Thailand for First Timers

Every place below is pinned on the interactive map with its exact location. You can browse it for free, and copy the whole map into your own Ikuzo account to adapt it to your trip.

Bangkok

Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew

Thailand's most famous landmark, the former royal residence with the sacred Emerald Buddha temple inside. Strict dress code, cover shoulders and knees, and arrive at the 8:30 opening to beat the heat and the crowds.

Wat Pho

Home of the 46 meter golden Reclining Buddha and the birthplace of Thai massage. A short walk from the Grand Palace, and you can get an excellent cheap massage at the temple's own school.

Wat Arun

The Temple of Dawn, a riverside spire covered in colorful porcelain that you can climb partway up. Take the cheap ferry across from Tha Tien pier and stay for sunset when it lights up.

Chatuchak Weekend Market

One of the world's largest markets with over 10,000 stalls selling everything from clothes to antiques and street food. Open Saturday and Sunday only, go in the morning before the midday heat.

Khao San Road

The legendary backpacker street, packed with bars, street food and cheap shopping. Touristy but worth an evening at least once for the atmosphere.

Chinatown (Yaowarat)

Bangkok's Chinatown is one of the best street food districts on the planet. Come hungry after dark when Yaowarat Road turns into an open air food court, and just follow the queues of locals.

Jim Thompson House

The teak house museum of the American who revived the Thai silk industry then vanished mysteriously in 1967. A calm and beautiful stop, guided tours are included in the ticket.

ICONSIAM & Chao Phraya River

A giant riverside mall with an indoor floating market food hall, reached by a free shuttle boat. Riding the Chao Phraya river boats is the nicest way to see Bangkok anyway.

Lumphini Park

Bangkok's central green lung, lovely at sunrise or sunset when locals jog and do aerobics. Watch for the huge monitor lizards roaming the lawns and lakes, they are harmless.

Wat Saket (Golden Mount)

A golden stupa on Bangkok's only hill, reached by an easy 344 step spiral climb. One of the best views over the old town, and far quieter than the Grand Palace.

Near Bangkok

Ayutthaya Historical Park

The vast ruins of Siam's former capital, a UNESCO site about 90 minutes from Bangkok. Rent a bicycle to hop between temples and find the famous Buddha head wrapped in tree roots at Wat Mahathat.

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

The classic floating market where vendors sell fruit and noodles from wooden boats on the canals. Very touristy, so arrive before 9am for the real morning trade, easily combined with Maeklong.

Maeklong Railway Market

A market built directly on active train tracks, vendors fold their awnings back seconds before the train rolls through. Check the train timetable first, there are only a few passes per day.

Bridge over the River Kwai

The WWII bridge of the Death Railway built by prisoners of war, in Kanchanaburi. Walk across the bridge, then visit the war cemetery and museum in town to understand the history.

Erawan Falls

A seven tier turquoise waterfall in the jungle of Kanchanaburi province where you can swim in the pools. Wear shoes you can hike in, reaching the top tier takes about an hour.

Chiang Mai & the North

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

Chiang Mai's golden mountaintop temple with sweeping views over the city. Climb the 306 step naga staircase, dress modestly, and come early morning or for sunset.

Wat Chedi Luang

A massive ruined 14th century chedi in the heart of Chiang Mai's Old City, very atmospheric at night. Join the free monk chats in the courtyard to talk with young novices practicing English.

Wat Phra Singh

Chiang Mai's most revered Old City temple, home to the Phra Singh Buddha and gorgeous golden Lanna architecture. Easy to combine on foot with Wat Chedi Luang.

Sunday Walking Street Market

Every Sunday evening Ratchadamnoen Road fills with hundreds of craft stalls, street food and massage mats. Start around 5pm before the crush and eat dinner in the temple food courts along the way.

Elephant Nature Park

The pioneering ethical elephant sanctuary near Chiang Mai, rescued elephants roam free and there is no riding. Book directly on their website well in advance, day visits sell out.

Doi Inthanon National Park

Thailand's highest peak at 2565 meters, with twin royal pagodas, waterfalls and cloud forest trails. It gets genuinely cold at the summit so bring a layer, best done as a day trip from Chiang Mai.

Wat Rong Khun (White Temple)

Chiang Rai's surreal all white temple, a contemporary art piece glittering with mirrored glass. The interior murals mix Buddhist imagery with pop culture, worth the trip from Chiang Mai alone.

Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple)

Chiang Rai's striking sapphire blue temple with a glowing white Buddha inside. Quick and free to visit, pair it with the White Temple and the Black House museum in one Chiang Rai loop.

Pai

A laid back mountain town three hours of winding road from Chiang Mai, loved for its canyon, hot springs and waterfalls. The nightly walking street has great cheap food, motion sickness pills help on the minivan ride.

Islands & the South

Phuket Old Town

Streets of pastel Sino Portuguese shophouses full of cafes, murals and markets. The prettiest and most local side of Phuket, best explored on foot around Thalang Road and Soi Romanee in the late afternoon.

Kata Beach

One of Phuket's nicest swimmable beaches, family friendly with soft sand and surf rentals in the green season. A calmer alternative to Patong while staying close to restaurants and nightlife.

Big Buddha Phuket

A 45 meter white marble Buddha on a hilltop with sweeping views over southern Phuket. Free entry, dress modestly, sarongs are lent at the entrance.

Maya Bay

The famous cove from The Beach on Phi Phi Leh, ringed by limestone cliffs. Visitor numbers are capped and swimming is restricted to protect the reef, book an early morning speedboat tour to avoid the fleet.

James Bond Island

The needle shaped karst of Khao Phing Kan in Phang Nga Bay, seen in The Man with the Golden Gun. Tours usually include canoeing through sea caves and the stilt village of Koh Panyi.

Railay Beach

A jaw dropping peninsula of limestone cliffs and jade water, reachable only by longtail boat from Ao Nang or Krabi town. Great for rock climbing, kayaking or just the walk to Phra Nang cave beach.

Ao Nang

Krabi's main beach hub with the widest choice of hotels, restaurants and tour desks. Use it as your base for longtail boats to Railay and island hopping to the Hong and Phi Phi islands.

Chaweng Beach (Koh Samui)

Koh Samui's longest and liveliest beach, powder sand by day and bars by night. Samui has its own airport with direct flights, making it the easiest Thai island for a first trip.

Haad Rin Beach (Koh Phangan)

Koh Phangan's party beach, home of the Full Moon Party every month. Outside party dates it is surprisingly quiet, and the island's north and east coasts hide lovely calm beaches.

Koh Tao (Sairee Beach)

One of the cheapest and most popular places in the world to learn scuba diving, with dozens of schools along Sairee Beach. Even snorkelers can spot turtles and reef sharks in the shallow bays.

Cheow Lan Lake (Khao Sok)

An emerald reservoir in Khao Sok National Park dotted with limestone towers, often compared to Guilin. Sleep one night in a floating raft house, tours run from Khao Sok village or Surat Thani.

Similan Islands

Some of Thailand's clearest water and best diving and snorkeling, a national park of granite boulder islands. Open roughly mid October to mid May only, day trips run from Khao Lak.

Koh Lanta (Long Beach)

A relaxed island of long quiet beaches and sunset bars, perfect for slowing down after Phi Phi or Krabi. Rent a scooter to explore the stilted old town and the national park lighthouse in the south.

Central & Elsewhere

Sukhothai Historical Park

The serene ruins of Thailand's first capital, a UNESCO site of lotus ponds and giant seated Buddhas. Rent a bicycle at the gate and catch Wat Mahathat at sunrise or sunset, far quieter than Ayutthaya.

Khao Yai National Park

Thailand's oldest national park, about 2.5 hours from Bangkok, with waterfalls, hiking trails and wild elephants. Hire a guide with a truck at the visitor center for the best wildlife spotting at dawn or dusk.

Hua Hin

A royal seaside resort town three hours from Bangkok with a long beach, lively night markets and great seafood. A relaxed first taste of the Thai coast without flying south.