Thailand

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TRAVEL GUIDE

Bangkok

Bangkok, also known as the City of Angels and Venice of the East, will hit you like a ton of bricks. Hot, polluted, and chaotic, it thrills

Chiang Mai

Cosmopolitan Chiang Mai, Thailand’s second city, is regarded by many as its rightful, historic capital. It’s a fascinating and successful mix

Phuket

Phuket (or "Koh" Phuket—Koh is "island" in Thai, but this is rarely used because Phuket is so large) is one of the region's economic powerhouses

Koh Samui

Koh Samui is the most popular tourist destination on the Western Gulf coast, which isn't surprising, considering the island's gorgeous beaches

Silom and Bang Rak

The Silom area, with a mix of tall buildings, residential streets, and entertainment areas, is Bangkok's busiest business district. Some of

Chiang Rai and The Golden Triangle

This fabled area is a beautiful stretch of rolling uplands that conceal remote hill tribe villages and drop down to the broad Mekong, which

Sukhumvit

Pathumwan

Bangkok has many downtowns that blend into each other, but Pathumwan, which encompasses two major shopping areas, Siam Square and the Rajaprasong

Koh Lanta

Long beaches, crystal clear water, and a laid-back natural environment are Koh Lanta's main attractions. Although "discovered" by international

Beyond the Old City

Outside the borders of the Old City, Chiang Mai expands into urban sprawl; although there are several worthy sights and a handful of identifiable

Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai attracts more and more visitors each year, and it's easy to see why. Six hill tribes—the Akha, Yao, Meo, Lisu, Lahu, and Karen—all

Pattaya

Pattaya's proponents boast that their city has finally emerged as a legitimate upscale beach destination. This is partly true: recent years

Koh Phi Phi

The Phi Phi Islands consist of six islands. The largest, Phi Phi Don, is shaped like a butterfly: the "wings," covered by limestone mountains

Kanchanaburi

The city of Kanchanaburi is home to interesting and sometimes moving World War II historic sites, among them the Bridge on the River Kwai. In

The Old City

Covering roughly 2½ square km (1 square mile) and crisscrossed by winding lanes Chiang Mai's Old City is bounded by remains of the original

Koh Chang

Koh Chang, or Elephant Island, is the largest and most developed of the 52-island archipelago that became Mu Koh Chang National Park in 1982

Phuket Town

Though few tourists linger here, Phuket Town, the provincial capital, is one of the more culturally interesting places on the island to spend

Hua Hin

The golden sands near the small seaside city of Hua Hin have long attracted Bangkok's rich and famous. The most renowned visitors are the king

Pai

Although Pai lies in a flat valley, a 10-minute drive in any direction brings you to a rugged upland terrain with stands of wild teak, groves

Sukhothai

Sukhothai, which means "the dawn of happiness," holds a unique place in Thailand's history. Until the 13th century most of Thailand consisted

Ao Nang

In the daytime, Ao Nang is busy with visitors flowing to and from beaches. In the evening, storefronts light up the sidewalk and open-air restaurants

Ayutthaya

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, carefully preserved Ayutthaya provides a fascinating snapshot of ancient Siam. Scattered ruins testify to the

Koh Phangan

As Koh Samui developed into an international hot spot, travelers looking for a more laid-back scene headed for Koh Phangan. Decades ago, the

The Old City

Chinatown

Almost as soon as Bangkok was founded, Chinatown started to form; it's the city's oldest residential neighborhood. Today it's an integral part

Lampang

At the end of the 19th century, when Lampang was a thriving center of the teak trade, the well-to-do city elders gave the city a genteel look

Khao Lak

Khao Lak is a place to go to if you want a relaxed, low-key holiday. It just cuts the right side of developed to offer all the amenities you

Nan

Near the border of Laos lies the city of Nan, a provincial capital founded in 1272. According to local legend, Lord Buddha, passing through

Krabi

Krabi is a major travel hub in southern Thailand. Travelers often breeze through without stopping to enjoy the atmosphere, which is a shame

Patong

You'd hardly believe it today, but Patong was once the island's most remote beach, completely cut off by the surrounding mountains and only

Koh Tao

In just a few decades, the tiny island of Koh Tao has evolved from a sleepy backwater to a sought-after diving getaway, with lodgings that range

Greater Chiang Mai

Beyond the highway that surrounds Chiang Mai you will find plenty to hold your attention. The most famous sight is Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

Mae Hong Son

Stressed-out residents of Bangkok and other cities have transformed this remote, mountain-ringed market town into one of northern Thailand's

Karon Beach

Just south of Patong lie Karon Beach and its smaller northern counterpart, Karon Noi. Bunches of hotels, restaurants, tailors, dive operators

Nang Cape/Railay Beach

Be careful not to strain your neck admiring the skyscraping cliffs as your longtail boat delivers you to Nang Cape. Here four interconnected

Dusit and Northern Bangkok

More than any other neighborhood in the city, this area north of Banglamphu seems calm and orderly. Its tree-shaded boulevards and elegant buildings

Phitsanulok

For a brief span in the 14th century, after the decline of Sukhothai and before the rise of Ayutthaya, Phitsanulok was the kingdom's capital

Mae Sai

From Ban Sop Ruak you can travel west on a dusty road to Mae Sai, a Thai-Burmese border town that straddles the Mae Sai River. The market that

Thonburi

Largely residential, Thonburi is where travelers go to take a ride along the city's ancient waterways. Most of Thonburi beyond the riverbank

Phetchaburi

This small seaport town with many wats once linked the old Thai capitals of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya with trade routes on the South China Sea

Phang Nga Bay National Marine Park

The looming limestone karsts are the most spectacular feature of Phang Nga Bay, made famous in movies and a thousand picture postcards.

Banglamphu

In the northern part of the Old City, Banglamphu offers pleasant strolls, interesting markets, and Khao San Road, one of the world's best-known

Lopburi

Lopburi is off the beaten track for most tourists, and those who do come here are generally outnumbered by the city's monkey population. Some

Bang Thao Beach

Phrae

A market town in a narrow valley well off the beaten path, Phrae is renowned in northern Thailand for its fine teak houses. It's a useful stopover

Lamphun

Lamphun claims to be the oldest existing city in Thailand (but so does Nakhon Pathom). Originally called Nakhon Hariphunchai, it was founded

Ban Sop Ruak

Ban Sop Ruak, a village in the heart of the Golden Triangle, was once the domain of the opium warlord Khun Sa. Thai and Burmese troops hounded

Koh Samet

Koh Samet's beautiful beaches are a hit with Thais and Bangkok expats, especially on weekends. Although newer resort areas beckon, Koh Samet

Chiang Saen

A one-road town on the banks of the Mekong River, Chiang Saen was home to the future King Mengrai, who built a citadel here in the 12th century

Kata Beach

Popular for its stunning white-sand beach with turquoise waters, and especially appealing to families for its serene ambience, Kata Beach is

Koh Si Chang

For centuries Koh Si Chang was considered a gateway to Thailand, the spot where huge sailing ships docked and smaller barges loaded goods bound

Samut Songkram

The provincial town of Samut Songkram has little to recommend it, but the many nearby attractions make this an enjoyable day trip from Bangkok

Nai Thon and Layan Beaches

It's one of the smallest beaches on the island, and the tropical rain forest that acts as a natural barrier keeps many visitors away, but this

Damnoen Saduak

The image of this frenetic market of floating vendors selling all sorts of raw and prepared food is so evocative that it has become an ad agency

Chalong

The waters in horseshoe-shape Chalong Bay are usually calm, as the entrance is guarded by Koh Lone and Koh Hae. It's not a scenic stop in itself

Cha-am

It may not be the most picturesque seaside town, but Cha-am does offer an authentic Thai-style beach experience. The pier at the north end of

Si Satchanalai

Si Satchanalai, a sister city to Sukhothai, was governed by a son of Sukhothai's reigning monarch. Despite its secondary position, the city

Surat Thani

Surat Thani is where you board the boats bound for Koh Samui. Though not particularly attractive, Surat Thani has a few culturally interesting

Nakhon Pathom

Reputed to be Thailand's oldest city (it's thought to date from 150 BC), Nakhon Pathom was once the center of the Dvaravati kingdom, an affiliation

Mae Sariang

The southern route of the Loop runs through Mae Sariang, a neat little market town that sits beside the Yuam River. With comfortable hotels

Sangklaburi

This sleepy town sits on a large lake created by the Khao Laem Dam. There was once a Mon village here, but when the dam was built in 1983 it

Chiang Khong

This small Mekong River town is gearing up to become a main way station on the planned Asian Highway, and a bridge is being built across the

Takiab Beach

Directly to the south of Hua Hin, Khao Takiab is a good alternative for people who wish to avoid Hua Hin's busier scene. Takiab is favored by

Pansea, Surin, and Laem Sing Beaches

If you want luxury accommodation, then look no further than these picturesque beaches on Phuket's west coast. Many of the island's rich set

Nai Harn

Less busy than other nearby beaches and more popular among locals, Nai Harn offers a small but interesting choice of accommodations and nearby

Bang Pa-In

This village, a popular stopping point between Bangkok and Ayutthaya, has a few architectural sites of note: a Thai palace, a European-style

Chiang Dao

The dusty, rather dilapidated village of Chiang Dao has two claims to fame: Thailand's third-highest mountain, 7,500-foot Doi Chiang Dao, which

Tha Ton

North of Chiang Dao lies the pretty resort town of Tha Ton, which sits on the River Kok right across the border from Myanmar. The local temple

Koh Yao

Koh Yao Noi is the most developed of this pair of islands, Noi (little) and Yai (large), but it is still worlds away from the development on

Chumphon

Chumphon is regarded as the gateway to the south, because trains and buses connect to Bangkok to the north, to Surat Thani and Phuket to the

Kamala Beach

Unlike the more upscale enclaves to the north, Kamala Beach has some reasonably priced accommodations that attract longer-stay visitors, and

Nai Yang Beach

Smaller than its northerly neighbor, and one of the most relaxed beaches on Phuket, Nai Yang attracts a local and expat crowd. Parts of the

Doi Ang Khang

Ang means "bowl," and that sums up the mountaintop location of this remote corner of Thailand. A tiny, two-street settlement shares the small

Similan Islands

The Similan Islands are synonymous with two things: beautiful, unspoiled beaches and diving in crystal-blue waters. There are nine islands in

Chanthaburi

Chanthaburi has played a big role in Thai history. It was here that the man who would become King Taksin gathered and prepared his troops to

Surin Islands

Sixty kilometers (37 miles) off the west coast of Phang Nga, the five Surin Islands are special for their diving and fishing. The national park

Cape Yamu

The headland at Yamu is an isolated part of Phuket and, because of the isolation, is particularly quiet and exclusive. There is no beach here

Khun Yuam

In the mountain village of Khun Yuam, along the southern route of the Loop between Mae Hong Son and Mae Sariang, you can find one of the region

Mai Khao Beach

On the northwest coast of Phuket, this 11-km-long beach is still undeveloped by Phuket standards, as it is part of the Sirinat National Park

Muang Boran

An easy and popular day trip from Bangkok, Muang Boran provides a captivating introduction to Thailand's architectural and cultural highlights

Doi Inthanon National Park

Khao Pra Taew National Park

Located in the north of the island, Khao Pra Taew is the last virgin rain forest in Phuket. You can take a hike through the park (8 km) or just

Khun Yuam

Bangkok

Bangkok, also known as the City of Angels and Venice of the East, will hit you like a ton of bricks. Hot, polluted, and chaotic, it thrills

Chiang Mai

Cosmopolitan Chiang Mai, Thailand’s second city, is regarded by many as its rightful, historic capital. It’s a fascinating and successful mix

Phuket

Phuket (or "Koh" Phuket—Koh is "island" in Thai, but this is rarely used because Phuket is so large) is one of the region's economic powerhouses

Koh Samui

Koh Samui is the most popular tourist destination on the Western Gulf coast, which isn't surprising, considering the island's gorgeous beaches

Chiang Rai and The Golden Triangle

This fabled area is a beautiful stretch of rolling uplands that conceal remote hill tribe villages and drop down to the broad Mekong, which

Koh Lanta

Long beaches, crystal clear water, and a laid-back natural environment are Koh Lanta's main attractions. Although "discovered" by international

Pattaya

Pattaya's proponents boast that their city has finally emerged as a legitimate upscale beach destination. This is partly true: recent years

Koh Phi Phi

The Phi Phi Islands consist of six islands. The largest, Phi Phi Don, is shaped like a butterfly: the "wings," covered by limestone mountains

Kanchanaburi

The city of Kanchanaburi is home to interesting and sometimes moving World War II historic sites, among them the Bridge on the River Kwai. In

Koh Chang

Koh Chang, or Elephant Island, is the largest and most developed of the 52-island archipelago that became Mu Koh Chang National Park in 1982

Pai

Although Pai lies in a flat valley, a 10-minute drive in any direction brings you to a rugged upland terrain with stands of wild teak, groves

Phuket Town

Though few tourists linger here, Phuket Town, the provincial capital, is one of the more culturally interesting places on the island to spend

Hua Hin

The golden sands near the small seaside city of Hua Hin have long attracted Bangkok's rich and famous. The most renowned visitors are the king

Sukhothai

Sukhothai, which means "the dawn of happiness," holds a unique place in Thailand's history. Until the 13th century most of Thailand consisted

Ao Nang

In the daytime, Ao Nang is busy with visitors flowing to and from beaches. In the evening, storefronts light up the sidewalk and open-air restaurants

Ayutthaya

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, carefully preserved Ayutthaya provides a fascinating snapshot of ancient Siam. Scattered ruins testify to the

Koh Phangan

As Koh Samui developed into an international hot spot, travelers looking for a more laid-back scene headed for Koh Phangan. Decades ago, the

Krabi

Krabi is a major travel hub in southern Thailand. Travelers often breeze through without stopping to enjoy the atmosphere, which is a shame

Lampang

At the end of the 19th century, when Lampang was a thriving center of the teak trade, the well-to-do city elders gave the city a genteel look

Khao Lak

Khao Lak is a place to go to if you want a relaxed, low-key holiday. It just cuts the right side of developed to offer all the amenities you

Koh Tao

In just a few decades, the tiny island of Koh Tao has evolved from a sleepy backwater to a sought-after diving getaway, with lodgings that range

Mae Hong Son

Stressed-out residents of Bangkok and other cities have transformed this remote, mountain-ringed market town into one of northern Thailand's

Nang Cape/Railay Beach

Be careful not to strain your neck admiring the skyscraping cliffs as your longtail boat delivers you to Nang Cape. Here four interconnected

Phitsanulok

For a brief span in the 14th century, after the decline of Sukhothai and before the rise of Ayutthaya, Phitsanulok was the kingdom's capital

Lopburi

Lopburi is off the beaten track for most tourists, and those who do come here are generally outnumbered by the city's monkey population. Some

Phetchaburi

This small seaport town with many wats once linked the old Thai capitals of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya with trade routes on the South China Sea

Phang Nga Bay National Marine Park

The looming limestone karsts are the most spectacular feature of Phang Nga Bay, made famous in movies and a thousand picture postcards.

Lamphun

Lamphun claims to be the oldest existing city in Thailand (but so does Nakhon Pathom). Originally called Nakhon Hariphunchai, it was founded

Koh Samet

Koh Samet's beautiful beaches are a hit with Thais and Bangkok expats, especially on weekends. Although newer resort areas beckon, Koh Samet

Koh Si Chang

For centuries Koh Si Chang was considered a gateway to Thailand, the spot where huge sailing ships docked and smaller barges loaded goods bound

Si Satchanalai

Si Satchanalai, a sister city to Sukhothai, was governed by a son of Sukhothai's reigning monarch. Despite its secondary position, the city

Chalong

The waters in horseshoe-shape Chalong Bay are usually calm, as the entrance is guarded by Koh Lone and Koh Hae. It's not a scenic stop in itself

Nakhon Pathom

Reputed to be Thailand's oldest city (it's thought to date from 150 BC), Nakhon Pathom was once the center of the Dvaravati kingdom, an affiliation

Surat Thani

Surat Thani is where you board the boats bound for Koh Samui. Though not particularly attractive, Surat Thani has a few culturally interesting

Damnoen Saduak

The image of this frenetic market of floating vendors selling all sorts of raw and prepared food is so evocative that it has become an ad agency

Samut Songkram

The provincial town of Samut Songkram has little to recommend it, but the many nearby attractions make this an enjoyable day trip from Bangkok

Cha-am

It may not be the most picturesque seaside town, but Cha-am does offer an authentic Thai-style beach experience. The pier at the north end of

Mae Sariang

The southern route of the Loop runs through Mae Sariang, a neat little market town that sits beside the Yuam River. With comfortable hotels

Sangklaburi

This sleepy town sits on a large lake created by the Khao Laem Dam. There was once a Mon village here, but when the dam was built in 1983 it

Takiab Beach

Directly to the south of Hua Hin, Khao Takiab is a good alternative for people who wish to avoid Hua Hin's busier scene. Takiab is favored by

Bang Pa-In

This village, a popular stopping point between Bangkok and Ayutthaya, has a few architectural sites of note: a Thai palace, a European-style

Chiang Dao

The dusty, rather dilapidated village of Chiang Dao has two claims to fame: Thailand's third-highest mountain, 7,500-foot Doi Chiang Dao, which

Similan Islands

The Similan Islands are synonymous with two things: beautiful, unspoiled beaches and diving in crystal-blue waters. There are nine islands in

Doi Ang Khang

Ang means "bowl," and that sums up the mountaintop location of this remote corner of Thailand. A tiny, two-street settlement shares the small

Tha Ton

North of Chiang Dao lies the pretty resort town of Tha Ton, which sits on the River Kok right across the border from Myanmar. The local temple

Chumphon

Chumphon is regarded as the gateway to the south, because trains and buses connect to Bangkok to the north, to Surat Thani and Phuket to the

Khun Yuam

In the mountain village of Khun Yuam, along the southern route of the Loop between Mae Hong Son and Mae Sariang, you can find one of the region

Surin Islands

Sixty kilometers (37 miles) off the west coast of Phang Nga, the five Surin Islands are special for their diving and fishing. The national park

Cape Yamu

The headland at Yamu is an isolated part of Phuket and, because of the isolation, is particularly quiet and exclusive. There is no beach here

Chanthaburi

Chanthaburi has played a big role in Thai history. It was here that the man who would become King Taksin gathered and prepared his troops to

Muang Boran

An easy and popular day trip from Bangkok, Muang Boran provides a captivating introduction to Thailand's architectural and cultural highlights

Khun Yuam

Phuket and the Andaman Coast

For its amazing setting, variety, and charm, Phuket has consistently been voted as one of the world's favorite tourist destinations, both for

The Gulf Coast Beaches

With its white sandy beaches, crystal-blue water, and laid-back lifestyle, the Gulf Coast captures the imaginations of travelers worldwide.

Northern Thailand

Northern Thailand begins where the flat rice-growing countryside above Bangkok rises north toward the mountains bordering Myanmar and Laos.

Around Bangkok

Escaping the congestion and chaos of Bangkok is quite simple, and a must for anyone who wants a truly memorable Thailand experience. The surrounding

The Mae Hong Son Loop

Remote Mae Hong Son is reached along a mountainous stretch of road known to travelers as "the Loop." The route runs from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong

Around Kanchanaburi Province

Doi Inthanon National Park

Khao Pra Taew National Park

Located in the north of the island, Khao Pra Taew is the last virgin rain forest in Phuket. You can take a hike through the park (8 km) or just

Koh Yao

Koh Yao Noi is the most developed of this pair of islands, Noi (little) and Yai (large), but it is still worlds away from the development on