The Best Places to Go in Thailand
Thailand is a beautiful country full of rich history, stunning buildings both old and new as well as bustling cities and lush forests. Having fully been open to tourism again for over a year now, we thought we'd take the chance to showcase this breathtaking country. In this article we’ll highlight some of the main areas you may want to visit, unfortunately, we can talk about everything, and show why Thailand should be next on your holiday list.
Bangkok
The capital of Thailand, this vast metropolis has become an increasingly popular destination for tourists over the last decade or so. You can do everything here from shopping to festivals, relaxing in a spa to walking around a palace, whatever you want to do Bangkok has you covered. If you're looking to discover the history of Thailand, why not visit Wat Phra Kaew? This temple, adorned with golden spires and brightly coloured buildings was finished in 1784 and houses the Emerald Buddha, a 48x66cm Buddha carved entirely out of a single emerald. Historical and temple buildings are amongst the most popular tourist attractions in the city so visiting at least a few is a must. Others to check out are The Grand Palace, Wat Pho or the Temple of the Dawn. To experience all of Bangkok in one place visit Chatuchak Weekend Market. This indoor and outdoor market is split into 27 projects which house the market's massive 8,000+ stalls and serves 8 main types of product: fruits and veg, pets, clothes, plants, ready-made food, fresh food and miscellaneous. This is just some of what makes Bangkok a wonderful city to visit. For more info visit the Bangkok page on the Tourism Thailand website
Phuket
From one end of Thailand to the other, we look at Phuket. A complete opposite of Bangkok, Phuket is a luscious green island off the south coast. It's full of beautiful beaches with stunning turquoise waters which lap golden sands. The most popular of these is Bang Thao, an 8km long beach perfect for lying and watching the world go by. If you’re looking for sunsets you must go to Laem Phromthep, which is said to have the best sunsets in the whole of Thailand. Many of the beaches in the south of the island get quite crowded so if you’re looking for somewhere quieter it's best to check out the north of the island. More than just beaches, Phuket is full of colonial architecture as well as a large Chinese influence. Old Phuket Town is a popular attraction for tourists. A mix of cultures, the houses are built in the Sino-Portuguese style and some of them have been preserved over time for use as museums, the most famous of which is Phuket Thai Hua Museum. There are also markets where you can experience the local foods. There is also very good nightlife in Phuket, which is very popular with many tourists. If you haven’t had your fill of visually stunning temples or haven’t seen any yet you should definitely visit Wat Chalong. This temple is central to the faith of the locals and its beautiful white walls are detailed with gold and ornate carvings.
Koh Samui
Another island off the south coast, this time off the eastern side of the peninsula. Koh Samui is full of beautiful beaches with white sand and clear, turquoise waters. This makes it perfect as a quieter, relaxing island where you can sit on the beaches and watch the world go by. If you’re looking for beaches, the best ones to visit or stay near are Chaweng, Lamai and Chaweng Noi. With Koh Samui, the decision is whether to stay on or near the beach, or whether to stay in the interior. Once you step off the beaches, you’re into the luscious green interior. Dotted with hotels, you can also find many of the island's attractions such as the Elephant Sanctuary and Paradise Park Farm, where you can experience the local wildlife. There are many attractions both on land and by sea that allows you to see the island in a different way.
Chiang Mai
If you’re looking for somewhere in Thailand where you can connect with nature and explore the beautiful landscape of the area, then look no further than Chiang Mai. In amongst beautiful, wooded mountains, you can explore the culture of the local Chiang Mai people including worshipping the Phra That Doi Suthep. Take in the ornate beauty of the temples at Wat Luang Khun Win or Wat Inthrawat where their small halls house detailed carvings and are still just as beautiful as any larger temples you would see elsewhere. See the variety of plant species at Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden and Rajapruek Royal Park, or experience the grander natural features in Ob Luang and Mae Wang National Parks whose mountains and rocks are carved by rivers and erosion to create some stunning natural spectacles and views.
We hope this has given you a brief taste of what Thailand has to offer and shows you why it is a place you must visit. For more travel inspiration and destinations, read our blogs or take a look around our website and then give us a call at 01157843388. If you already know where you’re looking to book, call us, email enquiries@ct4ntravel.co.uk or fill in our contact form with what you’re looking for. Don't forget to follow us on social media to find out the next Destination of the Week and for all your holiday needs. If you've been to Thailand, where was your favourite place? What was the best thing you did, or do you think we missed anything that you must do? Let us know in the comments or on social media, just click the buttons below which take you to our social pages