What to do in Thailand

If you want to know what to do in Thailand, our highlights guide by My Way Travel can help you plan your trip. If you wish to explore the vibrant city life, the serene rural landscapes, or the stunning beaches, our Thailand travel guide has something for everyone. When I first visited Thailand in 2006, it was like falling in love. The rapid speed of the city and the stark contrast to the rural surroundings stood out to me. My Way Travel can help you experience the same magic with their personalized and affordable services.

You may be pleasantly lost in a metropolis one minute and then find yourself in a hilly region populated by hill tribes, surrounded by lush, green rice terraces. Thailand is home to several popular beach destinations, but the country also offers a wealth of off-the-beaten-path adventures.

Experience Bangkok like the locals

The Grand Palace and the Reclining Buddha in Gold at Wat Pho are two of Bangkok's most popular tourist attractions.

Most tourists get about by driving themselves in air-conditioned vehicles from attraction to attraction. However, we've also designed a unique tour format that takes visitors beyond the typical tourist traps to reveal Bangkok's hidden gems in a new light.

You and your guide will ride a water taxi, a tuk-tuk, and the BTS Sky Train to go about and learn about the area.

The journey to Jim Thompson House (Thompson was the guy who revitalized Thailand's textile sector and then vanished in Malaysia) was a highlight of the trip for me. His home, a wooden colonial structure, is filled with the works of art he acquired on his travels in Southeast Asia.

We took a boat across several narrow canals (known as "klongs" in Thai) at the back to reach the entrance. Even though I'd traveled this road hundreds of times before, without this insider's information, I never would have figured out where to get off.

Enjoy the communities of Doi Angkhang

Doi Angkhang's undulating hills and lush agricultural environment help make it known as "Little Switzerland" due to the abundance of fruit and vegetables. The Royal Project is a plantation near the Burmese border that the King established to teach locals about alternatives to opium production. Expect to indulge in a bounty of berries, stone fruits, and exotic lychees while basking in the intoxicating scent of roses.

The Phumanee hill tribes are a great example of off-the-beaten-path culture. You'll see people going about their everyday lives, from ladies cooking to men tending to their farms and herds of roaming cattle. While the guesthouse may be rudimentary, it offers a great opportunity to witness how a native Thai community goes about its everyday existence.

Visit Chiang Mai's ancient temples and colorful markets

Chiang Mai, Thailand's second-largest city, is just an hour away by plane from Bangkok (or 12 hours by sleeper train if you want to see the changing terrain as you move north), yet it seems like a different country. You'll immediately note the absence of skyscrapers, the leisurely pace, and the historically accurate preservation of the city center upon your arrival.

Going to the night market by the water is one of my favorite pastimes. Someone or something serves the most delicious street cuisine all night long. I can't resist trying a bite of satay because of its irresistible fragrance. The meals' mix of flavors reflects Chiang Mai's closeness to Myanmar and Laos, and you can easily enjoy the region's wonderful and aromatic Northern Thai food with the market's abundance of vendors.

Explore Thailand's Andaman Coast

Among all of Thailand's beaches, I like the ones around Krabi because of the warm sand and clean sea. Limestone karsts protrude from the water, and sandbanks connect the hundreds of deserted islands, but otherwise, the horizon is a blur.

Pen Nga Bay, which stretches from Phuket to Krabi, is a superb diving and snorkeling destination. On a four-island trip, you may visit various islands, have a picnic lunch on a secluded beach, and then return to your hotel in the late afternoon.

Just north of Krabi, the boutique The Vijitt Resort Phuket has some of the nicest beach views I've ever seen across the bay from its oceanfront suites and pool villas. As the sun sets behind Koh Yao Noi and Yao Yai, the sky becomes a vibrant purple and orange as the shadows dance over the lake.

Cruise to Ayutthaya

You can see the ruins of Angkor-style temples at Ayutthaya, the historic capital of Siam, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The best way to take in the city's splendor is on an overnight cruise. From Bangkok, cruise up the Chao Phraya River for two days on the Loy Pela Song, a six-berth converted rice barge. It's a relaxing alternative to driving, and the boat stays in port overnight so passengers can have dinner while taking in the sights of the illuminated temples.

The next day is perfect for taking tuk-tuk rides around the temple grounds (often called "Kermit tuk-tuks" because of their green paint job and floppy noses).

Experience an elephant conservation camp stay

Sanctuaries in Thailand dedicate themselves to protecting elephants and teaching tourists about the importance of elephant conservation, and their number is growing. Our partners provide a true conservation experience, like seeing the Elephant Hills in Thailand's oldest national park, Khao Sok, in the country's southwestern corner.

Elephant Hills has two tent camps, deep in the national park and adjacent to some of Thailand's best beaches.

The main camp is the best place to see elephants in their native environment. There is no riding of elephants allowed, so the focus is on learning how to care for them properly. Under the watchful observation of their trainers, the Mahouts, guests assist in feeding and bathing the elephants. Since the camp is a few hours away from Phuket, you and your other guests will have the place to yourself.

The second camp, the highlight of my trip, is a floating hamlet in the middle of Cheow Larn Lake. This site is about an hour and a half away from the first camp. There are only 20 floating luxury tents on the lake (suitable for swimming, and you can jump right into the water from your tent) and a pontoon for meals. Explore the mangroves on your very own kayak, provided for each tent.

You may hear gibbons calling in the morning, and if you look out through the fog, you can see the limestone karsts rising from the forest bottom.

Trek through Khao Yai National Park

Traveling to Khao Yai National Park from Bangkok takes around 2.5 hours, making it a viable alternative for adventurers who need more time to make the longer trip to Northern Thailand. The upward trip is thrilling, but the park's terrain is mostly level so that you can explore quickly.

Wild elephants inhabit the park. There's no guarantee you'll see any animals, but the last time I went, I saw eight species (in addition to deer, gibbons, and wild boar).

Return to your accommodation at the end of the day's hike, clean up, and then go on a safari drive at night. Your guide will use a powerful spotting light and an open-top vehicle to find nocturnal animals like the gaur, the biggest bovine in the world, mouse deer, and elephants.

Explore the Golden Triangle

Where Myanmar, Laos, and northern Thailand meet is known as the Golden Triangle. The Mekong River is a natural boundary with its dark brown waters. If you are on the Thai side, you may go over to Laos and Myanmar.

The Anantara Golden Triangle Hotel is a great location because of the three different landscapes it offers guests. Cruises along the Mekong River leave from here, and it's also a good jumping-off point for excursions into Laos, Vietnam, or Cambodia.

Sample Thai cuisine

Wherever you go in Thailand, you'll eat wonderful cuisine. To salads and sticky rice, satay and spices are a must.

The Thai dishes I like the most are Som Tam and Larb Gai. The former, made of shredded papaya, carrots, and lime, is a classic example of Thai emphasis on contrasting flavors. The latter is a spicy chicken dish made with lime, mint, and chiles and served over sticky rice.

A street food walking tour in Bangkok is a fantastic opportunity to sample local cuisine and beverages.

View rice paddies and remote temples

To the east of Bangkok lies the agricultural heartland of Isaan Province, which sees very few tourists. Staying with a local family on a homestay is a great way to get away from it all and see rural life in all its glory, from rice fields to farms. You can also lodge at one of Uh Ubon Ratchathani's inexpensive yet genuine hotels.

Visit some of the most out-of-the-way temples in Thailand, some of which I've only just learned about. How effectively they conceal themselves prevents most people from seeing them.

Visit The Bridge on the River Kwai

The Bridge on the River Kwai, which the Japanese constructed during WWII, is unusually peaceful for such a busy thoroughfare.

It warrants an overnight stay. In addition to seeing the bridge, you may also explore the nearby Erawan National Park, home to a spectacular seven-tiered waterfall.

The lodgings are marvellously eccentric in design. Above the River Kwai, The Float House stands. Rent a bike and ride about town, taking in the World War II landmarks and the beautiful surroundings.