The 11 most beautiful places to visit in Thailand

Are you going to Thailand, the "smile country"? You're lucky! Here is our selection of the 11 most beautiful sites to visit in Thailand!

Major tourist destination, bordered by Myanmar to the west, Malaysia south, Cambodia south-east and by Laos or north-west, Thailand is a must-see jewel of South-East Asia. With a population and an area comparable to metropolitan France (68.3 million inhabitants out of 514 000 km2), Thailand stretches from the Malay Peninsula to the massifs along the Burmese border to the north. As the new industrialized countries are ranked among the “Asian Tigers”, the Thai economy is mainly based on mass tourism and the export of manufactured products. We can only be charmed by visiting this country, but here’s what to do in Thailand?

Defining its route can be complex according to the dates of its stay as there are a lot of unmissable things to do and to see: Bangkok and its temples, bars and restaurants, its historical monuments, the Chiang Mai region, Ayutthaya park, the seaside resort of Pattaya, Phuket, the islands of the Gulf of Thailand (Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan, Koh Tao), the sea of Thailand Both a giant amusement park with open sky honni for some and a dream destination for others for nature between countryside, mountains and dream beaches, Thailand – both described to be a high place of prostitution – attracts all audiences. Here is our selection of the most beautiful sites to visit Thailand!

1. Bangkok

It will surely be your gateway to Thailand: the Thai capital is a megalopolis of 19.5 million inhabitants who never sleep. The city has more than 400 Buddhist temples and is a singular blend – as often in Asia – of tradition and modernity. We can both visit the temples and get drunk 24/24 in the bars of the Khao San Rd, the avenue des backpackers (which in no way reflects authentic Thailand, but which is a good spot to stay cheap and party).

The temple of the Emerald Buddha, the Wat Arun and the Wat Pho are three unmissable temples that must be discovered at the mercy of a tour of temples . In the Wat Pho you will walk around the lay Buddha – representing the Buddha on his death bed accessing the parinirvana – 43 meters long and rising 15 meters high. Bangkok depicts itself by its frenzy, its energy and the feeling of finding itself in the middle of a “happy bazaar”.

2. Chiang Mai

What to do in Thailand if you don’t like the beaches where Western tourists accumulate? Get north of the country, in the mountains and visit Chiang Mai. It should be noted that a large community of Western expatriates and/or nomadic workers, of whom French have settled. We went there in 2013 on a first trip to Thailand and Chiang Mai is one of the most beautiful sites to explore to visit Thailand.

Of course, it is a major tourist destination in the country but the atmosphere is pleasant. On the temple side, you will have to visit the Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep – the most famous temple of Chiang Mai – and the Wat Chiang Man, the oldest temple in the city. The other interest of Chiang Mai: enjoy it to discover Thai cuisine! You can also, when you come home cooking lessons , attending a game of Muay Thai, Thai boxing!

3. Pai

Are you looking for what to do in Thailand that is not rythmated by the temples and beaches – that you say "overrated" and "fake" – Paradise? Pai , a small town northwest of Chiang Mai, is a nice place to visit for a few days. Pai looks like a ghetto for Western tourists but offers – it’s not a chance – beautiful things to do and see: it’s an ideal den to go for a trek in the surrounding mountains and roads.

4. Chiang Rai

Located in the mountains north of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai seduces the trek and mountain lovers. To discover more authenticity in northern Thailand, this is where you have to go. Chiang Rai counts 70,000 inhabitants and houses the famous “white temple”, the Wat Rong Khun to discover the time of a guided tour of the city , a trip full of promises and discoveries.

5. Koh Pha Ngan

Visiting Thailand without going to the islands of the south, it is still a shame. Koh Pha Ngan delights the parties that come to Haad Rin for the Full Moon Party on the beach, but it is not the true face of the island. Located in the Gulf of Thailand off Surat Thani, Koh Pha Ngan is a tropical paradise to visit.

It is recommended to rent a scooter to travel the island freely but park to accidents because the roads are rather dangerous. The beaches, paradisiacals – we loved the village Ban Chalok Lam and its very quiet beach - north of the island. The reserve of Ang Thong consists of forty virgin islets, essential if you have time. Don't miss Than Sadet waterfall after having enjoyed an excellent Thai Pad or a Red Curry (for example).

6. Koh Samui

Koh Samui you will be better if you come to visit Thailand with family or if you are looking for beaches lined with rather calm and family coconut trees. The beaches Chaweng and Mae Nam, for example, are to be seen. cascade Na Muang , the highest of the island (30 meters), will change a bit of the coast, but it is better to see it in summer, during the wet season. The Wat Phra Yai is a tourist site of the island: it is the temple of the Great Buddha, a statue of the Buddha painted in gold, 15 meters high.

7. The islands and beaches of the south

To visit South Thailand, prefer the dry season, that is between late November and late March. We went there in July, and the rain tarnished the beauty of beaches and islands. However, the must-see beaches of the south are the Bay of Maya , the beach of Koh Lipe, the beaches of Koh Lanta, the island of Koh Phi Phi – or was filmed La Plage - Phang Nga Bay. The common denominator of all these places is the natural beauty of which they are waged!

8. Khao Sok National Park

Beginning with Krabi or from Bangkok, you must absolutely visit Khao Sok Park . You’ll wander the islands covered by a thick jungle, junctioned with limestone cliffs and a tropical exotic fauna, like parrots and elephants. A unique natural reserve in the world, this is where you will see karst formations in the form of towers, as floating in water as ice in a glass of water.

9. Khao Yai National Park

Located 3 hours drive from Bangkok, the Khao Yai National Park is a lung of resurgent greenery after the tumultuous bloom of Bangkok. The park is one of the largest forests in Asia and is part of UNESCO’s world heritage. So what do we do in Thailand? In this park, you can see more than 2,000 species of different plants and hike without suffering from heat: the massif peaks at 1,351 meters above sea level. To explore the beauties, an experienced ranger will be needed because the park is rather backed up in the tropical jungle.

10. Phang Nga Bay

What to do next to Krabi and Phuket? Coming to the South of Thailand, the Phang Nga Bay seems logically unavoidable. There you can kayak and admire an extraordinary landscape consisting of dizzy limestone cliffs and dark caves. The bay consists of 300 limestone pitons, and surnames the "Halong Bay of Thailand". For example, the island of James Bond where some scenes of the film “The man with a gold pistol” (more excursions organized), Khao Phing Kan , Ko Hong Island or Koh Panyee Island are the unmissable.

11. Phuket

Finally, what to do Phuket to finish his trip? This island of 536 km2 is not just a synonym of sex tourism. Very popular, the island is magnified by its beaches, the proximity to the bay of Phang Nga, the Similan Islands, its monuments – the Great White Buddha -, the Wat Chalong, or the very festive nightlife. You understood that: you will not be bored!