Thailand’s Top 11 Gems: Must-Visit Thai Destinations

Thailand is a vibrant country with stunning places and a long, fascinating history that draws people from all over. It’s got the crowded capital with its wild nightlife, gorgeous beaches in the south, ancient ruins of kingdoms that ruled the subcontinent, and some of the best food on earth at amazing prices.

I just spent 10 weeks in Thailand exploring the whole country and only left because my visa was about to expire. I went in expecting to go to a place that might be too touristy and left with Thailand being one of my favorite countries on Earth. So, let’s go over the top 11 must-visit Thai destinations for your trip that will make your experience just as special. 

Bangkok

You don’t need to be introduced to Bangkok, the most visited city on earth in 2023 with over 22 million visitors. The vibrant capital of Thailand has a lot to offer among the chaos and craziness. Bangkok has been the capital since 1782, when King Rama I officially declared so. 

Some of the many highlights include historic temples like the famous Wat Pho and other holy sites and the former royal residence on the grounds of the Grand Palace. Also, Lumbini Park will give you a piece of calm in the thriving, busy city if you’re looking for it. Now, if you are looking to go wild Bangkok-style, go to Khao San Road to observe the madness of people eating crocodiles, drinking buckets of mixed drinks, and so much more. Don’t go too hard, though, or you might end up in a hospital, like me. If you need help planning your Bangkok trip, check out the blog post I wrote on a Comprehensive Guide to Traveling Bangkok. 

Here are two of the best hostels in Bangkok, in my opinion:

• Bed Station Hostel
• NapPark Hostel at Khao San

If you’re looking for privacy in a hotel, these are good options: 

• Casa Luna
• AETAS Lumpini

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is the cultural hub of Northern Thailand. It is the second largest city in Thailand after Bangkok. In fact, Chiang Mai was the capital of Lan Na. You can visit the Huay Tung Tao Lake if you want a somewhat unknown area. Also check out the elephant sanctuaries nearby for a day trip with a lot of fun with the majestic creatures. It was amazing! Make sure you go to one that won’t let you ride an elephant (and is ethical in other practices). Also, the night bazaar and street markets in general are some of the most outstanding experiences in Chiang Mai. If you’re into exploring the surrounding nature beyond the sanctuary, there are the “sticky” waterfalls that you can scale up. I spent over 2 weeks in this city because it was just so nice and relaxing.

My hostel suggestions in Chiang Mai:

• Stamps Backpackers
• Mad Monkey Chiang Mai

Recommended hotels:

• The Guest Hotel
• Villa Thai Orchid

Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai, in the mountains of northern Thailand, is a city that feels like stepping into a living postcard, especially with the close borders of Laos and Myanmar. This was the capital of Lan Na before Chiang Mai took its place. Chiang Rai has some famous temples like the Blue temple and the White Temple. and also works perfectly as a base for trips to the mountainous regions in nearby areas. Especially, Phu Chi Fa Mountain and the national forest should be a place of interest for any traveler.

Best hostels in Chiang Rai: 

• Mercy Hostel
• Backpack Hostel

If budget isn’t a constraint for you, you can also check out these hotels in Chiang Rai: 

• Na Na Doo Homestay
• Laluna Hotel and Resort

Ayutthaya 

Ayutthaya, located around 80 kilometers north of Bangkok, was once the thriving capital of the Kingdom of Siam and a busy international port from 1350 until the Burmese destroyed it in 1767.  Today, the ruins of this old city make up the Ayutthaya Historical Park, a fascinating archaeological site filled with ancient palaces, Buddhist temples, monasteries, and statues.

Here are the top hostels in Ayutthaya: 

• Nakara Hostel
• Baan Mee Suk

You can also look at these hotel suggestions in Ayutthaya: 

• Niwas Ayutthaya
• Baan Tye Wang Guesthouse

Ao Nang Beach

If you’re looking for natural beauty, Ao Nang Beach near Krabi is the way to go. It is nature’s playground with spectacular landscapes. You can hire boats to visit nearby beaches on the islands. The beach itself is one of the best I have ever seen during sunsets. Also, the main street is a bustling hub of restaurants, pubs, and shops. Just remember that if you’re looking for beaches near Krabi, don’t actually stay at the city center in Krabi (which is just a big city), but stay at/near Ao Nang.

My suggested hostels in Ao Nang, Krabi: 

• Hangover Hostel
• Nomads

Here are two good hotels that you can check: 

• Pagi Pagi Villas
• Vipa Tropical Resort

Koh Phi Phi

Phi Phi Islands are another must-visit place near Krabi. This is nearly picture-perfect. The crystal clear waters are welcoming, and the postcard-worthy islands look very beautiful. The nature here is preserved by national park status. It is also quite the party spot for tourists, old and young.

You can also go and visit the uninhabited Koh Phi Phi Leh. If anyone remembers the classic travel film, “The Beach”, with Leonardo Dicaprio, Maya Bay is where he killed that shark in that famous scene. That beach is still accessible, but only on a tour. You can’t really get in the water for natural preservation, but it is still quite the sight. Also, the Viking cave and Mosquito Island are quite nice. But you should leave Mosquito Island before sunset because of the mosquito swarms. 

If you’re looking for hostels, here are two good options in Koh Phi Phi: 

• Blanco Central Hostel (definitely more of a party hostel so great for socializing and not the best for sleeping)
• Phi Phi Ocean Club

You can also go for these hotels: 

• Phi Phi Bayview Resort
• PP Erawan Palms Resort  

Pai

Pai is the most hippie town in Thailand. In contrast to southern Thailand, the town moves at a slow and smooth pace. The town is quite well-known among backpackers, and it’s easy to see why. There’s organic food, cheap hostels, plenty of of late-night jungle raves, and insane jungle-tubing day-parties twice a week. 

But it’s not just about parties and people. You can take your scooter out on any scenic road in any direction on the Mae Hong Son loop and end up in gorgeous places. There are the Tham Lot caves with underground rivers where you can (during the dry season) take a bamboo raft across guided by lantern light, under thousands of bats near the cave roof 60 m above you. Or you can just go to the nearby gorgeous Pai Canyon for insane sunsets and some canyoneering. If you want to know more, I made a video about this, documenting my experience in Pai. It was undoubtedly one of my two favorite places that I visited in Thailand. I got stuck in the “Pai hole” for only 12 days. 😉

Two best hostels in Pai:

• Nolo Hub
• Revolution Pai in Town

And If you want a hotel, check the options below: 

• The Countryside Pai
• Pai Village Boutique Resort

Koh Tao

My other favorite place in Thailand, Koh Tao is a paradise for those who love beautiful sunsets/sunrises in secret cafes or on the beach. It’s very popular with travelers who want to go scuba-diving during the day or go to jungle parties at night with techno/house music, or do both. The heart of the island’s social life beats in Mae Haad Beach and the area around Sai Ri Beach, where restaurants, lively bars, and dive shops are abundant. Koh Tao is famous for its crystal-clear waters and tropical coral reefs, home to an amazing array of marine life, including whale sharks and rays. It also is the second cheapest place on earth to get certified to scuba dive, so a great place to try it out if you haven’t already.

Here are my recommendations for hostels in Koh Tao:

• CK Hostel
• Revolution Koh Tao

You can check the hotels below as well:

• Grand Beach Resort
• Ban’s Diving Resort 

Railay Beach

Consistently ranked as one of the best beaches on the palnet, Railay Beach offers a unique beach surrounded by mountains. Despite being on the mainland, the mountains ensure that it is only accessible by long-tail boats and this keep it from getting too crowded like Phuket The cliff-carved beaches offer a breathtaking view of the tranquil natural beauty. Also, there are rock-climbing schools that you can hire for around 1000-1500 Bahts (2024 prices). Railay Beach is an excellent destination for vistors to enjoy tropical jungle hikes, warm sandy beaches, and cold beer. I expected this to be overrated but left seeing one of the most beautiful beaches I have seen in my life.

Here are two great options for hostels in Railay Beach:

• Blanco Hideout Railay
• Social Quarters

You can check out these hotel options as well:

• Avatar Railay
• Railay Garden View Resort

Koh Pha Ngan

If you’re looking for a stereotypical Southeast Asian party, the Full Moon Party of Koh Pha Ngan is for you. If you don’t like the most touristy place/party in Asia, then please avoid this island during the week of the full-moon party. Once in the Full Moon party was enough for a lifetime for me, but there are plenty of other fun things to do around the island, amazing parties throughout the month other than the Full Moon Party (look up Eden Club if you like electronic music), and a never-ending list of yoga/spiritual retreats. The island had better infrastructure than Koh Tao and had some really sick viewpoints too. Also this was by far my favorite island in Thailand to drive my scooter around (just rent one at the pier). If you re confident in your driving skills going uphill and downhill steep dirt roads, I would highly recommend going up to this gorgeous viewpoint with a restaurant and a pool called Secret Mountain Viewpoint.

Looking for hostels in Koh Pha Ngan? Check out my suggestions below:

• Hideout Hostel
• The Nomad House

You can also look at these two hotets:

• Tiki Beach Koh Phangan
• Vannee Golden Sands Beachfront Resort

Khao Sok National Park

We end our list with the Khao Sok National Park in Surat Thani, southern Thailand. This is a hidden gem in the heart of Thailand and the most beautiful place in Thailand according to many visitors. Although the accommodation here is quite rustic, they can be affordable if you book in person and offer an immersive experience where you won’t have cellphone reception for the time you are there. There’s the man-made Cheow Lan Lake, where you can hire boats for a trip. The national park is a haven for rare wildlife, including the massive Rafflesia flower, known for its parasitic nature, as well as hornbills, gibbons, and tigers.

Final Words and Trip Preparation

This article should have you covered on the top places to visit in Thailand. Feel free to comment below if you have any questions or if you think I missed a spot. If you want a reliable e-sim for your trip, I found Airalo to be my best friend for the 10 weeks in Thailand. It is slightly more expensive than buying a sim card from a store but saved me from the hassle as you can get/renew a plan from anywhere, even before arriving to Thailand. Thailand can get wild and injuries are a lot more common than when traveling through Europe. I would strongly recommend getting travel/medical insurance from a reputed company like SafetyWing.

If you want to see videos detailing what to do in some of these spots, check out my YouTube playlist for videos I filmed in Thailand. And feel free to subscribe to my newsletter for more travel info around the world.