Things to do in

Thailand

A silent or guided meditation retreat held at a traditional Thai forest monastery near Chiang Mai (examples: Wat Umong, monasteries on Doi Suthep slopes). The retreat focuses on mindfulness (Vipassana) and/or concentration (Samatha) practice within monastic discipline: daily sitting and walking meditation, short Dhamma talks, optional Dhamma interviews with a teacher, simple vegetarian meals, and periods of noble silence. Suitable for beginners with clear instructions as well as experienced meditators seeking a traditional monastery environment.

Loy Krathong and Yi Peng are two overlapping northern-Thai celebrations held in November in Chiang Mai. Loy Krathong involves launching small decorated floating baskets (krathong) onto waterways to pay respect to the water spirits and symbolically release misfortune. Yi Peng is the northern Thai (Lanna) tradition of releasing paper sky lanterns (khom loi) into the night sky. In Chiang Mai the two festivals are celebrated together with temple ceremonies, parades, cultural performances, floating krathong on the Ping River and large organised and informal lantern releases across the city.

Songkran is Thailand's traditional New Year festival celebrated nationwide with large-scale water fights, religious rites, family gatherings, and cultural performances. It blends joyful public water play with temple ceremonies (pouring water on Buddha images and elders) and merit-making.

Rooftop bar sunset views in Bangkok deliver dramatic panoramas of the city skyline and the Chao Phraya River as the sun falls—perfect for photography, cocktails, and a romantic or social evening. Popular venues include Sky Bar (Lebua), Vertigo & Moon Bar (Banyan Tree), Octave (Marriott), and Above Eleven; each offers a different atmosphere from ultra-luxe to relaxed lounge vibes.

Rot Fai Train Night Market Ratchada is one of Bangkok's most popular night markets — a vibrant mix of vintage stalls, street food, bars and live music. It's known for its retro and antique shops, neon-lit photography spots and casual nightlife atmosphere. The market is a great place for shopping, eating and soaking up local evening culture.

Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park is Thailand's first coastal national park, famous for dramatic limestone karst hills, coastal wetlands, extensive mangrove and freshwater marshes, quiet beaches and the iconic Phraya Nakhon Cave with its royal pavilion. The park offers wildlife watching (notably migratory birds), easy to moderate hikes, boat trips, kayaking and scenic drives in Prachuap Khiri Khan province.

Phimai Historical Park is one of Thailand's finest Khmer temple complexes, dating mainly to the 11th–12th centuries (Khmer Empire). The well-preserved sandstone sanctuary sits inside a walled compound and was an important regional center linked historically to Angkor. Visitors will find impressive lintels, stone carvings, a central prang, and a clear east-west axis; the site offers excellent photographic opportunities and insight into Khmer art, architecture, and regional history.

Seasonal natural spectacle where thousands of pink lotus flowers (Nymphaea pubescens) bloom across Nong Han Kumphawapi Lake, creating a vast carpet of pink and red that is best enjoyed from a long-tail boat at sunrise. The phenomenon draws photographers, birdwatchers, and nature-lovers and is most spectacular between December and February.