From my nearly 1 month travel across the country, here are 6 best Thailand experiences you should not miss.
We all know that tourist highlights in Thailand are always more in number than one can imagine. There are water parks, wildlife centuries, laid-back towns, party islands, adventure sports, historic monuments, and amazing food… you name it.
During my nearly 1 month of travel across the country, there was not a single day when I had to think about what to do tomorrow. From chilling and exploring Bangkok to visiting small Northen Thailand towns, my one month in the country went in the blink of an eye.
What’s even better is the cost of travelling in Thailand which makes it possible for anyone to plan a holiday in Thailand.
But what makes it the best Thailand experience?
Well, to answer that question, here are my 6 recommended things to do in Thailand:
Best Thailand Experiences
Visit Thailand Nature Park
Who doesn’t love animals? If you want to get an up-close and personal experience with some of the most exotic creatures that this country offers then Thailand Nature Park is the perfect spot for you. The pinnacle of the park is arguably the elephant sanctuary, which sees the gigantic beasts roaming around in a vast area of forest and grassland the reserve has personally purchased.
The elephants are far from the only attraction, however, gibbons, bears and even slow Loris are also found within the refuge. If you have a soft spot for creatures who need extra care and attention, this might be the place for you.
Temples In Thailand
We all know that temples make for the best Thailand experience. The country is famed for the number of temples it possesses and was once serving as the hub for the Buddhist religion.
In reality, it’s nearly impossible to single out one particular temple, with more than a dozen worth seeing in Bangkok alone. And if you want to step back in history, I suggest you visit the temples of Ayutthaya.
There’s moreover no precise remit for a Thai temple, with each one offering its own unique blend of style and extravagance. To soak in the history and culture of one of these fantastic monuments, your best bet is to Google them all and find out which one intrigues you more.
To name a few that I loved the most, however, here’s a list…
- Sanctuary Of Truth,
- Temple Of A Million Bottles
- Wat Pa Phu Kon
- Tiger Cave Temple
- Wat Phra Kaew
- Wat Arun
- Wat Pho
- White temple
- Sirindhorn Wararam Phu Prao
- Wat Benchamabophit
- Wat Chaiwatthanaram
Check the Thailand Tourism website for more tips on the best Thailand temples.
Scuba Diving In Thailand
Scuba diving is something commonly associated with trips to more Central American nations, but Thailand more than holds its own on that front as well, with fantastic opportunities to get to grips with the sea life of the region.
There are hundreds of spots to learn to dive, but some of the most common are Hin Muang, Hin Daeng, and the Similan Islands. Plus, scuba diving is recommended as one of the best Thailand experiences in every guidebook and travel blog out there – so why not give it a go?
It’s moreover particularly cheap to learn scuba diving in Thailand compared to nations like Barbados or Bermuda, so if you’re looking to experience scuba at some point in your life – for affordable prices – go for it when you’re in Thailand.
And if you think Scuba diving is scary or something, let me tell you that it’s not. Read my first scuba diving experience for more.
Nai Harn Beach
Nai Harn Beach can be found in the party city of Phuket, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take a trip there because you’re worried about stumbling across a group of tipsy merrymakers.
This stretch of sand is quite different from the rest of the city, with it mostly traversed by the locals alone, and not hordes of party-goers. A note of caution, however; while the sea there is amazing to swim in from November through to April, it’s best to avoid taking a dip between May and October – when a strong undercurrent can sometimes prove a danger.
Regardless, the tranquillity of the area more than makes up for that, with tourists able to enjoy the golden sands and relax under a beautiful blazing sun.
Bangkok To Pai Road Trip
I know it might sound weird to most but there are some amazing road trip trails in Thailand. During my visit to the mountains in the north and staying in Chiang Mai and Pai (though I didn’t like them much, read my Pai Thailand experience) I saw some of the most beautiful landscapes I have seen in my life. Bangkok to Pai road trip is one of the best Thailand experiences to try, particularly if you want to do something offbeat.
So yea, rent a motorcycle in Bangkok and head to the mountains.
Street Food In Thailand
Thailand is famed for its fantastic street food – but you can get that stuff any day of the week. To truly make this a holiday to remember, why not instead step out of your comfort zone and try a completely different snack?
Like a lot of countries in southeastern Asia, Thailand is no stranger to consuming items that some westerners might find a little hair-raising. Grasshoppers and locusts might be a pest here, but for the Thai people, they’re something of a delicacy. These crunchy bugs come fried in a delicious selection of spices and are a fantastic way to really get in touch with the true culture of the nation. You’ll be able to find these insects at most market stalls, so bite the bullet and plunge your choppers into one of these bad boys.
King Kobra Village
If you suffer from Ophidiophobia (the fear of snakes) this is certainly not a trip you should be considering in a hurry.
Ban Khok Sa-Nga village has an unusual, yet fascinating, obsession with the slithery reptiles – with quite literally thousands of the creatures found situated throughout the area. The obsession with snakes started back in 1951 when a travelling salesman put on a show involving them to draw in customers. Now every house in the village has a pet to show off to visitors. Each to their own, I guess.
Beyond Best Thailand Experiences
If you want to try offbeat tourist experiences in Thailand, I suggest you visit the mountains rather than the beaches. Most tourists visit beaches in Thailand, making them commonplace. Mountain in the north, however, is fairly untapped and unexplored.
Make Chiang Mai your base and then visit small towns. Visiting Kanchanaburi, Pai and Sukhothai, for example, will make for a few offbeat tourist experiences in Thailand. I even found my day trip to Ayutthaya a pretty offbeat tourist experience in Thailand.
So yea, don’t just stick to the usual places, look at the other side of the spectrum and tick some offbeat tourist experiences in Thailand off your list too.
Looking for more tips on the best Thailand experiences to try? Read my THAILAND Travel Guide