Thailand is perhaps the most visited country by Indians; a tourist friendly country that hosts to a beguiling range of attractions. Here are the top places in Thailand where you get to see the ancient traditions along with modern adventures:
1. Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) | Museum of Death
MOCA in Bangkok has the most comprehensive collection of Thai modern art where artists can explore a lot about the culture, traditions and religion in this part of the world. Some remarkable works to look out in MOCA are artistic works by Prateep Khotchabua’s and Chalermchai Kositpipat.
2. Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun)
Locally known as Wat Chaeng, the Wat Arun temple is located at the bank of Chao Phraya River, here you will find some unique designs of temples standing majestically over the water. The temple looks stunning at the dawn and is decorated with tiny pieces of coloured glass and Chinese porcelain that makes it look even more stunning.
3. The Grand Palace
You must have seen this temple in many movies; a Bangkok trip is absolutely incomplete without visiting the Grand Palace as this place is epitome of creativity and craftsmanship. Inside the temple there is the majestic Wat Phra Kaew temple which dates back to the 14th century, also the visitors are allowed to explore the European style reception room aka Grand Palace Hall which is rated as one of the finest architectural building in this style.
4. Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is a paradise for shoppers and a delight for the adventure seekers which is located 700 km from Bangkok, here you get a chance to experience the authentic Thai Massage and some amazing Thai food. Must to do things in Chiang Mai are Elephant Ride, Flight of the Gibbon and the Chiang Mai Kantoke Dinner Show.
5. Patara Elephant Farm
A tour at Patara Elephant Farm will let you come closer to these majestic giants, here you can see the Elephants playing football, bathing and even painting a beautiful flower for you. You will also get a chance to become a mahout and know how they communicate, and feed the largest mammal on land. Chiang Mai zoo is also an exciting place to be, especially if you are holidaying with the children.
6. Doi Suthep
It is believed that “If you haven’t tasted Khao Soi or seen the view from Doi Suthep, you haven’t been to Chiang Mai.” At the top of Doi Suthep Mountain is the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a temple which dates back to the year 1383 when it was built, also there is a National Park having an area of 261 square km making it an ideal place for bird watching and adventure.
7. Walking street, Pattaya
Walking street in Pattaya is undoubtedly the most popular place which is very famous of its nightclubs and bars where you can have a gala time with friends. Apart from amazing nightlife, the walking street is also a popular place to try out authentic Thai seafood and beverages.
8. Madame Tussauds Bangkok
Yes, the Madame Tussauds has a setup here in Bangkok too where you can get photos clicked standing next to your favourite celebrities like Barack Obama, Aishwarya Rai, Kareena Kapoor etc.
9. Wat PA Luang Ta Bua Yansampanno aka Tiger Temple
Feeding the tigers and standing next to them for a photo-shoot is the most spine chilling activity to do in Thailand. Here at the Tiger Temple, you can have breakfast with monks and play around with the captivated Tigers; other animals in the temple complex are Lions, Civets, Water Buffaloes, and Peacocks.
10. Cabaret Show in Pattaya
Being in Thailand and skipping out on Cabaret Show is something which one can’t afford, in Pattaya you’ll get to watch the best cabaret shows than any other country in the world. These shows offer fine dining and hospitality along with the rare treat of cabaret entertainment.
11. Pattaya Floating Market
At the floating market you get to shop around some local accessories and try out the exotic Thai cuisines, this market covers an area of 100,000sqm which give you an opportunity to explore the richness of the surrounding Thai culture and riverside life. Apart from purchasing daily goods like vegetables, every evening there is a show every evening featuring four cultural performances.
12. Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum
Yes, it’s the same museum what we used to watch in AXN featured TV show; the museum holds a strange collection of oddities where a balance between strange, shocking and beautiful is maintained. The place is full of excitement and thrills especially for the children which makes it a must visit in Pattaya.
13. Big Buddha Hill
Situated in Chonburi province towards South of Pattaya is the Big Buddha hill aka Wat Phra where a Giant statue of Buddha is located on top of Pratamnak Hill. There are 7 other Buddha statues on the temple grounds and spots from where you can get a kaleidoscopic view of Pattaya city and Koh Larn Island. Other attractions near Big Buddha are Nong Nooch, Sanctuary of truth, Art in Paradise and Mini Siam.
14. Buddha Mountain in Khao Chi Chan
Khao Chi Chan is a busy tourist place in Chonburi known for the Buddha image which is sculpted on the cliff at a height of 109 meters. However, the visitors are not allowed to go near the cliff in order to avoid injuries or destruction of property. This place looks even more beautiful after the sunset. When in Chonburi, do check out the Buddha Mountain.
15. Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden
The 500 acre Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden is one of the wonders of Thailand located in Pattaya. The garden is more like a theme park and can easily make up an all-day trip with so much to explore, a leisurely stroll to this colourful garden is more like touring the world. The best way to explore this place is on a bicycle, there is also a sky-walk that will take you to the topiary garden, European garden, tropical palm garden and the Butterfly Hill. Apart from all this, every evening there is a cultural show displaying the classical Thai dance which can’t be missed out.
16. Dusit Zoo
Dusit Zoo in Bangkok is perhaps one of the best zoos in Asia; it’s actually a lot more than zoo as you’ll find a museum, educational centre and even a hospital for animals here. Spread over a huge area with a beautiful manmade lake at the centre is a place where you can feed the fishes while boating around, and the kids would just love to see more than 500 species of mammals, reptiles and birds including Giraffes, Big Cats, Alligators and Bears.
17. Safari World
Safari world is the most celebrated place in Bangkok which offers sightseeing at its Marine Park and the Safari Park which is having hundreds of animals from all over the globe. The major attractions here are the Dolphin shows, cowboy stunts, water flume ride through the jungles of Asia and Africa etc. which makes the safari world is a must to go with the children.
18. Krabi Town
If you are looking for a short stay in a small relaxed place then Krabi is the one-stop destination to chill out. Although it offers quite a lot of exploration opportunities as well, you can pay a visit to the Tiger Temple which is one of the most popular temples of Southern Thailand. For leisure visit the Dhara Massage and Spa for massage therapy.
19. Khao Lak
Not so far from Pattaya is the Khao Lak which is a series of villages located in Takua Pa district, this place will excite you with its ambience and some awesome beaches which are very popular for scuba diving and jet-skiing. Some of the exotic beaches of Khao Lak are the Nang Thong Beach in Bang La On, Khao Lak beach and Cape Pakarang. Other island attraction is the Koh Kood Island which is ringed by seaside villages and coconut platations which also offers some great water based activities along with luxury services. Coral Island in Pattaya is also a very happening place to be where you’ll find the best water sporting activities.
20. Khao Yai National Park & Doi Phu Kha National Park
Thailand is also a home to many wild animals and birds including the Elephants, Giant Black Squirrels, Clouded Leopards, Red-headed trogon etc. The Khao Yai and Doi Phu Kha National Parks are few of the conserved biological parks where these unique species thrive and live freely in the wild with no human interruption. Not only animals but Doi Phu Kha is known for having the last few Champoo Phuka trees which is extinct in rest of the world.
21. Ayutthaya Historical Park, Ayutthaya
The ancient city of Ayutthaya is a UNESCO world heritage site located about 75kms from Bangkok mainland. The site is popular for its Elephant Park, ancient temples and museums which you can explore on a bicycle or hire services of a tuk-tuk which is like an auto-rickshaw. Majot attractions of Ayutthaya are Wat Yai Chaya Mongkol, Viharn Phra Mongkol Bophit, Wat Ratchaburana, Viharn Phra Mongkol Bophit and many more Wats (monasteries) which are well preserved making these religious places a hotspot for the tourists.
22. Chatuchak Weekend Market
Chatuchak Weekend Market aka JJ weekend market is the biggest market of Bangkok where you can shop around and bargain with a huge margin. Here you’ll a variety of goods like plants, handicrafts, antiques etc. The place is simply a heaven for ladies who wish to shop around in Thailand.
23. WAT PHO
Directly adjacent to the Grand Palace in Bangkok is the WAT PHO Buddhist Temple which is one of the finest in the world. This temple is considered to be the birth place of Thai massage; also you will find more than one thousand Buddha images here among which the largest is 160ft in length. The reclining Buddha (15 m high and 43 m long) in the temple complex is another marvellous sight to look out for.
24. Thai food in local streets of Bangkok
How can anyone skip eating Thai cuisines which is considered to be one of the finest in the world, although some people find it spicy, but pampering the taste buds has never harmed anyone, isn’t it? When in Thailand make sure to try out few dishes like Tom Yum Goong, Som Tum, Tom Kha Kai and Pad Thai, also some Thai desserts like Mango Sticky Rice Pudding and Easy Mango Sorbet are simply delightful.
25. Khao San Road
Khao San Road is located in the Rattanakosin Island where you will find some cheap deals on accommodation and shopping. The road is referred to as “Backpacker’s Mecca” and is also popular for its nightlife with a very happening atmosphere in so many restaurants, bars and café. A Bangkok trip is just incomplete without partying in Khao San Road.
26. Ko Lanta
The Ko Lanta Island is the melting pot of Buddhists where you will find few of the best beaches to relax along the sunset coast after celebrating the major cities of Thailand. The island is easily connected to Phuket, and by the evening you can enjoy a very calm and happening atmosphere at any of the beach resorts or bars. Ko Lanta also boasts some stunning sceneries, coral reefs and underwater life.
27. Sukhothai
Walk through the ruins of the historic city of Sukhothai (Dawn of Happiness) which has a lot of historic significance in this part of the world, these ruins are protected by UNESCO and offers some splendid platform for studying artistic and intellectual developments. The old Sukhothai city stands as a testament for Thailand’s colourful past where you get to see the Sukhothai architecture at Wat Mahathat, Wat Traphang Ngoen, Wat Sra Si, Wat Sorasak and many more.
28. Phuket
The best thing about Phuket is that here you have so many things to do that you can never get tired of having fun. Phuket is popular for its nightlife, market and pristine beaches where entertainment is endless. Few must see choices in Phuket are Phang Nga Bay and Big Buddha in South of Phuket, Bangla Road Nightlife and Simon Cabaret show in Patong Beach and the very famous Phi Phi Island.
29. James Bond Island
The James Bond Island originally known as Khao Phing Kan is the same place where “The Man with the Golden Gun” was shot. This island is located towards north-west of Phuket and is known for its giant limestone rock (66ft tall), Ko Tapu which is surrounded by tranquil water. The rocky cliff and think vegetation along with loads of swimming activities makes the James Bond Island an ideal place for the travellers.
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