11 Best Places to Visit in Thailand for First Timers

Thailand is a little bigger than California, yet one trip can take you from gold temples and misty mountains to limestone islands in a turquoise sea. Choosing the best places to visit in Thailand comes down to how much of that range you want to see. This list from Style Travel runs from Bangkok up to the north and then down to the islands, so you can sketch a route as you read.

1. Bangkok

Most trips start in Bangkok, and the city makes a strong first impression. In one morning you can walk through the Grand Palace, see the Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho and take a small ferry across the river to Wat Arun. By evening, Chinatown fills with smoke from grill stalls and rooftop bars light up above the traffic. Give the city two or three days. Our guide to the best things to do in Bangkok helps you plan them. Bangkok suits every traveler, and it is the easiest place to land.

2. Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya was the capital of Siam for more than four hundred years, until a Burmese army burned it in 1767. What remains is a field of brick towers, headless Buddhas and temple ruins spread across an island in the river, about an hour and a half north of Bangkok. At Wat Mahathat, a stone Buddha head sits wrapped in the roots of a fig tree, and visitors crouch low for photos as a sign of respect. For history on a day trip from the capital, it is the best place to visit in Thailand.

3. Kanchanaburi

About three hours west of Bangkok, Kanchanaburi tells a harder story. Prisoners of war and Asian laborers built the Death Railway here during World War II. You can walk across the Bridge over the River Kwai, visit the war cemetery and ride the old train along a wooden viaduct that hugs a cliff above the river. A night in a raft house on the water ends the day well. Erawan Falls, with its turquoise pools stacked in tiers, is close by. Kanchanaburi suits travelers with an interest in World War II history and nature.

4. Sukhothai

Sukhothai was the first Thai capital, founded in the 13th century, and its historical park feels calm compared with Ayutthaya. Lotus ponds reflect old stupas, and a huge seated Buddha looks out through a narrow opening in the walls of Wat Si Chum. The park is flat and open, so the nicest way to explore is by bicycle in the early morning or late afternoon. Stay one night to see the ruins in soft light with few people around. Sukhothai suits travelers heading north by road who want a quieter heritage stop between Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

5. Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is the cultural heart of the north, smaller and more relaxed than Bangkok. Inside the old city walls and moat, dozens of temples sit between cafes and guesthouses. Ride up to Doi Suthep for a view over the city, eat a bowl of khao soi, a curry noodle soup, and browse the Sunday Walking Street. Day trips lead to ethical elephant sanctuaries and to Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain in Thailand. Our guide to the best things to do in Chiang Mai covers more. Chiang Mai suits slow travelers, families and anyone curious about Thai culture.

6. Chiang Rai

About three hours north of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai is known for temples unlike any others in the country. The White Temple glitters with mirrored glass and strange sculptures, while the Blue Temple glows in deep blue and gold. Baan Dam, the Black House, is a dark and curious collection of wooden halls filled with art. Farther north, you can stand at the Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet on the Mekong River, or sip oolong tea at the farms of Doi Mae Salong. Chiang Rai suits travelers who enjoy art, scenery and a slower pace.

7. Hua Hin

Hua Hin has been a seaside escape for Thai royalty since the 1920s, and it still feels more like a resort town than a party town. The beach is long and good for walking at sunrise, and seafood restaurants sit on piers over the water. Visit Maruekhathaiyawan, a teak palace on stilts by the sea, then spend a weekend evening at Cicada Market or any night at the market in town. It is about three hours from Bangkok by road. Hua Hin suits families, couples and older travelers who want an easy beach stay without a flight.

8. Khao Sok National Park

Khao Sok is a rainforest in the south, where limestone peaks rise straight out of the jungle. The highlight is Cheow Lan Lake, a jade green reservoir where you ride a long tail boat between cliffs and spend the night in a floating bungalow. Early mornings bring mist on the water and the calls of gibbons from the trees. Read our full guide to Khao Sok National Park before you go. It suits nature lovers and families with older kids, and it fits well between Phuket or Krabi and Koh Samui.

9. Phuket

Phuket is the largest island in Thailand and the easiest way into the Andaman coast, with flights from Bangkok and many cities across Asia. Each beach has its own feel. Patong is busy and loud, while Kata and Karon are calmer and good for swimming in the dry season. In Phuket Old Town, pastel Sino Portuguese shophouses line Thalang Road. Boat trips head out to Phang Nga Bay and the Phi Phi Islands. Phuket suits families and first timers who want plenty of hotel choice and simple logistics.

10. Krabi

Krabi is where the Andaman coast gets dramatic. Huge limestone cliffs rise from the sea and the forest, and Railay, cut off from the mainland by those cliffs, can only be reached by boat. Spend a day hopping between islands by long tail, kayak through the mangroves, or climb the long stairway to the Tiger Cave Temple for a view over the province. Ao Nang makes a practical base with plenty of restaurants. Krabi suits couples and active travelers who want scenery as much as beach time.

11. Koh Samui and the Gulf islands

On the other side of the peninsula, Koh Samui has palm lined beaches, a small airport with flights from Bangkok and a relaxed mix of resorts and villages. Take a boat trip to Ang Thong Marine Park, a scatter of green islands with lagoons and viewpoints, or hop over to Koh Phangan or Koh Tao for snorkeling. The Gulf has a different rainy season from the Andaman coast, which helps when you plan the timing. Our list of the best islands in Thailand compares them. Samui suits honeymooners and families.

Map of destinations in Thailand

Plan your Thailand trip with Style Travel

The best places to visit in Thailand for first timers are the ones that fit your pace. Most first trips of ten days to two weeks cover Bangkok, one or two stops in the north and one beach area. The weather changes by region, so check when it is a good time to go to Thailand for each place on your list before you book flights. If you would like help choosing and connecting the stops, Style Travel can design a private trip around your dates and interests.