21 Top Things to Do in Thailand to Make Your Trip Memorable

Dreaming of a relaxing holiday where you can soak in the beauty of nature while enjoying its culture and heritage? There is no better place than Thailand for the same. A paradise for tourists, Thailand is rich in flora-fauna, breath-taking beaches, vibrant markets, stunning temples, and ancient ruins. Plus, it has some of the most vibrant cities, giving you the chance to attend some epic parties. Another thing that Thailand is most famous for is its food. You can not only taste different dishes of the Thai cuisine but also learn to cook it at one of the Thai cooking classes. There are so many amazing things to do in Thailand that one may find it difficult to narrow down the places to see for a fixed amount of time. Fret not! We bring you the list of best things to do in Thailand.

Best Things to Do in Thailand

1. Visit The Grand Palace

Located right in the heart of Bangkok, the Grand Palace was built in 1782 and had been the home of the kings for 150 years. It was also the premises of the Royal Court and the administrative seat of the government. Spread over an area of 2,18,400 sq. meters, this palace has beautiful architectural designs that will awe you. The intricate details and skilled craftsmanship of the Thai people are evident in every corner of the premises. There are strict dress codes to visit the palace even today, so ensure you are dressed properly to visit it, or your entry will be refused.

2. Go Island Hopping

With over 300 jaw-droppingly beautiful islands at your disposal, island hopping is one of the must things to do in Thailand. The beautiful setting of lush greenery with white sand beaches amidst blue waters looks like a scene from some Hollywood flick. The local Thai villages offer delicious local cuisines which you can enjoy while you go island hopping. While most of the island offers a spectacular view, delicious local cuisine, and white sandy beaches, some of them even offer diving opportunities.

3. Attend Songkran Festival (Thai New Year)

Fight with the locals, not literally. The Songkran festival is the Thai New Year celebrated on April 13th. It is fun to celebrate this festival with the locals where you fight with water using water pistols and buckets of water. Everyone dresses up in traditional colorful clothing and visit local temples. Also, during this festival, people offer sand to temples for construction and repair work. This is the day when youngsters offer water to the elders and ask their blessings. Being a part of this festival is fun when in Thailand.

4. Visit the Floating Markets

The rickety wooden boats filled with beautiful and colorful produce leave a very beautiful impression on your mind. When visiting this market ensure you carry your camera and click a lot of pics. The Damnoen Saduak market in Ratchaburi is the most famous among floating markets. It is situated 100 km to the south-west of Bangkok. The Taking Chang Weekend Floating Market is frequented by locals and is recently discovered by tourists. It has now become one of the best Thailand attractions. In this market, you will find colorful fruits like custard apples, pungent durians, and yellow logans.

5. Explore the Ancient Ruins

Rich in cultural heritage, Thailand boasts of many UNESCO World Heritage Sites. With loads of ancient ruins to visit, it’s a favorite destination for history lovers. Visit the Phanom Rung Historical Park contains ruins dating from the 12th century and is constructed of sandstone. Wat Mahathat in Ayyuthaya contains the ruins of the city that were left over after the Burmese attack. The entire old city is the archaeological site spread over 5 sq. km. There are many more such ancient ruins that speak a lot about the ancient cultural richness of the Thai people.

6. Chiang Mai Night Bazaar

Visit the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar to have a different shopping experience. Open from 6 PM till midnight, you will find a variety of stuff to buy and explore, ranging from handicrafts to silverware to pottery and furniture. While you visit the market, you can also satiate your hunger on the street side shops selling local delicacies.

7. Enjoy Nature at Mahawangchang Elephant Camp

Located inside a forest, the Mahawangchang Elephant Camp is an activity center where elephants are not chained or bound. They roam freely but are trained by the trainers. You will find the elephant doing tricks and even dancing to the tune of the trainers. In this camp, you can ride on elephants and also you can bathe with the elephants. All the rides and activities are supervised by expert trainers, so you are safe. You can also take a bamboo raft ride while you are at the camp.

8. Indulge in a Thai Massage

Famous world over for massages, Thai massage helps you relax and rejuvenates you to the core. By pressing and working on different pressure points, you feel your fatigue draining out, leaving you recharged. Every small town in Thailand is filled with cheap parlors that provide excellent massages. Do enjoy a spa massage when in Thailand as it is not something that’s to be missed.

9. Explore the Koh Phi Phi Island

Famously known as the island shown in the Hollywood flick “The Beach”, despite being crowded with tourists this island, is very beautiful with turquoise water and visible corals underwater. A perfect place to click Instagram worthy pics, ensure you make as many memories as possible. As there are no hotels on this island, you will have to take a guided tour to Maya Bay and spend the night in a tent.

10. Try Some Street Food

The best way to know the culture and heritage of any place is to hit the streets and try the local cuisine. The street food in Thailand tastes as delicious as it looks colorful. Everything from vegetables to seafood tastes yum. And especially for the non-vegetarians, it is heaven to be on the street and try everything. Don’t miss the Khao Lak Kaeng (curry on rice) stalls which are delicious and filling.

11. Visit Khao Yai National Park

Covering more than 2000 sq. km of forest and grassland area, it shelters diverse wildlife such as gibbons, hornbills, bears, and elephants. You will also find broadbills, mountain-scop owls, woodpeckers, jungle fowls, and many ground-dwelling birds. There are over 50 km of biking and hiking trails that also include waterfalls that have a view to die for.

12. Visit Wat Arun

Known as one of the best landmarks of Thailand, the first light of the morning reflects off the temple’s surface, giving it a pearly radiance. Built-in the seventeenth century, this temple underwent multiple restorations. The main attraction in Wat Arun is the central stupa-like pagoda, which is encrusted with colorful porcelain. Around the base, there are many Chinese animals and soldiers, and also the Hindu god Indra is depicted riding on Erawan. The temple charges an entrance fee of 50 baht for foreigners.

13. Enjoy in a Full Moon Party

Known as the party island, Koh Phangan is an iconic party destination with crowds reaching over 30,000 on some days. The party begins at dusk and is filled with backpackers and tourists. Booze and party spirits are one thing you can find a lot in this place. Dance, music, and food are in abundance. So sway your way through the night and break a leg and make some friends.

14. Don’t Miss Phang Nga Bay

Famously known as the James Bond Bay, it lies between Thailand’s mainland and Phuket. It is also known as the Ao Phang Nga National Park and has limestone formations and is covered with mangroves and small islands. Dotted with coral reefs, the island has a scenic view amidst blue waters. Don’t forget to click some Instagram worthy pics while at this place.

15. Rejuvenate in Railay Beach

Located between the city of Krabi and Ao Nang in Thailand, this beach is famous for its breathtaking views and blue waters. It also attracts rock climbers from around the world for there are around 700 bolted climbing routes. If you are a climber, then you can also climb cliffs without a rope over water. Accommodation facilities range from medium-priced resorts to bungalows, and you have a collection of luxury resorts to choose from.

16. Participate in the Loi Krathong Festival

The Loi Krathong festival is a festival of lights that is celebrated annually in Thailand. A Krathong is a small container made with bread that contains some dessert or dish prepared for fish. And it is released into the water. While launching the Krathong in the river, the Thais make a wish. The sight of floating lights is mesmerizing and is a one-off experience.

17. Visit the Beautiful Erawan Waterfall

Located on the east side of the Erawan National Park, the falls have emerald green ponds. The Erawan waterfalls are 7-tiered and spans over 1.5 km. Each tier has a number of ponds that are filled with beautiful fishes. And these ponds are great for swimming. Soak yourselves in water and rejuvenate yourself with a beautiful view.

18. Mae Nak Phra Khanong Shrine

Mae Nak Phra Khanong shrine is said to be for a legendary spirit of a lady Mae Nak. Devotees who visit the shrine offer lotuses, fruits, incense sticks and colored cloth accompanied by requests for childbirth or to exempt their husbands from military conscription.

19. Go Diving in Similan Islands

If you are a diving enthusiast, then the Similan Islands is the place you have to beat. Rich in underwater aquatic life, the Similan islands are a group of 9 tiny verdant islands with white sand beaches. Divers can explore and see leopard sharks, white and blacktip reef sharks, moray eels, barracudas, and many more marine lives.

20. Watch Muay Thai at MBK

If you are an action fan, the Muay Thai kickboxing is must-see. Traditional Thai martial arts fighters fight and win matches while the traditional background music keeps the crowd alive. The fight will surely leave you adrenaline-filled, and guess what? You can watch these fights for free.

21. Go Flyboarding at Chaweng Beach

For those who are adrenaline junkies, there’s nothing better than flyboarding at the Chaweng beach. While it’s easy to find relaxed tourists at the sandy beach, the fun and excitement on the faces of the tourists doing flyboarding are hard to miss. For the beginners, it may take a few attempts of falling into the sea before having the perfect flight. But with warm and friendly trainers at the beach, flyboarding ultimately becomes a cherished memory for one and all.

Before visiting Thailand, you need to apply for a visa. For more details, click below links: