Where To Go In Thailand: Best Places For 2026

Bangkok’s energy, Chiang Mai’s calm, Andaman islands’ beaches, and hidden Isaan culture await you.

Trying to decide where to go in Thailand can feel confusing, so this guide makes everything simple. I’ve spent years exploring the country—walking through busy cities, resting in quiet temples, and hiking in wild national parks. Each place showed me a different side of Thailand, and I learned what works best for different types of trips.

In this guide, you’ll get clear tips, real stories, and simple routes you can follow. I’ll help you understand which places are good for food, culture, nature, shopping, beaches, or nightlife. You’ll also learn how long to stay, the best times to visit, and how to move around without stress.

By the end, planning where to go in Thailand will feel easy, and you’ll know exactly which places match your mood, your time, and your budget.

How to choose where to go in Thailand

Start with what you want most. Beaches, culture, food, nature, or nightlife. Then match places to your season, budget, and pace.

Key filters I use when planning where to go in thailand:

• Season and weather. Andaman side (Phuket, Krabi) is driest Nov to Apr. Gulf side (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan) is driest Jan to Aug.
• Trip length. Short trips stay near Bangkok or one island hub. Longer trips add the north or a national park.
• Budget style. Street food and guesthouses keep costs low. Private boats and resorts raise them fast.
• Comfort level. Big cities are easy. Rural areas feel more local and calm.

Pro tip from many trips: move in a simple arc. North to south, or city to coast. This cuts backtracking and saves time.

Bangkok: the electric heart

Bangkok sets the tone. It blends gold temples with sky bars and street food. Visit the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun. Ride boats on the Chao Phraya at sunset.

Do not miss:

• Chinatown for late-night eats.
• Chatuchak Market on weekends.
• A day trip to Ayutthaya for ruins and calm.

I plan Bangkok first when mapping where to go in thailand. It helps with flights and trains. My favorite evening is a simple walk from Tha Tien pier to Wat Arun, then noodles nearby.

Mistakes to avoid:

• Rushing the temples. Go early to beat heat.
• Skipping the river. Boats feel like a city cheat code.

Northern Thailand: culture, mountains, and slow travel

Chiang Mai is your base in the north. It has calm lanes, old walls, and soft light at dawn. Take a cooking class. Visit Doi Suthep at sunrise. Wander night markets for khao soi.

Chiang Rai offers the White Temple and the Blue Temple. Pai is a small valley town with hot springs and easy motorbike rides. If you want depth in where to go in thailand, the north gives it.

Tips I learned:

• Choose ethical elephant sanctuaries that do not offer rides.
• Time your trip for Yi Peng lanterns or Songkran if crowds are fine for you.

Weather note: cool, dry months from Nov to Feb are ideal for treks and clear views.

Islands and beaches: Andaman vs Gulf

The Andaman Sea has karst cliffs and teal water. Think Phuket, Krabi, Railay, Koh Lanta, and the Similan Islands. The Gulf side feels softer and less dramatic. Think Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, and farther east to Koh Chang and Koh Kood.

How to choose where to go in thailand for beaches:

• For clear seas and cliffs: base in Krabi or Railay, with boat trips to the Phi Phi area.
• For diving: Koh Tao is simple and great for beginners.
• For chill families: Koh Lanta is easy and relaxed.
• For party energy: Koh Phangan’s Full Moon scene, but the island also has quiet bays.
• For castaway vibes: Koh Kood and Koh Chang are lush and slow.

Best months:

• Andaman: Nov to Apr.
• Gulf: Jan to Aug, with pockets of sun even later.

Personal note: I return to Koh Lanta when I need space. The sunsets feel like time stops. It is a top answer when friends ask where to go in thailand for a calm beach base.

Central and historical Thailand: ruins, rivers, and quiet towns

Ayutthaya and Sukhothai are UNESCO-listed and easy to love. Rent a bike. Glide between brick chedis, lotus ponds, and soft light. Each site shows the roots of Thai art and faith.

Kanchanaburi offers the River Kwai, the Death Railway, and Erawan Falls. It balances history with green escapes. If you ask where to go in thailand beyond beaches, this region is a strong pick.

Good picks:

• Lopburi for monkeys and ruins.
• Amphawa floating market for weekend food trips from Bangkok.

Travel tip: take the train to Ayutthaya for a slow view of life along the rails.

National parks and wildlife: the wild heart

Khao Sok is a top choice for nature lovers. Sleep in a raft house on Cheow Lan Lake. Wake to mist and gibbon calls. It is one of my best memories in Thailand.

Khao Yai is great for a quick escape from Bangkok. Doi Inthanon has cool air and the highest peak. Erawan adds waterfall steps and clear pools.

What to know when choosing where to go in thailand for nature:

• Book guides for safety and better wildlife chances.
• Follow park rules. Stay on trails. Keep a safe distance from animals.
• Dry season gives better trails. Wet season brings lush views and fewer crowds.

Isaan: the underrated northeast

Isaan holds deep culture, temples, and bold food. You will meet fewer tourists and more local life. Try Ubon Ratchathani for candle festivals. See Khmer ruins at Phimai near Nakhon Ratchasima. Visit Pha Taem’s cliff art near the Mekong.

Food highlights:

• Som tam (papaya salad), grilled chicken, and sticky rice.
• Larb with fresh herbs and spice.

If you want real insight on where to go in thailand off the main path, Isaan is it. My best street meals were here, shared with people who insisted I try one more dish.

Eat your way through Thailand: markets, classes, and must-tries

Food is a map. It shows you where to go in thailand by taste. In the north, try khao soi and sai ua sausage. In the south, enjoy gaeng som and seafood grills. In Bangkok, hunt for boat noodles and mango sticky rice.

Ideas you can use:

• Join a half-day cooking class in Chiang Mai or Bangkok.
• Visit night markets like Chiang Mai’s Ploen Ruedee or Krabi Town’s weekend market.
• Take a street food tour to learn safe stalls and must-order plates.

Quick safety notes:

• Look for busy stalls with high turnover.
• Drink bottled water. Ice is often factory-made and fine in cities.

Sample itineraries for every trip length

Use these as a base, then tune to your season and style. They keep the flow simple and help you decide where to go in thailand without stress.

5 to 7 days

• Bangkok for 2 to 3 days for temples, markets, and a river day.
• Add Ayutthaya or Kanchanaburi for 1 day.
• Fly to one beach hub for 2 to 3 days.

10 to 14 days

• Bangkok for 2 days.
• Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai or Pai for 4 to 5 days.
• Fly to Krabi or Koh Samui for 4 to 5 days.

3 weeks

• Bangkok and Ayutthaya for 3 days.
• North loop for 6 to 7 days with trekking or a retreat day.
• Khao Sok for 2 days.
• Islands for 6 to 7 days based on season.
• Add a day in Isaan if you want a deeper cut.

Practical tips that change your trip

These notes come from many loops through the country. They help you plan where to go in thailand and how to move well.

Money and phones

• ATMs are common but add fees. Withdraw larger amounts less often.
• Get a local eSIM at the airport for easy data.

Transport

• Domestic flights save time. Trains are scenic and cheap.
• Ferries link islands. Check last-boat times to avoid delays.

Health and safety

• Use sunscreen and bug spray. Pack a light rain jacket.
• Respect dress codes at temples. Cover shoulders and knees.
• Trust your gut at night. Thailand is friendly, but normal care still applies.

Etiquette

• Smile. Be kind. Small gestures go far.
• Take off shoes before entering homes and many shops.

Budget ranges per day per person

• Backpacker: 30 to 50 USD with dorms and street food.
• Mid-range: 60 to 120 USD with boutique stays and tours.
• Luxury: 150+ USD with villas, guides, and private boats.

Frequently Asked Questions of where to go in thailand

Where to go in Thailand for first-time travelers?

Start with Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and one island hub. This set gives culture, food, and beach time with easy travel links.

Where to go in Thailand for the best beaches?

For cliffs and blue water, choose Krabi, Railay, or Koh Lanta. For calm bays and family stays, pick Koh Samui or Koh Kood.

Where to go in Thailand in the rainy season?

Pick the Gulf islands like Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao from Jan to Aug. You can still find sun pockets and calm seas.

Where to go in Thailand for wildlife and hiking?

Go to Khao Sok, Khao Yai, and Doi Inthanon. Join guided hikes for safety and better sightings.

Where to go in Thailand for culture and history?

Visit Ayutthaya, Sukhothai, and Chiang Mai. Add Isaan for Khmer ruins and rich local life.

Is Phuket or Krabi better?

Phuket has more flights, beaches, and nightlife. Krabi feels smaller and closer to Railay’s cliffs and island trips.

How many days do I need to see the highlights?

Seven to ten days cover a city, a north stop, and a beach. Two weeks lets you add a national park or slower days.

Conclusion

Thailand can be many trips in one. City lights, quiet ruins, wild lakes, and soft sand are all close at hand. With a clear plan, you can map where to go in thailand to match your season, mood, and budget.

Pick your base, keep your route simple, and leave space for wonder. Book your dates, sketch your loop, and start packing. If this guide helped, subscribe for more smart routes or drop your questions in the comments.