Epic Things to Do in Thailand for an Unforgettable Adventure
Are you looking for a Thailand adventure that is more than just sitting on a beach all day, snorkeling with turtles, hiking to jungle temples, and interacting with elephants? There are so many cool things to do in Thailand if you know where to go.
Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries in Northern Thailand
Everyone wants to see elephants when they’re in Thailand, right? But which are the best elephant sanctuaries in the country? Well, there are two that I go to over and over again. You see, choosing the right sanctuary to visit is a big decision. You don’t want to support unethical practices that mistreat the elephants.
I remember years ago I did a guided jungle trek that included a no-ride elephant experience. Things fell off straight away as the elephant handlers were quite aggressive with the elephants. But we spent the next 30 minutes bathing with them and playing with them. And then we watched as they took them across the river to the next group who were immediately placed on the elephants’ backs to start riding them. So you can never be too careful.
Personally, I prefer the sanctuaries in the north of Thailand because they have more space and natural jungle for elephants to roam in. The cooler mountain climate is better for both the elephants and the visitors. The people here have lived alongside elephants for centuries, meaning they are more culturally intertwined with their way of life, and they’ve become extremely knowledgeable about elephant care.
Elephant Nature Park is my go-to elephant sanctuary in Northern Thailand because it’s the gold standard in ethical elephant rescue and rehabilitation. The elephants live freely in their own social groups with no riding, no tricks, and no chains. It’s one of the best-reviewed elephant sanctuaries around with almost no negative reviews online. And if you’re only visiting southern Thailand, check out Phuket Elephant Sanctuary. What makes this place stand out is its jungle canopy walkway, meaning you get a bird’s-eye view of the elephants’ natural habitat.
Thai Street Food in Bangkok and Phuket
One of the absolute best parts of traveling in Thailand is the food. And some of the most unforgettable meals you’ll have are going to come from street food stands. From sizzling pad thai to mango sticky rice to skewers straight off the grill. But how can you know what’s actually good and what will make you sick? Again, there are two places in Thailand that really stand out to me.
One of the most electric streets in the country lies in Bangkok’s Chinatown. It’s called Yaowarat Road and it’s known for having one of the highest concentrations of Bib Gourmand-recommended street food stands in the world. The other is Phuket Old Town, which is known for its colorful old colonial buildings and interesting history, as well as serving local specialties like Hokkien noodles and coconut ice cream.
But if you want to go beyond just pointing at whatever looks good and really get to understand Thailand street food and street food culture, as well as uncover some true hidden gem street food stands, I recommend checking out a chef’s tour. This is my go-to street food tour. They have English-speaking guides who know the area well and will help you to elevate your street food experience.
They operate in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket, as well as a few other places in Southeast Asia.
Thai Cooking Classes in Chiang Mai and Bangkok
After you’ve eaten your way through town and street food, the natural next step is learning how to cook it yourself. Taking a cooking class isn’t just about learning recipes. It’s also a window into Thai culture.
In Chiang Mai, Akha Cooking School takes you beyond Thai classics and into the food traditions of the Akha Hill Tribe. You’ll get to shop in a local market, hear stories about how ingredients are used in village life, and cook in a relaxed home-style setting.
On the other side of that though, there’s Blue Elephant Cooking School in Bangkok and Phuket. And this is all about elevating your cooking experience. It’s housed in a grand colonial-style building run by one of Thailand’s most famous chefs and focuses on the finer side of Thai cuisine like elevated Thai curries, beautifully plated dishes, and a more fine-dining approach to Thai flavors.
Snorkeling in Thailand
Thailand is a snorkeling paradise, and if swimming with sharks is on your bucket list, I’ve got two incredible options. Shark Point near Koh Phi Phi is one of the best-known dive and snorkel sites where you can spot blacktip reef sharks cruising along the coral. And over in Koh Tao, Shark Bay is famous for the same, but here you can swim right off the beach and find yourself alongside these graceful creatures. You might also run into some giant green turtles, which can grow up to about 1.5 m long, almost as big as a person.
But one of the best snorkeling day trips has to be the Similan Islands. These islands lie quite far off Thailand’s western coast, meaning that they have been less susceptible to coral reef damage than the Thai mainland and nearby islands. The water is crystal clear, the marine life is abundant, and the reefs are some of the healthiest in the country.
But if you want world-class snorkeling without even having to book a boat, head to Koh Lipe. This island has some of the best off-the-beach snorkeling in Thailand. You can literally walk out of your hotel, slip on a mask, and be surrounded by coral gardens and tropical fish within minutes. And personally, I found the best spot on the island to be around Sunset Beach.
Scuba Diving in Thailand
But Thailand is home to some of Southeast Asia’s most incredible dive sites as well. And whether you’re a beginner or experienced diver, there’s something unforgettable waiting below the surface. One of the most epic dive spots is located between Koh Tao and Koh Phangan. It’s famous for its towering pinnacle and swirling school of fish. And if you’re really lucky, it’s one of the best spots in Thailand to dive with whale sharks.
It’s known as Sail Rock, and the best time to visit is during the periods of March to May and then again in September to October. This is when whale sharks are most frequently sighted due to the nutrient-rich waters, although sightings do occur throughout the year.
If you’re interested in exploring a sunken shipwreck, though, nothing beats the HTMS Chang, which lies off the coast of Koh Chang. It’s Thailand’s largest shipwreck, a 100-meter-long former US Navy vessel, and it now serves as an artificial reef teeming with marine life. You can swim through its passageways, and it’s a completely surreal bucket-list experience for advanced divers.
Thailand Temples and Cultural Adventures
Thailand’s temples are some of the most jaw-dropping landmarks in the country. But which ones are the most epic and actually worth visiting? By far the most iconic are the Bangkok Riverside temples, the glittering spires of Wat Arun, the reclining Buddha of Wat Pho, and the opulent Grand Palace. They’re the perfect introduction to Thailand’s rich history and dazzling architecture.
Head north to Chiang Rai and the temples become works of art. The surreal white temple looks like something out of a dream, and the blue temple is one of the most dazzling temples you’ll ever see. And make sure you catch a sunset at the tower in Wat Huay Pla Kang, also known as the Guan Yin statue.
But for a lot of people, an entire day walking around temples might be a bit much. That’s why, in my opinion, the most epic Thailand temples are combined with a bit of adventure and located in places that you might not expect. If you want to explore a different side of Bangkok, one that most tourists never see, you need to head across the Chao Phraya River to Bangkok Yai Canal. Here you can see a much more traditional way of life on the Bangkok Canals. And it’s here that one of Bangkok’s most stunning temples is hidden. Wat Paknam is a giant golden Buddha overlooking the canal. And the view from the boat is unreal. If you want to make this really easy, check out Hidden Bangkok Tours for some of the best boat trips in the city.
And if you want to combine stunning temples with epic waterfalls and mountain views, you need to head to the highest point in Thailand, Doi Inthanon National Park. And it’s here at the top of the mountain that you’ll find the stunning Royal Twin Pagodas just after visiting the towering Wachirathan Waterfall. Another epic viewpoint temple is the Tiger Cave Temple in Krabi, which overlooks Krabi Town and can be combined with a trip to the Shimmering Emerald Pool, jungle hikes, and natural hot springs as well.
But if you’re looking for a real cultural experience, there’s one spot that defines Thailand, and that’s Muay Thai. And for me, watching a live fight is one of the best cultural experiences that you can have in the country.
Muay Thai Fights in Bangkok
By far the most famous venue is Lumpinee Stadium. This is home to some of the biggest matches in the country and even international promotions like ONE Championship, which combine Muay Thai with kickboxing, MMA, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, have events here.
But here’s the thing. While Lumpinee has the prestige, it’s actually way out on the edge of Bangkok. For most visitors staying in central Bangkok, the more convenient option is Rajadamnern Stadium. It’s just a short drive from the main tourist areas and the atmosphere is just as good, if not better. The fights are intense here, with Saturday nights being some of the best here. Here, I think it’s worth upgrading your tickets to either the ringside seating or the VIP experience.
The VIP experience has the best seats in the house. It’s ringside, but has a slightly elevated view, so you get the best view of the fights. You also watch where the fighters enter and exit, so you can get photos of the fighters afterwards.
You can also watch Muay Thai fights throughout the country, but the fights in Bangkok are significantly higher quality than elsewhere. It can still be fun to watch fights in Phuket or Chiang Mai, for example. But if you’re looking for the absolute best quality fights, it has to be in Bangkok.
Jungle Trekking in Thailand
One thing that most people don’t think about when they think of Thailand is jungle trekking. Thailand is a trekking paradise with stunning views and amazing wildlife. If you’re really looking to challenge yourself, you can take an overnight trek through the jungle where you’ll stay in a local village far away from the big city.
For me, these have been the most rewarding experiences that I’ve had in Thailand, taking me to places far away from the main tourist sites. There are some excellent options in northern Thailand, particularly on the outskirts of Chiang Rai around the Golden Triangle. Here you’ll get to see a totally different way of life as you trek through rice paddies and stay with local hill tribes.
The Golden Triangle is the point where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet, and it’s one of the most remote in the country. But if it’s wildlife you’re after, you can head to the dense jungles of Khao Yai National Park and Khao Sok. These jungles are filled with monkeys, wild elephants, bears, snakes, and flying lizards. Trekking here with a local guide will allow you to see and learn about creatures you’d only ever dreamed of seeing.
Unique Places to Stay in Thailand
But Thailand is home to some of the most unique places to stay in the world. From floating hotels on a river to jungle tree houses to some of the most affordable luxury hotels in the world, at some point during your Thailand trip, it’s worth splurging on an epic hotel with amazing views just from the bedroom.
If you’re looking for something far away from city noise, check out River Kwai Jungle Rafts in Kanchanaburi. This hotel is literally floating on the river and you can spend your time drifting down from end to end. Similarly, in Khao Sok National Park, there are a number of stunning hotels in the middle of the lake with epic mountain views like 500 Rai, for example.
If you have ever dreamed of staying in a treehouse, check out Khao Sok Boutique Camps to wake up to the sounds of the jungle. But if you’re looking to elevate that and have an even more luxurious version, check out Treehouse Villas on Koh Yao Noi.
If you want epic island views straight from a private pool villa, the Banyan Tree Krabi has been voted Thailand’s best beach hotel. Or if mountain views are more your style, check out Yatika Boutique in Chiang Dao, Northern Thailand. This list of unique stays doesn’t even scratch the surface of what Thailand has to offer. There are endless incredible hotels and hideaways across the country.
But here’s the thing. Knowing about all these epic things to do and places to stay is only half the battle. The real magic comes when you put it all together into the perfect trip.
DONE
