10 Primary Things To Do And See In Thailand

Do you want to spend a sensational holiday in Thailand? Are you afraid to visit this Asian country and when your friends return they tell you that you have forgotten the most important thing? Then do not miss this selection of 10 primary things to do and see in Thailand. Prepare your camera and cheer up, because you're going to fall in love with this country.

1. Visit the Royal Palace in Bangkok

At Wat Phra Kaeo temple, one of the most impressive architectural complexes in all of Southeast Asia, you will find the most sacred statue in all of Thailand: the Emerald Buddha.

The mural paintings are inspired by the national poem Ramayana, of an intense spirituality. It's one of the most important tourist attractions in the country and is located on the island of Rattanakosin. And you'll see, it has pagodas covered in gold. If you walk a little you can find other wonders such as the Wat Po and the National Gallery.

2. Shopping in the Chatuchak market

If you want to buy in a Thai market, the Chatuchak market is what you are looking for. You will find authentic bargains as well as antiques. In this great market, you will find everything: from decoration for your home, handicraft objects or snacks and different typical foods. A paradise for the curious!

3. Take a bath in the Gulf of Thailand

It would be crazy to leave Thailand without having stepped on any of its tropical beaches. You can choose the simplicity of Koh Samet Island or the island of Chang, where you will find a host of activities related to sustainable tourism. After dancing all night in Pattaya or having tasted all the delights you will find in Koh Samui, it's time to go to other natural treasures: sandy beaches where tranquility reigns. Koh Tao is a popular destination among families and every year the number of divers who dare to dive into its waters increases, thus becoming one of the best destinations in Southeast Asia to dive. And if you want to leave behind all the stress of big cities, escape to the Koh Chang Marine National Park in Koh Mak.

4. Nothing in the Andaman Sea

Whether you are looking for adventure activities such as kayak trips or having a great time drinking a cocktail with your friends on a tropical beach, the islands of Krabi and Phuket are suited to your needs.

The most representative of Krabi are its cliffs of limestone with abundant vegetation. The best sunsets you can enjoy on this island because the sun filters through the nooks and crannies of the rocks.

It's possible to organize different excursions: one of the most spectacular is the visit to Phang-nga with many limestone cliffs that rise hundreds of meters out of the water.

If you're a James Bond fan, make a stop on Ko Tapu Island and enjoy a guided kayak tour through the caves and fjords to the jungle.

5. Give yourself a Thai massage

Thailand has become a benchmark in the world of the SPA. In fact, in almost all the hotels you will find a spa where you can hire any type of massage and treatments. In case, there's no spa in the hotel itself, you will surely find some in the vicinity. Many of these centers are decorated with works of art and antiques with a sophisticated atmosphere without losing tradition.

More than that, if you are someone who is looking for a bit of inner peace, you will have the opportunity to devote yourself to contemplation through a meditation retreat in one of the centers or temples of the country.

6. Enjoy the local cuisine

There are dishes from Thai cuisine that are internationally known as Tom Yam Kung (a spicy broth with lemon and fresh shrimp) or Phat Thai (sautéed rice noodles with chicken, vegetables, and shrimp) however, don't miss the special chance. Try authentic Thai cuisine with its wide variety of dishes.

7. Go hiking on the top of Thailand

The plateau of the north is a region where the teak forests abound and there's a lot of jungle, where the canyons of the mountains hide small secret valleys. The Doi Inthanon National Park in the southernmost part of the Himalayas is perfect if you are looking for a good place to go hiking. In this landscape, you will find one of its great attractions: the mountain tribes (Karen, Hmong, Yao, Lahu). Chiang Mai is the second largest city and is located in the center of this region.

Chiang Rai is a little gem in the far north. You will love the environment so conducive to disconnect and relax, being the gateway to the Golden Triangle. Mae Hong Son is a dream city on the border with Myanmar, it's located in a deep valley surrounded by high mountains and when you decide to visit it, you will surely agree with me that it retains an enchanted atmosphere.

8. Travel by train

Surely you remember the mythical Orient Express, one of the most luxurious trains in the world and that among its passengers had great bourgeois and members of the aristocracy.

You can travel on the train tracks making stops in major cities such as Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai or Kanchanaburi and from your compartment, you can observe the rural and urban landscape of Thailand and be pampered like a prince. In the image below you can see Ayutthaya.

If you make a stop in Chiang Rai you can see this magnificent temple, the Wat Rong Khun.

If on the contrary, you make the stop in Ayutthaya you can visit this set of buildings. With which one to stay? With both!

9. Get in touch with nature in the Khao Yai National Park

If you are a nature lover you will love all the national parks of Thailand where the flora and fauna are preserved. One of the best known is the Kao Yai National Park that covers some 540 thousand hectares of forest, jungle, and grasslands in different hills.

This is an area of great beauty and life within its borders, tigers, bears, elephants, monkeys and many species of birds and butterflies.

Can you imagine doing canyon descent with these spectacular views? If you decide to visit Khao Yai you can live it in your own skin or why not, an elephant route.

10. Practice golf and other sports

The tropical climate of Thailand, as well as its beaches, make it a suitable country to practice different sports, most of them are aquatic, however, in Thailand you can enjoy spectacular golf courses.

Every year, many golfers and fans of this sport decide to spend their holidays in Phuket or Chiang Mai. The high quality of its golf courses, where they are located, an outstanding caddies service and one of the lowest rates in all of Asia make this country perfect. Also, the perfect routes are offered for all lovers of mountain biking.