7 Best Places to Visit in Thailand

Thailand runs from Bangkok's glittering temples and palaces to the jungle hills of the north and the limestone islands of the south, all connected by cheap domestic flights, trains, and buses. These seven destinations cover the country's best-known historic sites, cities, and beaches.

1. Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, Bangkok

Bangkok's Grand Palace served as the official residence of the Kings of Siam from 1782, and its grounds hold Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha — the country's most sacred Buddhist site. The complex mixes traditional Thai architecture with European-influenced halls, its roofs and spires covered in gold leaf and colored glass mosaic. Modest dress (covered shoulders and knees) is required to enter, and the site is usually visited in the cooler early morning hours.

2. Ayutthaya Historical Park

Ayutthaya was the capital of the Siamese kingdom for over 400 years until it was destroyed by Burmese forces in 1767, and its ruins are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Rows of red-brick chedis (stupas) and headless Buddha statues — including the famous Buddha head entwined in tree roots at Wat Mahathat — spread across a river island a short train or bus ride north of Bangkok. Bicycles are a common way to cover the scattered temple sites in a day.

3. Chiang Mai Old City

Chiang Mai's Old City is a square mile ringed by a moat and remnants of a 700-year-old brick wall, packed with more than 30 Buddhist temples including the gold-topped Wat Phra Singh and the ruined chedi of Wat Chedi Luang. The city is also the gateway to Doi Suthep, a mountaintop temple overlooking the valley, and to the hill-tribe villages and elephant sanctuaries of northern Thailand. Its Sunday Walking Street market is one of the best-known night markets in the country.

4. Phi Phi Islands

The Phi Phi Islands sit in the Andaman Sea between Phuket and Krabi, their limestone cliffs and turquoise bays made famous by Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh, the setting for the film The Beach. Phi Phi Don, the only inhabited island, has no cars — travel is by longtail boat or on foot along the beaches and viewpoints. Snorkeling and diving trips run daily from Phuket and Krabi, and Maya Bay itself now limits visitor numbers and hours to let its reef recover.

5. Railay Beach and Krabi

Railay is a small peninsula in Krabi province accessible only by longtail boat, cut off from the mainland by sheer limestone karst cliffs that have made it one of the world's best-known rock-climbing destinations. Its four beaches range from the busy West Railay to the quieter Phra Nang, home to a cave shrine where fishermen leave offerings for safe passage. Kayaking through the surrounding mangroves and lagoons, and climbing routes for both beginners and experienced climbers, are the area's main draws beyond the beaches themselves.

6. Sukhothai Historical Park

Sukhothai was the first capital of a unified Thai kingdom, founded in the 13th century, and its historical park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — preserves the ruins of over 190 temples and monuments across a walled royal city. The seated and walking Buddha statues at Wat Mahathat and Wat Si Chum, some over 12 meters tall, are considered the origin of classical Thai Buddhist art and architecture. The flat, spread-out park is commonly explored by rented bicycle, with the old city's moats and lotus ponds still intact.

7. Phuket

Phuket is Thailand's largest island and its main beach resort hub, with Patong, Karon, and Kata beaches drawing most visitors along the western coast. Phuket Old Town preserves Sino-Portuguese shophouses and mansions from the island's 19th-century tin-mining boom, now home to cafes, galleries, and street art. The island is also the usual departure point for day trips to the Phi Phi Islands, Phang Nga Bay's limestone karsts, and the James Bond Island made famous by The Man with the Golden Gun.

Staying connected while you travel

Thailand has strong 4G/5G coverage from AIS, dtac, and True across all seven of these destinations, including the islands and northern hill towns. An eSIM lets you land with data already active instead of hunting for airport Wi-Fi — compare current Thailand eSIM plans below.

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For more on how eSIMs work before your trip, see our beginner's guide to eSIMs. You can also browse the full list of Thailand eSIM plans sorted by price.