If visiting Asia’s on your bucket list, then it’s about time you booked a Thailand vacation.
There’s a good reason the number of visitors has increased from 32.59 million in 2016 to 35.38 million in 2017. Thailand has so much to see and do; it exudes natural beauty, so it’s hardly surprising it’s risen in popularity.
To help you out, we’ve created a quick guide to all the best places to visit so that you can make the most of this once in a lifetime trip.
Let’s dive on in!
Love Animals? Head to the North!
If you’re an animal lover, you need to visit the north of Thailand, period.
1. Chiang Mai
If the energy of Bangkok is too much for you, then Chiang Mai is an idyllic alternative. The mountainous landscape coupled with ample of opportunities to see all your favorite animals makes it perfect for animal lovers!
Don’t miss out on all of the below:
- The elephant sanctuaries
- Tiger temples
- A nighttime safari at the “nocturnal zoo.”
There’s so much to explore in this region, you’ll be hard pushed to get bored!
Top Tip: take a stroll through Chiang Mai’s evening street markets. They’re stunning! You can literally get anything from tasty street food to handcrafted souvenirs.
Plus, there’s a ton of street entertainers, which helps make the atmosphere fabulously energetic, and good fun for passersby.
2. Patara Elephant Farm
Out of all the elephant camps, this one is by far the most prestigious. Vistors are paired with their own elephant for the entire day! During your time you’ll learn all of the following stuff:
- How to feed an elephant
- How to bathe an elephant
- How trainers communicate with these creatures
If that wasn’t enough, they have an in-house photographer to document your day, so you won’t forget the fab time you spent here!
Are You Outdoorsy? Head to the North East!
1. Nakhon Ratchasima
If you love spicy food, this is the place to be. This area isn’t massively industrialized, or touristy, which is perfect if you’re after a more tranquil vibe.
There are tons of charming rural villages and beautiful rice farms that exude authentic Thai culture (that you don’t always find in commercialized areas).
2. Sri Thai Silk
Thailand is famous for their beautiful handwoven silks, and you won’t find a more extensive selection than at Sri Thai Silk. It’s the perfect place to do a bit of shopping for souvenirs or to get a gift for your loved ones back home.
3. Cruise Down the Chao Phraya River
Did you know royal barges have frequently cruised down the Chao Phraya River for over 700 years?! This is why this river’s so aptly named, ‘River of Kings’.
The canal directly takes you from Bangkok to some of the most revered temples. An area that was once known as Ayutthaya (the royal city).
4. The City of Chiang Rai
This is an excellent place to go and see beautiful, contemporary Buddhist temples. These look distinctively different to the ancient buildings you’ll see dotted around the place.
Plus, the rolling hills and luscious forests provide picturesque views, making it ideal for avid photographers and those who enjoy a pretty hike.
Don’t Miss Out On Bangkok
When you hear Thailand, you think Bangkok; so it’s not to be missed from your to-do list.
It exudes vibrancy and it’s full of energy; it truly has something for everyone. From ancient temples to modern shopping centers.
However, our favorite place to go for an authentic Thai shopping experience is the Chatuchak weekend market.
Top Tip: make sure you try some of Bangkok’s famous street food. The more local you can source the snacks, the better. They’re super yummy, however, if spicy isn’t your thing, be cautious because things can get hot!
Now, for the Practical Stuff
We couldn’t create a comprehensive guide without going through some of the more boring practical stuff, so here it is:
1. Visas
You’ll be pleased to hear that Thai Visas are relatively simple to get hold of.
- If you’re arriving from an ASEAN country, you’ll receive a free 30-day visa.
- If you want to stay a little longer, you’ll need to apply for a six-month visa at your Thai embassy in your home country before you leave for your trip.
Otherwise, you’ll have to leave Thailand once every 30 days- which not only gets expensive but it’s a massive pain for making travel plans.
2. Travel Insurance
You should definitely take out travel insurance. The last thing you want is an accident to happen and not to be covered; so be sure to look at your policy to know exactly whats covered.
That way you won’t receive any nasty shocks during your vacation!
3. Accommodation
There are loads of different places you can stay, go online to check out all the latest deals. From trendy hostels to luxurious resorts, there’s something for everyone!
To kickstart your research check out Howie’s Homestay!
Do You Still Want to Plan a Dream Thailand Vacation?
We hope this article helped you to plan the Thailand vacation you’ve always dreamed of.
If you enjoyed this blog post, we’re confident you’ll love the other pieces published on our ‘travel hacks‘ blog.
Over there we discuss everything from the best places to host a corporate retreat, to how to avoid getting lost during your travels. Enjoy!
Alternatively, if you have any questions, queries, or comments about what you’ve just read, please feel free to contact us. We love hearing from our readers!
Just fill out our contact form, and one of our dedicated team members will get back to you as soon as they can. Speak soon!
