chiang Rai has the White Temple, the Blue Temple and the Golden Triangle. They are about three hours apart by road, and we often stop at the hot springs on the way.

Plan Your Thailand Holiday

Many of these experiences feature in our 17-day Thailand Highlights, from £4,900 per person. See our Thailand hotels, read our Thailand travel guide, or combine Thailand with Cambodia and Laos. To start planning, request a video call with Aleem.