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Looking for inspiration for your trip to Thailand? Discover 40 of the most amazing things to add to your Thailand bucket list!
Thailand is one of my favourite destinations. It has so much to offer, from gorgeous, sandy beaches and beautiful temples, to the delicious food, local culture and vibrant nightlife. I spent almost 8 months travelling around South East Asia, with just over 3 of those months exploring parts of Thailand and I completely fell in love with the country. So much so that I kept extending my stay so that I didn’t have to leave!
If you’re backpacking or travelling in South East Asia for the first time, Thailand is a great place to start. There are so many amazing things to do in Thailand, and so many incredible places to visit, it is hard to know where to start. That’s why I have compiled 40 of the best things to see and do in Thailand to help you plan your best Thailand itinerary. See how many you can tick off your Thailand bucket list!
So, Let’s dive straight in and check out 40 of the best things to add to your Thailand bucket list!
Table of Contents
40 AMAZING things to add to your Thailand bucket list.
Book a day trip to Ang Thong Marine park
Ang Thong Marine Park is a protected national park comprising 42 islands in the Gulf of Thailand. It is one of the most beautiful national parks in the country, and definitely worth adding to your Thailand itinerary. The best way to experience Ang Thong Marine Park is on a full day boat tour, either from Koh Samui, or Koh Phangan. I booked a trip with Mr Tu from Koh Samui and had a brilliant day.
The tour included snorkel stops on the way to the islands, as well as self-guided kayaking and a buffet lunch on the beach at Mae Koh Island, where you can also visit the incredible Emerald lake. You will also spend time at Koh Wua Talap island, where you can climb 500m of steps to reach the most spectacular viewpoint, taking in the whole national park.
If there’s one thing you should add to your south Thailand bucket list – it is this!
Day trip to Phang Nga bay
A day trip to Phang Nga Bay is another tour that should be a must on your Thailand bucket list! Phang Nga Bay is a group of small islands located in the Andaman sea, between Phuket and Krabi. Phang Nga bay is also famous for one particular island: Koh Tapu (also known as ‘Hong Island’ or ‘James Bond Island’), which was featured in the film ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’.
Movies aside, it’s the gorgeous blue-turquoise water, rugged limestone formations and peaceful lagoons that make Phang Nga bay one of the most popular day trips from Phuket. You will need to book a tour to explore the islands, and whilst there are many to choose from, I would really recommend the full-day Hong by Starlight tour by John Gray Sea Canoe. This was without a doubt one of the best activities I did in Phuket.
Visit Bangkok’s temples: Wat Pho, Wat Arun and the Grand Palace
Thailand is a country full of beautiful, colourful temples. And whilst Chiang Mai is known as ‘the City of temples’, Bangkok actually has over 400 temples!
The most popular temples in Bangkok are in the heart of the city; Wat Arun, Wat Pho and The Grand Palace complex, which is home to Wat Phra Kaew (the Temple of the Emerald Buddha). Even if you are not usually a huge lover of temples, visiting these three impressive temples is a must when in Bangkok! And if you are short on time, you can easily visit all three temples in one day as they are located close to one another.
The Grand Palace is one of the most popular attractions in Bangkok and is often high on many visitors’ Thailand bucket list. For that reason, I would recommend starting your visit early in the day, or later in the afternoon. Not only will this avoid the midday heat, but you will hopefully miss the bulk of the crowds.
Stay on a floating raft in Khao Sok National Park
Khao Sok National Park was high up on my Thailand bucket list, and I wasn’t disappointed. It is one of the most beautiful national parks in Thailand and well worth a visit.
One of the best experiences you can have in Khao Sok National Park is to stay overnight on a floating raft on Cheow Lan lake. You will need to book a tour in order to stay on the lake, and there are a variety of accommodations to suit a range of budgets. I booked my tour through my accommodation in Khao Sok, Riverside Cottages, which included meals plus a couple of short treks and wildlife boat tours around the lake, where we saw monkeys, birds and elephants.
Khao Sok is best reached from Phuket or Krabi and shared minivans can be booked via 12go for a reasonable price.
Visit Lamai cafe in Koh Samui
Koh Samui has an abundance of great cafes to choose from. Many of these are positioned on the hillside, with gorgeous views over the bay. Lamai Cafe is one of the most accessible and therefore popular cafes. After just a short 15-20 minutes walk uphill on a paved path you’ll reach the cafe and viewpoint. There is also a short train which you can take. Entry to the viewpoint is 50 THB, but there is no time limit once you are up there, so order yourself a couple of drinks or lunch and enjoy the view!
Spend an evening in Phuket’s night markets
Night Markets are a great place to spend the evening in Thailand, with live music, delicious local food and great shopping opportunities. They are also great places to get a delicious meal if you are travelling on a budget. There are many night markets in Phuket, however two of the must-visit markets are Naka Market and Chillva Market.
Naka Market is the largest night market in Phuket, and is great for shopping (especially if you are looking for ‘branded’ sportswear or bags). Naka market is open every Friday-Sunday from 4pm.
Chillva Market has a really cool vibe, and it is quite different to other night markets, as most of the shops and bars are housed in large repurposed container units, stacked on top of each other. This is a great market if you are looking for one-off fashion items and personally, I think this market is much better for female clothing. Chillva market is open every evening from 5pm, except Sundays.
Visit Phuket Old Town
Phuket Old Town is known for its Colonial architecture and pastel-coloured shops and restaurants that line the main Thalang Road in the centre of town.
Spend some time wandering down the street, taking photos and visiting the cute shops and cafes. The shops sell a range of items from clothes, fabrics and jewelry, to gifts and homeware. This area of Phuket really reminded me of the charming town of Galle Fort in Sri Lanka and it’s a great place to spend a couple of hours.
Explore the temples in Chiang Mai’s old town
Chiang Mai is often referred to as the ‘city of temples’, with a staggering 117 buddhist temples across the old city centre alone. Many of the temples are located within the inner boundary of the city’s ancient walls. One of Chiang Mai’s most impressive temples to visit in the old city is Wat Chedi Luang which dates back to 1481. Chiang Mai’s oldest temple, however, is Wat Chiang Man, which was built in the 13th century and contains Chiang Mai’s oldest Buddha.
Make a day of strolling around the old city, visiting the temples and stopping in one of the many cafes for refreshments. Just remember that you must have your knees and shoulders covered when visiting temples in Thailand.
Visit Chiang Mai’s famous night market
Thailand is known for its night markets, but perhaps one of the most popular and impressive is the Chiang Mai Sunday night market. Every Sunday at 6pm, parts of the old city are shut to allow the market to take place. You’ll find streets full of food stalls and traders selling arts, crafts, clothes and jewellery. There’s also live music and even foot massage stations. It really is one of the best things to do in Chiang Mai and a great addition to your Thailand bucket list.
Take a trip to the Sticky waterfall
One of the most popular trips from Chiang Mai is to the Bua Tong waterfall (also known as the ‘Sticky’ waterfall). There are organised tours that you can book to take you to the waterfalls, but we found it more cost effective to book a local taxi for half a day, which cost around £25. The Sticky waterfalls are a fun place to spend a couple of hours. Due to the natural minerals in the rocks, you can walk up the waterfall, through the forest. As you get higher, there are ropes to help you, or you can simply walk up alongside the waterfall if you prefer.
Hiking in Doi Inthanon national park
The peak of Doi Inthanon is the highest point in Thailand and there are numerous hiking trails within the national park. One of the most accessible trails is the Kew Mae Pan nature trail. This trail is only 3.4km long, and the circular route will take only about 1 hour, with lots of photo stops. The views across the mountain ranges and valleys are breathtaking!
Doi Inthanon national park is a 2 hour drive from Chiang Mai, so the most popular option is to join a day tour. The tours all vary slightly, but our tour stopped at Wachirathan waterfall and the Royal Twin pagodas, and it was a great day out.
Snorkel or Dive in Koh Tao
For a lot of travellers, learning how to dive is at the top of their Thailand bucket list. If you’re looking for the best place to learn how to dive in Thailand, head to Koh Tao. This tiny island is well known for its diving and snorkelling. Whether you are an experienced diver, or want to learn how to dive in Thailand, there are plenty of diving schools on Koh Tao.
And if you don’t fancy giving diving a go, join a snorkelling tour instead. There are lots of day tours that offer snorkelling around Koh Tao and the nearby islands.
Visit Railay beach
Railay beach is a tiny little beach in the Province of Krabi and is a must-visit when in the south of Thailand. You can easily visit on a daytrip by taking a long tail boat from either Krabi or Ao Nang. There are also a range of places to stay in Railay beach if you want to stay overnight and in the evening, there are a handful of bars by the beachfront. Railay beach is known for its rock climbing and there are many guided rock climbing tours that you can book, but if that’s not your thing, it is a great place to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
Hike Dragon Crest mountain in Krabi
Thailand is not necessarily known for hiking, however, there are some great trails to explore. The Dragon Crest Mountain trail in Krabi offers the most breathtaking panoramic views. The trail is only 7.2km there and back and is very easy to follow, with no map required, however it is a steep uphill (and very sweaty!) hike. After ascending through the jungle, you will arrive at the main viewpoint where you will get sweeping views over the mountain ranges, across the valley and out to the sea. If you enjoy hiking, this one is definitely worth it! And if you want to enjoy a similar hike, check out the Na Mueang waterfall hike in Koh Samui.
Hike to Phi Phi Viewpoint
Hiking to the Phi Phi Viewpoint is the best thing to do on Koh Phi Phi and a definite must to add to your Thailand bucket list! I use the term ‘hiking’ loosely, as this is more of a short walk really. The distance is only just over 1km and depending on how fast you go, you can complete it there and back in an hour. The trail starts near the Blu Monkey Island hotel, where signposts will direct you to the entrance. There is a small fee to pay here, but it is less than £1. Follow the trail from viewpoint 1 to viewpoint 2 for the best views over Ton Sai Beach and the other side of Phi Phi island.
Party on Bangla Road, Phuket
Patong is Phuket’s party town, and Bangla Road is at the centre of the party! I wouldn’t recommend staying in Patong as there are much nicer areas in Phuket to stay, such as Kata Beach or Rawai. However, it is a fun place to spend an evening. From 6pm, Bangla road comes alive, with loud music, neon lights and promo girls standing outside the bars shouting offers to try and get you in. There are definitely some interesting scenes in Patong, so come with an open mind.
Visit Tham Lod Caves, near Pai
Just over an hour north of Pai, surrounded by mountains and lush green forest are the Tham Lod caves. The caves comprise of three large chambers, the first two can be explored on foot, however to pass through the final chamber, you will board a bamboo raft. The easiest way to experience the caves is by booking a guided tour from Pai. The cave tour will take around 1.5 hours and if you book an afternoon tour you should finish just as the sun starts to set and the swarms of birds leave the cave to search for food, which is quite a spectacle!
Watch the sunset over Pai Canyon
Pai is a small hill town in the north of Thailand. Its laid-back charm and abundance of great cafes makes it a worthwhile stop on any backpackers’ Thailand itinerary. There are lots of great things to do in Pai, such as river tubing, waterfalls, hot springs and the Big Buddha. However, one of the most popular things to do in Pai is to watch the sunset over Pai Canyon. Hire a scooter, join a sunset transfer tour, or grab a tuk tuk and head to the canyon with some snacks and drinks and enjoy a peaceful evening with a gorgeous view and great atmosphere.
Tipsy river tubing in Pai
River tubing is one of the most popular activities for backpackers in Pai! You can hire your own inflatable tube from one of the stores in Pai high street. Or, if you don’t have your own transport, or you want to have a beer whilst floating down the river, join a ‘Tipsy Tubing’ tour instead. This is a great way to spend a lazy afternoon and meet other travellers.
Sip on sunset cocktails at Coco Tams, Koh Samui
When you think about your Thailand bucket list, do you picture yourself sitting on a beach with a cocktail as the sun sets? Me too! There’s something really special about sitting on a beanbag on a soft, sandy beach, sipping on a cocktail or coconut and watching the sun disappear into the horizon. And, the sunsets in Thailand just hit differently. One of the most popular sunset bars in Koh Samui is Coco Tams in Fisherman’s Village, Bophut. Make sure to head there for around 5.30pm to grab a decent spot!
Eat Mango sticky rice
Thailand is well known for its delicious and cheap food. You won;t go hungry whilst travelling in Thailand. One of my absolute favourite things to eat in Thailand is Mango sticky rice. It’s not the healthiest dish, as the mango and rice is soaked in starchy coconut syrup but it is so good.
Boat trip to Maya bay
Maya Bay was made famous by the 1999 Leonardo Dicaprio film, ‘The Beach’. It has been at the top of many Thailand bucket lists over the years and remains one of Thailand’s most visited beaches. In order to visit Maya Bay, you will need to join a tour.
Swimming is prohibited in Maya Bay, however you can wade into the shore to take photos and admire the beautiful secluded cove. A day trip usually includes a boat ride and snorkelling around the nearby islands and lunch on the beach in Phuket.
Visit Wat Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai
Wat Doi Suthep is one of the most visited temples in Chiang Mai. In the centre of the temple complex is the main temple building which houses a large gold pagoda. In addition to the impressive gold-covered temple buildings, the other attraction here is the terrace with sweeping views over the city. Wat Doi Suthep is positioned high at the top of Doi Suthep (mountain), so the best way to get there is to catch a Songtheaw or taxi. Alternatively, you can hike up by following the Monk’s trail, which stops half way up at Wat Phra Lat.
If you just want to visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, you can get a taxi or Songtheaw to the main entrance at the base of the temple. From here, you can either walk the 309 steps to the temple complex, or take the tram up.
Take part in a Thai cooking class
One of the best things to do when visiting Thailand is to take part in a Thai cooking class. It is a great way to learn about Thai food and culture and get the chance to have fun and get stuck in. There are so many great Thai cooking classes to choose from, wherever you are staying. Many hostels and hotels have their own classes, so make sure to check those out, too.
Hike to Koh Phangan’s secluded Bottle beach
Koh Phangan is a popular little island, just north of Koh Samui. It is most well known for hosting the Full Moon party, which takes place in the south of the island. However, there is much more to Koh Phangan than just a party destination. In the north of the island, you’ll find plenty of great beaches and little towns, full of laid back cafes and co-working spaces.
One of the best beaches on Koh Phangan is the secluded Bottle beach. The beach can only be reached by hiking there, or alternatively, you can hire a long tail boat if you prefer. The hike to Bottle beach is challenging, with uneven terrain, steep paths and the humidity. However once you arrive at the beach, all will be forgotten as you step onto the soft white sand and enjoy the tranquillity.
Spot giant Lizards at Lumpini park, Bangkok
Lumpini Park is a large urban park in the centre of Bangkok, with an artificial lake, a walking/running track and plenty of shady places to sit and relax. It’s a great place to go to find a bit of green and a bit of calm in the busy city. You can hire out small rowing boats on the lake, have a stroll, or simply lay on the grass. Lumpini Park is most well known for the giant water monitor lizards that live in the lake and park. You’ll see them just strolling around and some of them can grow up to 3m!
Chatuchak weekend market, Bangkok
Chatuchak is the largest market in Thailand, with over 15,000 stalls. Here, you can buy pretty much anything, from clothing accessories, homeware and gifts. And of course, it wouldn’t be a Thai market without street food! It is so easy to get to the Chatuchak Market using the MRT or the BTS skytrain. It opens 9am – 6pm every Saturday and Sunday, so grab some lunch and spend a few hours browsing.
Visit the Icon Siam shopping mall in Bangkok
The shopping malls in Bangkok are quite something! The largest shopping mall in Bangkok is the Icon Siam, which sits on the banks of the Chao Praya River. The huge complex has over 5000 shops, including an indoor floating market and restaurants. You can also enjoy the views over the city from the terrace and watch the fountain show in front of the main entrance. Even if you are not interested in buying anything, I would urge you to have a wander around Icon Siam just for the experience. It is like no other shopping centre I’ve been to. Plus, on a hot, humid day, you’ll be grateful for the air con!
Get a Thai massage
One of the best things to do in Thailand is to get a Thai massage! They are so inexpensive and a great way to stretch and relieve aching muscles after carrying your backpack, or travelling on cramped minibuses! Be warned, though, a Thai massage is very firm, so you may not find it so relaxing, however they are great for getting rid of stubborn knots. You can also just get a foot massage if you prefer.
Visit the historic city of Ayutthaya
The ruins of the city of Ayutthaya is a UNESCO heritage site and is one of the most popular day trips from Bangkok. Once the capital of the Kingdom of Siam, the ruins of many Buddhist temples, monasteries and statues now form the Ayutthaya Historical Park.
To get from Bangkok to Ayutthaya Historical park, you can either book onto a tour, or, if you prefer to visit Ayutthaya on your own, you can easily take the train or book a minibus from Bangkok.
Most of the main sights within the park are located close to one another, however, it may be best to rent a bicycle from one of the nearby local shops. Entrance to Autthaya is free, however several of the individual temple sites charge for entry. And, as always when visiting temples, keep your knees and shoulders covered.
Visit Chinatown, Bangkok
There are many large cities around the world that have a Chinatown, however there are none that I have visited that are quite like the Bangkok Chinatown!
The Bangkok Chinatown is known as the largest Chinatown in the world and the night market here really does come alive. Once the sun sets, head to the famous Yaowarat Road to enjoy delicious Chinese food and try some delicacies. Due to its popularity, it gets incredibly busy here, with large crowds. Just watch your personal belongings and go with the flow.
Go canoeing in Khao Sok National Park
Most people who visit Khao Sok National Park will book a tour to spend the night in a floating rafthouse on Cheow Lan lake and then leave, however I would urge you to spend a few days exploring everything that Khao Sok has to offer.
The national park is much more than just Cheow Lan Lake and there are lots of other activities you can do, such as jungle trekking, visiting the hot springs, booking onto a cooking class or enjoying a Thai massage. One of the best things to do in Khao Sok national park is to go canoeing down the river. We had such a beautiful, peaceful afternoon paddling down the river on our canoe, enjoying seeing the monkeys jump alongside us and swimming in the stream. When the river is high enough, you can also enjoy river tubing in Khao Sok national park.
There are several tours that you can book which are a great way to explore the best of Khao Sok. The hotels in the national park are also great at helping you arrange activities with local providers as well.
Have an ethical elephant encounter
One of the most popular Thailand bucket list items is to have an encounter with elephants. There are many organisations which offer this throughout Thailand, however it is important to do your research to ensure that it is an ethical encounter. The Mahout Elephant Foundation and the Elephant Nature Park are two of the most reputable ethical elephant experiences in Thailand. As with the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe, Sri Lanka, you cannot bathe or interact closely with the elephants, but you can observe them behaving naturally.
Eat delicious local food at street markets
Don’t be afraid to try the local street food, it is one of the best things to do in Thailand! The food in Thailand is so good and one of my favourite things to do on an evening was to wander around a night market deciding what to eat or try next!
Couple of things to look out for – only ever eat fruit or smoothies if they cut it up / de-skin it in front of you, so that you know it is fresh. Eat where the locals eat. Be wary of meat that has been sitting for a while, make sure that you buy from stalls that fry it fresh in front of you.
And if you’re not sure, there are many street food tours that you can join, where a local guide will point out some things to try.
Go Kayaking
The turquoise-blue colour of the sea in Thailand is just incredible. And one of the best ways to enjoy it is by getting out on the water in a kayak.
Most of the best kayaking and canoeing tours in Thailand are in the south of Thailand. There are so many different tours to choose from, whether you want to kayak through the mangroves in Krabi, or around the caves and lagoons of Phang Nga from Phuket. If you don’t want to join a kayak tour, there are many places along the beaches that offer kayak rental.
Experience Koh Phangan’s full moon party
Koh Phangan’s full moon party is perhaps the most well known party in Thailand! It takes place on the night of the full moon, on Haad Rin beach on the island of Koh Phangan, in the south of Thailand. It starts at 5pm and can often carry on until 9am the next day. Expect loud music, neon lights, fire shows and of course the famous Thai alcohol Buckets.
Accommodation on Koh Phangan does sell out ahead of the full moon parties, as do the ferry tickets. So if you really want to experience the full moon party as part of your Thailand bucket list, book in advance.
Visit the famous temples of Chiang Rai
Chaing Rai is a town in the mountain region of Northern Thailand, famous for its incredible temples. The most well known temples in Chiang Rai are the White Temple, the Blue Temple and the Black House.
If you are short on time, you can visit Chiang Rai from Chiang Mai on a daytrip. However, the drive each way is about 4 hours, which does make it a very long day. It is best to spend 2 or 3 days in Chiang Rai, if you can fit it in your Thailand itinerary. This way, you can visit the temples at your own pace and experience the other sights and activities that Chiang Rai has to offer, such as the tea plantations, cafes and other temples.
Tip: If you are planning to travel to Laos after Thailand, you can catch a slow boat from Chiang Rai to Laos which takes two days.
Get a toastie from 7/11
IYKYK! It’s a backpackers right of passage to dine off 7/11’s toasties whilst travelling in Thailand! In all seriousness, 7/11 have a range of cheap snacks to keep you going and keep your budget in check. And who doesn’t love a toastie?!
Chat to the locals
Thailand is known as the ‘country of smiles’ and after visiting, I can see why. Everyone is so welcoming and friendly. I had so many great interactions and conversations with local Thai people. Most of the people I spoke with were genuinely very warm and wanted to have a laugh and a chat, or were willing to help. A big part of travelling is to immerse yourself into the local culture of the country you are travelling to, and a huge part of that is through the local people who live there. Don’t let the language barrier put you off – it really isn’t an issue at all. In fact most Thai people in the main tourist spots have really good English – especially the children.
Lounge on the beach
Thailand has some of the best beaches I’ve ever been to. Think white, soft sand and gorgeous clear blue, calm water – it is the ultimate paradise!
For the best beaches in Thailand, Phuket, Krabi and Koh Lak are all popular choices. And if you’re willing to travel a bit further, head to the smaller, lesser visited islands of Koh Lipe, Koh Kood and Koh Yao Yai.
That wraps up my top 40 things to do in Thailand to add to your Thai bucket list! Thailand remains one of my favourite places. It is such a beautiful country, full of colourful contrast and culture. It is also a really big country, and it can often take longer than expected to travel between places. My advice would be to pick your top bucket list activities to add to your Thailand itinerary and enjoy spending time on those, rather than rushing to try and cram too much into a short space of time. You can always go back again!