Known For : Grand Palace Chatuchak Market Wat Pho Bangkok
Glittering with lights, a lot of hustle bustle and a little bit of chaos, Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand and is packed with tourist attractions - historical, religious or natural. A haven for shoppers, it attracts people from all over the world to its markets. It is often touted as the party capital of South East Asia. Bangkok also offers a bundle of fantastic street food, non-stop action and unforgettable experiences.
Best Time: Late November to Mid Jaunary
Known For : Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan Chiang Mai Night Safari Doi Suthep
Chiang Mai, a respite from the heavy duty travelling one experiences in South Thailand, is a haven for backpackers and travellers. With an ancient city nestled between a sprawling modern city, flaked by lush green fields of the countryside, Chiang Mai will engage all senses in the one hungry for travel stories and experiences.
Best Time: Decemberembe to February
Known For : Walking Street Nong Nooch Botanical Gardens Big Buddha Temple
Pattaya is a beautiful beach resort nestled along the eastern coast of Gulf of Thailand renowned for its gorgeous beaches, water parks, unspoiled natureês beauty, religious temples and long walks on the street. Tourists should look out for an amazing nightlife at the island offering a never forgetting experience.
Best Time: November to June
Known For : Ayutthaya Historical Park Wat Mahathat Wat Phra Si Sanphet
Ayutthaya, short for Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, is a small city in Thailand containing archaeological sites like temples, monasteries, palaces, etc. It lies just 80 kilometres north of Bangkok and hence is an ideal destination for a day trip from Bangkok.
Best Time: November to February
Known For : Wat Wang Wiwekaram Bridge On The River Kwai (Death Railway bridge) Wat Tham Suea (Tha Muang)
Kanchanaburi is a city situated at the confluence of river Kwai Noi and Kwai Yai. It's well known for its waterfalls and national parks. The most important attraction of this place is the "Death Railway" built during the World War II. All in all, Kanchanaburi is a treat for nature and history lovers.
Best Time: November to February
Known For : Cicada Market Hua Hin Beach Monsoon Valley Vineyard
Hua Hin is a seaside resort which is popular among both Thai nationals as well as tourists. What was once the royal family's beach getaway is fast becoming a relaxing place to escape Bangkok's city hustle and bustle.
Best Time: November to February
Known For : Wat Rong Khun Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple) Wat Huay Pla Kang
Chiang Rai is a mountainous city in northern Thailand, near the borders of Laos and Myanmar. It has many ancient temples and tribal villages along the Mekong river. It has a plenitude of historical and cultural attractions and immerses a traveller in its pleasant collection of temples, art, music, and local food.
Best Time: Decemberembe to February
Known For : Phra Nakhon Khiri Wat Mahathat Worawihan Tham Khao Luang
Dating back to the 8th century, this city is known to have the oldest settlements of Thailand. The city is situated on River Phet, and is home to some beautiful temples and the famous Royal Palace. Phetchaburi is more of a working agricultural city and not very popular as a tourist spot, however, there's a lot to see for the visitors too.
Best Time: November to February
Sangkhlaburi is a high altitude city at the ends of Thailand, just 25 kilometers from Burma border. It has the beautiful Vajiralongkorn Lake (Khao Laem) where most travellers take a boat ride, rest and enjoy the day. Most part of the city is covered by dense forests and limestone ranges. Sunken temple and Temple Wat Mon are the two unique and spectacular temples which should be a must visit in Sangkhlaburi.
Best Time: November to March
Known For : Limestone Lake Rainforest Day Tours Surat Thani Night Market Saturday Night Market
Not a go-to destination in itself, Surat Thani provides a base point from which travellers meander across Thailand. Once the seat of the Srivijaya empire, Surat Thani today is an important trade and transport hub.
Best Time: November to January
Known For : Ban Vichayen Phra Prang Sam Yot King Narai's Palace
Lopburi is one of the oldest cities in Thailand, located around 150 kilometres from Bangkok city which takes around 2.5 hours. It is a city which houses historic ruins and artifacts which play a major role in Thailand's culture. It is famous for monkeys, architectural remains of Khmer empire, rock climbing and sunflower fields. It can be easily done as a day trip if you are planning to come from nearby cities. Unlike other tourist cities, Lopburi has a very laid back atmosphere and it rarely experiences any influx of tourists.
Best Time: November to April
Although it doesnt have any beaches of its own, Krabi Town is a charming choice for people who want to experience a very local Thai culture. Most tourists use this town majorly as a pass through to go to the nearby island towns, but Krabi in itself is very beautiful, especially in terms of its markets and restaurants.
Best Time: November to March
Known For : Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Chanthaburi Temples in Chanthaburi Taksin Shrine and City Pillar shrine
With a rich history and culture, a very relaxed vibe, scenic waterfalls and forests, hills and a riverside, and delicious fruits and seafood, Chanthaburi is an ideal destination for all kinds of people.
Best Time: November to February
Known For : Sala Kaew Khu Wat Pho Chai Tha Sadet Market
Lying on the southern bank of Mekong river, Nong Khai is a lively town just 20 minutes from Vientiane, capital of Laos. The entire city is filled with images of the Naga, the giant serpant of Mekong. There are several waterfalls, riverside villages, forest temples, and many serene landscapes.
Best Time: November to February
Known For : Sukhothai Historical Park Ramkhamhaeng National Park Loy Krathong Festival
Sukhothai is home to approximately 190 ancient sites and temple ruins. It is known to mark the beginning of the Thai civilisation. Most of the monuments and ruins are restored at the Sukhothai Historical Park, which has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Best Time: November to February
The old town of Phuket is a place that takes one to the cultural walk amid all the beautiful traditional architectures and markets. Located on the east side of the Phuket Island, Phuket Old Town is capital of the island with coloured wit various shades of culture. One can enjoy the traditional and Sino-Portuguese architecture of the town that was built during 19th century. However, not many tourists have the town on their itinerary that flourished from the tin trade. The aroma of spices wafting from various cafes and restaurants may water your mouth as you stroll across the streets including Dubik, Ranong, Rasada, Yaowarat, Krabi and Thalang. The place is also a paradise for history lovers and photography buffs.
Surin, a city known for its sericulture and elephants, is now aspiring to become a global tourist centre. Visitors often drop in for 1-2 days from November to March since this city does not have too many things to do, and is often left quiet for the rest of the year. However, with the influx of tourists in Thailand, Surin has seen many changes recently. From food to shopping to historical monuments, this city has gained momentum over the years.
Let us know in the comment section below how many among the above cities in Thailand have you ticked off your list?