Top 40 Thailand Attractions

Beautiful nature, clean beaches, impressive religious buildings, cheap shopping and original local cuisine are not a complete list of reasons why tourists from all over the world visit the Kingdom of Thailand.

For a leisurely family vacation, the beach resorts of Koh Samui, Hua Hin, Phuket and Krabi are suitable. The water and sand are clean, and comfortable hotels offer their guests a special children's menu and entertainment programs. Fans of various activities will also find something to do in Thailand. On the territory of the country you can go water skiing, go to the mountains, go windsurfing and diving, fly a hang glider or play golf.

What to see in Thailand?

The most interesting and beautiful places, photos and a brief description.

Historic city of Ayutthaya

At a distance of 70 kilometers from Bangkok is the historic city of Ayutthaya. There are many Buddhist temple complexes here, the largest of which are the monasteries of Wat Rachaburana and Wat Na Phra Meru. In the very center of the city is Vang Luang - the Grand Palace, where the royal family lived in the 13th century.

Historic City of Sukhothai

Since 1238, when a Khmer settlement was located in these places, the history of the ancient city of Sukhothai begins. The heyday of the city fell on the XIII-XIV centuries, when Sukhothai was the capital of the kingdom of the same name. The main local attraction is the Wat Mahathat Temple and the huge Buddha statue located in Wat Si-Chum.

Koh Samui

This beautiful place became popular in the 1990s when the first tourists arrived on Koh Samui. Since then, the island's attendance has only increased, which is not surprising, because there are about 30 beaches for every taste. So, Chaweng Beach is perfect for a family vacation, and Lamai is perfect for surfers. Other attractions on Koh Samui include Wat Khunaram, the Oceanarium, the Big Buddha Statue and the funny Grandmother and Grandfather Rock.

Phuket Island

This is one of the most popular resorts in Thailand, it is located in the Andaman Sea off the western coast of the country. In addition to relaxing on well-equipped beaches, Phuket Island attracts tourists with historical and cultural attractions, excellent diving sites, world-class golf courses, and inexpensive shopping.

phang nga bay

In the northeast of Phuket is Phang Nga Bay, which is part of the national park. More than 100 picturesque islands located in the bay attract many tourists from all over the world to these places. Here you can see the mangrove forests, go canoeing around the bay, and visit the village of Ko Panyi built on the water.

James Bond Island (Koh Tapu)

The small limestone island of Koh Tapu, located in Phang Nga Bay, tries to visit almost every tourist in Thailand. This island gained its extraordinary popularity after the release of the film about the adventures of James Bond. A visit to Koh Tapu is usually included in a tour of Phang Nga Bay.

Royal Palace in Bangkok

One of the most visited Thai attractions is the Royal Palace in Bangkok, also known as the Grand Palace. This vast complex of buildings is currently used by the royal family for ceremonies and state receptions.

Vimanmek Palace

A popular place in Bangkok is the Vimanmek Palace. This is the largest building in the world built from teak wood without a single nail. Currently, the Vimanmek Palace has been turned into a museum, available for inspection by everyone. Photo and video shooting is prohibited inside, and to visit this place you should dress in closed clothes.

White Temple (Wat Rong Khun)

The extraordinarily beautiful White Temple, as Wat Rong Khun is also called, is located in the city of Chiang Rai in the north of the country. This building was conceived by the artist Chalermchayu Kositpipat and brought to life at his own expense in 1997. The 2014 earthquake severely damaged Wat Rong Khun, and in order to reconstruct the building, restoration work was started at the temple.

Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew)

The temple is located in the historical center of Bangkok. Inside Wat Phrakew, as this place is called in Thai, there is a 66 cm statue of Buddha, carved in the 15th century from the solid mineral jadeite. Inside, the temple is decorated with wall paintings, the windows and doors of the building are decorated with patterns, and the entrance is guarded by bronze lions.

Temple of Truth (Pattaya)

On the shores of the Gulf of Thailand, surrounded by a park, there is a temple of Truth. Its height is 105 meters, construction was started in 1981 and is still ongoing. The Temple of Truth is made of wood and decorated with carved sculptures and ornaments. The idea of ​​such a structure belongs to the Thai entrepreneur Lek Viryapan.

Sunrise Temple

One of the most beautiful temples in the capital is the Sunrise Temple. The Thais call it Wat Arun, and this place has become famous thanks to its colorful 79-meter pagoda, decorated with multi-colored porcelain and ceramic tiles. The date of construction of this impressive structure is not exactly known and dates back to the middle of the 19th century.

Temple of the Golden Buddha (Wat Traimit)

The world's largest golden statue can be seen at Wat Traimit in the capital. The Golden Buddha, presumably made in the 13th century, weighs more than 5 tons. To ensure the safety of the statue in troubled times of war in the 18th century, the Buddha was covered with a layer of plaster. Only in 1957 did it become known that the plaster statue, which was inconspicuous from the outside, was actually made of gold.

Temple of the Reclining Buddha in Bangkok

The Buddhist temple, located next to the Grand Palace in the center of Bangkok, has a special meaning for Thais. It was here, in the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, that General Chakri proclaimed himself King Rama I in 1782. Wat Pho, as the place is called in Thai, was built in the 12th century, making the temple the oldest in Thailand. The 46-meter Buddha waiting for nirvana is the main attraction of Wat Pho.

Temple Wat Chalong

In the south of Phuket is one of the most popular local temples - Wat Chalong. The exact date of construction of this structure is unknown, and the first written mention of Wat Chalong dates back to 1837. In 1846, the temple received its royal status, but the main popularity of this place was brought by its abbot and healer Luang Pho Chem.

Wat Mahathat

In 1374, the construction of the Wat Mahathat temple began in ancient Ayutthaya, and already in 1767, hostilities almost completely destroyed this building. Many of the Buddha statues of this temple were smashed or knocked to the ground. During the desolation of Wat Mahathat, one of the Buddha's heads was entwined with roots and, in the process of tree growth, rose above the ground. Today, the head of the Buddha, entwined with roots, is considered one of the symbols of the city of Ayutthaya.

Bridge over the River Kwai

The railway bridge over the River Kwai was built during World War II as part of the construction of a road between Thailand and Burma. All work was carried out by the forces of prisoners of war, and many people died at this construction site. In 1944, the bridge was bombed, but subsequently three destroyed sections were restored. The popularity of the bridge on the River Kwai brought the Oscar-winning film in 1957.

Chatuchak Market

One of the most popular places in Thailand is the huge Chatuchak market in Bangkok. Here you can buy national clothes, paintings, dishes, glassware, ceramics, leather and metal, as well as antiques, silks and even animals. It is better to plan a visit to Chatuchak in the morning, but it would be good to leave valuables and large sums of money in the hotel safe for security purposes.

Floating market in Pattaya

A picturesque and rather noisy place is the floating market in Pattaya. This type of trade is traditional for Thais, but it will be a novelty for tourists. Both sellers and buyers can transact by boat. Pavilions with goods are located on piles, and wooden decks are used as sidewalks.

Bangkok National Museum

In 1874, the National Museum of Bangkok was established, which is considered one of the richest museums in Southeast Asia. Three permanent exhibition galleries exhibit household items, jewelry, weapons and ceramics, as well as national musical instruments and even vehicles. The museum welcomes visitors from Wednesday to Sunday.

Lumpini Park

At the beginning of the 20th century, King Rama VI issued a decree on the creation of the park. For Lumpini Park, as this place was later called, an area of ​​\u200b\u200b57 hectares, which was personally in the possession of the king, was used. Now there are equipped places for tennis, treadmills, outdoor exercise equipment, playgrounds, a library, and from February to March in the park you can dance to the performance of a symphony orchestra.

Magic Buddha Garden on Koh Samui

In the heart of Koh Samui, away from the noisy tourist centers of the island, there is the Magic Buddha Garden. This quiet place for meditation and solitude began to be built in 1976 by a local resident, Nim Thongsuk. The garden is decorated with Buddhist sculptures and gazebos for relaxation. It is quite difficult to get to the Magic Buddha Garden on your own, so it is better for tourists to use the services of a guide to visit this place.

Nong Nooch Tropical Garden

About 240 hectares are occupied by the Nong Nooch tropical garden, located near Pattaya. In 1980, the garden was opened to the public. There are special areas for orchids, cacti, butterflies, birds, aquatic plants, bonsai and even flower pot installations. Pupils of the local elephant farm can dance, draw, play football, basketball and darts.

Snake farm in Pattaya

The most interesting thing that awaits guests of the snake farm in Pattaya after the main tour is the tamer show. The snake trainer demonstrates to the visitors of the farm the complete obedience of his dangerous and poisonous pets. There is also a shop on the farm where you can profitably buy snakeskin products.

Elephant village in Pattaya

In the 70s of the 20th century, a private elephant sanctuary was created in Pattaya, where old or sick animals were identified. The Elephant Village is located near the city center, and the entrance price varies depending on the visiting program. Here you can watch an amazing show performed by elephants, feed them and ride on horseback, as well as watch the bathing and feeding of these huge animals.

Million Years Stone Park and Crocodile Farm

Not far from the center of Pattaya, you can visit a popular entertainment place among tourists - the Million Years Stone Park and the crocodile farm, which are located on the same territory. The beautiful landscape of the park is highly appreciated by lovers of beautiful photos. And on the farm, you can feed the crocodiles or watch a fascinating show with their participation.

Siam Ocean World Aquarium in Bangkok

One of the largest aquariums in Southeast Asia is located in the Siam Paragon shopping center in Bangkok. The seven zones of the aquarium will tell visitors about the most amazing inhabitants of the water spaces. At Siam Ocean World, you can ride in an aquarium on a glass bottom boat, feed fish or scuba dive with an instructor.

Mini Siam

A complex of miniature landmarks from all over the world was built in Pattaya in 1986. Two parts of the same park - Mini Siam and Mini Europe - are located near the city center. In one part of the park, the most significant sights of Thailand are presented, and in the second part, tourists will be able to "visit" famous places in Africa, the USA, Russia, France and other countries.

Big Buddha in Phuket

The temple complex in the form of a seated Buddha is one of the most notable attractions in Phuket. From almost anywhere on the island you can see the statue of the Big Buddha, as the Thais themselves call this building. Here you can not only visit the current temple, but also admire the beautiful panorama of the city spread below.

Tarutau - national marine park

In the south of Thailand there is a group of 51 islands, united in 1974 in the Tarutau National Marine Park. Once there was a prison on the islands, whose inhabitants became cruel sea pirates in the 1940s. Currently, Tarutau attracts lovers of nature and scuba diving here.

Khao Yai National Park

The first national park established in the Kingdom of Thailand. It was opened in 1962 in the north-east of the country and covers an area of ​​more than 200 hectares. Tigers, bears, elephants, gibbons and wild pigs live here. For tourists, among other entertainment, night safaris in Khao Yai are possible.

Similan Archipelago

Since 1982, the islands of the Similan archipelago have been declared a national park. This is one of the best scuba diving sites in the world. The best time to visit the Similan Islands is from January to April, when the dry part of the year lasts. The most convenient way to get to the park is by boat from the port of Thap Lamu.

Railay Beach

In the province of Krabi there is a peninsula separated by rocks from the rest of the land. Here are the beaches of Railay, famous for their clean sand. These places are the best for a leisurely family vacation. The most popular beaches in this area are West Railay and Phra Nang. You can also go snorkeling or rock climbing here.

Khao Kheow Zoo

The area of ​​the open zoo Khao Kheo is about 800 hectares and includes ponds, pastures, lawns and natural jungle. About 8 thousand animals live here, and visitors are transported by special electric cars so that tourists can comfortably get to know all the inhabitants of the zoo. In Khao Kheo you can buy special food and feed the animals.

Jim Thompson House Museum

At the end of World War II, the American Jim Thompson came to Thailand, where he decided to start producing and supplying silk to America and Europe. Thanks to his company, the country's silk industry began to revive. Today, Jim Thompson's house is a popular tourist destination. Here you can see a museum, a shop with samples of silk products and a collection of antiques.

andaman sea

This semi-enclosed sea of ​​the Indian Ocean is relatively shallow, and the water temperature fluctuates around 26-29 degrees Celsius. Such natural data make it almost an ideal place to relax, especially during the dry and calm period from December to March. On the Andaman Sea there are such Thai resorts as Krabi, Phuket, Lanta and Phi Phi.

Ti Lo Su Waterfall

Not far from the mountain settlement of Umpang is a very beautiful Thai waterfall Ti Lo Su, consisting of several cascades. Getting to the waterfall is quite difficult, but this does not stop those who want to see this picturesque place with their own eyes. During the rainy season, when Ti Lo Su is the most full-flowing, the route here is closed in order to guarantee the safety of tourists.

Erawan Waterfall

The seven-cascade waterfall Erawan is located in the west of Thailand on the territory of the national park of the same name. On the first two cascades of Erawan, picnics are often held, but it is forbidden to bring food and drinks higher. A special route has been laid out to inspect the waterfall, and tourists who want to spend the night in the national park can expect several guest houses.

Walking Street

One of the most famous places in Pattaya is Walking Street. It is located in the central area of ​​the city and offers its guests a wide variety of nightly adventures: striptease shows, discos or sex shows in go-go bars. Walking Street is quite safe, but it is still better not to bring large sums of money here.

Tiffany show in Pattaya

In the northern part of Pattaya is the theater building, where one of the most famous transvestite cabaret performs. The first performances of the Tiffany Show took place back in the 1970s, and since then the popularity of this place has been growing all the time. Tickets for the daily evening performances of the Tiffany Show can be purchased at many hotels in the city.