15 Things to Do in Thailand

Bangkok's most spectacular complex — 200,000 sq metres of gilded halls, emerald-studded temples and ornate Khmer-style towers that served as Thailand's royal seat for 150 years. Across the road, Wat Pho houses the famous 46-metre reclining Buddha and Thailand's original massage school.

Dramatic limestone karsts rising from turquoise Andaman water — the Phi Phi archipelago became globally famous as the setting for 'The Beach', and the reality is even more beautiful than the film. Maya Bay is the jewel, best visited at dawn before the tour boats arrive.

Thailand's northern capital moves at a completely different pace — 300 Buddhist temples in the old city walls, mountain tribe villages an hour outside, ethical elephant sanctuaries in the jungle, and a night market that spreads through the old city every Sunday.

Bangkok's street food is consistently ranked among the world's best — Yaowarat (Chinatown) for crab fried rice and roast duck; Sukhumvit Soi 38 for pad thai and mango sticky rice; Victory Monument for boat noodles. A Michelin-starred city where the best meal costs ₹150.

Damnoen Saduak and Amphawa floating markets — vendors selling fresh fruit, pad thai and coconut pancakes from wooden longtail boats on canal networks. The Amphawa weekend market doubles as a firefly cruise at night and is far less touristy than Damnoen Saduak.

Railay Beach is only accessible by longtail boat — sheer limestone cliffs trap a crescent of white sand and emerald water that has no road access. The rock climbing above it is world-class; the sunsets, with the karsts turning pink, are among Thailand's finest.

Thailand's most sacred site and most spectacular complex — the Grand Palace's gilded halls and the Emerald Buddha inside Wat Phra Kaew are the spiritual centre of the Thai kingdom. Go at opening (8:30am) before the crowds; dress modestly (covered shoulders and ankles required).

Limestone pinnacles rising from turquoise Andaman water — the Phi Phi archipelago delivers some of Thailand's most dramatic island scenery. Maya Bay, the cove made famous by The Beach, now has timed entry to protect its reef; the boat ride there through the karst landscape is half the experience.

Thailand's most liveable city, surrounded by mountains and packed with over 300 temples within the old moat walls. The Sunday Walking Street (Wualai Road) is one of Southeast Asia's finest night markets; the elephant sanctuaries an hour outside the city are unmissable.

Spend half a day feeding, bathing and walking with rescued elephants at sanctuaries that prioritise animal welfare over rides — Elephant Nature Park and Patara are the gold standards.

Thailand's diving capital — some of the cheapest PADI certifications in the world, warm clear water, resident whale sharks and a backpacker scene that somehow makes even bad weather fun.

A UNESCO World Heritage jungle 2 hours from Bangkok — hornbills, gibbons, wild elephants and dramatic waterfalls, largely undiscovered by international tourists.

Thailand's highest peak (2,565m) has a cool climate year-round, Hmong hill tribe villages, twin royal chedis and stunning waterfalls — the country's best day trip from Chiang Mai.

A UNESCO World Heritage city of crumbling prang towers and headless Buddha statues from Thailand's 14th–18th century golden age — a day trip from Bangkok that puts the kingdom's history into powerful perspective.

Thailand's calmer islands — Koh Lanta for quiet beaches and good diving on the Andaman coast; Koh Chang for jungle waterfalls and mangroves on the Gulf of Thailand side.