Thailand Tourism : 15 Things to do in Thailand

Thailand – “the land of smile”, is a popular tourist destination in South East Asia. There are a lot of things to do in Thailand. Here you can discover the recommended fun activities and famous tourist attractions that you shouldn’t miss when visit Thailand.

15 Things to do in Thailand

1. Visit Grand Palace

Built in 1782, Grand Palace is one of the most famous and must-see landmarks of Bangkok. This place was the residence of king, royal court and royal government. The major attraction in Grand Palace is Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of Emerald Buddha) in the Outer Court. The admission fee for foreigner is 500THB including an admission ticket to other sightseeing places nearby. Please note that visitors are required to dress appropriately to entry to the Temple of Emerald Buddha.

Tuk-Tuk in Bangkok

2. Ride Tuk-Tuk

Recognized as one of Thailand’s symbols, Tuk-Tuk is a motorized three-wheeled taxi or rickshaw. It can be found easily the big city such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, KhonKaen. Thai people often use Tuk-Tuk for a short travel, and it is also popular among the tourists for sightseeing around the city. The fare of Tuk-Tuk is negotiable, so you should ask the driver about the fare before getting in the vehicle.

Related Article ⇒ Types of Transportation in Thailand

3. Ride an Elephant

Riding an elephant at the elephant camp is one of popular outdoor activities. There are many camps around the country such as Thai Elephant Conservation Center in Lampang province and most of them are located near the forest, so travellers can experience the elephant riding in the surrounding area and take beautiful photos or video. The fee is about 1,000 THB/1 hour (for 2 persons).

Ayutthaya Historical Park

4. Visit Heritage Sites

There are 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Thailand: Ban Chiang Archaeological Site in Udon Thani Province, Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex (Khao Yai National Park) in Saraburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Nayok, Prachinburi, Sa Kaeo and Buriram Provinces, Historic City of Ayutthaya (Ayutthaya Historical Park) in Ayutthaya province, Historic Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns (Sukhothai Historical Park) in Sukhothai and Kamphaeng Phet Provinces, and Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries (Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary) in Kanchanaburi, Tak and Uthai Thani Provinces. The most popular site is Historic City of Ayutthaya or Ayutthaya Historical Park which is only 1 hour away from Bangkok.

5. Visit Temples

Temple is called “Wat” in Thai language. There are over 40,000 temples in Thailand. Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) in Bangkok is Thailand’s most popular and important. Each prefecture also has its must-visit temples such as Wat Phra That Doi Suthep in Chiangmai Province, Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon in Ayutthaya Province, Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahatat Woramahawihan in Phitsanulok Province, Wat Chalong in Phuket Province, Wat Kham Chanot in Udon Thani Province.

Som Tam

6. Try Street Food

Thailand is also popular for delicious street food. It is easily to find the food kiosk from the early morning to the late night. There are a variety of food available such as Noodles, Som Tam (spicy papaya salad), Kao Man Gai (cooked rice with chicken), Pad Thai (Thai fried noodle). Travellers can also try Tom Yum Goong (spicy soup with shrimp), Gang Keow Wan (Green Curry), Pad Ga Pow (fried pork with chili and basil), and many Thai dishes at the cooked to order shop.

Related Article ⇒ 20 Popular Thai Dishes

7. Enjoy Dinner Cruise

You have wonderful dinner cruise with international buffet or Thai cuisine on a Chao Phraya River while viewing the landmarks of Bangkok such as Grand Palace, Wat Arun (Temple of Down), King Rama VIII Bridge. The examples of famous cruises are Chao Phraya Princess, Grand Pearl Cruise, Wonderful Pearl Cruise, River Side Cruise, Shangri-La Horizon Dinner Cruise. The price is about 1,000-1,500, depending on the service of the cruise.

Railey Beach and Long-tail Boats

8. Relax on Beautiful Beaches

There are many beautiful beaches from Western, Southern to Eastern Thailand. Huahin Beach in Prachuabkhirikhan Province at the west, Pattaya Beach in Chonburi Province at the east are recommended for who want takes a day trip from Bangkok (just around 2 hours). For the south of Thailand, Pranang Beach and Railey Beach in Krabi Province, Pramong Beach (Sunset Beach) in Satun Province, Rin Beach in Surat Thani Province are the popular beaches in Thailand.

9. Take Diving Trip to Islands

If you love diving, don’t miss to take a diving day trip or liveaboard trip to famous islands or “Ko (Koh)” in Thai language. The best diving sites are said to be in Andaman Sea, the west of Thailand. Phuket Islands, Similan Islands, Surin Islands, Ko Phi Phi, Ko Lanta, Ko Tarutao are the examples of famous islands in Andaman Sea. The best time for diving in here is from October to April. On the east coast in the Gulf of Thailand, there are also popular islands that are Ko Samui, Ko Phangan, Ko Tao, Ko Chang. December to March and July to August are the best period to dive in the Gulf of Thailand.

Related Article ⇒ 10 Popular Beaches and Islands in Thailand

Khao Yai National Park

10. Feel the Nature of Forest

Thailand has 147 national parks around the country. Located 3 hours away from Bangkok, Khao Yai National Park is the most popular national park and listed as the world heritage site. Kaeng Krachan National Park is the largest national park in Thailand which is famous it’s diverse wildlife and it also not too far from Bangkok, just about 3.5 hour drive. If you like high mountains, Doi Inthanon National Park, “The Roof of Thailand”, in Chiangmai in the north of Thailand is recommended.

11. Visit Floating Markets

Floating market is a market where locals sell products or foods on boats. The travellers can also take a tour on longtail boat through some markets. Thailand’s famous floating markets are Damnern Saduak Floating Market in Ratchaburi Province and Amphawa Floating Market in Samut Songkhram Province. Both are located not far from Bangkok, just about 1.5-2 hours away, so you can travel there as a day trip from Bangkok.

MBK

12. Enjoy Shopping

Not only world class shopping malls such as Siam Paragon, Central World, EmQuartier, Central Embassy, there are many shopping malls and markets to sell cheap and chic products for clothes and fashion accessories in Bangkok such as MBK, Siam Square, Platinum Fashion Mall, Chatuchak Weekend Market. If you are looking to buy wholesale products, we recommend Sampeng Market and Pratunam Market.

13. Relax with Thai Massage

If you have office syndrome, headache, shoulder and back pain, or you are tried from traveling a long distance, Thai massage can help relieve those pain. Normally, Thai massage uses rhythmic pressing along the body’s energy lines and pressure points, as well as stretching of the body. Wat Pho is well-known for the home of traditional Thai massage, but there many massage shops and spas in tourist areas that provide Thai massage. A massage session takes about 1-2 hours and costs about 250-500THB/hour depending on the massage facility or treatment.

Night Show in Pattaya

14. Watch Amazing Night Shows

Thailand is well known for world-class cultural shows that are performed at night. Siam Niramit Show in Bangkok and Phuket Province, Calypso Cabaret Show and Muay Thai Live in Bangkok, Phuket FantaSea in Phuket Province, Tiffany’s Cabaret Show in Pattaya are the example of popular night shows in Thailand. It is easy to book the ticket only with agencies, and there are packages available including admission ticket, dinner, hotel pickup and drop-off services.

15. Have Fun Nightlife

Nightlife Activities in Thailand is varied. There are many things to do, not only drinking at nightclubs or party on the beaches. You can enjoy nice cocktails at a rooftop bar, dinner cruise with romantic view, late-night eating famous street, shopping at night markets, watching the shows and so on. These activities can be experience at the popular tourist areas in Bangkok, Pattaya, Hua-hin, Phuket, Chiangmai, etc.