Places of Interest in Thailand not to be missed
Thailand is perhaps one of the places in the world where there is more choice of things to do and see.
The always warm climate, nature, animals, islands and their beaches allow you to always enjoy the best of the tropics.
Its street food is so varied that there are those who travel there just for that. The low prices, the accessible means of transport, the tolerance and kindness of its inhabitants make it a safe country to move freely even for women traveling alone.
The modernization of the country has not erased the simplicity of some places and you can find luxurious or spartan, but still pleasant accommodation.
You can easily choose to go from wilder nightlife in bars and discos to meditation and isolation in the midst of breathtaking sea or mountain views.
The variety of tourist offers guarantees a fun holiday even for families with children.
City and hinterland Bangkok
The chaotic capital of Thailand, Bangkok is a metropolis of over 8 million inhabitants that mixes the sacred with the profane, poverty and wealth, modernity and tradition.
It has an open market and a red light district among the largest in the world, where it is possible to meet a diverse and interesting humanity.
Among the things to visit there is certainly the Grand Palace, an area of over 200,000 square meters surrounded by high walls that enclose the oldest and most sacred part of the city, where there are the former palace of the king of Thailand and the government buildings., as well as numerous amazing temples and gardens.
A ride on the Sky Train will allow you to cross the city seeing it from above and observe its inhabitants, while a ride in the neighborhood where you are staying will make you discover small alleys and old shops, alternating with bars and markets.
In the evening, fun is everywhere, like street food.
Ayutthaya:
About 80 kilometers north of Bangkok is the ancient city of Ayutthaya, which was the capital of Siam from 1350 until 1767, when it was razed to the ground by the Burmese.
Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The ruins of the old city are now a park that can be visited and you can admire the splendor of these sumptuous palaces of the past, some of which are still intact, and of the statues that were once coated with gold.
You can visit this atmospheric place on a day tour: the bus departs from Bangkok and reaches Ayutthaya, while the return is made along the Chao Praya River on a boat, observing the monuments overlooking the water and the changing daylight reflecting on the river.
The cost of the trip is between 50 and 80 euros per person.
Chang Mai:
Less chaotic than Bangkok and with a cooler and less sultry climate, Chang Mai lacks the sea but there is the highest mountain in Thailand, Doi Inthanon, over 2000 meters high, populated by numerous endemic species of birds.
On another mountain, Doi Suthep is a famous temple, Wat Phra That which houses the statue of the white elephant and a copy of the Emerald Buddha.
The city is full of things to do and see:
On San Kamphaeng road you will find a market for terracotta artifacts, silver jewelry and silk fabrics. The night bazaar is also very interesting.
Tigers, elephants and a large canyon now covered with water are among the natural wonders that distinguish this increasingly popular location.
Taste Khao Soi, it’s a famous dish from the north: noodles and chicken soup in a curry and coconut sauce.
Chang Rai:
If you are one of those to whom a visit to only one country immediately makes you want to look beyond its borders, Chang Rai is the right place.
Located on the border with Laos and Burma, it is a city full of oriental atmosphere and devoid of the crowds of other better known Thai destinations.
Prices are lower than in other cities and here even the traveler on a budget, but looking for inspiration, can indulge in some luxury.
Visit Wat Rong Khun, a temple with unusual architecture that shines in its whiteness and the golden Triangle.
Take advantage of the friendly atmosphere among travelers who happily hang out in bars and exchange tips, offer rides, and sometimes have amazing stories to tell. For Visa Consultation click here.
Pai:
The small town of Pai in northern Thailand is one of those places that you plan to visit for a couple of days and end up staying six months.
Immersed in nature, with slow and contemplative rhythms of life, it is a favorite destination for those who love to travel by motorcycle on dirt roads with a guitar tied on the back.
You will meet old and new hippies, musicians, Westerners who cultivate vegetable gardens and a kind and serene local population that thrives on farming and herding.
The places to sleep are mostly simple and very cheap, the climate is cool and the forest to explore never ends.
If you want to live on top of the world for a while, this is the best place to do it.
Khao Yai national park:
About three hours’ drive from Bangkok is Thailand’s third largest national park and by far the most famous.
It is part of the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex, a UNESCO protected site.
Due to the size of the park it is not possible to walk through it and the best thing to do is to take part in an organized tour.
There you will be able to observe different animal species, including elephants, macaques, coyotes and bears.
Camera traps have also reported the presence of some tigers and it is a good place to observe Asian reptiles.
You will also be able to admire over 300 species of birds, including resident and migratory birds, some of which are particularly rare.
If you are a lover of nature and especially of animals, you will certainly want to spend a few days there: there is the possibility of sleeping on site, both in small lodgings and on the campsite.
Lampang:
Lampang is the third largest city in Thailand.
There is no shortage of national parks, such as Chae Son National park and sanctuaries dedicated to the conservation of animal species, such as the Thai Elephant conservation Center.
There are markets for shopping and northern Thai cuisine, with its special dishes, is a must-try.
The charm of Lampang is above all artistic and cultural. Go to museums, such as Baan Sao Nak, and religious structures, such as Lanna Temple. In the evening there are bars where jam sessions are held and musicians mingle, creating an interesting musical encounter between East and West.
You might be lucky and see some famous Western musician get on the stage, who, passing by, decided to strum a bit together with strangers.
Mae Kampong:
To the east of Chang Mai an ecovillage was born along the banks of a stream and surrounded by nature.
Its name derives from that of the red flower that grows along its banks.
There are simple teak houses nestled in a tea tree forest. The inhabitants grow tea and coffee and produce artifacts, and have gathered in a cooperative creating an innovative tourism offer that seems to work very well.
Tourists can stay in the homes of the locals and share their daily habits.
The houses are simple, but being built on stilts they have large wooden terraces literally immersed in the forest.
An interesting Learning Center has also been set up, where you can learn the arts of local farmers and artisans, such as stuffing pillows with tea leaves.