BEST TOURIST CITIES TO VISIT IN THAILAND: 13 Top-Rated Cities

best tourist cities to visit in thailand

There are several tourist cities to visit in Thailand, whether you’re seeking picturesque beaches, fascinating jungles, bustling cities, or something else. This historic nation in Southeast Asia is home to some of the best cities for tourists. The contrasts in Thailand are striking. While most people think of Thailand when they picture soft, white beaches and sunny days, this Southeast Asian country is also home to some of the most cosmopolitan towns, magnificent palaces, historic temples, hiking routes that lead into misty mountains, and some of the most renowned shopping in the region.

Numerous historical monuments, spicy Thai food, and stunning beaches with soft sands and clear waters draw tourists from all over the world.  Are you planning to go on a tour currently or at a later time? Thailand is surely a good place that can suit your interests. Below is a list of some of the best tourist cities to visit in Thailand.

#1. Bangkok – Find Beauty In The Chaos

best tourist cities to visit in thailand
Credit: Urlaubspiraten

The “city of angels” is often used to describe Bangkok. Nobody in the entire globe would be unaware of Bangkok, the kind of life you can lead there, or the fact that shopping in Bangkok is the most thrilling activity. In comparison to any other area in the entire world, what you experience here is unmatched. There are plenty of reasons to fall in love with the city because it is one of the trendiest locations in the entire world. 

Everyone should visit this location at least once in their lives, and ideally during their youth, because of the experiences, it can offer its guests. Make the most of your trip by engaging in all the fun activities Bangkok has to offer.

Read Also: WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT THAILAND? Ultimate Guide

#2. Chiang Mai Night Bazaar – The Shining Star In Thailand

The Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is the brightest star in Thailand’s nighttime sky. It is one of the best tourist cities to visit in Thailand. It encompasses sidewalks, interiors of buildings, and temple grounds as it extends over several city blocks. Buy souvenirs, apparel, handicrafts, and the arts here. Along their historic trade route between Siama and Mawlamyaing, Yumnanese traders would halt at this market. So, while you’re out and about, be sure to check out one of Thailand’s top shopping destinations.

In addition to the nightlife, there are numerous other attractions available to visitors. One of these is the fantastic meal that it offers. You will adore this location if you are a true foodie who enjoys trying new foods. You can also get some fantastic Thai food at this restaurant in addition to the continental fare, which is deserving of a try. It’s been stated that once you try the regional cuisine that the restaurants here serve, you’ll grow to love it. Not simply for the food, but also as a gathering point for travelers. You might take advantage of Thai cruises while you’re in Chiang Mai.

#3. Ayutthaya – Admire The Architecture

best tourist cities to visit in thailand
Credit: History Hit

One of the top tourist cities to visit in Thailand, the Thai capital has been an open-air museum for 417 years. Every nook and cranny of Ayutthaya is home to ancient buildings, the remains of the second capital of Siam, and stunning works of art and architecture. One of the best locations to visit in Thailand to learn about the illustrious past of the nation is this.

This location is perfect for anyone who is genuinely interested in the history of a certain nation because each and every monument there reveals something about Thailand’s past. UNESCO has designated this location as a world-historic site and has taken protective measures to preserve it.  What we see here are the remnants of most of the items that were built here but no longer function.

The UNESCO collected anything that was still standing and visible to the public. The majority of the Buddha idols we can view here are in very poor shape. Some idols lack their head, while others lack certain other components. One can travel here using any local transportation option and spend the entire day admiring these incredible and exquisite art forms.

#4. Prachuap Khiri Khan

The province of Prachuap Khiri Khan is well known for Hua Hin, a renowned beach resort. However, the province’s capital, also known as Prachuap Khiri Khan, is a laid-back seaside city with a lot to offer tourists while still keeping deliciously beneath the radar.

Prachuap Khiri Khan is the welcome antidote if Hua Hin has too much energy. The tranquil city is set on a vast bay of blue water, with lush green limestone mountains enclosing both ends and in the distance, the undulating hills dividing Thailand from Myanmar.

Even while Prachuap is less popular with tourists than other beachside communities, that is what makes it unique. It’s the ideal setting for blending in and experiencing a typical day in the life of a Thai person.

#5. Chiang Rai

best tourist cities to visit in thailand
Credit: Klook

The sizable city of Chian Rai, which is close to the borders with Laos and Myanmar, doesn’t see as much traffic as other northern cities. The Phu Chi Fa national forest park offers visitors the chance to explore breathtaking surroundings and see the sunrise.

Technically not a religious structure but the creation of a local visual artist, Wat Rong Khun (also known as the “white temple”) is perhaps the most well-known location in the city.  Before you approach the temple’s main chapel, you must traverse a bridge that appears to float over water and signifies purgatory. The temple also features beautiful murals with vivid pictures of spacecraft, Harry Potter, and even figures from Star Wars and Spider-Man.

#6. Pai

There’s a strong chance that you’ve never heard of the small town of Pai, and you’re not the only one. Pai, which is situated directly on the banks of the lovely Pai River, has grown to be a favorite tourist and explorers cities to visit seeking to experience a different side of Thailand. Pai makes up for the lack of opulent hotels with swimming pools with its beautiful hiking trails, and hot springs, as well as plenty of hill tribe settlements, including those of the Karen and Hmong.

In addition, one of the most visited sites in the city is Santichon Village. The Yunan People, a Southern Chinese ethnic minority with strong ties to the Pai region, are represented through a collection of clay dwellings and shops that exhibit their way of life. In the village, which has a permanent population of around 2,000 people, inhabitants grow tea, give tourists rides on donkeys, and hand-power a wooden Ferris wheel for those who are daring enough to ride it.

Read Also: VACATION IN BANGKOK: Top 10 Best Vacation Spots in 2023

#7. Koh Chang – Gateway Of Island Hopping

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It is true what is said about it being the most beautiful and most traveled Island in the nation. Once you visit the location, you will experience the same. This island, which is located in northern Thailand, has developed into the starting point for island hopping. The best feature of this location is that mountains surround it, and you can rent little cabins there. White sands can be found everywhere, and they add to the area’s natural beauty. This island also happens to be the most populated island of all because of these fantastic reasons. 

This area is not only beautiful and crowded, but it also includes a great resort where people can truly spend some time together. Therefore, if we consider all of these factors, this location is among the top tourist destinations in Thailand.

#8. Khao Sok National Park

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One of the most popular natural tourist cities to visit in Thailand is this national park. Khao Sok, a sizable rainforest that is situated on the mainland in southern Thailand, became a national park in 1980. Elephants, porcupines, bears, hornbills, and a vast variety of other animals can be found in the national park, which is rather large. Khao Sok is noted for its distinctive and one-of-a-kind flowers like the Bua Phut in addition to having one of the oldest rainforests in the world and a healthy habitat for some of the largest beasts in the world.

The national park is kept in excellent condition. Even though there are just two maintained trails in this area, hiking is one of the most popular pastimes. On Cheow Lan Lake, there are floating bungalows that are very popular. The limestone caverns, which date back a million years, are very impressive to view.

#9.  Khao Yai National Park

The first and largest national park in Thailand is called Khao Yai National Park. It is one of Thailand’s biodiverse regions, home to hundreds of rare kinds of wildlife including monkeys, elephants, deer, and macaques. Given its breathtaking natural beauty and abundance of majestic waterfalls, natural caverns, deep forests, as well as amazing landscape, it is no surprise that Khao Yai is one of the most popular Thailand attractions.

Since camping is one of the most popular activities here, Khao Yai National Park is scattered with several campsites. There are rigorous guidelines on how tourists should treat animals because there are so many parks and because of this, animals frequently visit them.

#10. Koh Tao

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Koh Tao, a charming island tucked away in the Gulf of Thailand, is now a popular choice for tourists looking for a dreamy tropical holiday. This city provides guests with a tranquil getaway from the bustle of daily life with its white sand beaches, lush vegetation, and blue waters. The island’s alluring beauty and relaxed attitude provide the ideal environment for rest and adventure.

Thailand’s Koh Tao not only has some breathtaking views, but it’s also the top location in the nation for scuba diving instruction. The island’s surrounding waters are tranquil and warm, offering great visibility and a variety of colorful marine life, making it the perfect place for beginning divers to develop their confidence and advance their abilities.

Koh Tao is also the most accessible and cost-effective location in the nation for scuba diving aficionados thanks to its abundance of professional dive shops that provide PADI certification courses at low rates.

Read Also: RESORTS IN THAILAND: 10 Best Resorts in Thailand

#11. Koh Mook

Some of the most magnificent islands in the Andaman Sea can be found in the far south of Thailand, not far from the Malaysian border. There are many amazing sites to discover down here, from Lipe to Libong, and Kradan to Ngai. The picture-perfect island of Koh Mook, though, is one of our favorites. There is enough to do in this bygone paradise to keep you busy for a few days, making it the ideal destination to use as a base for exploring all the other islands.

It’s tranquil and lovely, offers several excellent places to stay, and has some excellent eateries. Very much worth a trip!

#12. Koh Phi Phi

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There is a solid reason why Koh Phi Phi islands are so well-liked by tourists in Thailand. There is nothing short of jaw-dropping natural beauty here. The Phi Phi Islands have smooth white beaches, stunning turquoise water, and verdant green palm forests, everything you’d expect to see on a postcard from a tropical island paradise.

Six separate islands make up the archipelago known as Koh Phi Phi. Koh Phi Phi Don is the only island that has many people. Even though it is the largest of the six islands, it doesn’t cover more than 10 square kilometers.

#13. Mae Hong Son

Credit: Culture Trip

Mae Hong Son is the perfect destination for anyone who doesn’t really know what to do in Thailand but would rather have a tranquil and relaxing time because it is a clearly provincial town with clear Burmese influences. This little village in northern Thailand occasionally rarely resembles a typical Thai town due to its size.

Mae Hong Son, which has a very distinct culture from the rest of Thailand and has significantly fewer visitors because it prioritizes local travel above foreign travel, has a very disThe majority of tourists in this town are Thai, so there isn’t much of a party scene here. Instead, there are calm, relaxing activities for those who prefer to escape the crowded tourist areas of other parts of Thailand.

Where is the Most Beautiful City in Thailand?

Chiang Rai. Located at the northern tip of the country, beautiful Chiang Rai is often underrated, even though it boasts some of the most intricate temples in Thailand and is a gateway to the Golden Triangle.

Which City is The Richest in Thailand?

According to data released by the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board, Phuket tops the income category as it is the only province in Thailand without poverty.

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