Thailand is an ever popular destination, but it has lately gained a reputation for being flooded with tourists, especially those seeking the party of a life time. If you were one to believe Thailand is now too popular a tourist destination to be enjoyable, then you are mistaken. Thailand is still one of the most idyllic travel destination whether you want to relax near the water, walk through the remains of ancient cities or excite your palate with new flavours.

Fast Cover Travel Insurance here outlines some of the best places to experience Thailand, from the most popular cities to a few locations you might not have heard of.

Culture

Bangkok is most likely where you will land. Be prepared for the intense hustle and bustle of the main streets. You can of course go directly south or north from Bangkok to find more peaceful destinations, but if you are interested in seeing the spectacular, Bangkok has a lot to offer. In particular the Grand Palace is a stunning site that will dazzle you with gold-laden and bejeweled architecture. The giant reclining Buddha in Wat Pho is another site you will never forget.

Figure 1 Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand. Photo by prasit2512

For a taste of the old kingdom, you can stop in Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya is the former capital of the old Thai Kingdom, with crumbling temples that have been standing since the 15th century.

Then there is the city of Chiang Mai, which retains its charm despite being Thailand’s second biggest city and one of the most popular tourist spots. The best way to see Chiang Mai is to stroll through the tranquil temples grounds such as Wat Phra Singh or Wat Chiang Man. Chiang Mai also has various galleries and restaurants to visit, as well as night markets, crafts shops, cooking classes, street food stalls, and affordable massages and spas. And in twenty minutes, you can be in the countryside.

Lampang is another place to visit, particularly if you want to see an elephant conservation. It is a less touristy town with antique timber houses including the Wat Sri Rong Muang and the Ban Sao Nak, which dates from 1895.

Adventure

One activity that can’t be missed if you’re looking for a sense of adventure is partaking in a hill tribe trek in northern Thailand. Approximately 800,000 people live in 3,500 mountain villages. The scenery you see when hiking over the hills is spectacular, but more special is meeting people from these villages. There are many tour companies offering treks that cater to different travelers. You can do an overnight trek or a more challenging couple of days.

Figure 2 A hill tribe, there are many travellers can visit near Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Photo by gavrill94

There is also the north-eastern region of Isaan to explore, which remain one of Thailand’s least visited and least developed areas. In the village of Chonnabot you can watch weavers work before heading to Phimai to see the Khmer empire complex, Prasat Hin Phimai. Another magnificent temple to see is the Praat Phanom Rung, a mountain temple from the 11th century. Then there is the little city of Nakhon Ratchaima to visit, which has delicious street food and remarkably few tourists.

The Beach

Forget Phuket, Thailand’s largest island and most popular beach destination. You can experience the Thai beach with less of a crowd when you go across to Krabi on the Western side of the Thai peninsula. Here there is stunning coastline, tropical forests and natural hot springs to hop between. There are a range of activities to do on the water, from snorkeling to cruising around the Andaman Sea islands. You can relax at Nam Tok Ron, Krabi’s hot springs located just outside of Krabi city. Or hike through the Khao Pra Khram Wildlife Reserve before stopping at the stunning Sa Morakot Emerald Pool and taking a dip in the 30 degree water. Then there is the delicious food (including incredible Thai seafood dishes) to sample and perhaps learn how to recreate.

Figure 3 A view in Krabi, Thailand. Photo by Oleg Zhukov

And what’s great is the cost. Thailand is a cheap place to stay, with the best 5 star accommodation costing up to $100. Food can be incredibly cheap as are the prices of cooking lessons and entry fees to attractions.

This was a guest post written by Laura Hedge of Fast Cover Insurance. Thanks Laura for your inspiring article.