Things to do in Thailand
Not sure how to spend your time in Thailand? From exploring famous attractions to trying unique local activities, our guide to the top things to do will make your trip unforgettable.
Top 48 curated things to do in Thailand

Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew
The Grand Palace is Bangkok's most iconic landmark and former royal residence, a complex of ornate buildings, halls, and courtyards. Within the palace grounds sits Wat Phra Kaew, the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand, home to the Emerald Buddha — a highly revered statue carved from a single block of jade. The site showcases exquisite Thai architecture, intricate murals, gilded stupas, and royal ceremonial halls.

Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha)
Wat Pho, formally Wat Phra Chetuphon, is one of Bangkok's oldest and largest temples, home to the famous 46-meter gilded Reclining Buddha. The temple complex is a major cultural and historical site, known for its intricate murals, stupas (chedis), and Thailand's traditional massage school.

Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
Wat Arun, commonly known as the Temple of Dawn, is one of Bangkok's most iconic riverside temples. Famous for its towering central Khmer-style prang decorated with colorful Chinese porcelain, the temple offers panoramic views across the Chao Phraya River and is especially dramatic at sunrise and sunset.

Khlong (canal) long-tail boat tour
A classic Bangkok experience: glide through the city’s narrow khlongs (canals) on a traditional long-tail boat to see daily riverside life, wooden stilt houses, hidden temples and local markets. This tour focuses on Thonburi’s quieter canals and selected larger khlongs, offering a mix of culture, photography opportunities and refreshing scenes away from the main Chao Phraya tourist route. Perfect for photographers, culture lovers and first-time visitors who want a local perspective.

Chatuchak Weekend Market
Chatuchak Weekend Market (also called JJ Market) is one of the largest open-air markets in the world, located in Bangkok, Thailand. It has thousands of stalls selling everything from clothing, handicrafts and antiques to pets, plants and street food. The market is lively, colorful and a must-visit for shoppers and culture seekers who want an authentic local experience.

Chinatown (Yaowarat) street food crawl
An evening walking food crawl through Bangkok’s historic Chinatown (Yaowarat), sampling Chinese-Thai street food from sizzling woks, cart vendors and small family-run shops under neon signs. The route focuses on Yaowarat Road and the adjoining side-streets (Soi Sampeng, Charoen Krung), offering a mix of seafood, fried specialties, Chinese desserts and refreshing drinks — plus cultural sights like gold shops and nearby temples.

Muay Thai match at Rajadamnern or Lumpinee
Experience authentic Thai culture and world-class combat sport: watch live Muay Thai — Thailand's national sport — at either Rajadamnern Stadium (central Bangkok) or the new Lumpinee Stadium. Expect a high-energy evening show with the traditional Wai Khru Ram Muay ritual, fast-paced 5-round fights across weight classes, and a vocally engaged local crowd.

Maeklong Railway Market
Maeklong Railway Market, locally known as Talad Rom Hoop (the ‘Umbrella Pulldown Market’), is a famous open-air market built along an active railway line in Samut Songkhram province, Thailand. Vendors set up stalls and awnings directly on the tracks; when a train approaches they quickly pull back coverings and move goods, then restore everything a moment after the train passes. The market is a lively mix of fresh seafood, local produce, snacks and household goods and is one of Thailand’s most photogenic and unique market experiences.

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is the most famous traditional floating market in Thailand, located in Ratchaburi Province. A lively morning market set along a network of canals (khlongs), it offers vibrant photo opportunities, boat-to-boat shopping, local food sold from wooden boats, and a glimpse into canal-side Thai community life. Best visited early (6:00–9:30 AM) to see the market at its busiest and most colorful.

Ayutthaya Historical Park cycling tour
A guided cycling tour through the UNESCO-listed Ayutthaya Historical Park, weaving between centuries-old temple ruins, riverfront palaces and local markets. Riders experience compact loops of the old capital on comfortable bicycles or e-bikes, with stops for history, photography, and local food. Ideal for history lovers, casual cyclists and photographers.

Sukhothai Historical Park sunrise cycling
Cycle through the evocative ruins of Sukhothai Historical Park at dawn to watch the sun lift over ancient chedis and ponds. This guided morning ride (small group or private) combines gentle exercise with history and photography: arrive before most visitors, see Wat Mahathat at sunrise, explore quieter temple zones, and experience local morning life. Suitable for recreational cyclists and first-time visitors who can ride a standard city or hybrid bike.

Bridge on the River Kwai & Death Railway ride
Historic WWII train ride and memorial visit. Experience the famous Bridge on the River Kwai and ride the scenic 'Death Railway' that runs along the Khwae Yai River. The tour combines a heritage train journey, photo stops at the wooden and steel bridge sections, and visits to nearby war museums and cemeteries that commemorate the lives lost during the railway's construction.

Erawan Falls hike (Erawan National Park)
Erawan Falls is a spectacular seven-tiered waterfall in Erawan National Park, Kanchanaburi Province. The hike takes you through a shaded limestone forest to a series of emerald pools and cascades — perfect for swimming, photography and picnics. Trails are well-marked but can be steep, rocky and slippery in places. Bring swimming gear and arrive early to avoid crowds.

Hellfire Pass Memorial & walking trail
Hellfire Pass (Konyu Cutting) is a World War II–era railway cutting carved by Allied prisoners of war and Asian labourers under Japanese occupation. The site and adjacent Visitor Centre/Museum commemorate those who died building the Thai-Burma Railway (Death Railway). The walking trail follows an original section of the railway and cuts through the dramatic rock face where workers laboured under extreme conditions. Visiting combines history, quiet reflection, and light trekking through a preserved landscape.

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is one of northern Thailand's most sacred and iconic temples, perched on Doi Suthep mountain overlooking Chiang Mai. Founded in the 14th century (with major restorations later), the temple complex centers on a gleaming gold chedi that houses relics of the Buddha. The site blends striking Lanna architecture, ornate carvings and murals, and panoramic views across the Chiang Mai valley. It is both a major pilgrimage destination and a top sightseeing stop for visitors to the region. Respectful behavior and modest dress are required.

Chiang Mai Old City temples walking tour
Half-day, easy walking tour through the historic heart of Chiang Mai's Old City visiting its most iconic temples and learning about Lanna culture, architecture and Buddhist practices. Ideal for first-time visitors who want a compact cultural experience on foot — include an early-morning start to observe or participate in the monks' alms tradition. Expect gentle walking on paved paths and occasional stairs inside temple grounds.

Elephant Nature Park (ethical sanctuary)
Elephant Nature Park is a long-standing elephant rescue and rehabilitation centre run by the Save Elephant Foundation near Chiang Mai, Thailand. The park focuses on rescuing abused and retired working elephants, providing them with a natural, low-stress environment and veterinary care. Visits emphasize observation, education, and non-invasive interaction (feeding and washing in the river) rather than rides or performances.

Doi Inthanon National Park waterfalls & summit
Doi Inthanon National Park is Thailand's highest peak and a biodiversity hotspot near Chiang Mai. This activity combines visits to several of the park's dramatic waterfalls (Wachirathan, Mae Ya, Siriphum, Mae Klang) with the ascent to the Doi Inthanon summit (approx. 2,565 m), including the famous King and Queen pagodas, cloud/mossy forest trails and panoramic viewpoints.

Sunday Walking Street & Night Bazaar
Two of Chiang Mai’s most iconic evening markets. The Sunday Walking Street (locally called "Tha Pae Walking Street") transforms Ratchadamnoen Road into a pedestrian-only market full of handicrafts, street food, and cultural performances each Sunday evening. The Chiang Mai Night Bazaar on Chang Khlan Road is a nightly market popular with tourists for souvenirs, clothes, and eateries, with many permanent shops and stalls open every evening.

Thai cooking class
Hands-on Thai cooking experience in a relaxed, local kitchen or small organic farm near Chiang Mai. Participants learn to prepare traditional northern and central Thai dishes from market ingredients, guided by a local chef. The class typically includes a short market visit, knife skills and ingredient prep, step-by-step cooking of multiple dishes, and a shared meal with recipes to take home.



















