If you choose to travel to Thailand – first of all, you made a great decision! Second of all, be sure not to miss out on all the bucket list things you must do while in Thailand to make the most out of your trip!
Visit the most beautiful temples in Asia, enjoy delicious authentic Thai food, swim in crystal blue waters, enjoy the best Thai massages, visit an elephant sanctuary, do some island hopping and much more. If you want to get the full list then keep on reading!
1.) VISIT THE BEAUTIFUL WAT RONG KHUN/WHITE TEMPLE
This one is a definite must on the bucket list! This beautifully and uniquely built Buddhist Temple was built by a famous Thai visual artist Chalermchai Kositpopat. This is a privately owned art exhibit.
What makes this temple unique from others is the mix of style between a traditional Buddhist temple and modern art. The temple is white in color to signify the purity of the Buddha while the glass accents signify the Buddhas wisdom. On the contrary, inside the temple you will find colorful murals on the wall with modern art showing anything from Ancient Buddhist legends to modern hero and villain characters like Spiderman or the Terminator.
[Check out this White Temple video]
2.) SEE THE IMPRESSIVE WAT SAM PHRAN/ DRAGON TOWER
This jaw dropping pink 17-storey ‘dragon tower’ is wrapped with a huge life-sized green dragon that can be seen from miles away. Climb up the wrapping stairs all the way to the top and emerge from the dragon’s mouth. At the top you will find a large golden statue of Buddha, some beautiful temples and get to enjoy the views of the local town from above.
You can find this beautiful tower only 12-minutes’ drive from Bangkok! It’s opened every day of the week from 6.00a.m to 6p.m. There is no entrance fee, however you are encouraged to give donations to support the upkeep of the tower and monks.
3.) EXPLORE RAILAY BEACH
This unique picturesque beach surrounded by striking limestone cliffs is located just a 30-minute boat ride from Krabi Town. This island can only be accessed by a Longtail Boat. The boat service usually operates hourly from the near by towns, so you can easily access the island.
Apart from the famous stunning beach on the island, Railay is a well-known rock-climbing spot in Thailand. The striking limestone cliffs consist of various adrenaline pumping trails for all levels of climbers. You can also find a stunning hidden lagoon! This island is a must visit for adventure lovers!
4.) EXPLORE CHINATOWN NEIGHBORHOOD IN BANGKOK
This lively neighborhood is a home to the Chinese community. Here you can shop unique Chinese souvenirs and items, enjoy local restaurants, visit the impressive China Gate and enjoy the panoramic views of the neighborhood from the top floor in the Grand China Hotel.
Visit Yaowarat road – where you can find amazing street food and taste plenty of delicious Chinese dishes and desserts. This road is most lively in the evenings. You truly feel like you are in China!
5.) VISIT SINGHA PARK, CHIANG RAI
This scenic park is located 20-minute drive from Chiang Rai. Here you can enjoy a scenic cycle through the park – making a stop at a tea plantation, small petting zoo, interesting photo spots, beautiful flower fields and hidden trails.
This park is a hidden gem in the north of Thailand! I highly recommend renting out an electric bike and spending a few hours in the park. The views are truly picture perfect, especially the mesmerizing flower fields and the petting zoo!
Note: To enter the park is free, however, the means of transport is what you pay for. You can choose from normal bicycles to electric bikes, golf carts, and bus tours. They all have separate prices, ranging from 100 baht to 500 baht plus. It is not recommended to walk the park as there is too much land to cover. The park is quite huge!
[Check out this Singha Park video!]
6.) VISIT AN ETHICAL WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
This is one of the most popular things to do while you are in Thailand! Choose an authentic ethical wildlife sanctuary to visit and experience a unique connection with a wildlife animal.
You can find many ethical sanctuaries for different animals in Thailand. However, do good research on your chosen sanctuary to make sure they are truly ethical and cruelty-free.
Visit an elephant sanctuary where you can spend the day feeding and bathing the elephant. It is an amazing feeling and experience to have such a close contact with a wild animal!
I strongly recommend visiting the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary in Chiang Mai.
[Check out spending a day with an elephant video]
7.) VISIT THE BIG BUDDHA, PHUKET
This impressive 45-meter marble statue sits on top of the Nakkerd Hill near Chalong. The official name for this statue is ‘Phra Phutta Ming Mongkol Eknakiri’ but most tourist and locals refer to it as ‘The Big Buddha’. As this magnificent statue is located on top a hill, here you can find some of the best panoramic views of Phuket.
The Big Buddha was built in 2004 after Thailand was hit by the unfortunate tsunami destroying many homes and claiming thousands of lives. The statue is a symbol of hope for the future.
8.) VISIT PHI PHI ISLANDS
One of the most popular islands visited in Thailand. These worldwide known islands are famous for their crystal blue waters, striking coral reefs, and thriving marine life.
The Phi Phi island group consist of 6 different islands, Koh Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Leh, Biddah Nok, Biddah Nai, Yung and Pai. However, the most known and visited islands are Koh Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh.
Although the islands are famous for their natural beauty and often are visited part of a day tour, Koh Phi Phi Don is also known for its thriving nightlife. Many party lovers spend a few days on the island enjoying the lively nightclubs and bars across the island.
[Check out this Phi Phi Island video]
9.) VISIT WAT ARUN TEMPLE, BANGKOK
The temple is named after the Hindu Goddess Aruna (sun God). This temple is among best-known landmarks in Thailand and is an important temple in Thailand’s history.
The entrance fee for this impressive temple cost 100 baht. Both women and men must wear suitable clothing. For women, it’s recommend wearing a long dress or skirt and a top covering shoulders. Men must wear long pants and shirts with sleeves.
10.) VISIT THE GRAND PALACE, BANGKOK
This palace was a royal residence to multiple Kings in the past, leaving behind many precious wall murals and items of importance. You can witness impressive architectural structures built by individual kings over the years. Currently, the palace is used a hosting site for royal ceremonies and important guests.
Note: The Grand Palace is a complex of buildings and may take time to explore all. Make sure to give yourself sufficient time for the visit. On average, visitors take around 2 hours to explore the complex.
The entrance fee is 500 baht for foreigners. Again, strict clothing attire applies to both men and women. They are particularly strict at the Grand Palace and proper attire is mandatory. If you forget to have the proper clothing, you can buy long pants and cover-ups from the vendors next to the temple at a cheap price.
11.) ENJOY THAI FOOD WITH A VIEW: TUNK-KA CAFE, PHUKET
This highly rated Tunk-ka Cafe is located on top of the Monkey Hill in Phuket. This is a family-owned restaurant offering a variety of delicious Thai dishes while offering the best panoramic views overlooking Phuket town.
I recommend visiting this stunning restaurant late in the evening or during sunset for best views. Take in the magical views while enjoying your meal!
12.) CHIANG RAI WALKING STREET MARKET
This huge 1km night market runs every weekend from 3 pm to 10 pm across 2 streets. It is honestly one of the most impressive walking street markets I have ever seen! The market is full of amazing street food, cheap gadgets, local organic produce, locally made garments, and much more!
If you visit Chiang Rai, make sure to explore this market! I found that it’s best to visit on Saturday -earlier on in the evening to explore all stalls. Sundays seem to have fewer vendors around.
13.) ENJOY THE STREET FOOD
Street food in Asia is extremely affordable and you will save yourself a lot of money by eating from the local stalls. Most important, the food tastes better too! There are so many amazing food markets around Thailand. Take the opportunity to taste new things and explore the amazing Thai dishes!
I’m sure you have heard about food poisoning in Thailand – or Asia in general. While it can happen, the general rule is to avoid any food that cannot be cooked for e.g. salads or unwashed fruit! Also, try observing the cleanliness of the stall and cooking conditions. I have spent a whole month in Thailand eating plenty of delicious street food and had no issues!
14.) VISIT JAMES BOND ISLAND IN PHANG-NGA BAY
Khao Phing Kan Island, otherwise known as the ‘James Bond Island’ was nicknamed after the famous movie ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’ shot in 1974 featuring James Bond on the island. The island has since become a major tourist attraction.
This beautiful island is part of the protected Ao Phang Nga Marine National Park, meaning boats cannot get too close to the island. However, you can still enjoy the island on foot and take in the natural beauty of the striking limestone cliffs and surrounding blue waters.
15.) HAVE A NIGHT OUT IN BANGLA WALKING STREET, PATONG
This well-known party street definitely doesn’t disappoint if you are looking for a crazy and memorable night out. Here you can find all types of entertainment, from endless beer bars, live music, nightclubs to Go Go Bars. To sum it up, this 400-meter walking street has over 100 bars! The flashing neon street is always up for a party no matter what day of the week you visit!
I recommend checking out the famous Tiger and Sugar Club nightclubs!
16.) DO ISLAND HOPPING
Island hopping is one of the top activities in Thailand. Afterall, there are over 1,000 islands in the country! Explore different islands surround by crystal blue waters and beautiful natural landscape. Do scuba diving and snorkeling in famous Surin Islands or Koh Lipe for the most beautiful coral!
Visit Koh Samui, the second largest island in Thailand – where you can spend some time at a luxury resort or relax by the palm fringed beach. Discover Ko Pha-ngan island – known for the best full moon parties and lively nightlife.
17.) CELEBRATE THE FULL MOON PARTY
This famous full moon party is celebrated on Kho Phangan Island during the full moon every month. This is one of the biggest parties to take place in Thailand, attracting up to 30k visitors!
It is a ‘tradition’ that the partiers have illuminating body paint during this celebration. You can expect crazy alcohol consumption from buckets, fire skipping ropes and exploding music and endless dancing.
18.) VISIT THALANG ROAD, PHUKET
A picturesque central street in Phuket’s Old Town filled with markets, restaurants and charming cafes. However, what really makes this street especially popular is the unique ‘Sino Portuguese’ architecture revealing the towns history. This style of architecture refers to a mix of European and Chinese design, which makes it an interesting one to see. You can see an array of beautiful pastel-colored buildings with varied arches, columns and balconies.
If you are visiting Phuket, I strongly recommend going to the Phuket Weekend Market that takes place on Thalang Road every Sunday from 4pm to 10pm. Trust me, you don’t want to miss it!
19.) VISIT THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE
This is an area where you can see three borders merge – Thailand, Myanmar and Laos! The countries are separated by Ruak and Mekong rivers. It is so fascinating to think you can stand between three different countries!
20.) VISIT DOI INTHANON NATIONAL PARK
One of the most famous and beautiful national parks found in Thailand. In fact, Doi Inthanon is the highest mountain in Thailand peaking at 2,565 high!
You can explore the beautiful waterfalls, local village, breathtaking viewpoints, and trails located around the park. At the top of the mountain, you will see two beautiful temples surrounded by picturesque flower gardens paired with a scenic backdrop of clouds and peaking mountain tops!
It is most popular to travel to the top on bus and then do a small scenic trek there, followed by a visit to the temples. However, there is also full trekking tours available with the locals.
