Where to go in Thailand?

Phuket, for relaxation and scenery

Phuket is a destination in its own right, south of Khao Lak. People come here to enjoy its seaside resorts, more or less touristy and lively, lined with beautiful beaches. But also for its proximity to the magnificent bay of Phang Nga and small paradise islands, which can be discovered via boat excursions.

The main places to stay here are on the west coast. Patong and Karon are the best known, and are often associated with mass tourism. Here, you'll find restaurants, bars, shops, water sports, massages, nightclubs and more. In short, they're more for young people than families.

If you want to go to the seaside in more tranquil areas, head for the seaside resorts of Kamala and Bang Tao.

The south is wilder. The beaches are beautiful but not necessarily suitable for swimming. As for the main town, Phuket Town, there's little point in staying there in its own right. On the other hand, it is well situated for exploring the area, notably by scooter, but also by boat.

Indeed, it is the departure point for numerous ferries to other paradisiacal locations such as the islands of Koh Yao Noi, Koh Yao Yai, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta and Krabi. And in any case, with its lively atmosphere and low-cost accommodation, it remains a good base for backpackers.

It also completes a cultural stay in northern Thailand, with a few days' rest at the end. For more tips and recommendations, please consult our guide on where to stay in Phuket.

Going to Bangkok, the capital

Bangkok is an essential stopover on any trip to Thailand. As well as being the capital, it offers the opportunity to immerse yourself in the country's culture and discover a wide variety of places and sites. With its mix of modern and older districts, it's easy to spend 4 or 5 days here to fully immerse yourself. A visit that will include discovering :

• Khao San Road, one of the most popular and frequented streets, with its many bars, restaurants, massage parlors, street food, etc...
• neighborhoods to explore, such as Chinatown and Rattanakosin,
• markets, including the Champeng night market, and the floating market, where vendors are located on small boats
• Buddhist temples, including the famous Golden Buddha, and the Royal Palace.

The city is spread out, and the accommodation on offer is relatively extensive. Accommodation is available to suit all budgets, provided that you are more or less away from the heart of the city and its main points of interest.

As you can see, apart from a holiday focused entirely on relaxation in the seaside resorts of the south, a trip to Thailand is bound to include a visit to this megalopolis at some point! For more tips and recommendations, please consult our dedicated Bangkok guide

Koh Samui, Thailand's second largest island

A trip to Koh Samui, in the Gulf of Thailand, is an opportunity to enjoy heavenly beaches just an hour's flight from Bangkok. And given its size, the diversity of places to go is relatively wide.

In fact, beyond the vast stretches of fine sand, it's also a source of cultural discoveries, with the presence of several temples. However, the atmosphere of the different parts of the island varies from place to place. For example, it's best to stay

• Chaweng, the best-known town. It combines entertainment, a 5km-long beach and a multitude of accommodation options. With its proximity to the airport and almost central location, it's the best place to stay on Koh Samui.
• Lamai, just a few kilometers south of Chaweng. A little quieter than the first, though still festive, this seaside resort is a little more affordable. More suitable for families.
• Bo Phut, still on the east coast. With its cultural assets and proximity to the beautiful sandy beaches of the east coast, it's a good compromise.
• near less-frequented beaches, such as Mae Nam, Lipa Noi. Or the wilder Taling Ngam.

From Koh Samui, you can also take a boat to the islands of Koh Tao and Koh Phangan. Here, you can contemplate the beauty of their landscapes.

As with other paradisiacal places in the country, it is therefore possible to visit Thailand in its northern part, and then end your trip here with a few days' rest. But it can also be a destination in its own right for those in search of relaxation.

Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, in northern Thailand

Chiang Mai is a natural choice for a visit to Thailand. With its many temples, including one of Thailand's best-known and most beautiful, Doi Suthep (in the heights), as well as its markets, including the Night Bazaar, Chiang Mai is an ideal place for cultural immersion. Staying in or near its historic heart, you can get around on foot, by tuk-tuk or songthaew (a kind of small shared bus).

It's also famous for its lantern festival, or “Loy Krathong”, which takes place every year in November. During this festival, thousands of lanterns are released and raised into the sky. It's a fascinating spectacle if you get the chance to go at this time of year!

The Chiang Mai region is also famous for its elephant sanctuaries, where elephants live in semi-captivity in large areas. Initially created for the preservation of the species, these sanctuaries have also turned to tourism. This is an opportunity to discover the species and enjoy a few “attractions”, such as having your photo taken with them, watching them bathe, feeding them, taking a ride on their backs, etc... Some travellers like it, others don't.

To get a feel for the city and its surroundings, you can spend 3 to 5 days here. Located almost 700km from the capital, you can get there by train, but also by plane. And to help you choose your accommodation and understand its geography, take a look at our guide dedicated to Chiang Mai.

Even further north, close to the borders with Laos and Myanmar, lies Chiang Rai. This region is renowned forits authentic landscapes, villages and temples. So don't hesitate to visit the White Temple, the Blue Temple and other Buddhist places of worship.

Discover Ayutthaya, a historic city par excellence

Ayutthaya is located some 100 km north of Bangkok. It is usually the first stop on a road trip to Thailand heading north.

It is an important city in Thailand's history. Founded in the 14th century, it was proclaimed capital of the Kingdom of Siam. Partially destroyed in the 18th century by the Burmese army, it still boasts some of the finest remains of that era, making it a mecca for cultural tourism in Thailand. The must-see sights in this historic part of the city, which clearly make it a must-see place to visit in Thailand, are :

• Wat Mahathat temple, famous for its Buddha head nestled in the hollow of a tree trunk
• others, with a variety of features, including a Khmer-style temple with a reclining Buddha. Or chedis, structures that point skyward.

Ayutthaya is home to many hotels, but you can also take a day trip from Bangkok. You can reach Ayutthaya by train in around 2 hours. But also by bus. Once there, you can use the services of a cab or tuk tuk to get around. Or rent a scooter or bicycle, a popular means of transport here.

With all this cultural wealth, one day isn't enough to see it all. But it's enough to see the essentials and soak up the atmosphere.

Visit Sukhothai for its superb historical park

A cultural trip to Thailand also includes Sukhothai. Located around 500km north of Bangkok, it is the main stopover between Ayutthaya and Chiang Mai.

The former capital of the first Thai kingdom, from the 12th to the 14th century, Sukhothai is famous for its historic park, a vestige of that era and an undisputed must-see place to visit in Thailand. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

With its many temples, both large and small and ancient, these are adorned with statues of Buddha and other statues, and chedis. All set on the edge of large basins, sometimes covered with water lilies. You've probably already seen photos of this emblematic site!

The park can be visited on foot, but it's also common to visit it by bike. It takes just a few hours to visit the park, which makes Sukhothai a good place to spend at least a day.

Koh Chang, an increasingly popular Thai island

The third largest island to visit in Thailand, Koh Chang is located in the northern Gulf of Thailand. With its vast stretches of white sand and inland jungle, it's a natural area untouched by mass tourism. And yet it's an increasingly popular tourist destination.

You can get there by plane from Bangkok or by ferry from the mainland and other islands in the Gulf. Most of the island's accommodation is on the west coast. The beaches of White Sand Beach and Lonely Beach, as well as the village of Klong Prao, are the most attractive areas for accommodation.

For even more authenticity, the Salak Phet and Bang Bao areas also offer a tranquil setting for a stay on the island.

In terms of budget, it's easy to find very reasonably priced mid-range hotels and bed & breakfasts. You'll find more practical information, including details of areas and accommodation, in our guide dedicated to Koh Chang.

Explore the jungle of Khao Sok National Park

Looking for adventure in one of the world's oldest tropical forests? It's possible! A trip to Thailand allows you to explore a jungle over 160 million years old. A haven of peace, Khao Sok National Park also boasts a lake, Cheow Lan, offering incredible views over its landscape of cliffs and lush vegetation.

The many lodgings, most of which are tree houses, allow you to stay in the jungle with the sounds of the surroundings. Wake up to the sound of birdsong, a babbling brook and monkeys.

We also come here for these bungalows on stilts, set on the lake. Here, you can stay for a few nights and enjoy the view, explore the surrounding area with a small kayak and take a leisurely dip in the lake. Given the paradise-like setting of this area, prices are correspondingly higher.

As for must-do activities, you can go hiking by day or night, explore the caves or take a trip on a traditional long-tail boat. In short, this national park is a true immersion in nature. If you don't know where to go in Thailand, this place is a wonderful surprise!

For more tips and recommendations, take a look at our guide dedicated to Khao Sok.

Party in Thailand, in the heart of Pattaya

A seaside resort attracting young people and party-goers from all over the world, Pattaya has a sultry reputation that's far from the truth. With its seafront and historic monuments, it has a definite appeal. Families come here to enjoy the beach, and friends come here to have fun.

From cabarets and restaurants to nightclubs, go-go bars and boxing shows, there's a whole host of night-time entertainment to enjoy. Most of them can be found along Walking Street, in the city center. Very busy and touristy, it's best known for its lively, festive atmosphere. If you're in Thailand to party, you'll no doubt discover this area, driven by curiosity.

If, on the other hand, you're looking for a bit of peace and quiet, you'll also find a number of pleasant beaches along its coastline. To the north and south, they're paradise on earth. You can swim, do water sports, sunbathe under the palm trees and much more. The hotel complexes face the sea.

Whatever your type of stay, it's essential to visit the must-see Sanctuary of Truth, a mixture of palace and temple that stands between two beaches, or Wat Phra Yai, also known as the “Big Buddha Temple”, a Buddhist temple housing a golden statue over 18m high.

Staying on other Thai islands

In addition to the main regions, cities and islands of Thailand listed above, you can also explore and stay on other Thai islands. Indeed, the country comprises no fewer than 1400 islands.

Even if it's not possible to stay on most of them, there are some islands whose names we haven't yet mentioned that are well worth a visit and a stay during your stay in this region.

In the south-west of the country, we can mention the islands of Koh Phayam and Koh Phra Tong, which are still relatively unknown. To the south-east of the Phuket peninsula, you'll find small areas such as Koh Ngai, Koh Kradan, Koh Muk and Koh Libong.

Further south, Koh Sukon and Koh Lipe are the last Thai islands before the Strait of Malacca and the border with Malaysia. Koh Lipe is undoubtedly the most interesting of all these destinations.

Further north, in the Gulf of Thailand, there are other islands to consider visiting and staying on. Off the coast of Pattaya, you can visit Koh Larn and Koh Sichang. Still in the eastern part of the Gulf, you can stay on Koh Samet, Koh Mak or Koh Kood.