Imagining a vacation where the sun is out, happy smiles greet you, beaches shout your name, and ancient temples talk to you about the past? Welcome to Thailand, and someday your best choice for an Asian getaway. The Thai Kingdom packs it all in – white-knuckle cities, mystic highland markets, and the softest sand on Earth at your feet. It doesn’t matter if you are a first time flyer—and you are coming to Thailand for the first time, or a seasoned traveler planning the best Thailand tours. Planning Thailand tours will feel like filling in your wishlist! Each destination offers any variety of festivals with color, taste sensations from street food, and adventures from river cruises to elephant experiences.
Bangkok: The City that Never Sleeps
Bangkok is where most travelers begin their Thai trips, a city famous for street carts dishing out pad thai next to incredible shiny buildings. The Grand Palace is a royal stunner with its painted tiles, glass mirror, and the little emerald-chipped Buddha. Walk a few minutes, or a few coins to a taxi if your after 3 days of bike riding, to Wat Pho, home of the twisted napper, an enormous (gold) Buddha, reclining. As a bonus, the temple has a massage school just next door where they perform oil-chop-chop on your tired legs.
On Saturday and Sunday, the onslaught of the Chatuchak Weekend Market will arrive. Not that it’s not always a sensory zone. There are 15,000 stalls to take in, which is great if you’re a scarf lover, a fanatic about living creatures, or you profusely like smelly food. Try and haggle your way through some socks, sneakers, artificial flowers, and like every other backpacker, delicacies of sweet mango, sticky rice. The drive-thru scenic route is Rattanakosin Island, a calm moat and river borderland where the silly bearded Giant Swing with red furniture is stationed and sunset pictures with a candle (aka the golden) atop Wat Saket will give you a picture of the grand skyline.
Exploring Ancient Kingdoms: Ayutthaya and the Like
Less than an hour’s drive north of of the buzzing hub of Bangkok lies Ayutthaya, Thailand’s bright and shining ancient capital, and now a protected site of the UNESCO family. Once the shining jewel of the Kingdom of Siam, it fell in ruin in the 1700’s–though beneath the shattered walls and tumbled towers lingers the buzz of centuries past.
A stroll through pathways winding inside Ayutthaya Historical Park is a thrill, the feeling is palpable. Stop and breathe life into Wat Mahathat, where a wise-looking, tangled tree smothers a head of Buddha. If you are keen to cycle, hop on your bike and within moments the woven strands of the Shan, Pasak and Chao Phraya Rivers embrace the city like a silver ribbon allowing you to float past surviving relics of wonder.
Look down at the water and see the reflected finials of Wat Phra Si Sanphet, the center of the kingdom, leaving abstract strokes shimmering on the surface–flashing the brooding limestone towers of its skyline once again. Best enjoyed by both the footpath and waters edge, each step and ripple tell their secrets to anyone who’s always been willing to listen, luring you back into the dawn of the Kingdom.
Journey down Thailand’s pathway through time and discover that every step stretches backward a little bit more. At Phimai Historical Park, a hidden collection of Khmer craft rises out of the central plain, timbers and lintels outshining many temples that younger brochures proudly list as highlights. Some of stone sub-shrines here arrived before the seed of Angkor Wat even sprouted. At the same time, in the warm silk-and-lime direction of Isaan, Phanom Rung Historical Park rises like a mighty cloud tower.
Hunched over its central pond begins a five-kilometer pathway that curls upward—its temples pause every few chaotic turns to frame a statue of Shiva, garnished with seashell Naga that knit ground, water, and sky with silvery threads of stone. Cross the shimmering auroras of Phanom Rung, and the little lantern-cheek branch of the Mun River brings visitors to the tidy, lined courtyard of Muang Singh Historical Park. Here, twin stone parcels of sky leaf-kissed face and gate guard no more than a bag’s walk from the faint outlines of our cities’ daily markets, their relics speaking softly through the day’s markets. Go farther up again—wandering parties will open into mammoth stone mushroom shadows dripping like stiff lava.
Phu Phra Bat’s grape Uncle rock berries sport ancient red-outlined animal grins, while ridged ceilings shelter Dvaravati medallions and Khmer amulets, the living wrapped with the unmarked eras of the landing, shaft, and terracing of wormy centuries of water. From the stepped walk to Thailand’s armpit temples on the moon noir, temples both humble and heroic hand a script heavy with neat, lined-off beauty into the palm of the inquiring traveler, sputtered like unfamiliar syllable slung high above Bangkok’s glare.
Northern Thailand: Peaks, Culture, and Perfect Peace
Take off heading north and you will arrive in Chiang Mai, referred to by travellers as the “Rose of the North.” The vibrant yet relaxed city is bordered by rolling, misty hills and encased by weathered, deep-red-bricked walls of the old city. If you climb the winding steps to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep at the top of the nearby peak, you will be inside a golden stupa looking directionless across valley after valley, with glistening temple rooftops below. Better yet is that Chiang Mai has compassionate elephant rescues like the Elephant Nature Park where you get to observe the gentle giants roam around freely helping you feed, bathe and learn about them peacefully.
Once you are done daydreaming at the pink sunset, continue to the next town of Chiang Rai known for the most unique temples. In particular, head to Wat Rong Khun – the White Temple – which is an astonishing dream of a palace constructed from white glass, and tons of crystal dragons, like a postcard from the craziest alternate universe. Afterwards, drive another few hundred yards to the Golden Triangle where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet along the gorgeous Mekong River, and have a delicious sweet coffee from the riverfront cafe. Then follow the lovely hills down to the peaceful town of Pai. This small valley is still like a postcard and includes lazy walks around Pai Canyon, hot pools in Pai Hot Springs for a soak, and finally the sound of silence in the evening to relax after an adventurous day in Thailand’s north.
Southern Thailand: Sun, Sand, and Sea
Whether you’re scouting blueprints for your next trip or already packing your bag, southern Thailand’s postcard-perfect beaches must be on your list. Hop on a flight to Phuket, the “Pearl of the Andaman,” where sun-kissed coastlines drink in the emerald waves. Chill on the well-loved Patong Beach, kicking back on sugar-soft sand while the sun glints in water so clear you can see the minuscule grains of sand beneath. Feel adventurous? Join a boat party to the Phi Phi Islands—an open-air gallery of crystal water, candy-striped coral, and limestone cliffs that slide skyward. Snorkel or dive to see the stars of the ocean: clownfish and parrotfish bursting in colors that a box of crayons can only dream of.
If you’re looking for something a bit quieter, then book your next board flight to Krabi, where Mother Nature’s own sculptor decided to leave stunningly serrated limestone mountains exploding straight up from the crystal emerald sea. Railay Beach and adjacent twin Phra Nang Beach are secret garden swimming pools—small, beautiful, and best explored on foot. You can wander secret sea caves, or grab a kayak and find your own water trails to hidden lagoons. You can sign up for a boat trip to postcard island hop: the enclosed bay of Koh Hong and the sugar-sand islets of Koh Poda. Just think delicious picnic lunches on the sand and colorful underwater snorkel trails you’d think were a digital screensaver.
Respecting the Culture: Essential Tips for Your Trip
A trip to Thailand sticks in your memory like your best-ever vacation photo. To make sure those memories shine rather than tarnish, mind these easy-going customs. First off, the Thai people are devoted to the monarchy. Cracks or sarcasm—even slipped out on social media—land you in big trouble. So, save your thumbs for the next cat video. Think about it: Buddha represents the heart of Thai belief, and it’s super disrespectful to snap playful selfies next to him. When you swing by a temple, act like you mean it: long sleeves, long pants, and a whisper that practically counts as a breeze.
Mind the head, too: it’s the most sacred spot. Let a Thai person keep their hair alone; instead, bow a little when they greet you with a wai—palms together and a gentle bow looks like prayer, and your matching gesture is an instant mini-friendship. Don’t joke with the money, either: a foot on a coin or note is a royal no-no that can land you in trouble. Smokers, you’re not off the hook—only light up in the right zone or you’ll walk away with a hefty fine. And, lastly, elephants are gentle giants in Thai hearts. Don’t hop on their backs or snap photos of any that are chained. Many sanctuaries let you feed or care for them instead—way more fun for everyone.
Amazing Thailand, Travel Go Discovery with Asia Journeys!
From north to south an incredible adventure awaits and is often an all-time favorite destination for Thailand trips. Thailand is like a story where every chapter brings a new surprise. Imagine walking amongst ancient temples that echo with tales from the past and taking in the clean mountain air of the north, or soaking your toes into the warm calm waters of the southern islands, wherever you are there is a new adventure waiting to unfold. If you are looking to create the ultimate experience, let Asia Journeys take you there, and show you the best Thailand tours. No matter how much you dream, your trip will be even better than an amazing Thailand trip!
