The big Thailand places guide

A high quality fresh produce market with excellent food stalls, one of the most famous in the world

A legendary pad thai restaurant operating since 1966

A hilltop restaurant with a stunning panoramic view of the island and the surrounding sea

A classic local shop serving khao soi with a traditional flavour

A famous restaurant with a steady queue for its rich homemade rolled noodle soup

Thai home cooking from royal recipes, loved by locals and visitors alike

Crispy fried chicken with a Bib Gourmand, a must for street food lovers

A respected restaurant in an old house that keeps its historic atmosphere, recommended by the Michelin guide

An impressive colonial mansion serving high end royal Thai cuisine

A lively morning market with fresh seafood and authentic local cooking

A khao soi noodle curry especially loved by the locals

A vibrant street food strip in the heart of Chinatown, lit by neon and buzzing at night

A pampering beach restaurant with seafood risotto and tables almost in the water

A pleasant Thai eatery next to Wat Ratchaburana, tasty and authentic

Modern Thai cuisine with a creative tasting menu from a leading chef

A seafood dinner in a raised treehouse above the canopy, a magical experience with a sea view

Authentic Thai seafood in a green, relaxed setting

A spacious rural cafe in the heart of nature, fresh dishes straight from its own farm

Green tea terraces to the horizon with a pleasant cafe and pastoral views in every direction

A cafe with a striking mountain view and green photo corners, especially popular on Instagram

A leading roastery for specialty coffee, high end espresso for real coffee lovers

A cafe with an art gallery and a magical garden, a full sensory experience

Ethical coffee grown by hill tribes, delicious and supportive of local communities

An award winning cafe with impressive latte art and world class quality

A lakeside cafe with European design, a calm water view and a romantic atmosphere

A cafe with fashionable industrial design serving quality specialty coffee

A cafe and restaurant facing Wat Mahathat serving Thai fusion cuisine

A vintage building with an upper floor and a direct view of the temple tower

A cafe in a green garden courtyard, a pleasant spot to meet and refresh

A quality roastery specialising in coffee, including an unusual cold brew with sea algae

A roastery with a direct farm to cup supply chain, ethical and fresh coffee

An aesthetic cafe specialising in hand drip coffee, a pleasant and carefully crafted atmosphere

A famous bakery with a chestnut cream pastry that became its signature

An industrial roastery on the riverbank, specialty coffee in a unique setting

A minimalist, fashionable cafe with specialty coffee in the buzzing Nimman area

Specialty roasting in the fishermen's village, loved by quality coffee fans

A fashionable and popular cafe chain with several branches and a pleasant atmosphere

A lavish beach club on Kamala Beach, moving smoothly from daytime fun into nightlife

A huge, lavish nightclub with international DJs and spectacular productions

A lively beach club with pools, DJs and fire shows into the small hours

A sunset beach bar with giant floating bean bags, a relaxed and pastoral atmosphere

A rooftop bar with Peruvian Japanese cuisine and a stunning view of the city skyline

A rooftop bar with a 360 degree view over the Sukhumvit skyline

A live jazz bar that became a local legend, great music in an intimate setting

The famous backpacker street, lively bars and buzzing nightlife at any hour

A lively, loud cluster of bars loved by backpackers and young revellers

An open rooftop restaurant on the 61st floor, a meal with a breathtaking view

The most vibrant and famous street, full of bars, clubs and nightlife until morning

A veteran live music club with a local crowd and great energy

The loudest beach bar on the island with fire shows and a nonstop party atmosphere

A luxury beach club with pool parties and international level hospitality

Phuket's buzzing entertainment strip, lit by neon with bars and clubs on every corner

A rooftop bar on the 34th floor of the Hilton, cocktails with a stunning sunset view

The famous Full Moon Party beach, a monthly event that is packed and energetic

One of the first bars for fine cocktails in Bangkok, classic and high quality

A boutique gin distillery with its own cocktail bar, a unique tasting experience

A bar with a hippie vibe and live acoustic music, a laid back alternative to the loud parties

A theatrical cocktail bar with costumed bartenders and a creative, surprising menu

A beach bar with fire shows and a lively party atmosphere until morning

A secluded, quiet bay reachable only by boat, with clear water and a wild feel

A long golden beach known for its squeaky sand, perfect for walks and sunsets

A long beach promenade in the royal resort town, a mix of sea and local character

A relaxed, family friendly beach promenade with restaurants along the sea

A breathtaking beach surrounded by steep limestone cliffs, reachable only by boat and far from the road

Clean white sand with great surfing waves, one of Phuket's most loved beaches

A quiet, less crowded southern beach, a pleasant escape from the crowds

A quiet beach excellent for snorkeling, one of the loveliest spots to watch the sunset

A crescent shaped beach with a calmer atmosphere than the busy main beach

A popular day trip destination with snorkeling among reefs and a calm white sand beach

A small, hidden bay with excellent snorkeling conditions

A quiet bay near Srithanu with a great sunset view and a relaxed atmosphere

A long, tranquil local beach with a pine avenue, less touristy and calm

A secluded bay wrapped in palms with luxury resorts and clear water

A relaxed beach on the east of the island, ideal for a quiet family holiday

A sandbar leading to a snorkel over to the small island of Koh Ma

A white sand beach that glitters like a diamond, the most popular and lively on the island

Powder fine sand and calm water, an ideal spot for relaxed snorkeling

A stunning beach with a sacred cave shrine and turquoise water right next to Railay

A calm beach with an easy reef for snorkeling, perfect for relaxing

A quiet beach on the western side of the island, perfect for watching the sunset

An island with pure white sand, a popular snorkeling stop in calm water

A backpacker favourite with a relaxed atmosphere and stunning sunsets

The main tourist beach with bars, restaurants and a lively atmosphere

The long, lively main beach with hotels and restaurants along its length

The island's lively main beach beside a walking street with restaurants and entertainment

A picturesque crescent bay with pleasant cafes on the shore and impressive green scenery

A secluded bay with large rocks, reachable only by boat

A small, tranquil island for island hopping with snorkeling in clear water

The longest beach on the island with lovely bars for watching the sunset

A vast botanical garden with Thai cultural shows and a dinosaur valley for kids

A green central park with joggers, a lake and giant monitor lizards roaming free

A UNESCO recognised rainforest with wild elephants and hiking trails among giant trees

Natural walking trails leading among the tiers of beautiful waterfalls

A natural forest pool in a glowing green shade inside a quiet, refreshing jungle park

Sprawling green tea fields with a bike safari and golf cart tours in nature

A small, free roadside waterfall, a quick refreshment stop along the way

Famous natural rock formations with a peculiar shape, a popular photo spot

An urban forest park with a raised walking path and refreshing green views

An ancient rainforest with striking limestone mountains, rich wildlife and trekking trails

A central, tranquil lake park, popular with residents for a morning run and a relaxed walk

Unique limestone waterfalls you can climb thanks to their rough, grippy texture

A royal waterfall in the heart of the forest with natural pools for a refreshing swim

A cave with a magical sunbeam and a royal pavilion inside, reached by a climb

Natural thermal jacuzzi pools among the trees, a perfect place to relax in nature

A challenging trek up to a flat mountain plateau with wild scenery and cool mountain air

Dramatic limestone mountains and marshes with boat trips for bird watching

One of Thailand's coolest peaks with a green pine forest, especially striking in winter

A pink lake full of blooming lotus flowers, visited by boat in the early dawn hours

Thailand's highest peak with twin pagodas and breathtaking mountain views

Prehistoric rock paintings on a steep cliff, and the place where Thailand's first sunrise is seen

The higher waterfall with a forest trek to a natural bathing pool

A 25 metre waterfall made famous by a scene from the film The Beach

A rainforest walking trail to a refreshing waterfall with a swimming pool

The area's tallest waterfall, dropping in three dramatic tiers within the dense forest

Emerald green waterfalls in seven tiers inside a magical, refreshing jungle

A quiet lake surrounded by mountains with bamboo huts over the water, perfect for a relaxed picnic

Roaring rapids of the Mun River among rocky islets, a wild and impressive corner of nature

A pleasant promenade on the banks of the Mekong with a view of Laos within arm's reach

A greenish lake surrounded by limestone mountains with picturesque floating huts, unforgettable scenery

The Temple of Dawn with a breathtaking river view, especially at sunset

A giant 50 metre marble statue on a hilltop, with a stunning panoramic view of the whole island

A vast temple home to a magnificent, impressively large gilded reclining Buddha

A stunning cobalt blue temple with rich decorations and dramatic statues

An active monastery with a pagoda you can climb for a stunning surrounding view

A surreal white temple made of glass and plaster, a stunning work of contemporary art

Home to a solid gold Buddha statue, one of Thailand's most impressive religious treasures

A giant ancient Lanna style chedi, impressive even in its partial ruin

The city's most revered temple, home to an especially venerated Buddha statue

Phuket's most revered temple, an impressive spiritual centre with magnificent Buddhist architecture

A gilded Buddha statue on a hill with an impressive panoramic view of the city

A giant statue of a revered monk, an important pilgrimage site for Thais

A challenging climb of 1,237 steps that ends in a stunning summit view

The iconic golden hilltop temple with a stunning view over all of Chiang Mai

A forest temple with ancient tunnels, perfect for meditation and quiet

A magnificent ordination hall and rich decorations beside the historic Giant Swing

The renowned Marble Temple, built of white Italian Carrara marble and truly impressive

An impressive temple with a giant eighteen armed statue of the goddess of mercy

A golden chedi on a hilltop with an impressive panoramic view over Bangkok's rooftops

The city's oldest temple with a chedi base decorated with elephant statues

A temple with a tree of life that glows in the dark, a stunning effect created by luminous paint

An iconic Khmer temple swarming with playful monkeys, one of the most photographed sites in town

A modern, eclectic temple with giant dragon statues in bold, striking colours

Striking white chedis and evening monk chats with local monks

The temple that once held the Emerald Buddha, a sacred and impressive site in the city

A prayer hall made entirely of silver, showcasing local silversmithing craft

A temple with a mummified monk inside a glass case, an unusual and fascinating site

An ancient leaning chedi surrounded by the area famous for the Naga fireball phenomenon

A brick hilltop temple with ancient murals and sacred relics inside

A complex of ancient tower ruins that became home to free roaming monkeys

A Shan style temple on a lakeshore, tranquil and especially reflective in the evening hours

A temple with delicate glass paintings reflected in the nearby lake, an impressive photo site

A hilltop meditation temple with a stunning sea view

A magnificent royal complex in Bangkok that includes the sacred Emerald Buddha temple

A giant wooden structure carved entirely by hand, an impressive work of art by the sea

A beloved landmark gate with a lively pigeon square and street performances

An ancient temple famous for a Buddha head embedded in tree roots

Khmer style temple ruins on the riverbank, beautiful at sunset

A UNESCO World Heritage site, the capital of Thailand's first kingdom

A museum in a traditional teak house telling the story of the American silk legend

The famous World War Two bridge on the Death Railway

A dark, artistic museum in traditional Lanna style, a strange and mesmerising visual world

Three royal bell shaped pagodas, an impressive symbol of ancient Ayutthaya's glory

An impressive Khmer temple sitting atop an extinct volcano, one of the most striking in Thailand

A rich collection of Thai art and history under one roof

A stunning golden tower that puts on a colourful light and sound show each evening in the city centre

A statue of the city's founders in the historic centre, an important meeting point

A Khmer sandstone temple complex inspired by Angkor, testament to an ancient kingdom

An interactive, enjoyable museum exploring Thai identity and culture in depth

A royal summer palace with manicured gardens and grand pavilions in varied styles

An open air reclining Buddha 42 metres long, impressive and serene

A hidden sculpture garden on a hill in the jungle, a mystical and calming atmosphere

Wooden houses on stilts and a picturesque pier along the shore, keeping a traditional atmosphere

A moving memorial site for the railway carved by prisoners of war

A giant Buddha statue packed inside a narrow chamber, an impressive and unusual sight

An ancient Khmer temple surrounded by lotus filled pools, a quiet and stunning site

Royal palace ruins and a national museum telling of Lopburi's golden age

A central lotus bud shaped pagoda surrounded by seated Buddha statues

A giant concrete sculpture park with Naga figures and gods, a mysterious and impressive place

Ancient ruins in a quiet, pristine forest, a lesser known World Heritage site

Ruins of an ancient Khmer temple beside the river, testament to the early empire

A tower you can climb and a crypt with impressive ancient murals

A UNESCO recognised museum of the prehistoric Bronze Age, testament to an ancient culture

A central tower facing a pool in the royal park, a lovely photo spot

The most comprehensive museum on the Death Railway and the prisoners of war who built it

17th century residence ruins of a French ambassador at the Ayutthaya court

A historic, impressive railway station with a royal pavilion, one of the loveliest in Thailand

A small island temple on a lotus pond, especially calm and beautiful in the morning hours

Quiet ancient temple ruins, also home to curious monkeys

The northern capital of Thailand, the focus of the biggest water fights of Songkran around the old city moat

The panoramic tower with a glass floor, a dizzying view from high above Bangkok

A stunning viewpoint looking at three beaches at once, including Kata and Karon

A hilltop camp with colourful flower fields and a stunning panoramic view of the ridges

An impressive viewpoint over a winding coastal road among the cliffs, a recommended stop

A panoramic viewpoint over the bay, perfect for watching the sunset

A narrow, dramatic ridge with a walking trail above the abyss, a perfect spot to watch the sunset

A glass skywalk floating over the Mekong River, the area's most impressive sunrise viewpoint

A short walk to an iconic panoramic view of the island's twin bays

A stunning sunrise viewpoint over a green valley and mist wrapped mountain ridges

A lighthouse on a dramatic cliff with a stunning view of the sea and the rocky islands

A panoramic beach viewpoint near Choeng Mon, wonderful at sunset

A hilltop temple commanding a full panorama of the town and the surrounding mountains

A cliff climb with a view of both the east and west coasts of the island

A coastal viewpoint with monkeys and a wonderful sunset view over the bay

An iconic view of two bays joined by a white sandbar

The highest cliff in the area with a stunning view for both sunrise and sunset

A standing Buddha statue on a hill with a stunning panoramic view over the whole park

A revolving observation tower with a 360 degree view of the city

An iconic viewpoint over an emerald coloured lagoon after a climb of 430 steps

A magical evening canal market with fireflies, food boats and a rural atmosphere

An interactive 3D art museum with fun illusion photos

The home stadium of Buriram United, a behind the scenes tour for football fans

The historic stadium for authentic, energy filled Muay Thai fights

A European village themed park that comes alive in the evening with magical lighting

An enclosed emerald lagoon ringed by cliffs, ideal for swimming and snorkeling

A romantic Italian inspired architecture complex, perfect for photos and a couples trip

A famous, spectacular cabaret show with transgender dancers, unforgettable entertainment

A tropical jungle themed water park with thrilling slides for all ages

A charming Tuscan village replica with an alpaca farm and a rustic Italian atmosphere

A dinner cruise on the river past illuminated temples, a romantic and stunning experience

A day trip to an archipelago of 42 islands with turquoise water and breathtaking scenery

An adventurous quarry with cliff jumps and clear blue water

A long bamboo bridge stretching over green rice fields, a picturesque walking experience

Thailand's pioneering winery with a restaurant among the vines and a green hill view

An iconic bay made famous by the film The Beach, with turquoise water and limestone cliffs

Natural hot mineral pools in nature, ideal for resting the muscles after a trek

A water park with a wave pool and slides, guaranteed fun for families

High quality traditional Thai massage at a fair price, real rest for the body

A colourful market where the train passes right between the stalls several times a day

An ethical elephant sanctuary by the river where you feed and bathe them without riding

A day trip for world class diving and snorkeling, clear blue water and wild reefs

A train crossing a dramatic wooden bridge along a cliff and over the river, a breathtaking view

A hands on Thai cooking workshop including a market tour and live shopping

A boutique winery with green vineyards, tours and wine tastings in a rural setting

An iconic rock island made famous by the James Bond films, a key stop on Phang Nga Bay tours

A hidden lagoon surrounded by cliffs, a favourite for island hopping tours

The famous dive site with a fascinating underwater chimney passage

An ethical elephant sanctuary that rescues animals and allows a respectful encounter with them

A stunning bay with giant limestone cliffs and sea caves, great for kayaking among the rocks

A yoga and wellness centre for a relaxing, renewing experience in the heart of nature

A stunning zipline route over the tropical forest canopy, for lovers of adrenaline and nature alike

A granite dive site with big fish and occasionally even whale sharks

A night market in old port warehouses on the river, shopping and evening entertainment

A luxury flagship mall in the city centre with a giant aquarium in the basement

A vast luxury mall on the riverbank with a stunning indoor floating market floor

A vast weekend market with around fifteen thousand stalls, a paradise for shopping and bargain hunting

A huge mall on the seafront with a wide range of shops and cafes

A mall with floors themed after world cities, with a variety of food stalls

A nightly souvenir market on a bustling street every evening

The Chatchai street market packed with street food and souvenirs all evening

A large, modern mall with international shops, restaurants and family entertainment

A mall designed like an airport, each floor styled as a different world capital

A weekend market for art and handicrafts with live music and a creative atmosphere

A lively night market by the clock tower, street food and local art into the small hours

A magical night market among traditional wooden houses on the riverbank, a pleasant rural atmosphere

A huge night market with dozens of street food stalls and local goods at bargain prices

A large seafront mall with shops, restaurants and entertainment for the whole family

A lively weekend market with local street food stalls and a family atmosphere

A weekend night market on Silver Street with shops and food stalls

A daily street food market with live music, pulsing every evening into the small hours

A vast, lively local food market with an endless variety of flavours

An open air lifestyle mall with many restaurants and a light evening atmosphere

A magical pedestrian street on Fridays with the charm of an old town and boutique shops

A lively night market with street food stalls and local handicrafts in the heart of the charming town

A weekend market for trading gemstones, Thailand's city of fine gems

A Thai street food market with lively stalls and local flavours

A vast weekly street market with handicrafts, food and a festive atmosphere

A night market with excellent seafood restaurants and a laid back atmosphere along the main street