Our 100 best things to do in Thailand in 2026

Welcome to our list of 100+ awesome things to do in Thailand. We had a goal to travel all 77 provinces, and we think you’ll enjoy some of the things we’ve done along the way.

We’ve left out some hyped destinations and activities which may be awesome, like Koh Phi Phi, but to be honest, are less attractive due to over tourism.

Nobody else has a list like this. Let’s begin!

1. Visit the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun in Bangkok

This is just one of those places you have to see.. it’s crowded, but you can get around that if you’re willing to put in a bit of work. Visit on a weekday, get there at 8.30am (mid day is too hot anyway).

Do all three in a morning. Grand Palace first (gates open 8:30am, 500 baht entry), walk to Wat Pho next door for the reclining Buddha and a 260 baht massage at the school that invented Thai massage, then take the 4 baht ferry across the river to Wat Arun.

We assume we don’t need to tell you the dress code for temples. There’s garments for rent if you need them though.

We can’t stress this enough, ignore the tuk-tuk drivers outside who tell you it’s closed – it’s a scam.

2. Visit a historical site like Ayutthaya or Sukhothai

No need to do more than one historical site per trip. Ayutthaya and Sukhothai clearly the standouts, but figure out which is worth it based on your itinerary and how important historical sites are to you. Read our Ayutthaya vs Sukhothai comparison.

• Ayutthaya – Thailand’s former capital, 90 minutes by train from Bangkok.
• Sukhothai – Thailand’s first capital, 13th century. Quieter, more peaceful, better preserved.
• Phanom Rung – Hindu temple on an extinct volcano in Buriram.
• Phimai – Khmer ruins in Nakhon Ratchasima.
• Also UNESCO-listed with Sukhothai.
• Lopburi – One of Thailand’s oldest cities.

Unless you really know what you’re looking at, it’s worth booking a guide with good reviews. You can pick up a random person on the day but there’s just so many without the English skills needed.

3. Visit the Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya

It took us over 8 years to finally get to this gem. We dismissed it as a tourist trap as it was in Pattaya and it was all over postcards etc, but it is actually awesome. Read our full Sanctuary of Truth guide. It’s huge and the level of detail is just nuts. There’s still woodworking stations around the edge of the grounds because they’re constantly building, improving and renovating the work.

Again, we recommend getting a guide to explain what’s going on, but even if you prefer to just turn up and take photos, still worth it.

500 baht entry (as of early 2026).

4. Walk the Monk’s Trail to Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai

Big fans of the Monk’s Trail. We also wrote our guide to it, and it’s still something we do often just as a convenient escape from the city. Bottom to top and back only takes 2-3 hours with time for breakfast and coffee at the top. The trail goes through Wat Pha Lat up to Wat Doi Suthep – which by itself would have made this list.

Absolutely not to be missed in Chiang Mai. It’s popular though so be ready to wake up early and enjoy the whole trail to yourself – start at 6am.

5. Watch a Muay Thai or ONE Championship fight

If you’re spending time in Bangkok, watch a ONE Championship fight at Lumpinee Stadium – awesome atmosphere and experience – the best I’ve seen in my time in Thailand.

If you don’t have time in Bangkok, there are Muay Thai stadiums all over the country – if you want to go to watch a fight, you’re not going to be stuck without options. If you time it right, the annual Wai Kru ceremony in Ayutthaya is something special.

6. Learn Muay Thai

Beginner or advanced, doesn’t matter. If you’re looking to try it out for a day, a week or you want to do a longer bootcamp spanning months, there’s everything. I’m tempted to make a joke about there being more Muay Thai classes than 7 Eleven’s.

Single drop-in sessions cost 300-500 baht at most gyms. If you want the real deal, Phuke, Bangkok and Chiang Mai have well established camps where fighters actually train.

7. Celebrate Songkran

The Thai New Year in April. Three days of nationwide water warfare and party carnage. Read our Songkran guide and Songkran 2026 dates. Chiang Mai’s moat is the most famous battleground – absolutely bananas. Bangkok’s Silom Road is a total mess. You can’t go anywhere without getting soaked.

Expect to drink beer, Thai whisky and whatever else people hand you.

Get a waterproof bag for your phone. Don’t rent a motorbike – road fatalities spike during Songkran. Expect people to throw water on you even if you say you don’t want to get wet – accept it, don’t be the angry foreigner. Songkran means you get wet, there’s no other option.

We wish you good luck.

8. Float a krathong at Loy Krathong

November full moon. Buy or make a small krathong (flower-decorated float) for 50-200 baht, light the candle and incense, and set it on the water. Read our Loy Krathong guide. Sukhothai does it best for atmosphere. Chiang Mai combines it with Yi Peng sky lanterns the same night.

9. See the monkeys in Lopburi

Lopburi is a very unique city. Scattered with ancient ruins and a population of monkeys who literally live amongst humans and go to war with other monkey clans.

The last Sunday of November there’s a festival dedicated to feeding these monkeys, but you can just hop on a train for a few hours from Bangkok and walk 5 minutes to where all of the action is. It’s also on the way to/from Chiang Mai if that is in your itinerary.

The monkeys are very comfortable with humans, so keep your glasses in your bag, they’ll steal anything they can get their hands on.

1 day is all you need, so take the night to rest or hop back on the train when you’re done monkeying around.

10. Visit the Opium Museum at the Golden Triangle

The Hall of Opium is a serious, well-put-together museum covering the history of the opium trade in Southeast Asia – from British colonial exploitation to modern trafficking. Not what you’d expect from a small town near the Laos border. 50 baht entry (as of early 2026). Combine with a boat trip to see where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet at the Mekong. The Golden Triangle is just north of Chiang Rai.

11. Take a meditation retreat

Wat Suan Dok in Chiang Mai does free Monk Chat sessions where you sit with monks and ask questions about Buddhism. Wat Ram Poeng offers proper silent Vipassana retreats (donation-based, usually 10-26 days). If you’re ready for it, nothing else in Thailand will change you quite like it.

Suan Mokkh in Surat Thani runs popular 10-day silent retreats on the 1st of every month – bring your own mosquito repellent. No phones, no talking, wake up at 4am. It sounds intense because it is. Shorter options exist too – many temples in Chiang Mai offer 1-2 day intro retreats for beginners.

12. Temple hopping in Bangkok and Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai and Bangkok are where you’ll find many of the most significant temples. Hiring a guide or booking a tour is the best way to see them all in a day AND understand the cultural significance of each.

In Chiang Mai, the Old City has dozens of temples within walking distance – Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh, and Wat Chiang Man are the big three. Most are free entry. In Bangkok, the ones not already covered in #1 worth seeing are Wat Saket (the Golden Mount, 50 baht to climb) and Wat Traimit (home to the world’s largest solid gold Buddha, 40 baht). Wear clothes that cover knees and shoulders – every temple enforces this.

13. See the Elephant Festival in Surin

In November. Over a hundred elephants in one place for parades, demonstrations, and a recreation of ancient battle formations. See our Elephant Festival guide. It’s loud and unlike anything else in Thailand.

This festival is not super popular amongst tourists, but the locals love it. There’s definitely controversy around elephant wellbeing, but we’ll leave that for another post.

Getting to Surin is a small commitment, it’s far out of the way for most itineraries unless you’re also planning to visit other cool spots in Issan like Buriram or Ubon Ratchathani.

14. Watch the Bung Bang Fai rocket festival

Isaan’s rocket festival in Yasothon. The festival happens in multiple locations but Yasothon is the main spot. Homemade rockets are launched into the sky to encourage the rain to come. Teams compete to see whose goes highest. There’s a lot of lao khao (rice whisky) involved, which adds to the already crazy atmosphere.

One of the most fun and crazy festivals in Thailand – just like the elephant festival, it’s a bit out of the way and you’ll come away from it feeling like you’ve experienced something truly local and off the beaten path.

15. Experience the Phuket Vegetarian Festival

Very popular one, you’ve probably seen it on Instagram or elsewhere. Nine days of extreme rituals in October in Phuket. Participants pierce their cheeks with swords, walk on hot coals, and climb ladders of blades – all in a trance state. The street food during the festival is excellent and entirely meat-free. Not for the squeamish. If you’re planning to be in Phuket around this time, read our where to stay in Phuket guide.

16. Island hop the Andaman coast

The classic circuit runs from Krabi or Phuket south through Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta. Ferry passes start from 200 baht between islands. Best November to April – the Andaman gets rough during monsoon season. Can’t decide between the two? Read our Phuket vs Krabi comparison.

17. Island hop Koh Tao, Koh Phangan, and Koh Samui

Hesitant to recommend these – they can get very busy, and they are certainly some of the most popular islands in Thailand, but for a reason of course. Koh Tao is a small, absolutely beautiful island, popular for its mass Scuba Diving appeal. Phangan, famous for its full moon party and meditation and yoga retreats. Samui – a bigger, more developed island with an airport home to many expats.

All three islands are pretty close together and easy to hop between by speedboat. You can even stay on Samui and speedboat over to the full moon party.

Accessible by flying in to Samui, or taking a cheaper flight to Suratthani and then crossing over by ferry.

18. Island hop Koh Chang, Koh Mak, and Koh Kood in Trat

Another three islands in the Gulf, but we don’t hesitate to include these as part of this list. Our Thailand journey actually started in Koh Chang, decades ago, and we still visit regularly.

Koh Chang is the second biggest island in Thailand, it’s the island we always recommend first. Head here then hop over to Koh Kood and Koh Mak afterwards.

19. Experience the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan

Visiting Koh Phangan as an island hopping trip was already mentioned, but for those of you who want the ultimate beach party, we have to mention the Full Moon Party. It happens monthly on Hat Rin beach and is a total mash up off dodgy whisky buckets, tourists and Thai’s from Bangkok who want to see what all the fuss is about.

Stay safe at this one.

20. Laze on the beaches of Koh Lipe

A single island way down south, further south than Phuket. A very very beautiful island. A little more expensive than other islands but it’s worth it, especially if you’re visiting outside of high season.

Fly in to Hat Yai, find a transfer to Pak Bara pier from one of the kiosks, then it takes a few hours to get there by speed boat.

21. Visit Koh Kradan

Voted one of the world’s best beaches. A tiny island in Trang province with no permanent residents or roads. It’s a national park beach with limited accommodation. Day trips from Koh Lanta cost about 1,500 baht.

The snorkelling off the beach is some of the best in Thailand – you don’t even need a boat. There are a handful of resorts but they’re basic and book out fast in high season. The quieter months (May-October) mean rougher seas and fewer boats running, so plan around that. National park entry is 200 baht for foreigners.

22. Charter a longtail boat to a deserted island

No specific island or beach in mind here, but something we’ve often done is just walk up to a guy with a boat and ask him how much to go out exploring. It’s SO much better to have your own boat, and it’s quite affordable – 1000 baht or so, depending on the boat and where you are.

It’ll help if you can speak Thai or have a Thai person with you. Alternatively book a tour with someone reputable.

23. Spend a week on a quiet island

No bars or 7 Elevens, and ideally no roads. Spend time writing, doing creative work, or focusing on fitness. Some good islands to choose from would be Koh Mak, Koh Phayam, Koh Chang Noi (not the main Koh Chang), Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi. Even Koh Samet is quiet during the week.

24. Visit Koh Si Chang

This was a fun one when we discovered it. Koh Si Chang is just a local Thai holiday island two hours from Bangkok with almost no foreign tourists. There are no amazing beaches but it’s just cool to see a very local island that hasn’t been developed for western tourists. It costs just 50 baht for the ferry from Si Racha and you can grab a motorbike on the other side to drive yourself around.

There’s some cool temples and viewpoints, a couple of little bars and good seafood spots.

A perfect 1-3 day escape from Bangkok. Also on the way to Pattaya and Koh Chang if you’re driving by car.

25. Go sky diving near Pattaya

Tandem jumps with Thai Sky Adventures – about 30 seconds of free fall from 13,000 feet over the eastern seaboard. 10,000 baht (as of early 2026). No experience needed, they strap you to someone who knows what they’re doing. The views of the coastline on the way down are unreal. Read more on our adrenaline activities guide.

26. Snorkel or dive at Mu Koh Surin

Wilder and less crowded than the Similan Islands. A massive step up from going snorkelling or diving around Phuket or the Phi Phi islands. Read our Mu Koh Surin guide.

The snorkelling is excellent and the Moken sea gypsy community on the island gives it a cultural angle you won’t find elsewhere.

Open November to May. Day trips from Khao Lak cost 2,500-3,500 baht.

27. Build a Thai food hit list and eat your way through it

We could fill the whole list with just things to eat, so instead I think you should grab a bucket list (we’re making one) of all the best things to eat and then go nuts.

Khao Soi, Som Tam, Pad Kra Pao – do it right and try not to eat the same thing twice.

28. Take a Thai cooking class

This can be a bit of a tourist trap, but done right it’s a really cool activity and it’ll be something that sticks with you for a long time.

Ideally go private or part of a small group. Use a booking site to check which classes have the best reviews. Chiang Mai has the best selection – half-day classes cost 800-1,500 baht and usually include a trip to a local market to buy ingredients. You’ll learn 3-4 dishes. Bangkok’s classes tend to be pricier but more polished.

29. Explore Chinatown in Bangkok

China Town is busy every night, but Friday to Sunday evenings are the biggest for food. Yaowarat Road transforms into a food carnival. Roast duck on rice, dim sum, grilled squid, and durian. Some places can be quite expensive, so check first before you buy. Read more about why street food in Thailand is so good.

No need to go on a tour for this one – just turn up by taxi or MRT (subway) and enjoy. We did do a tour once and found spots we didn’t know about, but that’s up to you.

30. Try all of the 7 Eleven snacks

Japan aside, 7 Eleven in Thailand is the best. When you live here, 7 Eleven is a staple. There’s always a reason to go to 7 Eleven. The sound of the doors opening is music to our ears… “Hello, welcome” – if you know, you know.

The ham and cheese toastie is a favorite. Jelly drinks, iced lattes – you’ll need months to try it all.

31. Go cafe hopping in Chiang Mai

I don’t know if anywhere has a cafe scene quite like Chiang Mai. We’ve spent years in Chiang Mai and still haven’t visited even half of them.

Nimman is the obvious place to start, but the Old City and literally every other corner of the city is scattered with cafes of all types – coworking cafes, animal themed, cookie cafes, ice cream – the list goes on. Some worth checking out: Ristr8to (latte art legend, won world championships), Graph Cafe (Old City favourite), and the dozens of hidden garden cafes along the Ping River.

32. Get lost in Chatuchak Weekend Market

One of, if not the most popular market in Bangkok. Fifteen thousand stalls. The world’s largest weekend market. You will get lost, and that’s a good thing. Arrive early, leave before it gets too hot. Nearest station: Mo Chit BTS or Chatuchak Park MRT.

Open Saturday and Sunday 9am-6pm. There’s also a Friday evening section. Food is cheap – 50-100 baht meals everywhere. Coconut ice cream is the move when the heat gets to you. Sections 2-4 have the best vintage clothing, sections 17-19 for home decor.

33. Watch Maeklong Railway Market

You’ve seen this one on Instagram. Stalls set up directly on the railway tracks. Eight times a day, a train passes through – vendors fold their awnings back in seconds, the train rolls through inches from the goods, and everything reopens immediately after.

Train from Bangkok’s Wongwian Yai station costs almost nothing – 10-20 baht, but we preferred driving there ourselves so we could be the first on the scene in the morning for great photos (it was still busy, but still awesome).

34. Bangkok’s flower market at 3am

The wholesale flower market (Pak Khlong Talat) is most spectacular before dawn when deliveries arrive from across the country. Truckloads of orchids, jasmine garlands, marigolds under fluorescent strip lighting.

It’s all free to walk around of course. Peak action is between 3am and 5am. The market is right next to Memorial Bridge – take a taxi or Grab. If you’re buying, jasmine garlands start from 20 baht. Combine it with a late-night Chinatown food run since they’re close together.

35. Browse Chiang Mai’s night markets

The Sunday Walking Street through the Old City is the main market here. It’s VERY busy. Still has local crafts and not all mass-produced tourist gear (there’s still some of that though).

Saturday Wua Lai market on the south side of the moat is smaller and less crowded. Both worth a look if you’re a bit of a market fan. Loads of food to eat on route.

36. Get clothes custom-made in Bangkok

Getting a suit made seems odd in Thailand. I remember wondering why people would get suits made in a climate that’s so hot. But if you’re in the market for a custom suit, there’s some talent on Bangkok streets.

Do your research, don’t follow a Tuk Tuk driver’s suggestion whatever you do. Budget 5,000-15,000 baht for a decent suit with multiple fittings (as of early 2026). The good tailors need at least 3-4 days and two fittings. If someone promises a suit in 24 hours, walk away. Sukhumvit and Silom have the highest concentration of tailors.

37. Visit a shooting range

Thailand is one of the few places you can walk in off the street and fire automatic weapons. Ranges are everywhere – Pattaya, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket. 3,000-5,000 baht depending on what you want to shoot (it’s not cheap). Safety briefings are included but vary in quality, so pick a reputable place with good reviews. Definitely more regulated and safe than alternatives in Cambodia.

38. Experience Bangkok’s mega malls – Emsphere, EmQuartier, and the Emporium

Thai malls are NOT like other malls. Emsphere has a rooftop food market and live music. EmQuartier has a vertical garden waterfall inside it. The Emporium is where wealthy Bangkokians shop. All three are connected by a skywalk at BTS Phrom Phong.

Malls here have nightclubs, restaurants, cinemas, everything. Thais use them to escape the heat and hang out. You will too. Other malls worth checking out: IconSiam (right on the river, has a floating market inside), Terminal 21 (each floor themed after a different city – the toilets alone are worth the trip), and CentralWorld (one of the largest malls in Asia).

39. Spend 1-3 nights in Khao Sok and sleep in a floating cabin

Possibly one of the most beautiful places in Thailand. Khao Sok has gibbons, hornbills, and the floating raft houses on Cheow Lan Lake. There’s a ton of activities including waterfalls, day trips by boat, kayaking, trekking, etc. The most important thing for us was staying in the floating bungalows, and from there they organised all food and activities.

Park entry 300 baht (as of early 2026). Overnight raft house stays cost 2,000-4,000 baht/night. Book on Booking.com.

Note: there are two park entrances about an hour apart – the west gate and Ratchaprapha Dam. Double check which one your accommodation is near. No phone signal on the lake, so download maps and tell someone your plans. Minibuses run direct from Phuket, Krabi, and Surat Thani.

40. Sunrise at Phu Chi Fa

We’ve been three times now. A sea of clouds below you, Laos visible from the peak. Read our Phu Chi Fa guide. Way better on a motorbike than by tour van – leave Chiang Rai at 3am to reach the summit before dawn, or do what we did and stay at a guesthouse the night before. They’re basic but cheap. Best November to February.

41. See gibbons in the wild

You hear them before you see them – this whooping call that carries for kilometres through the jungle. Dawn is the best time. Khao Sok and Khao Yai both have healthy populations.

Stay overnight inside the park if you can – that’s when you hear them loudest, usually between 5:30am and 7am. Khao Sok’s raft houses (mentioned above) on Cheow Lan Lake are the best spot for this. White-handed gibbons are the most common species. Kaeng Krachan also has them but sightings are rarer.

42. Visit Kaeng Krachan for real wildlife

Thailand’s largest national park with over 480 bird species. We’re not birders ourselves but people who are tell us this is world-class. Hornbills, nightjars, pittas, broadbills. Entry is 300 baht (as of early 2026). Get a guide unless you actually know what you’re looking for.

43. Watch the sunset over the Mekong from Chiang Khan

Chiang Khan is a sleepy riverside town on the Mekong border with Laos. Walking street every evening, almost no foreign tourists, but plenty of Thai tourists. Wake up early for the morning alms ceremony – monks walk through the old wooden shophouses collecting rice at dawn.

44. Climb the Bua Tong Sticky Waterfalls

You can walk UP this waterfall. The limestone is naturally grippy even when wet. It feels wrong, like gravity isn’t working. About 90 minutes north of Chiang Mai. We’ve done this loads of times – it never gets old.

Our top tip would be to go as early as possible, be there when they open at 8:30am. It’s free (or at least it was) and it’s on everyones to-do list.

Check out the sticky waterfall tours if you’d rather have something more organized for the family etc.

45. Watch millions of bats leave their caves at dusk

At Khao Yai and several caves across central and western Thailand, millions of bats pour out of cave openings at sunset (approx 6pm). It looks like a black ribbon stretching for kilometres.

The specific spot in our photos is in Phitsanulok, we have a post on how to do this one here.

46. Trek Doi Luang Chiang Dao

This is a proper hike. The peak sits at 2,275 metres and the trail goes through cloud forest – orchids, rhododendrons, and it gets quite cold at the top. Best November to February. You’ll need a guide and a permit from the national park office.

The summit trail is only open to 30 people per day, so book your permit early at the park office. The hike is about 5 hours each way and you camp near the summit. Bring warm layers – temperatures drop to 5°C at night.

Chiang Dao is about 90 minutes north of Chiang Mai by car or bus (70 baht from Chang Phuak station). The caves at the base are also worth a visit – 40 baht entry plus 200 baht for a guide to the inner sections.

47. Explore Phraya Nakhon Cave

A royal pavilion sitting inside a collapsed cave, lit by sunlight from above. You’ve probably seen photos of it – it’s earned the hype.

Located in Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, about 50km from Hua Hin. Park entry 200 baht. The hike is 30-45 minutes uphill, mostly stairs – bring water and mosquito spray. You can skip the boat transfer and walk the whole way around the cliff (or just do it one way). Check our Phraya Nakhon Cave guide.

48. Visit Sam Pan Bok in Ubon Ratchathani

Thailand’s Grand Canyon. Thousands of rock holes carved by the Mekong over millennia. Best in dry season (December to May) when the water is low and all the formations are exposed. Deep Isaan, basically no foreign tourists. We drove out here on a road trip and had the whole place to ourselves. Read our Sam Pan Bok guide.

No public transport out here – you’ll need a car or motorbike, about two hours from Ubon Ratchathani. Visit early morning or late afternoon – there’s almost no shade and it gets brutal in the midday heat. Bring your own water and food. You can hire a boat from Had Salueng for about 500 baht per half hour to see it from the water.

49. Visit Mae Ya Waterfall in Chiang Mai

One of the tallest and most beautiful waterfalls in Thailand, inside Doi Inthanon National Park. Go in rainy season (July to November) when the water is actually flowing properly – dry season is underwhelming. Entry 300 baht for the park. Combine with a visit to the Doi Inthanon summit (you can drive all the way to the top). As with other spectacular sights, get there when it opens if you want to avoid the crowds.

50. Go cold season camping in the north

December to February, the mountains up north drop to single digits at night. Thais LOVE this – they flock to Doi Inthanon, Doi Ang Khang, and Mon Cham for the novelty of being cold. It’s actually a thing here. Bring a proper sleeping bag.

The national parks rent tents (150-300 baht/night) and sleeping bags (100 baht) so you don’t need to bring your own. Doi Ang Khang is probably the coldest spot – it’s right on the Myanmar border and regularly hits 0°C. Mon Cham is the most accessible from Chiang Mai (about an hour’s drive).

We often just find smaller private campsites that are not in National Parks by searching “camping” on Google Maps and clicking around until something with good reviews in the area we’re going to stands out. They usually all have showers, tents for rent, some have bbq etc.

51. Explore Nam Lod Cave

A massive river cave near Pai called Nam Lod (see Google Maps). Three chambers, stalactites, ancient teak coffins from an unknown civilisation (seriously), and a colony of swifts. You need a guide and a bamboo raft to get through parts of it. About 250 baht plus guide fee.

If the water level is high, you can’t go all the way in.

52. Visit Pai Canyon at sunset

A really cool spot, a must do if you’re on the Mae Hong Son loop or visiting Pai.

The place is much bigger than it looks, you can walk quite far. It’s esssentially a series of narrow sandstone ridges with drop-offs on both sides and no railings.

Free entry, 8km south of Pai on Highway 1095. Motorbike rental 200-300 baht/day from town.

Check our Pai Canyon guide.

53. Explore the Thale Noi wetlands by boat in Phatthalung

A freshwater lake covered in lotus flowers, full of waterbirds and buffalo. The sunrise boat trip here is one of the most peaceful mornings we’ve had in Thailand. Barely any foreign tourists even know about this place. Read our Thale Noi guide.

Boat tours cost 1,200 baht for up to 6 people – arrive by 5am to catch the sunrise. Best February to May when the lotus flowers are in full bloom. Minibus from Phatthalung town costs about 70 baht. The nearest airports are Trang (60km) or Hat Yai (100km). Bring a dry bag for your phone.

54. Drive or ride to Samet Nangshe viewpoint in Phang Nga

Limestone karsts rising from Phang Nga Bay at sunrise. Get there before dawn. There’s a small cafe at the top. The drive from Phuket takes about 90 minutes or just stay at one of multiple little hotel/guest houses right on the viewpoint.

55. Visit Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat

About three hours from Chiang Mai, it’s mountaintop temple near Lampang where pagodas sit on individual rocky peaks above the clouds. Getting there involves a steep but managable hike. It’s not as wild to climb as the image looks.

You can’t drive to the start, you pay 40 baht to the organised 4×4 trucks at the bottom to bring you up most of the way.

Bring water. Best in cool season (November to February) when cloud cover sits below the pagodas.

56. Ride the Mae Hong Son Loop

1,864 curves. The best road trip in the country. Goes from Chiang Mai through Pai, Mae Hong Son, and Mae Sariang. Give it four to seven days to not rush. No point in doing it in a van – take a motorbike or at least a car.

Not good for beginner riders. If you prefer four wheels, compare car rental prices on Rentalcars.com.

57. Get scuba certified or go diving

Koh Tao is the cheapest place on earth to get PADI certified – 9,500-12,000 baht for Open Water (as of early 2026). If you’re already certified, the Similans and Richelieu Rock on the Andaman side are on another level. Liveaboard trips run 8,000-25,000 baht and are 100% worth it if you can afford it. Koh Chang also has excellent diving with fewer crowds and the largest ship wreck in Thailand.

58. Go white water rafting on the Mae Taeng River

Grade 3-4 rapids, 40km north of Chiang Mai. Best June to December when there’s enough water to make it fun. Full-day trips with transport cost 1,200-2,500 baht.

59. Zipline through the jungle canopy

Flight of the Gibbon in Mae Kampong (Chiang Mai) is the most popular (but there are many). It has 34 platforms and properly long runs through actual jungle.

You spend the whole time up in the trees, flying through the jungle from platforms nested in the trees. Super fun.

60. Sea kayak in Ang Thong Marine Park

Forty-two islands accessible from Koh Samui or Koh Phangan. Kayak through sea caves, snorkel off uninhabited islands. The emerald saltwater lake on Koh Mae Ko is the bit you’ll remember. Day trips cost 2,500-3,500 baht.

61. Try rock climbing

Rock climbing is very popular in Thailand. Lots of indoor gyms throughout bigger cities like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, etc. Railay Beach in Krabi has some of the best outdoor sport climbing in Southeast Asia, with beginner routes right on the beach. Half-day intro courses cost 1,500-2,000 baht (as of early 2026). Even Khon Kaen has a scene if you find yourself in Isaan. Read our rock climbing in Thailand guide.

62. Go enduro riding in Pai

Not a gentle motorbike cruise. This is mud, river crossings, and steep hills through jungle around Pai. Proper off-road stuff. Check our enduro riding guide.

Full-day tours cost 3,500 baht with Tip Off Road – includes bike (Honda CRF250), all gear, gas, water, and lunch (as of early 2026). No experience needed – the guide customizes the route to your ability. You’ll hit remote hilltribe villages only reachable by dirtbike. Best November to February when the trails are drier.

63. Kite surf on the eastern gulf coast

Pranburi and the Hua Hin area actually have proper wind for this. Lessons cost 3,500-4,500 baht for a three-hour intro, gear hire 1,500 baht/hour. Season is November to March.

64. Try wake boarding at a Bangkok wake park

Cable wake parks are popular with Bangkok locals and ridiculously cheap compared to back home. Thai Wake Park near Bangkok charges 800 baht for a 2-hour session (as of early 2026).

Wake boarding is also available in Hua Hin.

65. Go surfing in Khao Lak or Phuket

Thailand isn’t well known for surf but the Andaman coast gets decent waves in monsoon season (May to October). Khao Lak’s Memories Beach and Phuket’s Kata Beach are the main spots. Don’t expect Bali, but it’s fun. Board hire from 300-500 baht/hour. See our Khao Lak activities guide for more.

66. Try flowboarding

Standing wave simulators at a few spots in Bangkok and Phuket. Way harder than it looks. Sessions cost about 500-800 baht for 30 minutes. Flow House Bangkok on Sukhumvit 26 is the main one – they’ve got a bar and restaurant around the wave so your friends can watch you eat it while they drink.

67. Go kayaking or paddleboarding on Koh Chang

East coast mangroves are best by kayak, west coast beaches work for paddleboarding. Get out early morning – flat water, nobody around. Hire costs 200-500 baht/hour. Read our things to do in Koh Chang guide.

68. Try freediving

Thailand has become a serious freediving destination. Koh Tao and Koh Phangan both have schools offering AIDA courses. Warm, calm water makes it a great place to learn. Courses start from around 8,000 baht for a two-day intro.

Koh Tao is the more popular spot – Blue Immersion and Apnea Total are well-known schools. Water visibility is best from March to September. If you’re already certified and want depth, the Gulf side is generally calmer than the Andaman for training.

Free diving the HTMS Chang (largest wreck in Thailand) in Koh Chang is also very cool. Depth from around 10-30m.

69. Try spearfishing in the Gulf of Thailand

Not something most people think of in Thailand, but the Gulf coast around Koh Chang and the eastern seaboard has operators who’ll take beginners out. Pretty cool way to spend a day on the water, then cook up whatever you catch. Full-day trips cost around 3,000-5,000 baht including gear (as of early 2026). Read our spearfishing guide.

70. Go bamboo rafting in Chiang Mai

The chilled version of white water rafting. You’re drifting down the Mae Taeng River on a bamboo raft with a guide steering. Half-day trips cost 800-1,500 baht.

It seems like a touristy thing to do, but the Thais love it. Once you’re done, grab a beer and some food along the river. There’s always some local restaurants at these places.

71. Visit an ethical elephant sanctuary

No riding. No tricks. No hooks. Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai is the one we recommend – a genuine rescue sanctuary where you feed elephants, walk with them, and watch them play in mud. Half-day visits cost 2,500-3,500 baht. Read more about why this matters. Book on Viator.

72. Watch racing at Chang International Circuit in Buriram

MotoGP, World Superbike, and Thai Super Series all race here. Tickets are cheap compared to European or Australian rounds and the circuit is legit. Buriram is easy to fly to from Bangkok, and the city and surrounding provinces have plenty of other things to see and do.

73. Visit the “Green Lung” Bang Krachao

Popular day trip from Bangkok. A jungle peninsula in a bend of the Chao Phraya River, right in the middle of Bangkok (it’s technically just outside of Bangkok). Read our Bang Krachao guide.

Take MRT to Khlong Toei, taxi to the pier (about 50 baht), then a 20 baht ferry across. Rent a bicycle (80-100 baht/day) and ride through raised walkways, fruit orchards, and mangroves. Feels like you’ve left the city completely. The Bang Nam Phueng Floating Market runs Saturday-Sunday mornings. Go on a weekday if you want it more quiet.

Lots of food an coffee shops over there.

74. Take a canal boat through Bangkok

The Khlong Saen Saeb canal boat is how half of Bangkok gets to work. Standing room only, spray from the bow, canvas covers flying up at every stop. Take it from Pratunam to the Golden Mount for 10 baht. See our guide to getting around Bangkok.

75. Take the Chao Phraya Express Boat

Cheapest sightseeing in Bangkok. 15-30 baht and you get temples, markets, and skyscrapers from the water. Take it from Sathorn pier north to Nonthaburi. The orange flag boat is the cheapest (15 baht flat fare), blue flag is the tourist boat (60 baht) with commentary. You may be offered private boats etc, but you don’t need those. See our guide to getting around Bangkok.

76. Take a Chao Phraya dinner cruise

The touristy version of the express boat, but done right it’s actually a good evening. Budget 1,500-3,000 baht per person for a decent one including a buffet. Wat Arun and the Grand Palace lit up at night look great from the water. The cheaper cruises are buffet-style and honestly fine, but the live music is questionable! 😂. Book on a site like Viator so you can compare current prices and reviews.

77. Snap photos of monitor lizards in Lumphini Park

Giant monitor lizards, some over a metre long, just wander around Bangkok’s main park like they own it (they do). They swim in the lake, sunbathe on the paths, and couldn’t care less about you.. Best in the morning when they’re active. MRT Lumphini is the easiest way to get here.

78. Fly through Bangkok in a questionably unsafe tuk-tuk

Despite the rumors, I’ve never seen a Tuk Tuk do a wheelie.

You always have to negotiate a price, and it’ll always be more expensive than a taxi, but there are basically no rules either. We’ve squeezed probably 10 people in one of these before, all with beers in hand.

Agree on a price before you get in – 100-200 baht for a short ride. Refuse any driver who wants to take you to a “special shop” – read our scam guide. If you’d rather skip the negotiation, use Grab instead for a normal taxi.

79. Visit Pak Kret

A riverside community north of Bangkok on an island in the Chao Phraya. Mon pottery, quiet temples, no tourists. Take a boat from Nonthaburi pier (5 baht) – Sunday market is the best time to go. Definitely a cool day trip from Bangkok that most don’t do. It’s comparable to the “Green Lung” type of activity above.

Rent a bicycle on the island and ride through the backroads past pottery kilns, old shophouses, and fruit orchards. The whole loop takes about 2-3 hours. There’s a Mon community that’s been here for centuries – their temples have a distinctly different style from Thai ones.

80. Visit at least one sky bar in Bangkok

You have to experience a rooftop bar in Bangkok Sky Bar at Lebua is the “Hangover” bar – everyone goes there. Vertigo at Banyan Tree has better views. Char at Hotel Indigo is less corporate. There are countless rooftop bars with more opening all the time. We don’t have a specific recommendation, but the Lebua was underwhelming to be honest.

All require smart casual dress. Cocktails are ridiculously expensive – 500-800 baht. Go at 5pm for sunset of course.

81. Visit the Mahanakhon SkyWalk

Thailand’s tallest building with a glass floor observation deck at 314 metres. Standing on the glass floor will get some good IG pics. Tickets around 900 baht. Best at sunset.

82. Take the overnight sleeper train to Chiang Mai

Cool experience even though it’s not much cheaper than flying. Book the second class sleeper – the berth is basically identical to first class for half the price. Food comes around on the train every so often.

Leaves Bangkok in the evening, arrives Chiang Mai around 7am. Read our Bangkok to Chiang Mai guide. 700-900 baht.

84. Rent a car and drive in any direction

Highly recommend just getting a car for an entire trip and just taking yourself all around the country on an epic road trip fueled by stops at PTT for 7 Eleven and Amazon coffee.

Motorways are good, petrol is cheap, and you can reach places that public transport doesn’t. One word of warning is that the roads here although well developed, they’re weirdly dangerous. People just don’t drive how you’d expect, drive carefully.

You’ll need an international driving permit or a Thai driving licence. Compare rental prices on Rentalcars.com.

85. Take a road trip through Isaan

Quite similar to #84. Issan is Thailand’s northeast is the biggest region and the least visited by foreigners. It’s also very difficult to travel without your own transport. Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Ubon Ratchathani – each one has something going on. The food is different. The people are different. It’s a completely different Thailand. Rent a car and explore for a week.

87. Experience Khaosan Road

Love it or hate it, you have to see it once. 9pm-2am will be the most busy, weekends even more so – chaos.

Despite what you may have heard, a ton of Thais do go here to party and mix with foreigners or visit the predominately Thai bars. Rambuttri, one street over, has a similar energy with fewer tourists.

The street food around Khaosan is good – pad thai stalls line the soi and there’s a great roti lady near the police station. If you’re staying in the area, the hostels are cheap (300-500 baht/night for a dorm bed) but don’t expect much sleep. It’s walking distance to the Grand Palace, maybe combine the two.

88. Have a crazy night out in Bangkok

Bangkok’s nightlife goes from rooftop cocktails to underground techno to Khao San Road chaos. It’s as deep and crazy as any story you may have heard, probably even more than you imagine. Thonglor for cocktail bars, Soi 11 for clubs, RCA for Thai nightlife, Ekkamai for the cool-kid scene. The city doesn’t really get going until midnight. Budget varies wildly – that’s up to you.

89. Walk the Walking Street in Pattaya

Don’t bring the kids. Maybe get permission from the wife 😂 Neon lights, lots of women, go-go bars, beer bars, clubs, and a scene that’s unlike anywhere else on earth. You don’t have to participate to find it fascinating. Best after 10pm.

90. Visit a go-go bar

Not here to recommend or judge. If you want to experience it then you should go. Unlike ping pong shows and various other questionable acitivites. Go-go bars are legitimate and not a scam. With that said it is most ideal if you research and know the rules before you go.

91. See a live fire show on the islands

Fire skipping ropes, fire staff, fire poi – performed nightly at beach bars and hotels on most tourist focused islands. It’s pretty incredible to see for real. Free to watch but you’re expected to buy drinks at the host bar and they will usually walk around with a bucket for tips.

92. Visit a music festival – Wonderfruit, Mycelium, or similar

Thailand’s festival scene is growing fast. Wonderfruit (Pattaya, December) is the big one – think Burning Man meets tropical Asia. Mycelium is smaller and weirder. International DJs, art installations, Thai craft beer. Tickets from 5,000-15,000 baht depending on the festival.

93. Get a traditional Thai massage from a proper therapist

Traditional Thai massage is nothing like a spa massage. Someone is using their entire bodyweight on your pressure points. You’ll feel rearranged afterwards – in a good way. 200-500 baht/hour. Wat Pho’s school in Bangkok is where it all started.

Street-side massages are fine for a quick foot rub, but for a proper traditional massage, go to a shop with good reviews.

Interesting: Chiang Mai’s Lila Thai Massage hires women released from prison as part of a rehabilitation program – great massages, good cause.

94. Work out at a local Thai gym

There’s a gym in almost every Thai town, usually with decent equipment and aircon. Day passes cost 100-200 baht. Month passes 1,000-2,500 baht. Way cheaper than anywhere in Europe and you’ll meet locals who are curious about the farang working out next to them.

Jetts and Fitness First are the chains if you want something familiar, but local gyms are cheaper and more interesting. Most open 6am-10pm. Bangkok and Chiang Mai have a growing CrossFit and functional fitness scene too if that’s your thing.

95. Learn some Thai

Even basic phrases change how people treat you. “Sawadee krap/ka” (hello), “kop khun krap/ka” (thank you), “mai pet” (not spicy), and “check bin” (the bill) will get you through 80% of interactions somehow. Read our Thai etiquette guide and beginner tips for Thailand for more.

96. Dating in Thailand

Thailand is open and social in a way that a lot of countries just aren’t. Read our dating in Thailand guide. Dating apps work well (Tinder, Bumble, ThaiFriendly), people are approachable in person, and mixed couples are completely normal. The culture around dating is relaxed and direct – at least on the surface.

97. Visit the Million Bottle Temple (Wat Lan Khuat)

A temple in Sisaket province built entirely from beer bottles – 1.5 million of them. Green Heineken bottles for the walls, brown Chang bottles for the roof. It’s bizarre and kind of beautiful, and it’s in the middle of nowhere in Isaan.

Free entry. About 2 hours from Ubon Ratchathani by car. The monks started collecting bottles in the 1980s and just never stopped. There’s a whole complex now – sleeping quarters, a crematorium, even the toilets are made from bottles. Combine with a trip to nearby Pha Taem National Park to see 3,000-year-old cliff paintings and the first sunrise point in Thailand.

98. Take a boat ride through Tham Le Khao Kob cave in Trang

A limestone cave you boat through. At one point the ceiling drops so low you have to lie flat in the boat, then it opens up into this massive chamber. The whole thing takes about 30 minutes. Trang province, southern Thailand.

Boat rides cost 400-600 baht for the whole boat (fits 2-3 people). Trang doesn’t get the attention that Krabi or Phuket get, but that’s exactly why we like it.

99. Visit the Death Railway Museum and ride the Death Railway in Kanchanaburi

The bridge itself is a bit touristy – you can walk across it in five minutes. The real experience is the museum (JEATH War Museum, 40 baht) and taking the actual train from Kanchanaburi to Nam Tok through the gorge. The wooden trestle section was built by POWs during WW2 and looking down from the open carriage windows will make your hands sweat.

Train costs ~100 baht. Kanchanaburi is about three hours from Bangkok.

100. Get lost in Thailand

If you have the time and you still need more things to do, rent a car, or a motorbike and just drive. You could even do what we did and make a challenge to see how many provinces you can visit.

Almost every destinationin Thailand has something special in it. Get out there with Google Maps, an open mind, and see what you can find.