Phuket Island in southern Thailand is one of the world’s leading beach resort destinations.
The best time to visit is during the dry season from November to March,
when it rains less and is not too hot.
A tour of temples in and around Bangkok is also attractive.
April is hot and humid with strong sunshine, though,
The “Songkran” festival, held in mid-April, attracts tourists from all over the world.
Chiang Mai is also popular for its unique culture and elephant camps.
Phuket
Patong Beach
Patong Beach, located in the western part of the island, is the busiest area on the island. You can enjoy shopping, dining, Thai massage, and marine sports in the beautiful ocean. With numerous restaurants and nightspots, you are sure to have a great time from morning till night! We recommend “Patong Seafood”, a restaurant where you can choose your own seafood, such as lobster or fish, and have it prepared the way you like it.
Karon Beach
Karon Beach, located about 15 minutes by car from Patong Beach, is a popular area for families with a more relaxed atmosphere than Patong Beach. It features a "squeaky sand" beach that makes a squeaking sound when you walk on it.
Kata Beach
Located in the southwestern part of Phuket Island, Kata Beach has a fashionable atmosphere that is popular among locals. One of the attractions of this beach is that there are dive sites that can be entered from the beach! You can enjoy diving at a reasonable price without using a boat.
Bangtao Beach
Bangtao Beach, about a 30-minute drive from Phuket Town and a 20-minute drive from the airport, is one of Phuket's most exclusive resort areas for a relaxing vacation. The Laguna area is home to the start and finish line of the Phuket International Marathon.
Surin Beach
Surin Beach, well-reputed by locals, is located on the west coast of Phuket and offers beautiful sunset views. Originally a busy beach with beach clubs and other activities, it has been transformed into a very clean and serene beach through government-led beach cleanup activities.
Bangla Street in Patong
Bangla Street, located in the center of Patong Beach, becomes lively and fun at night! After 6:00 p.m., the street is closed to cars and crowded with people until late at night with Thai food stalls, open bars and clubs where you can enjoy live music.
Karon Viewpoint
The Karon Viewpoint, a 5-minute drive from Kata Beach, is known for its spectacular views. The hilltop lookout offers a panoramic view of the beach line extending from Kata Noi, Kata, and Karon.
Monkey Hill
Tosae Hill, the highest mountain in Phuket, located about 40 minutes by car from Patong Beach, is also known as Monkey Hill because of the wild monkeys that can be seen there. It is a popular cycling and walking course for locals.
Tiger Kingdom
Tiger Kingdom, a 20-minute drive from Patong Beach, is a facility where you can interact with tigers. How about taking a photo with a white tiger, a giant tiger, or a newborn baby tiger while enjoying the thrill?
Big Buddha
The white marble Big Buddha stands 45 meters high against the blue sky! Located 30 minutes by car from Patong Beach, construction began in 2004 as a symbol of hope after the Sumatra earthquake. Sneakers are recommended as there are stairs to climb!
Phi Phi Island
Phi Phi is a small island that can be reached by boat from Phuket. Join a snorkeling or scuba diving tour to see beautiful coral reefs up close! It is the location for the movie "The Beach".
Phang Nga Bay
Phang Nga Bay, with its 161 islets, is home to limestone formations that have been eroded into mysterious shapes. Some of the rocks became famous after being used as locations for the movie "007”. Many cruise tours and Kayak Toursare available, and you can enjoy touring the beautiful bell millstones and caves.
Phuket Old Town
The highlight of Old Town, the center of life for Phuket residents, is the pastel-colored architecture in pink, yellow, and blue. There are also numerous restaurants, cafes, and general stores in the photogenic streets.
“Tunk-ka Café”, located nearby, offers Thai food with a night view of Phuket Town from Khao Lan Hill!
Wat Chalong
Located 10 km southwest of Phuket Town, Wat Charong is the most devout Thai-style Buddhist temple in Phuket. The main hall is a 60-meter-high stupa, a haunting beauty of salmon pink and gold. Inside the walls, the life of Buddha is depicted in rich colors.
Promthep Cape
Promthep Cape is located at the southernmost tip of Phuket Island. It is a popular spot for watching beautiful sunsets, especially during the dry and hot season (around November to May) when there is little rainfall, the sky is clear and the sea is clear, and many chances to see a spectacular view!!
Bangkok
Wat Pho
Wat Pho was a royal temple where monks studied the Dharma. The 46-meter-long golden Reclining Buddha in the royal palace is a must-see, from the head to the soles of the feet inlaid with mother-of-pearl inlay. You can also get a Thai massage on the premises.
Wat Phra Kaew
Wat Phra Kaew, also known as the Emerald Temple, was built in the late 18th century when the Chakri dynasty was established. It is believed that praying to the Emerald Buddha by chanting incantations will bring you good luck with money.
Wat Arun Ratchawararam
Wat Arun, meaning "Temple of the Dawn" in Thai, is a Buddhist temple located along the river. Early in the morning, the temple shimmers like a beautiful pearl as the morning light reflects off it. It is a familiar sightseeing spot to Japanese people, as it was depicted in a novel by Yukio Mishima.
Wat Paknam Phasicharoen
Wat Paknam was founded in the Ayutthaya period. The highlight of this temple is the ceiling painting. The beauty of the world is breathtaking, as if it were a representation of the universe. The temple is popular among young people as a photogenic temple.
Khao San Road
Khao San Road is a well-known backpacker's hub. Lined with pubs, clubs, fashionable hotels and boutiques, it is a popular area for Westerners. The area is also popular among westerners, with pubs, clubs, fashionable hotels, and boutiques.
Floating market
The Chao Phraya River, which flows through Bangkok, has countless tributaries and canals, and water transportation has long been developed. Damnoen Saduak around Bangkok and Ampawa Ayutthaya are popular markets.
Mahanakhon Skywalk
The observation deck is located on the top 78th floor of Mahanakhon Tower, just a short walk from Chong Nong Si BTS station. From a height of 314 meters above the ground, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of Bangkok's cityscape.
Chatuchak Weekend Market
This is Bangkok's largest market held on weekends. It is the largest market in Bangkok held on weekends, selling apparel, antiques, used books, gardening, and even pets! There are more than 15,000 stores! There are also plenty of restaurants and eateries, so you can find a bargain while you eat and walk around.
Songkran Festival
One of the most popular festivals in Thailand is Songkran, or Water Splashing Festival, which is held during the Chinese New Year in April! Originally, the custom was to purify Buddha images and elders by splashing water on them, but recently it has become a popular festival around the world where passersby splash water on each other in the streets.
Sao Sanchar
Sao Sanchar, also known as the Giant Swing, has become a symbol of Bangkok. It is a bright red pillar like a torii gate, 21 meters high, with beautiful carvings on the place connecting the two pillars.
Bangkok Chinatown
Chinatown in Bangkok, where Chinese people have lived since ancient times, is a fun area to visit with its lively signs and stores. Chinese food using fresh Thai ingredients and reasonably priced street food that is good for eating and walking around are also popular.
Around Bangkok
Pattaya
Pattaya is a resort area only a two-hour drive from Bangkok. The beach line stretches about 20 km from Naklua Beach, a remnant of a fishing village, to Jomtien Beach, a popular family beach with a relaxed atmosphere.
Wat Saman Rattanaram
A huge pink statue of Ganesha welcomes you at the temple, located about 1.5 hours from Bangkok. Fourteen rats are placed around Ganesha, and it is said that if you pray to the rat of the color of your birthday, the rat will tell Ganesha.
Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya prospered as a city surrounded by waterways, and the ruins, temples, and palaces of Ayutthaya still reflect the prosperity of that time. The Buddha head surrounded by tree roots is mysterious. One-day tours of the ruins and floating market with transportation from Bangkok are also popular.
Mae Klong Railway Market
Stores selling vegetables, fruits, and other goods are crammed along the side of the railroad tracks, which are still in use. While trains pass by eight times a day, parasols and tents are folded down to make room for the trains. It is worth seeing the scenery as the train passes by just in front of the stores.
Chiang Mai
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Located at the summit of a mountain about 1,080 meters above sea level. The main attractions include a stupa containing the bones of Buddha and a long staircase guarded by a Naga (snake god). From the terrace of the temple, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Chiang Mai city.
Wat Phra Sing
It is the largest temple in the Old City of Chiang Mai. The 50-meter-high golden chedi shines beautifully. During Songkran (Water Hanging Festival) in April every year, wooden Buddha images with exquisite carvings tour around Chiang Mai. In addition to the Buddha images, the colorful murals in the halls are also worth seeing.
Wat Chedi Luang
Luang" means "big" in the northern Thai dialect, and as the name implies, it has the largest chedi in Chiang Mai. In accordance with the Buddhist cosmology, a large chedi is placed in the center of the capital, and temples are built in eight different directions surrounding the chedi.
Elephant Camps
Several elephant camps in Chiang Mai shelter elephants that have become unable to survive for various reasons. Proceeds are used to cover the cost of raising the elephants and to support their livelihood.
Wat Sri Suphan
It is said to be the first temple in the world to have a silverwork hall. Although only men are allowed to enter the main hall, the beautiful silver work is worth seeing from the outside.
Wat Chiang Man
This temple was built in 1296 when Chiang Mai was founded by King Mengrai. It was once used as the king's palace, and the main hall houses the marble Buddha image "Phra Si Ra Kao" and the crystal image "Phra Saetan Kamanee", both of which are featured in the Songkran Festival. The base of the chedi is supported by 15 elephants.
Yee Peng Festival
It is held on the night of the full moon in the current October or November. This festival, called Loi Krathong, is held in various parts of Thailand to express gratitude for the blessings of the river and to wash away the filth, but Chiang Mai's Yipeng Festival is particularly famous. Beautifully decorated lanterns with candles, incense, and flowers are floated down the river, and the scenery is fantastic and beautiful.
Wat Banden
Located northeast of the center of Mae Taeng County, Wat Bang Deng was rebuilt with donations from the local people. There are many colorful buildings, and the chedis represent the twelve Chinese zodiac signs.
Warorot Market
Once inside the building, you will find fresh food, clothing, traditional handicrafts, and all sorts of other items for sale, attracting not only locals but also tourists in search of food and souvenirs unique to northern Thailand.
Northern Thailand
Sukhothai
Located 440 km north of Bangkok, and it takes 1 hour and 20 minutes from Bangkok by flight or about 7 hours by bus. The Sukhothai dynasty was established in the 13th century, older than Ayutthaya, but the brick ruins are well preserved and are registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sunset and sunset lightings are a must-see!
Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai, located in northern Thailand near the border with Myanmar and Laos, is the former capital of a former dynasty. Like Chiang Mai, it is an area with a strong Lanna culture. You can also visit Myanmar across the border by land!
Green curry
Green curry is a popular dish that combines spices such as green chilies, coconut milk, lemongrass, and hump mandarin leaves with a variety of ingredients. The taste and spiciness varies from store to store. Please find your favorite restaurant!
Tom Yum Kung
Tom Yum Kung, "Tom" means "to boil," "yam" means "to mix," and "kung" means "shrimp. This soup, with its exquisite spicy, sour, and sweet flavors, is a staple of Thai cuisine! Tom Yam Gai, made with chicken, is also delicious.
Gai Yang
Gai Yang, the soul food of the Thai people, is often seen at street stalls. Chicken marinated in garlic, fish sauce, and other seasonings is grilled over charcoal until crispy, making it a perfect dish for both drinks and rice!
Gapao rice
Popular not only with adults but also with children, Gapao rice is stir-fried minced meat, basil, vegetables, fish sauce and oyster sauce. The fried egg on top matches the aroma of the Thai rice, jasmine rice.
Pad Thai
Pad Thai is Thai-style fried noodles made from rice flour and stir-fried with seafood, vegetables, and eggs. Pad Thai is also not spicy, so even small children can enjoy it. It tastes even better if you squeeze the peanuts and lime that come with the side of the plate!
Khao Soi
Commonly eaten in Chiang Mai and Sukhothai in northern Thailand, khao soi is crispy fried noodles topped with a rich curry-flavored soup. Coconut milk is also included in the soup, making it creamy and thick.
Som Tam
This green papaya salad is commonly eaten in Thailand and Laos. The acidity of the lime in the fish sauce and the aroma and spiciness of the chili peppers will ease the fatigue of travel and the heat of Thailand. An excellent side dish!