Top 10 tourist attractions in Thailand

1

Railay Beach

Krabi province is home to some of Thailand's most popular beach destinations—and Railay tops the list as one of the best. Considered by many to be one of the best beaches in the country, Railay delivers on the promises of white sand, turquoise blue waters and a feeling like you've found a paradise even before you touch the sand.

The island can be reached by boat from the towns of Krabi and Ao Nang - and the trip on a traditional long-tail boat is just as magical as what you'll encounter once you reach shore.

While the beach may be the main reason to visit the island, Railay is also a hotspot for rock climbing, with its limestone peaks attracting adventurers both experienced and novice alike. ready to conquer the towering limestone cliffs.

Among many other active activities, Railay is famous for kayaking, snorkeling and diving – but guests can also try cooking classes or indulge in massages. .

There's also the tourist-friendly Diamond Cave, accessed via a scenic trail with stunning views and ready to host curious visitors looking to explore between sunbathing stretches.

2

Koh Phi Phi

The Phi Phi Islands are one of Thailand's most popular resorts for a reason - clear blue waters, soft sands, breathtaking views that last forever.

You can get to Phi Phi Don - the largest of the islands and the only permanently inhabited island - by rented kayak or by hiring a small wooden boat to take you here.

Perhaps one of the funniest spots in Koh Phi Phi is Monkey Beach, where you'll be confronted, quite literally, with plenty of monkeys ready to steal your lunch.

Bai Dai is another beautiful place on the island; although not a secluded place where you might hope for privacy, it is great to watch the sunset. If you're lucky and the tide is out, it's a beautiful hike back to the main part of the island.

Tour operators offer packages for snorkeling and diving trips to the islands, as well as excursions to the famous Maya Bay, where Leonardo DiCaprio's The Beach was filmed. Because Koh Phi Phi attracts so many tourists, there are many tour companies that arrange tickets to other beach destinations, such as Phuket, Koh Chang, and Koh Lanta.

Phi Phi Don was one of the areas hit hard by the 2004 tsunami - but since then, guesthouses, restaurants and markets have been rebuilt and crowds still flock to the resort island. There's a small, sombre memorial park to honor those who died in the tragedy, but other resort areas have been revived and look as beautiful as ever.

3

Royal Palace, Bangkok

Even if your plans to Thailand mostly involve frolicking on the beach and eating as much Massaman curries and Thai food as you can, you'll probably spend at least a day or two in Bangkok. There's a lot to see and do in the capital, but the Royal Palace should definitely be at the top of your list. It's the number one attraction in the city, and it's astounding in both historical significance and craftsmanship.

The grounds are a labyrinth of ancient palaces, temples and monuments, the most important being Wat Phra Kaeo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), which is said to house a piece of hair or bone of the enlightened Buddha himself. .

Allow a few hours to do the Royal Palace's justice, but if you want to walk more then you can easily tour some of the other major city landmarks nearby. The famous Wat Po and Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn (a great place to watch the sunset), are just minutes away.

4

Sunday Walking Street, Chiang Mai

Every visitor to Thailand expects good and cheap food - and that's exactly what they can find at Sunday Night Walking Street in Chiang Mai. Vendors sell all sorts of dishes here: from the popular pad Thai and chicken satay to samosas, fried plantains, sweet roti and fresh fruit shakes – often for under $2 a piece.

Once you've satiated your food cravings, you can explore hundreds of stalls selling a range of unique items such as all-natural soaps, hand-dyed textiles featuring unique Italian patterns. local hill tribes, incense and essential oils, musical instruments, paintings. , wall mount, and more.

The market is always crowded every week without fail, no matter what time of year you're visiting, so brace yourself and try to enjoy being part of the fun chaos. This is one of the must-dos in Chiang Mai, and an essential part of the Thai experience. If you don't go to Sunday market, or just want to experience other market experiences in Chiang Mai, head to Saturday Night Walking Street or Night Market on Chang Klan Road, a daily event. For the less touristy, head to Warorot Day Market , near the Mae Ping River.

5

Pai

Thailand is famous as a country of beautiful scenery and friendly people largely thanks to the world famous southern beaches. Because of this, most people don't realize that the great north is also home to completely different but equally spectacular places to visit.

Northern Thailand, especially the western region near the Burmese border, is marked by mountainous terrain that is both rugged and beautiful. Pai, in Mae Hong Son province, is the perfect starting point to enjoy the country's natural beauty, as well as Thailand's renowned hospitality and cooking.

This small town has gained a reputation as a mecca for hippies and backpackers, although you'll also find plenty of families traveling in the area. There's a small market on the pedestrian street that comes alive every night, a variety of local and western foods, and easy access to nearby Buddhist temples, waterfalls, and the impressive Pai Gorge.

There's a fun and relaxing atmosphere as you walk through the small town center, an atmosphere that continues to draw crowds season after season despite the somewhat remote location.