From tropical islands to epic temples to flavour-punching cuisine, Thailand truly has it all. Often a victim of its own success, Thailand can also have a reputation for being overrun with drunken backpackers and leery old men, but many areas of the country are fighting back against this image and you can find beautiful secluded resorts, chilled out beach-side bars and fascinating cultural experiences if you know where to go. Thailand has something for everyone. Believe me, you’ll never regret a trip to this land of smiles. Read on for a few reasons why you need to put Thailand back on your bucket list.
Island Life
Once you reach the Thai islands in the south, you’ll notice that the pace of life just slows down a notch. Koh Lanta is my favourite, an island paradise perfect for scuba diving and lazing at the beach. For an authentic Thai experience why not try Koh Jum, where there are only a handful of guesthouses and restaurants nestled amongst endless acres of beach and forest. For those of you looking for a bit more of a lively atmosphere, there’s always Koh Phi Phi, which offers some fantastic diving (or snorkeling with reef sharks anyone?) as well as the famous nightlife.
Stunning National Parks
Thailand may be amazing for a beach holiday – but did you know if you head inland you can also find some unbelievably beautiful national parks? Khao Sok National Park is a huge protected area in the west of Thailand near Khao Lak, and one of the country’s true hidden gems. What’s more, the park is home to a plethora of wildlife such as gibbons, hornbill birds and wild elephants. A must-do when visiting Khao Sok is to take a boat tour out on Cheow Lan Lake, a beautiful lake which also generates power for the local area. Want to treat yourself -why not stay overnight in one of the luxury floating bungalows?
Beautiful Views
Another must-see in southern Thailand is the Samet Nangshe viewpoint. This stunning vista was recently “discovered” by a Thai photographer, and has since become an Instagram favourite (and for good reason). Situated near Phang Nga Bay (where you can also find the famous “James Bond Island“), the Samet Nangshe viewpoint looks out over the sea and limestone islets. This beautiful panorama is best enjoyed at sunrise and sunset. You can either set off early and hike up the hill or just pay to be taken up in a 4×4. (Psst…why not pack a couple of beers and a picnic?)
Out-of-this-World Temples
You could spend all day every day visiting Thai temples and still not see them all! From towering structures in Bangkok to more humble shrines nestled in remote forests and villages, these beautiful religious structures can be found everywhere you look. Here’s a list of my favourites, as temple fatigue is a real thing so it’s best to have a select few picked out to focus on:
- Wat Arun (Bangkok): Known as the temple of dawn, if you only see one temple in Bangkok this should be it!
- Wat Kaew Korawaram (Krabi): This beautiful plain white temple is an explosion of colour inside. Top tip: visit at sunset to see the white temple turn golden in the evening light.
- Wat Tham Sua (Tiger cave temple) (Krabi): Another must-see in Krabi, if you brave 1237 steps up the limestone rock, you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful golden Buddha and an incredible 360-degree view over the valley of Krabi.
- Wat Rong Khun (Chiang Rai): this beautiful fairytale temple was actuallt completely rebuilt in 1997, but don’t let this put you off. Wat Rong Khun is completely snow-white on the outside, and the ornate bridge leading to the entrance makes for the perfect photo.
Beautiful Jungle Trekking
Thailand’s jungles make the perfect respite from the heat, especially when you get to swim at the base of a beautiful waterfall. One of my favourites was the Sai Rung Waterfall near Khao Lak, which we had completely to ourselves. A short drive outside Khao Lak itself, you can reach the waterfall via a short walk through the jungle. At the beginning of the path, some entrepreneurial locals had set up a restaurant right in the river itself for a unique dining experience! Another favourite trek of mine was the trek to Khlong Chak waterfall on Koh Lanta. After making your way through dense jungle (where you’ll probably see some monkeys glaring at you through the branches) you’ll happen upon a huge waterfall where you can climb on a massive fallen tree trunk.
Crystal Clear Diving
Thailand is an absolute Mecca for scuba diving, and for good reason! The weather is good all year round as Thailand has two seasons – one in the West and one in the East, so it’s always summer somewhere! From colourful clown fish to turtles and even baby reef sharks – you’ll spot more sealife in Thailand than in most other parts of the world! Add to this the fact that diving is relatively cheap and you’re in for a winner. Never dived before? No problem – plenty of dive shops in Thailand offer taster sessions and beginner PADI courses. Not sure that diving’s for you? Why not try snorkeling instead? The water is so beautifully clear that you’ll still see plenty of fish. One of my favourite places for snorkeling was Koh Lipe, where I hired a small kayak from Castaway Resort to myself and paddled out to an uninhabited island to snorkel and laze around on a secluded beach.
The Best Food
And finally, one of the reasons that I’ll continue to go back to Thailand again and again and again: it really does have the best food out there. From creamy coconut curries to spicy noodles to mango sticky rice to crispy Khao Soi Gai – I don’t really need to explain any further. You certainly won’t go hungry in Thailand!
If you’re thinking about visiting Thailand then why not get a copy of the Thailand Lonely Planet here. (Please note that I receive a small kick-back if you purchase a book through this affiliate link (the price of the book remains the same). This allows me to continue providing travel advice for free!
You’ve made me really want to go back to Thailand now!