Thailand
Destination Guide
How to use my destination guides
My destination guides are organised in two main sections:
Overview
This will help you to decide if this is a location for you, and if so, where you may want to spend your time. For larger countries, I also provide additional overviews of different regions, states and territories.
Specific Recommendations
Here I list specific things to see and do. For each, I provide star ratings so that you can easily see how good, unique and adventurous each place is. This means that you can easily pick out where sounds right for you!
Photos note: All of the photos you see on my website are taken by me or of me!
Overview
Given the large numbers of people who have been to Thailand, I was worried it may be overly touristic or filled with loads of immature 18-to 20-year-old Brits who want to do nothing other than drink all the time. After spending a month in Thailand, I was delighted to be proven so completely and utterly wrong about this judgment.
Some main reasons why are:
- Beginner-friendly
If you are new to travelling, Thailand is my no.1 recommendation to get you off the starting blocks! It’s cheap, safe, has plenty of other tourists you can meet and it has easy access to neighbouring countries. - It’s cheap!
Once you are there, everything is really affordable, be it food, transport or accommodation. - You can spoil yourself
Booking a hotel on a whim in a Western country will cost you a pretty penny; however, in Thailand, you can get a nice hotel for a great price. If you want a more social vibe and save even more money, you can stay in hostels, many of which are like luxury hotels anyway, often having cafes, swimming pools, etc. - Spontinuity
Thailand is one of the best places for spontaneous travel. Hotels and hostels often have capacity for you to reserve on arrival or just a day or two before. Worst-case scenario, if a hostel you like the look of is full, it’s incredibly cheap normally to book another great palace down the road. The number of backpackers there also means that you can easily find like-minded people to tag along with for an adventure. - It’s safe
Thailand is incredibly safe. Don’t get me wrong, you may have a spot of bother here or there as you would in most other parts of the world, but I never felt unsafe there. Of course, keep your wits about you all the same, however. - The people
The locals are lovely. They are really friendly and many people speak at least some level of English, especially in touristy areas. - The culture
Thailand was one of the few countries not colonised by Europeans. They have retained their own incredible, unique culture. The vast majority of people are also Buddhist – I have found that Buddhist areas I have been to on my travels often have the most welcoming, tolerant and open-minded people you will ever meet. Speaking of being open-minded, lady-boys are commonplace in Thailand and it’s a very safe place for the LGBT+ community. - The food
It’s tasty, cheap and you will likely eat out for every meal, it’s also incredibly affordable to do so. You can also try more exotic foods too, such as fried scorpion or chicken hearts on a stick. - Temples and palaces
As mentioned already, Thailand has a majority Buddhist population. There are beautiful temples and palaces to see there. Most people don’t care what you wear in public, however in Temples and palaces, you will have to dress modestly. I would recommend buying a sarong to cover your legs in temples, they are a thin robe and one of the best travel purchases you can make. They can be used in temples, to shade you from the sun and to be used as a regular towel or as a beach towel. - Nature
Thailand has great nature, be it the beaches of the south, the mountains of the north, or the countless islands off its coast. You will find interesting animals on land and in the sea, including elephants! - Activities
You can relax at the beach, treat yourself to food and lounge by the pool, have a Thai massage or do one of the numerous activities from snorkelling and diving to hiking, rock climbing or volunteering with animals. You can learn loads of skills there too, from Muay Thai to yoga, take your pick, chances are you will find loads of things to interest you there and I genuinely believe that there is something for everyone. - Travelling light
The warm weather in Thailand means that whenever you visit, you can travel fairly light. - The mix of tourists
You will find a wide range of tourists in Thailand, depending on where you go. Many of the places which interested me had people from 22 to 38 staying there. If you want to go to a beach and drink with 18-22-year-olds, you can do that. If you want to spend time with people in their 40’s+ you can do that. If you want to travel as a group, a couple or any combination of friends and ages, you will find someone to suit you in Thailand.
The Language
The people in Thailand speak Thai. It’s easy to learn a few worlds however, bear in mind that word endings change depending on your gender. For example, the ending to the words for thank you and hello changes, not based on the gender of the person you are speaking to, but based on the gender of the person saying it. You will find that many people speak at least some English, especially in the touristy areas.
Economy and Safety
Thailand is definitely a winner in these categories. I found it to be incredibly safe everywhere I went. Everything was highly affordable but also very nice at the same time; many hostels and hotels were luxurious, often with swimming pools and clean, well-kept accommodation. The locals I found to be really open, friendly and trustworthy.
Travel Ease
Thailand has a well-established tourist industry, with transport between places and neighbouring countries being incredibly easy. Bangkok Airport is a travel hub with many cheap flights in and out of the country. I also arrived in Thailand by boat from Langkawi, Malaysia (an island off the north-west coast of Malaysia), arriving in Krabi in the south-west of Thailand and found this cheap and easy. I also got a very cheap, convenient bus from Siem Reap in Cambodia to Bangkok at a later date too. Many backpackers also get the ‘slow boat’ from northern Thailand to Laos, which takes 2 days and one night down a river and makes for a good backpacker experience.
Travelling within Thailand is really easy with boat ferries to many of the islands and low-cost buses for most other places. Asking at your hostel or hotel makes for an easy way to organise travel between places. Taxis and tuk-tuks are also affordable.
The Beaches
Thailand is famous for its islands and beaches. My favourite places included Ko Tao, located off the east coast. A good tip is that ‘ko’ means island. You will hear that a lot when you are there; examples include Ko Lanta and Ko Samui. Ko Tao is also one of the cheapest places to get a PADI diving licence and it’s common to undertake training there, so one to look into it if that appeals. I also loved Railay Beach, a peninsula in the south-west of Thailand, which, given the topography, can only be accessed by boat, making it feel like an island. I am not great at relaxing on a beach, but it’s a heaven for adventure seekers with caves to climb through, hidden lagoons to explore and plenty of rock climbing opportunities, which are accessible even to those with no experience; you can get lessons there and climb with guides, I am not suggesting you wing it!
The Wildlife
The wildlife in Thailand is amazing, including land, bird and sea life. From elephants to tigers and turtles, Thailand has plenty to see. It also has large coastlines to the west and east.
The Cities
Bangkok is famous across the world. It is a city best known for its nightlife, with many tourists going there to drink themselves silly and see pingpong shoes (I won’t describe those here, I’ll let you Google them for yourselves if you aren’t familiar with it). That being said, Bangkok has so much more to offer, there are temples, palaces (including the Grand Palace, muay thai fights to see, and so much more. Many parts of the city are quieter and less touristy than others, with the main tourist strip for drinking, partying and trying exotic food being Khao San Road. You will find Bangkok affordable, although slightly more expensive than the more rural areas.
Other famous towns and cities frequented by tourists include Pai, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Ao Nang, Krabi.
Pai and Chiang Mai have a reputation as being backpacker towns. People often referred to being “stuck in the Pai hole”, referring to falling in love with the northern Thai town and not wanting to leave.
I never visited Phuket as it doesn’t appeal to me, given its reputation for being overtouristic and with your more party-oriented backpacker.
Ao Nang I found to be great (although I preferred nearby Railay Beach, a small nearby peninsula). Ao Nang is a great place to spend a few days to explore what’s around. People often say they are going to ‘Krabi’ which is the name of the large town nearby Ao Nang and also the region however the main tourist area and frankly the nicer bit is Ao Nanag, I wouldn;t recommend visiting the town of Krabi; it’s nice enough but nothing overly special either in my opinion without anything unique being there and little tourism.
The People
Thai people are lovely, very open and friendly.
History
Thailand was never colonised by a European power and has remained independent, having had its own monarch for over 780 years! They have a rich history with their own language, food and culture. Being a majority Buddhist country, they are also very friendly and open-minded
Regions Overview
For your ease of planning, I have organised my specific recommendations into the following areas:
Bangkok – The country’s capital, which is located in the country’s centre.
South Thailand
North Thailand
I also include a brief overview of the vibe of each area below.
Bangkok
Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok is located approximately halfway up the country. You can fly into and out of Bangkok easily and it is located well to serve as a stopping off point as you transition from north to south Thailand or vice versa.
South Thailand
In very general terms, southern Thailand is famed for its islands, beaches and coastlines. You will find holiday-goers as well as backpackers in the south.
North Thailand
In very general terms northern Thailand is categorised by its mountainous terrain and being famous among backpackers.
Overview Summary
Thailand is an amazing country. Great people, weather, and addorability are all on offer. You have plenty of chances to relax on a beach or go out and do activities; the flexibility on offer is great. The infrastructure is also there for tourism, with lots of great hotels and hostels. If you are new to travelling in non-Western countries, then to me, Thailand is the best place to go to build your confidence before you push the boat out to less well-travelled parts of the world.
Specific Recommendations
How to interpret my specific recommendations
My specific recommendations are listed below. Firstly, you will find: its name, a quick link to locate and save it to your Google Maps, and for some, a photo. The photos, if present, like all those on this page, have either been taken by me or feature me in them. If you save the location to your Google Maps, I suggest that you add a note on there too, to remind you that you heard about it here. A good way to do this is by copying my website link into the location description. This way, you can check back here nearer the time of your visit to jog your memory as to what is there. I use Google Maps to plan all of my trips and, when used to its full potential, it is incredible! If you haven’t already, check out my blog post on how I use Google Maps to revolutionise my travels!
I provide a description of each location, as well as a duration estimate for how long you may want to spend at that location, to help with your planning.
I also provide star ratings for three categories.
Andy Argo
My overall rating
Worth seeing if you’re passing
Worth a detour if you have time
A must see!
Adventure
The level of exertion and danger involved
Easy to access, low risk and no strenuous exercise required
Some exercise is required, such as hiking. Some risks, such as bad weather, uneven ground, steep edges, etc.
Involves more exercise, greater danger or both. Examples include diving or scrambling up mountains, where experience is required.
Uniqueness
How well known and unique a destination is
A well-known destination or one that is not overly unique. I have listed restaurants in this category as food is everywhere.
Somewhat unknown or unique
Very unique
Some other points to note are:
- I like a bit of danger and history, so you may find that my ‘Andy Argo’ star ratings are sometimes (but not always) a little biased in favour of these types of locations.
- On my ‘Andy Argo’ stars, if I have given something one star, it’s good and worth doing. Having one star doesn’t mean it’s bad; it’s still high praise, as I only include the crème de la crème on this list!
- My duration recommendations are based on what I think is the minimum amount of time you would want to spend there. I always recommend being spontaneous when travelling and changing plans depending on your circumstances, how you feel, and following advice from locals. Remember you’re there to enjoy it, so don’t feel rushed and stressed, you’re on holiday!
- In a small handful of instances, I have included somewhere I have been with zero Andy Argo stars. I have done this a handful of times for very touristy places. These are locations which I have been to and which are sufficiently famous that I think people would wonder why they aren’t on the list, but which, in my opinion, don’t make the cut and are overrated (sorry).
- I have been to the vast majority of these recommendations; however, sometimes I include several locations which I haven’t been to for the following reasons:
- A friend of mine has been there and has highly recommended it to me.
- Internet searches suggest it sounds noteworthy enough to include.
Disclaimer – I am not responsible for your safety or enjoyment at any of these locations. Everything I have recommended here is based on my experience and opinion. I may have recommended places I visited years ago or, as mentioned previously, a handful which I have had recommended to me. Do your own research before visiting any attractions to ensure that you think you will enjoy them and that they are sufficiently safe. My recommended duration times are also estimates based on my opinion; do your own further research and plan accordingly. I have recommended places which I think people will like, but it is all based on my opinion; I may love something that you hate. Be sure to have sufficient travel insurance and make your own judgments. Check weather forecasts and consult reputable local guidance before visiting anywhere you seek to visit. For more adventurous activities, ensure that you are physically and mentally prepared and that you have the right supervision, equipment, and training for the activity. Long story short, use some common sense and don’t sue me, I’m broke enough already. Happy travels, Andy
Specific Recommendations
For your ease of planning, I have broken down my recommendations by area. There are: Bangkok, South Thailand and North Thailand.
Note: ‘Ko’ means island in Thai, so you will hear that a lot in Thailand and in these recommendations.
Bangkok Area
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Building
Recommended Duration: 2 hours+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
One of the official residences of the kings of Siam/Thailand is open to the public. It’s a great place to visit with gold everywhere you look. Be aware that you will need to cover up. Men need to wear trousers (just wearing a sarong won’t do, despite this being appropriate in most temples), and from memory, women can wear a sarong. I bought some cheap trousers from a market over the road to enter.
Khao San Road
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Street
Recommended Duration: 1 evening+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
This is the most famous tourist street in Bangkok. You will find plenty of bars, fried scorpions and invitations to ping pong shows down this street. It’s pretty rowdy; if partying isn’t your thing, then I’d recommend going down for a look, but you may not want to stay too long. If you do like to enjoy the wilder side of city life, then this is definitely the place for you.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Buddhist Temple and viewpoint
Recommended Duration: 1 hour
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
A temple and great viewpoint to look out over Bangkok.
Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Rajwaramahawihan
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Temple
Recommended Duration: 1 hour+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
A large, impressive temple complex located near the Grand Palace.
Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Temple
Recommended Duration: 1 hour+
Andy visited?: No, but people have recommended it to me
Description
A large, beautiful-looking temple.
Wat Sam Phran
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Temple
Recommended Duration: 1 hour+
Andy visited?: No, but my internet research suggests it may be worth visiting
Description
This temple looks pretty cool and different because it has a huge 17-storey pink tower with a dragon wrapped around it. The online reviews are good, and it’s located just west of the city, around a 35-minute drive from the Grand Palace.
Railway Market, Market
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Market
Recommended Duration: 1 hour+
Andy visited?: No, but my internet research suggests it may be worth visiting
Description
Located approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes drive west of Bangkok is a railway market where the market goes right up alongside the railway tracks. You could either go as a day trip from Bangkok or potentially stop by on our way to southern Thailand.
Ayutthaya
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Ruins
Recommended Duration: 3 hours+
Andy visited?: No, but people have recommended it to me
Description
The ancient capital of Siam (Thailand). This is a modern city, but with lots of ruins dotted around it to explore.
Khao Yai National Park
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: National Park
Recommended Duration: 1 day+
Andy visited?: No, but people have recommended it to me
Description
Located around two hours drive north-east of Bangkok is the Khao Yai National Park, which is highly-regarded for its beautiful landscapes, waterfalls and wildlife.
South Thailand
Ao Nang
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Coastal town
Recommended Duration: 2 days+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
Ao Nang is a nice beach town on the west coast of southern Thailand. It has a cool night market, and a short drive away is Wat Tham Suea, which I will discuss below and which I also thought was cool and a bit different.
Be aware that many people refer to Ao Nang as going to ‘Krabi’, as this is the name of the region and the nearby coastal town to the east. From Ao Nan,g you can also book small boats easily on the day, which regularly take tourists to my favourite place in southern Thailand, Railay Beach! Definitely check out Ao Nang though; it’s got a good backpacker community, is good for meeting people and offers a lot, from beautiful roads through the nearby landscapes to food and nightlife opportunities. There are a range of hostels here, so you can find one which fits your vibe.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Temple
Recommended Duration: 2 hours+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
I rented a scooter and headed here from Ao Nang; it makes for a great day out. I saw animals like elephants and monkeys on the way. The temple is attop a large hill with a steep and strenous climb on a very steep staircase.
It’s a fair workout getting up there, so try not to go at midday because the climb up is steep and long. It makes for a great adventure, though and the view from the top is well worth the climb. The drive to and from here to Ao Nang is also beautiful, with stunning roads meandering past dramatic cliffs.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Coastal town with activities
Recommended Duration: 3 days+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
I arrived in Railay Beach from Ao Nang after taking on the small boats, which you can book on the day. The boats are small, and on some days, the sea can be a bit choppy.
You can buy a ticket for passage to Railay easily in Ao Nang, with boats being regular. When your ferry arrives, you must wade out into the shallows and then throw your bag into your designated small boat. You can also get a boat to Railay Beach from the town of Krabi, which has a proper jetty so access is easier; however, it’s less of an adventure!
Railay Beach and its neighbour, Tonsai Beach, are on a peninsula close to Ao Nang; however, there is no road through the mountains, making Railay and Tonsai feel like an island. As there are no roads there and you walk everywhere, which I love. Despite there being a beautiful beach at Railay, I wasn’t impressed when I first arrived; it was crowded with tourists and was obviously a place made specifically for tourists. I stayed at the only hostel there (as of 2023) called Blanco Hideout. There are also some nice hotels and huts there to stay in too. Despite initially not loving the place and thinking I would stay a night or two, I ended up extending my stay every day for two weeks! There is so much to do here that I will list the best things separately below, so that you don’t miss out, but here are a few examples:
- Partying – If you want a big night out or a chill at a place with live music, you have loads of choices here. Mushroom shakes are also a big deal here too, if that’s your thing.
- Muay Thai – I saw some incredible Muay Thai fights here, just a few doors down from my hostel, and organised by them, including an epic double knock out!
- Climbing – There are beginner courses in rock climbing here and also places you can rent gear for those with experience. I spend most of my time here climbing because the rock climbs are all bolted and you can walk out your door and do a 5-10 minute walk (sometimes less) to a cliff. These cliffs are behind beautiful beaches with incredible views. Railay beach has plenty of good climbs, with the nearby Tonsai I Beach having more hard climbs.
- Adventures – Adventures here are unique and incredible. I will list them in more detail below!
- Relaxing – When you’re tired of all the activities, you can relax on one of the many beautiful beaches
Many people in Thailand talk about being caught in the ‘Pai hole’ and not being able to leave the northern town of Pai for their love. For me, I was in what I like to call ‘the Railay rut’. Be sure to head here on your travels!
Accomodation
When I was at Railay Beach, there was only one hostel: Blanco Hideout Hostel. It was really good socially and had a nice pool, balcony, etc. I met plenty of people here and had some great adventures. When I was there, they also organised for guests to see Muay Thai fights a couple of doors down twice a week and then everyone goes out after at another nearby bar. It’s awesome and I was lucky enough to see a double knockout one night too! I found the hostel on the Hostelworld interactive map feature rather than searching for the name ‘Railay Beach’, which I believe didn’t show anything there. I stayed here in June 2023, so check that all this is up to date when you go, but I had a great time and stayed here for ages. There are also plenty of other places to stay in Railay Beach if hostels aren’t your vibe.
Climbing
Photos: 1) Climbing with Clem (Austrian). 2) Me taking a short walk for another day of climbing. I am a climber, but rented gear at Railay Beach.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Swimming, hike, caves, adventure!
Recommended Duration: 2 hours+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
This is awesome and despite being called a lagoon, it’s definitely not typical! I went here three times during my stay with different people and everyone loved it, me included!
Directions
It can be a little difficult to find, so here’s how. On the path just south of Railway Beach East, you will find the start.
The start is on the path which takes you from Railay Beach East to Phra Nang Beach. Phra Nang Beach is in the south-west of the peninsula. It’s also the beach, which has a cave with some carved cocks inside; you heard me right, that’ll make sense when you’ve seen it in person, it’s a useful landmark! On your left as you walk towards Phra Nang Beach, you will see a rock cliff on your left which you can scramble up.
The Adventure
There are some fixed ropes in place to assist you for the steeper sections, but beware, it can be slippery, especially after rainfall. You climb the cliff, which is great fun in itself and when you reach the top you will see paths going to the left and the right. First, take the left, which is short and takes you to a beautiful viewpoint looking north over East Railay Beach. Once you’ve had your fill of the view, go back down the path which was previously to your right and this takes you down an interesting scramble, again with ropes in places. If you’re relatively fit and surefooted, you should be ok for this bit, but it is harder than the initial climb up, so use your judgement if you think you’re up to it and stay safe. When you are down, you’ll find the lagoon! It’s beautiful and sunken into the hill, which is surrounded by cliffs. Up the cliff walls to every side, you also have beautiful plant life growing up it and hanging down into the hole above, which looks like a giant eye. It’s an incredible swimming spot and likely the best I have ever seen! At the far end of the lagoon, you will find one cave to the right, which you can walk into and another, slightly elevated and to the left, which you have to climb up a rope to get into. This climb is difficult to get up and down and only I entered out of all the people I took there. This is one of the best places you’ll ever see, so if you are up for the scramble, definitely check it out!
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Cave and adventure
Recommended Duration: 1 hour+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
The Bat Cave is incredible! No, it isn’t home to Bruce Wayne and his gadgets, but it does have some bamboo ladders to climb up and an impressive lookout halfway up a cliff for the finale!
To get there, you start at the north end of Phra Nand Beach and head inland (east) from there towards the cliffs. The entrance can be a little difficult to find, but there was a small track to follow when I was there. You will then find the entrance to the cave. Be sure to take a headtorch with you as it will be tough going with just your phone torch (flashlight). You will climb upwards through some caves and scramble up and over bamboo ladders. This in itself feels like a great Indiana Jones-like experience but even then, once you reach the top, you will see daylight ahead. The cave opens up to a natural lookout with stunning views looking north over Railay Beach West and beyond. You can actually see the lookout from the beach and from the boats to Railay Beach West from Ao Nang – if you look at the cliffs on the south side of the beach, look halfway up, many people don’t notice it until you know what to look for! I have heard rumours you may be able to get higher up in the cave, but after going there twice, I couldn’t find a way. Do this adventure at your own risk; there are uneven surfaces, old bamboo ladders and unprotected edges. If you take the wrong route, you could even fall down cliffs to the sea below. Do this adventure at your own risk, come prepared and enjoy!
Phra Nang, Railay Beach
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Beach and wildlife
Recommended Duration: 1 hour+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
Phra Nang Beach is a west-facing beach located in the south-west of the Railay peninsula.
As you walk there from the north, you will see ahead of you (at the south side of the beach) a small cave. The cave is so small that you can see the back of it from the beach easily. Inside this small cave is are some large sculpted penises, making it a distinctive reference point to make sure you are at the right beach.
It’s a nice beach and also used to access the Bat Cave (see notes above), but crucially, you can see bioluminescent plankton when you are there. I saw the plankton a couple of times when I was there. I was there at about 3-4am after nights out and you have to wait for dark and for the numerous lights in the area to go out, which they seemed to do around 3-4am. The plankton was awesome and definitely worth seeing. You had to be in the water to see it and it lit up upon contact with me. I saw some just to the right of the path leading from the beach back towards the main trip. If you are swimming at night, that’s on you, so go as a group and swim safely.
Tree House Bar & Restaurant, Railay Beach
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Restaurant and bar
Recommended Duration: 1 hour+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
This is a nice treehouse bar, which sometimes has live music and has a chill atmosphere too. It’s also very close to Blanco Hostel if you’re staying there.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Beach, resort, rockpools, climbing
Recommended Duration: 1 hour+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
Tonsai Beach is located next to Railay Beach on the same Peninsula and also does not have cars here. Both Railay and Tonsai beaches can be accessed from one another; see my notes below called ‘Trail to Tonsai’ for more information.
Tonsai is a quieter beach than Railay, with a nice resort where you can grab a drink. It’s also a famous place for hardcore climbers, with Railay Beach having more beginner-friendly routes and lessons if you are interested. Both Railay Beach and Tonsai offer some of the most beautiful climbing routes ever, with short walks in, bolted sport climbing and amazing views. You can get a small boat here from Ao Nang, but I believe they are less frequent than those to Railay. Your other options are to walk there by the coastal route or through the jungle. Both routes I discuss below are under the heading ‘Trail to Tonsai’. Whichever route you take, you have to be somewhat mobile and agile. The boats you have to wade through the shallows for, with no jetty when I was there. Both walking routes are nothing like a pavement; they are easy enough, but difficult with bags. It’s lovely when you get there though. It’s a great place though and definitely worth visiting from Railay even if you aren’t staying at Tonsai.
Tonsai is a quieter beach than Railay, with a nice resort where you can grab a drink. It’s also a famous place for hardcore climbers, with Railay Beach having more beginner-friendly routes and lessons if you are interested. Both Railay Beach and Tonsai offer some of the most beautiful climbing routes ever, with short walks in, bolted sport climbing and amazing views. You can get a small boat here from Ao Nang, but I believe they are less frequent than those to Railay. Your other options are to walk there by the coastal route or through the jungle. Both routes I discuss below are under the heading ‘Trail to Tonsai’. Whichever route you take, you have to be somewhat mobile and agile. The boats you have to wade through the shallows for, with no jetty when I was there. Both walking routes are nothing like a pavement; they are easy enough, but difficult with bags. It’s lovely when you get there though. It’s a great place though and definitely worth visiting from Railay even if you aren’t staying at Tonsai.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Jungle and coastal hike
Recommended Duration: 4 hours+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
There is a rarely travelled but fun hiking trail from Railay Beach to nearby Tonsai Beach. Most people either get a boat there or go via Railay Beach west and walking by the coast. I recommend going through the jungle to Tonsai and returning via the coastal route.
If you walk down the trail past Diamond Cave and keep going, you will find the Jungle trail. I did it solo and love it. It’s a proper jungle trek but only takes around half an hour. Take water, mosquito spray, etc. I saw some cliffs down a side track on the left, which I explored. As you head into Tonsai, you will come into the back of the resort, a place where few tourists go. You will find broken cars, empty huts and monkeys and animals galore. It’s like a scene from the third Jurassic Park film! There is a nice resort on the beachfront at Tonsai and I hear they tried to expand it to the rear, but it never took off and now it’s a desolate. For me though, it was an attraction as it was cool to see, like a forgotten world, despite being so close to somewhere which has thousands of visitors a year.
You can then head to the fancy resort at the front and grab a drink and refresh yourself from the jungle hike. You can then explore Tonsai Beach, which is quieter than Railay and watch the hardcore climbers. When you are ready, head back to Railay via the more travelled coastal track to the west. You can see a multitude of animals in rock pools on the way back to Railay. There are also two routes back to Railay Beach so that you can keep your feet dry, one for low tide and one for high tide but route finding can be hard at times. Try and tell someone beforehand if you do this route, should you get injured on the way and not make it back to Railay; coastal rocks can be slippery and the jungle can be very humid and tough going, even despite the relatively short walk.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: National Park
Recommended Duration: DURATION
Andy visited?: Yes
No, but people have recommended it to me
No, but my internet research suggests it may be worth visiting
Description
Khao Sok is a beautiful national park. I went into more remote areas as part of a tour where you are taken in on boats and can swim in a huge lake. We stated in floating cabins and were taken on excursions to hike up to a massive cave which was also a lot of fun. It’s a beautiful park of the world and worth visiting if you get the time.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Island, diving, diving training
Recommended Duration: 2 days+
Andy visited?: Yes
Adventure stars: 1-3, depending on whether you do diving or just relax on a beach
Description
Ko Tao is a popular tourist island located off Thailand’s east coast. It is close to other popular tourist islands such as Ko Samui and Ko Pha Ngan; the latter being famous for its ‘full moon party’, which I detail below.
The journey to get to the island was fun. I boarded a large but dated overnight ferry from Surat Thani (a port town on the mainland) to get here. I heard there are two ferries which run and you don’t get to choose which one you get. I got the nicer of the two, which had bunk beds, but heard the other is more of a mattresses on the floor deal – I went in 2023 however, so maybe the older one has been upgraded since then. The island of Ko Tao is very much geared up for tourists, with nice beaches, restaurants, hotels, etc. You will also find plenty of people here doing their PADI diving licence; it is believed to be one of the cheapest places in the world to get it and I met many who were there for that reason. There’s plenty to do there and plenty of different age groups, so I reckon most people will have a great time there, especially if you want somewhere with some luxury and to socialise.
Ko Samui
Category: Island
Recommended Duration: 2 days+
Andy visited?: No, but people have recommended it to me
Description
Ko Samui is a large island located off Thailand’s east coast and is a chain of islands which includes Ko Tao and Ko Pha Ngan, both of which are discussed separately in this list. Ko Samui is the largest of the islands in this chain and has a reputation for having plenty of things to do, from enjoying sea life and waterfalls to hiking and shopping.
Ko Pha Ngan & The Full Moon party.
Category: Island and party
Recommended Duration: 2 days+
Andy visited?: No, but people have recommended it to me
Description
Ko Pha Ngan is most famous for hosting the world-renowned Full Moon party. It’s a huge beach party which happens once a month, with other parties also taking place. This party is so big that some people come to Thailand specifically to go to this party. The island itself looks beautiful but the parties are the main attraction. There are also other parties on the island and that is what it’s best known for.
It does have a reputation for being frequented by the younger crowd in their early twenties, although others do go there. If that’s your cup of tea, definitely look into it, although book your accommodation early as it fills up incredibly quickly.
Ko Lanta
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Island
Recommended Duration: 1 day+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
I visited here and didn’t think the island was anything special; however, I met loads of people who loved it here and for that reason, it has made the list. When I went in June, there wasn’t much of a social scene there, but I hear it was a bit off-season for the island. I enjoyed some time driving around the island on a scooter for a day and seeing the sites but didn’t find too much else of interest to me.
Ko Phi Phi
Category: Island
Recommended Duration: 2 days+
Andy visited?: No, but people have recommended it to me
Description
You will hear a lot about Ko Phi Phi when you’re in southern Thailand. This is where the film The Beach was filmed starting Leonardo DiCaprio (although from what I hear, this is beautiful but so filled with tourists that it takes the beauty away from it) and it’s also got a reputation as being somewhere for younger backpackers to go to party, drink and famously, fight each other in a novices muay thai fights. If you want a lively travel experience, this could be a great place for you. Personally, for me though, I am a more outdoorsy person and chose not to go here.
Phuket
Category: Island and city
Recommended Duration: 2 days+
Andy visited?: No, but people have recommended it to me
Description
I mention Phuket because it’s famous, so you will hear it and likely be tempted to go. From what I’ve heard, it’s more of a party place and without too much culture or anything too unique. I think it’s famous from back in the day when it probably was unique, but now it’s overcrowded. Some people love it, but given its reputation, I chose not to go here. Do your own research, though and make up your own mind. If nothing else, it can be a good place to get ferries from to visit other nearby islands such as Ko Phi Phi.
Ferry to Malaysia
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Ferry and border crossing
Recommended Duration: 1.5 hours
Andy visited?: Yes (but in reverse from Malaysia to Thailand)
Description
If you are looking to cross the border from Thailand to Malaysia, consider taking the ferry from southern Thailand to the island of Langkawi, Malaysia. I took it the other way (travelling from Malaysia to Thailand), and I presume it is just as straightforward to cross the border the other way.
When I took the ferry into Thailand, the only tourists there besides me were my friends, whom I had invited along; most others going to Thailand had booked flights from northern Malaysia back to Kuala Lumpur, then onto Thailand and were unaware of the ferry crossing, which saves time and makes for an epic adventure. From what I can tell, it seems like you can take it from Thailand to Malaysia too with no problems, but check up to date infomration and ask around to confirm when you are in the area to be sure. You will likely need a bus from Ao Nang to Pathomphon, and then a taxi from the bus stop there to the ferry terminal (that’s what I did in reverse anyway). It was a great fun ferry ride as well as being cheaper and quicker than flying, not to mention making the trip feel like much more of an adventure. The ferry was only small too, so try to book in advance or arrive early if you can, as there may be limited seats.
North Thailand
Doi Inthanon National Park
Category: National Park
Recommended Duration: 1 day+
Andy visited?: No, but people have recommended it to me
Description
A good friend of mine recommended this National Park to me. It has beautiful scenery and waterfalls. He advised me to rent a scooter and drive around, stopping as you see fit (subject to having a licence, travel insurance, etc.).
He told me it’s incredible, but not to pay for tours unless you speak Chinese because most of the organised tours in the area are for Chinese-speaking tourists. This was advice from 2023, however, so maybe check that this advice is up to date when you go or if you are comfortable on a scooter, maybe look into sharing a taxi with some friends.
Chiang Mai
Category: City
Recommended Duration: 3 days+
Andy visited?: No, but people have recommended it to me
Description
One of the most famous and popular places in Thailand, especially for those in the backpacking community. The city looks beautiful, and there is lots to do in the area for adventures and hiking.
Elephant Nature Park
Category: Wildlife
Recommended Duration: 1 week
Andy visited?: No, but people have recommended it to me
Description
A good friend of mine stayed here for a week and said he had one of the best times of his life. He said around £300 to volunteer here for a week and he worked for between 3-5 hours per day. The work, he said, was fun and easy. He got to care for elephants, cats and dogs.
Category: Town
Recommended Duration: 3 days+
Andy visited?: No, but people have recommended it to me
Description
Pai is one of the most talked-about places in Thailand, especially amongst the backpacking community. Many refer to being ‘stuck in the Pai hole’ because they visit here and find it so incredible that they don’t leave. There is loads to do here and in the surrounding area, from hiking to seeing: temples, night markets, hot springs, canyons, crafts etc.
Wat Pa Tam Wua
Category: Temple and meditation retreat
Recommended Duration: 3 days+
Andy visited?: No, but people have recommended it to me
Description
My friend recommended staying here if you are interested in meditation opportunities. It is located in the north-west of Thailand.
Wat Rong Khun
Category: Temple
Recommended Duration: 1 hour+
Andy visited?: No, but people have recommended it to me
Description
A beautiful Buddhist temple located in the far north of Thailand, which is a white colour with elegant adornments.
Slow Boat to Laos
Category: Multi-day ferry and border crossing
Recommended Duration: 2-3 days and 1-2 nights
Andy visited?: No, but people have recommended it to me
Description
A popular thing for travellers is to take the ‘slow boat’ from Thailand to cross the border into Laos. The boat ride takes two days, one night and goes down the Mekong River through some beautiful Jungle. It sounds very romantic and is seen by many as a rite of passage. Be aware though, it’s not overly comfortable, so don’t go expecting luxury. You can book passage in Chang Mai or Chiang Rai. Journey times depend on where you get the boat from, so it’s either 3 days, 2 nights or 2 days, 1 night.
I hope that you have found this free Destination Guide useful. It took a lot of time and travel for me to make this, so if you would like to show your thanks by sending a small donation, I would be very grateful. This can be done on my Support Me page. Thank you!
Happy travels!
Andy Argo
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Title image: Khao Sok National Park, southern Thailand.