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Best things to do in Thailand

It’s no mean feat to whittle down the best things to do in Thailand, but we’ve given it a good go. Take a look at some of our top ideas and start planning your trip.
Sparkling royal palaces. Steaming natural springs. Buzzy night markets. When it comes to things to do in Thailand, variety is the watchword – and don’t even get us started on the beaches. If you’re visiting Thailand and looking to whip your itinerary into shape, we’ve done the hard work for you. Here are some of the best places to go in Thailand, and what to get up to while you’re there.

Get the best of both worlds in Phuket

This island off Thailand’s southwest coast rolls out the full spectrum of beaches, but Patong Beach is the standout stretch. The sand is backed by street food shacks and market stalls, and the length of Bangla Road – the resort’s party strip – is lined with bars, pubs and even a Muay Thai boxing joint. Once you’ve ticked off the best of the buzzy bits, pay a visit to Phuket’s Old Town for a totally different take on things. Wat Chalong, Phuket's most revered temple, tops the list of things to see alongside the white-marble Big Budda, who lives up to his name at a whopping 45 metres tall.

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Big Buddha Statue in Phuket.

Tour temples and palaces in Bangkok

Thailand’s capital certainly isn’t short of things to do, and this vibrant city is all about the contrasts. A visit to the Royal Grand Palace is top of most visitors’ lists – this former royal residence is vast, so a tour is the best way to see it. While you’re there, don’t miss a visit to Wat Phra Kaew – better known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha – which is considered the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand. At the other end of the spectrum, meanwhile, a rummage through the stalls at one of Bangkok’s night markets is a must. Chatuchak, the biggest, crams in around 15,000 stalls. Get your best haggling face ready.

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Grand palace, Wat Phra Kaew.

Live your best beach life in Krabi

Beaches are what Krabi does best – this slice of southern Thailand’s west coast has 150 kilometres’ worth of them, plus more than 100 islands that pepper the Andaman Sea. Take a boat trip to out to the Phi Phi Islands and live your best beach life at Maya Bay. The Beach was filmed at this beauty spot, so you’ll be treading the same sand as Leo DiCaprio and co. It got so popular at one point that it was closed to the public, and visitor numbers are now capped to keep things feeling a bit calmer. Sticking to the mainland? Head inland on a Krabi jungle tour instead. You’ll find natural hot springs to sink into, plus the area’s most famous temple – Tiger Cave Temple. It’s a bit of a climb to the top – about 1,237 steps – but it’s worth it for the incredible views of the coast.

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A wooden boat on the beach in Krabi.

Go back to nature in Khao Lak

Khao Lak’s unspoilt shoreline is hemmed by three national parks, so it’s the place to head to if you want some R&R surrounded by nature. Khao Lak Lam Ru National Park is a tapestry of mangroves, waterfalls, dense rainforest and soaring hills, and a guided tour will take you right into the heart of it. At Khao Sok National Park you can glide across Cheow Lan Lake on a longtail boat cruise, and at Thai Muang National Park there’s a sea turtle conservation centre to visit before drifting down a jungle river on a bamboo raft.

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Green cliffs and a river at Khao Sok National Park.
Inspired to go? Take a look at all our Thailand holidays.

Or for more inspo, read why Thailand isn’t just for backpackers, the best tours in Asia and the best tour and sightseeing holidays.

Pssst. Head to the Discover homepage for our latest articles.

Author: Katie Gregory

Last updated: 30.07.2024

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