12 must visit attractions in Thailand
THE GRAND PALACE & WAT PHRA KAEW
Located adjacent the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok is both the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew. It was built next to the river strategically in order to help defend the palace from possible invasions. |
DOI SUTHEP
Located just outside the main gates of Chiang Mai is the temple of Doi Suthep, providing visitors with some of the most impressive views of the city. Visitors can also meander through shrines, pagodas, and more. |
WAT PHO
Wat Pho is a force to be reckoned with. This Buddhist temple is one of the oldest and the largest in the capital, which it needs to be, to house the 46-meter long and 15-meter high giant reclining Buddha that sits at its core. |
AYUTTHAYA
HISTORICAL PARK Many of the ruins took some 150 years to complete. The city, which was the second capital of Siam after Sukhothai, flourished for around 400 years before it was eventually destroyed by the Burmese. |
WAT ARUN
The Buddhist temple sits right along the main artery of the capital: the Chao Phraya River. Its positioning on the banks may have been for strategic reasons when it was originally built in the early 19th century, however, now it simply adds to the temple aesthetically. |
CHATUCHAK
WEEKEND MARKET This market in Bangkok is one of the biggest in Asia, with aisle upon aisle of vendors selling everything and anything visitors could possibly desire. Even the most avid of shopaholics may find themselves overwhelmed. |
KHAO YAI
NATIONAL PARK One of the most frequented parks in Thailand. This park would surely lure in visitors with its promise of wildlife, an abundance of hiking trails, and overall beauty. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. |
ERAWAN FALLS
Found in Erawan National Park, which spans over 1.5 kilometers, the seven-tiered fall is one of the main reasons why visitors frequent this park. Both tourists and locals take to the cool, emerald pools found at each level, finding refuge from Thailand’s heat. |
CHAO PHRAYA RIVER
Otherwise known as the River of Kings, this is one of the most important waterways in Thailand. Some of the top attractions in the capital are found along its banks, and it is one of the major transportation hubs in the city. |
SUKHOTHAI
HISTORICAL PARK This was the country’s first Siamese Kingdom. Visitors frequent the city to explore Sukhothai Historical Park, home to a number of ancient ruins, including the temple of Wat Mahathat. |
KHAO SAN ROAD
Whether visitors are hankering for a scorpion or want to experience a unique night out, this is the place to visit. It is about 410-meters in length and takes only about five minutes (depending on the crowd) to walk it in its entirety. |
WHITE TEMPLE
Otherwise known as Wat Rong Khun, is a unique Buddhist religious structure found in the northern city of Chiang Rai. The privately-owned temple was built by artist Chalermchai Kositpipat and completed in 1997. |
