THAIest

The list of the most popular Thailand cities, most beautiful islands, and the best places to visit, with detailed Thailand tourist map and tourist places. Discover the best things to do in Thailand tourist destinations. Choose the places to visit and you will get detailed information about attractions, how to get there, best places to stay and weather conditions.

Thailand Cities, Islands & Tourist Places

As Thailand is a big country, the most popular cities, islands and other tourist places in Thailand are grouped by region.

Bangkok

Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is one of the biggest and most vibrant cities in Southeast Asia. The city also known as the City of Angels and Venice of the East has many possibilities for sightseeing, shopping, eating, nightclubbing or just relaxing.

Bangkok

Rattanakosin is the historic center of Bangkok, located along the Chao Phraya River. It is the most visited area of the entire Thai capital, which contains some of the most famous historical attractions and important buildings in the capital.

Khao San Road is the most popular location to stay in Bangkok between backpackers and solo travelers who like to connect.

Chinatown, also known as Yaowarat, is one of the oldest and most unique cultural areas of Bangkok, which was established by Chinese merchants. The streets of Chinatown are full of colorful buildings and decorations as well as Chinese style attractions, restaurants and markets.

Riverside offers a relaxing atmosphere with spectacular views of the river and is becoming increasingly popular among tourists as it is close to most of the cultural-historical attractions.

Sukhumvit is known as the central area that is bustling with business centers, shopping complexes, numerous dining spots, unlimited nightlife with countless rooftop bars and two popular red-light districts.

For more popular tourist places in the capital city, check best areas in Bangkok.

Popular places to visit in Bangkok:

Grand Palace, the Emerald Buddha Temple, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and Maeklong Railway Market

Muay Thai Boxing Stadium

Central Thailand Cities & Tourist Places

Central Thailand is rich in history with ancient city of Ayutthaya, Khmer temples of Lopburi and Death Railway in Kanchanaburi. It is also known for its natural beauty with its landscape of mountains, forests, rivers, caves and waterfalls.

Central Thailand

Ayutthaya is the old capital of Siam (old name of Thailand). Ayutthaya Historical Park now is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can find still existing temples, palaces and other buildings, some of them well preserved.

Kanchanaburi is a city, located at the confluence of the Kwai Noi and Kwai Yai rivers. Kanchanaburi is not only interesting place to visit by itself due to its WWII history but is also used as a base for exploring cultural, natural, and historical attractions found in the surrounding area.

Nakhon Pathom is one of the oldest cities in Thailand, located just 50 km west of Bangkok. Nakhon Pathom is famous for its giant Phra Pathom Chedi which is one of the tallest in the world.

Lopburi is the city influenced by Khmers and a number of Khmer temple ruins still exist in the city. Nowadays the city is famous for its large monkey population.

Popular places to visit in Central Thailand:

Ayutthaya Temples

Elephant Sanctuary & Erawan Waterfall

Monkey Temple

Eastern Thailand Cities, Islands & Tourist Places

Eastern Thailand is best known for its beautiful beaches. Pattaya is famous for its nightlife and seaside resorts, Koh Samet is a nice small island in a national marine park and Koh Chang is a big island with white-sand beaches, waterfalls and jungle.

Eastern Thailand

Pattaya is a vibrant coastal city which is busy from sunrise to sunset as well as after dark. City’s beaches are crowded with sun bathers and water sports lovers. After dark, the streets of the resort city are full of action.

Koh Chang is one of Thailand's most beautiful islands with long white sandy beaches, flourishing coral reefs, jungle covered mountains and spectacular waterfalls. The island is a great place for jungle trekking, snorkelling and scuba diving.

Koh Samet is an island in Rayong Province. This nice small island is a part of national marine park. Koh Samet has a number of wonderful beaches scattered around the island and is a perfect place for a relaxing beach holiday not far from Bangkok.

Koh Larn, also known as the Coral Island, is a wonderful small island in the Gulf of Thailand, about 7 km west of Pattaya city. Koh Larn is famous for beautiful beaches with fine white sand, clear emerald water and a variety of coral and marine life.

Chachoengsao is a province in Eastern Thailand, not far from Bangkok City. Chachoengsao is distinguished by being the old town of Bang Pakong waterfront which has important temples for Thai people. Natural resources in Chachoengsao are also considered to be rich in life.

Si Racha is located in Chonburi, on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand, 120 km from Bangkok. Si Racha is not a popular tourist city, as in the area there are industrial estates with many large factories. However, here you will find Koh Sichang, the most famous island in this area.

Koh Kood is an island in Trat province. The island is famous for its solitude and tropical scenery and attracts tourists from all over the world. It is a tourist destination not to be missed if you want to get away from hustle of daily life to immerse yourself in the real island life and nature.

Popular places to visit in Eastern Thailand:

Islands around Pattaya

The Sanctuary of Truth

Reefs around Koh Chang

Southern Thailand Cities, Islands & Tourist Places

Southern Thailand offers a huge variety of options for a perfect beach vacation. On the West coast you can find Andaman sea and it's beautiful limestone islands, on the East coast the Gulf of Thailand and Koh Samui archipelago is waiting for you.

West Coast of Southern Thailand

Andaman Coast is offering a huge variety of options for perfect beach holidays. On the West Coast you can choose one of Andaman sea islands such as Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, or opt for coastal beach in Krabi or Khao Lak.

Railay Beach (Krabi)

Phuket is the largest island of Thailand. The island is situated in the Andaman Sea waters off the west coast of Southern Thailand. Phuket is among the finest beach destinations in the world.

Khao Lak is a coastal resort area on the Andaman coast of Thailand. Located in Phang Nga province, it is one of the most popular seaside resort areas for tourism, located just 80 km north of Phuket Airport.

Krabi, a coastal province at the Andaman Sea, is a popular beach destination in Southern Thailand. Krabi province abounds with plenty of natural attractions including over 150 islands, gorgeous white sand beaches, turquoise water, flourishing coral reefs, towering limestone cliffs, numerous caves and waterfalls.

Koh Phi Phi is a small archipelago of six islands in Southern Thailand. Phi Phi islands are widely considered to be amongst the most beautiful islands in the world and are some of the most popular Thai islands.

Ao Nang is a famous beach town in Krabi, which is part of Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park and the center of tourism. Ao Nang is spread out along the beach road on Andaman Coast for 6 kilometers. The scenery here is really beautiful with mountains between the beaches.

Located just south of Ao Nang Beach, Railay is a small peninsula with four beaches. Though the area is on the peninsula, Railay feels like an island because it is unreachable by road because of the high limestone cliffs that cut off access from the mainland and is accessible only by boat.

Koh Lanta is an island in the Andaman Sea and part of Krabi province in Southern Thailand. Koh Lanta is located about 80 kilometers south of Krabi Town and is much more laid-back travel destination than province’s most popular spots.

Krabi Town is the administrative capital of Krabi province. One of Southern Thailand cities itself is not the top destination but it‘s still a charming local town located along the banks of a river.

Koh Ngai is a tiny island between Krabi and Trang provinces that is extremely deserted and quiet so you can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. There is a white sandy beach located on the east of the island and coral reefs near the beach.

Koh Yao Noi is a small island which sits halfway between Phuket and Krabi in the middle of Phang Nga Bay. The archipelago here is beautiful with islets around the island that are ideal for tourists who like peace and quiet.

Koh Yao Yai is a charming area of outstanding natural beauty consisting of a cluster of small islands nearby Phuket in scenic Phang Nga Bay. The way of life on the island continues to exist in the midst of truly beautiful and peaceful nature.

Ranong is a small border city and a major fishing and trading port in Southern Thailand. It is the capital of the southern province named the same which is the northernmost province on the west coast.

Koh Phayam is located on the Andaman Sea in Ranong province which is still surrounded by basic natural environment.

Popular places to visit in the Andaman Sea:

Phi Phi Islands

James Bond Island

Similan Islands

East Coast of Southern Thailand

The East Coast also has a wide choice of destinations for beach holidays. Here the Gulf of Thailand and its picturesque islands such as Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao wait for you as well as coastal resorts of Hua Hin and Cha-Am.

Southern Thailand

Koh Samui is an island located in the Gulf of Thailand, on the east coast of Southern Thailand. It is the third biggest island in Thailand and the largest in an archipelago of more than 80 islands.

Koh Phangan is one of the most popular backpacker destinations in Thailand, located in the Gulf of Thailand. Koh Phangan is known for the legendary full moon parties that attract tens of thousands of travelers but the island offers so much more.

Koh Tao, also known as the Turtle Island, is a must visit place in Southern Thailand if you are a fan of dream beaches and magnificent seabed.

Hua Hin is the oldest and most traditional holiday resort in Thailand popular not only with foreigners but also Thais. Besides its 8 kilometre long beach, the city provides historical sites, golf courses, shopping opportunities, various accommodation options and great restaurants.

Cha-Am is a small resort town just 25 km north of Hua Hin. Cha-Am is one of favorite holiday and weekend destinations for Thais.

Nakhon Si Thammarat is one of the most ancient cities of Thailand and the second biggest province in Southern Thailand after Surat Thani. There are plenty of wonderful cultural and natural attractions in Nakhon Si Thammarat but it is still not as well-known as other destinations in the south and quite rarely visited by foreigners.

Songkhla is a province and a city in southern Thailand, near the border with Malaysia. The city is located 80 km from the Malaysian border. Songkhla is one of the oldest coastal tourist towns in the south with Hat Yai being the main commercial, entertainment and tourism center.

Popular places to visit in the Gulf of Thailand:

Ang Thong Marine Park

Pig Island

Reefs around Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan

Northern Thailand Cities & Tourist Places

Northern Thailand is home to stunning natural scenery featuring dense jungle and stunning mountainous beauty. This part of the country offers a change of pace and is an ideal place to relax and soak up the local authentic Thai atmosphere.

Northern Thailand

Chiang Mai is the capital of Chiang Mai Province and the largest city in Northern Thailand. Chiang Mai is a place to relax. You can find fabulous food and real Thai atmosphere here wandering around the backstreets of the city.

Chiang Rai is a city in Northern Thailand, where you can avoid the crowds while exploring nature of the region, visiting remote hill tribes and checking out the Golden Triangle, famous for being the former centre of the world’s opium trade.

Sukhothai is a small city in Northern Thailand. The city is famous for the ruins of the ancient city Sukhothai. The historic town of Sukhothai with related areas is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Pai is a popular destination for both foreign and local tourists during the high season in Thailand which coincides with Thai winter. Pai is small but constantly growing mainly thanks to the increasingly numerous people attracted by the beauty of its alternative environment of the mountains and stunning landscapes.

Popular places to visit in Northern Thailand:

Elephant Sanctuary & Waterfall

Doi Inthanon National Park

White Temple

Isaan Cities & Tourist Places

Northeast Thailand, known as Isaan, is one of the most authentic areas that is often overlooked when traveling Thailand. If you want to experience Thailand as it once was, rural and agricultural Northeast Thailand should be your choice.

Northeast Thailand

Khao Yai is one of the most unique areas to visit in Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima province in the northeast of Thailand. Khao Yai is the name of the national park, covering an area of 2168 square kilometers. Khao Yai is an ideal destination for tourists and locals who want to relax within natural and a peaceful environment.

Nakhon Ratchasima, also known as Korat, is a province in Northeastern Thailand (Isaan). The province is rich in Khmer culture and has a long history. All ranges of tourist attractions can be found throughout the province from beautiful landscapes, many waterfalls, forests and mountains.

Fourth largest city in the country, Khon Kaen plays an important role as the center of the commercial, education and political in the northeastern region. The city is one of the off-the-beaten-path Thai destinations.

Udon Thani is a big province in the northeastern region. Located on the north side of Korat, it serves as another center of transportation and tourism in Isaan of Thailand. The city is surrounded by agricultural areas and many prehistoric ruins with ancient history.

Nong Khai is the town where the First Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge and Thailand - Laos border crossing is located.

Chiang Khan is a small peaceful town in Loei province in Northeast Thailand, located on the bank of the Mekong River with Laos on the other side of the river. Chiang Khan is an old town and a very popular destination for Thai tourists. The town is famous for its simple wooden houses adapted to be guest houses, coffee shops, and souvenir shops.

Surin is a province in the lower Northeastern region or "Southern Isan". It is a quiet and peaceful local city except for the Elephant Festival held in November every year. Surin is also home to Khmer influences where various Khmer ruins can be found.

Si Sa Ket is located in lower northeastern Thailand. As Si Sa Ket borders Cambodia, the city is rich with Khmer Ruins, it is another interesting destination for tourist.

Popular places to visit in Northeastern Thailand:

Khao Yai National Park

Phu Phra Bat Historical Park

Archaeological Site Ban Chiang

Thailand Tourist Map

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