Best places to visit in Thailand in 2024

The biggest draw for travellers to Thailand is its beaches, but it would be a shame for anyone to pass through the buzzing capital city without pausing to explore. Comparable in size to London, Bangkok maintains a calm and welcoming atmosphere amid the unavoidable hullabaloo of a modern metropolis.

The magnificent Chao Phraya River winds through the city, connecting luxury hotels and busy malls to serene temples and gleaming palaces. Lively markets and world-class restaurants illuminate evenings while the spicy aromas of street food drifts on the wind, and rooftop bars serve cool cocktails high above the lights.

Bangkok is also a base for exploring Central Thailand, from the temple ruins of Ayutthaya to the floating markets of Damnoen Saduak or the bridge over the River Kwai in Kanchanaburi. Bangkok is far more than a 24-hour stopover between flights; anything less than three nights, and you won’t even scratch the surface.

Between Bangkok and the beach, for those who have time, we always recommend a hop to Thailand’s second city in the north. A world apart from the capital, Chiang Mai is a laidback town built around a beautiful walled Old City at the edge of the jungle.

Famous for its food and temples, Chiang Mai is home to friendly locals and diverse immigrant communities alongside curious travellers and backpackers looking for a different side of Thailand. It’s also an access point to the famous mountainside temple at Doi Suthep, which offers incredible views across the valley floor.

Beyond Chiang Mai, explorers will find forgotten shrines, elephant sanctuaries, and hill-tribe villages as they float and hike through the rainforest towards the smaller sister city of Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos all meet.

If you’re looking for unique experiences in Thailand, Elephant Hills at the heart of Khao Sok National Park is tough to beat. Arriving is made simple with complimentary transfers by land and sea from Phuket, Khao Lak, Koh Samui, and Krabi, with a spectacular final leg by long-tail boat on Cheow Larn Lake. Guests stay in luxury tents, some of which are nestled in the jungle while others float on the lake itself. Close-up encounters with unchained elephants are just one of the fantastic attractions of this beautiful resort.

Days are filled with canoeing on tranquil waters to spot gibbons and macaques in the surrounding trees or forest hikes to bat-filled caves. Nights bring cultural entertainment, beers by the water, and home-cooked feasts in the most stunning natural settings. Elephant Hills is a boutique property which makes you feel as though you’re alone in the wilderness. Booking in advance is highly recommended.

When you’re ready to head to the coast, four Thai destinations are consistent favourites. The biggest and liveliest is Phuket and its chain of west coast beaches. Phuket holidays invite you to choose an atmosphere to suit your taste from the party town of Patong, laidback Karon, family-friendly Kata, or the exclusive lagoon-side resorts of Bangtao. On the east coast, Panwa Beach grants easy access to charming Old Phuket Town and boat trips to the tiny islands of the Andaman Sea.

90 minutes north, Khao Lak is a quieter location, perfect for families, with fantastic snorkelling on one side and national park hiking on the other. On the opposite edge of Phang Nga Bay is Krabi, home to the instantly recognisable limestone pillars that shoot up from the blue water and onto Instagram feeds worldwide. Then, across the narrowest strip of the mainland, Koh Samui sits almost alone in the Gulf of Thailand. This small but popular island centres on the vibrant Chaweng Beach, with the sand spreading in each direction, becoming more tranquil and private with every step. On Koh Samui holidays, simply walk until you find the energy you want, then stop and order a cocktail.

While every destination mentioned above is amazing, there’s nothing like getting off the beaten track and discovering something more. On Thailand holidays, the best way to do that is by climbing into a speedboat and zipping through the waves to a tiny island resort. Try the twin islands of Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi, where a ‘less-is-more’ philosophy is firmly in place. You won’t find big parties and all-night music, but you will find a castaway atmosphere, deserted beaches, and ramshackle restaurants right by the sand. Luxurious eco-lodges like Six Senses Yao Noi let you have all this without sacrificing comfort.

Divers and snorkelers will love Koh Tao, just a short sail north of Koh Samui and the Full Moon Party Island of Koh Phangan, where days of discovery in the water flow naturally into nights dancing on the sand. Koh Lipe, part of Tarutao Marine Park, is a romantic escape small enough to explore on foot but large enough that you won’t struggle to find a spot to be alone. Finally, if island life sounds fantastic, but you still want it all, Koh Lanta has a bit of everything from world-class diving and energetic nightlife to casual beach bars, wetland kayaking, charming villages, and luxury spa hotels.