Top tourist cities

Bangkok

The capital where old temples, high-rises, and street food share the same soi

Chiang Mai

An old town in the valley that's easy to stay in longer than planned

Phuket

A big Andaman island with white-sand beaches, a Sino-Portuguese old town, and Hokkien food

Krabi

Andaman limestone cliffs, white-sand beaches, clear islands, rock climbing at Railay, and emerald-green water

Chiang Rai

Thailand's northernmost city, with striking temples, high mountains, and tea farms

Chonburi

Thailand's eastern seaboard — Pattaya, nearby islands, and fresh seafood, all a short drive from Bangkok

Surat Thani

The 'town of a hundred islands' on the Gulf of Thailand — gateway to Samui, Cheow Lan Lake, and the old temple town of Chaiya

Prachuap Khiri Khan

Thailand's narrowest province, home to Hua Hin, the three-bay coast of Prachuap, Khao Takiab, and Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park

Kanchanaburi

Home of the Bridge over the River Kwai, big waterfalls, the forested west, and riverside raft houses you can stay on all year

Ayutthaya

A former royal capital and World Heritage city — wander old temple ruins and cycle the island.

Rayong

An eastern seaside province with Koh Samet, quiet beaches, fruit orchards, and famous dried seafood

Trat

Thailand's last province on the eastern coast, home to Koh Chang, Koh Kood, and Koh Mak — clear water and quiet seas

Phang Nga

Limestone-bay country on the Andaman — home to James Bond Island, the Similans, and Khao Lak

Nan

An old town in a valley with pretty temples, good coffee, and mountain roads up to the morning mist

Mae Hong Son

City of three mists at the end of the winding road

Sukhothai

A World Heritage city — old stupas scattered across open fields

Nakhon Ratchasima

The gateway to Isan — Khao Yai, Khmer temples, and vineyards an easy drive from Bangkok

Phetchabun

Mist over Khao Kho, chilly nights on Phu Tab Berk, and the sweet tamarind the province is known for

Koh Phangan

The Full Moon Party island at Haad Rin, plus Than Sadet waterfall, quiet northern beaches, and the Srithanu wellness scene

Hat Yai

The shopping-and-eating capital of the deep south — Kim Yong market, Khlong Hae floating market, the park cable car, and fried chicken with dim sum

Koh Samui

The big Gulf island — Chaweng and Lamai beaches, the Big Buddha, Hin Ta Hin Yai rocks, Bophut fishing village, and Ang Thong

Pai

A small town in a Mae Hong Son valley — sea of fog, rice-field cafes, a walking street, Pai Canyon, and a historic WWII bridge

Pattaya

A beach town close to Bangkok — Jomtien Beach, the Sanctuary of Truth, Nong Nooch Garden, Walking Street, and day trips to Koh Larn

Hua Hin

A classic seaside resort town on the Gulf of Thailand — a long beach, the old red railway station, Cicada Market, Khao Takiab, and Monsoon Valley vineyard

Khao Yai

Mountains and vineyards near Bangkok — a World Heritage park, waterfalls, mountain-view cafes, wineries, and European-style farms

Koh Chang

Thailand's second-largest island in Trat — white-sand beaches, jungle waterfalls, the Bang Bao fishing village, and clear-water islands all around.

Koh Lipe

A clear-water island in the Tarutao archipelago, Satun — powder-white sand, snorkeling over coral, and emerald-green water around the nearby islands

Koh Kood

A quiet island at the far edge of Trat — Khlong Chao waterfall, white sand and clear water, a giant makha tree, and old fishing villages

Koh Mak

A small, quiet island in Trat with white sand and clear water — flat enough to cycle, with snorkeling on nearby islands and a low-carbon way of life

Koh Larn

A clear-water island off Pattaya — white-sand beaches, snorkeling, water sports, and an easy day trip by sea from Chonburi

Northern Thailand

Mountains, mist, old towns, cafés and northern food — a slow charm…

Isan (Northeast)

A high plateau with lively culture, bold flavours and Mekong-side …

Central Thailand

Bangkok and its surrounds — Ayutthaya history, floating markets an…

Eastern Thailand

The eastern seaboard — Koh Chang, Koh Samet, fruit orchards and se…

Western Thailand

Hua Hin, Pranburi and Kanchanaburi — waterfalls, nature and a coas…

Southern Thailand

The Andaman and the Gulf — white-sand beaches, beautiful islands a…

Best islands for snorkeling

Best family beaches

Cool-season mountains

Honeymoon escapes

Nightlife & parties

Rainy-season trips

Day trips from Bangkok

Temple destinations

Café-hopping

Waterfalls & nature

Budget backpacking

Solo travel

Mekong river towns

Quiet islands

Historic old towns

Best beaches

Best temples

Best waterfalls

National parks & hikes

Markets & shopping

Viewpoints & mountains

Ethical elephant sanctuaries

Best caves

Kids & family, Thailand-wide

Kids: Bangkok & Central

Kids: the North

Kids: Isan

Kids: the East

Kids: the West

Kids: the South

Phuket vs Krabi

Koh Samui vs Koh Phangan

Phuket vs Koh Samui

Krabi vs Koh Samui

Chiang Mai vs Chiang Rai

Bangkok vs Chiang Mai

Pattaya vs Hua Hin

Phuket vs Pattaya

Koh Chang vs Koh Kood

Pai vs Khao Yai

Chiang Mai vs Phuket

Sukhothai vs Ayutthaya

Kanchanaburi vs Khao Yai

Bangkok vs Pattaya

Pai vs Chiang Rai

Phuket vs Koh Lipe

Koh Lipe vs Koh Kood

Hua Hin vs Khao Yai

Chiang Mai vs Pai