Thailand is such a vast country with so many places to visit. Whether you are planning to stay in one place or travel across the country, below you will find some of the more popular destinations.
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Koh Samui is the third largest island in the Kingdom of Thailand. It is located in the Surat Thani province and lies more than 500 km south of Bangkok. The tropical island, roughly circular in shape, is situated in the Gulf of Thailand. It has an international airport and can be reached within an hours flight from Bangkok. Samui has everything to offer, from beautiful beaches to an untouched jungles and a wonderful assortment of night life.
Hua Hin is a famous beach resort town in the northern Malay Peninsula of Thailand. The town is 200 km south of the capital city Bangkok and lies on the western coast of the Gulf of Thailand. Around a 2-3 hours drive from Bangkok by car, bus or train, Hua hin has some beautiful (some rocky) beaches lined with palm trees. Thailand’s royal family were the first to put Hua Hin on the Map as the original beach destination in Thailand. Famous for it's beach and temple (Wat Huay Mongkol) and night market.
Ayutthaya is an ancient, yet modern, city on an island in the Central Plains of Thailand. It is the capital city of the Ayutthaya province and is around 90 km from Bangkok. It lies at the junction of the Chao Phraya, Lopburi and Pa Sak Rivers. The main interest for people are the ruins which offer a glimpse of old Ayutthaya, which was once the prosperous and majestic capital of Thailand.
Khao Lak a resort beach in Takua Pa district, is located in Thailand. It lies in the Phang Nga province and is a popular departure point for scuba-diving trips. The region has a total population of around 5,000 inhabitants. The resort is ocated about 100 km north of Phuket and is one of the most tranquil beach destinations in Thailand. Khoa Lak is famous for it's pristine reefs making it one of the most popular diving destinations in the world.
Chiang Mai is the second largest and one of the most significant cities in Thailand. Located on the Ping River, it is also the capital of the Chiang Mai Province. Home to a population of about 170,000 inhabitants, Chiang Mai is regarded as one of the premiere destinations in Asia owing to its mix of modern and traditional charm. It is a vibrant and modern city with a great diversity of things to do.
Koh Phi Phi Islands known as the ‘Jewels of the Andaman Sea’, are a tiny group of islands located between the large island of Phuket and the western coast of mainland South Thailand. The islands, home to around 2,000 people, are divided into two parts: Phi Phi Don (the larger group and the principal of the two) and the smaller Phi Phi Leh; together they comprise the Phi Phi National Marine Park and form an extension of the mainland Krabi province.
Rayong is a scenic city in Thailand and the capital of the Rayong Province. Located close to the Gulf of Thailand, Rayong is a major agricultural and industrial centre of the country. Home to a population of about 54,000, the city is also a favoured tourist destination.The surrounding area is famous for the quality of their fruit such as pineapple and durian. The city hosts a fruit fair each year in May.
Pattaya An internationally well-known seaside resort, Pattaya is located approximately 170 km southeast of Bangkok on the east coast off the Gulf of Thailand. The town stretches over 15 kilometres along the coast. With a population of more than 96,000, it is a melting pot of different nationalities. Every year it welcomes more than 5 million visitors. Pattaya town has a very lively nightlife scene and is famous the world over for it's hospitality.
Krabi a charming town situated at the border of the Krabi River is the capital of the Krabi Province. The town, home to a population of about 25,000 residents, boasts of some beautiful mainland beaches and seaside cliffs. A natural scenic beauty, Krabi has one of the best beaches and bays in Southeast Asia. Hightlights are the limestone cliffs, beautiful beaches, refreshing waterfalls, breathtaking sea caves and amazing marine life.
Koh Phangan an island in the southern Gulf of Thailand, is known all over the globe for its famous Full Moon Parties which can attract up to 20,000 party seekers each month. Located in the northern part of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan is more popularly known as the ‘Paradise Island of the Kings’. The island has a total population of around 12,000 inhabitants.
Phuket is commonly referred to as the ‘Pearl of South’ and is the largest island in Thailand. Phuket offers numourous white sandy beachesincluding Kata Beach with its spectacular tropical scenery and Nai Yang Beach, the wonderful rainforest of Khao Phra Thaeo National Park and the mud flats and mangrove swamps of Koh Siray. Phuket offers something for everyone, which explains why it is the most popular destination in Thailand.
Koh Chang is Thailand's second-largest island, located in the Gulf of Thailand. Koh Chang's beaches and rainforests are its biggest attraction and much of the island is national parkland. The island is a popular destination for to divers and trekers. Koh Chang is an island of fishing villages and has some wonderful fresh seafood restaurants with some of the best dining in Thailand. All over the island you will find restaurants along the beachfront with amazing views of island's stunning coastline.
Bangkok or Krung Thep which translated means the City of Angels was built 228 years ago. Bangkok has a population of approximately 11 million people (unofficial estimates are a lot higher) and it is considered one of the biggest cities in the world. It is one of Asia's most cosmopolitan cities with amazing temples and palaces, busy markets and a wealth of shopping and a vibrant nightlife that has something for everyone. One of the main attractions in Bangkok is the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew Temple.