Leave the beaches behind, Thailand has so much more
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Thai beaches are stunning.
Crystal blue waters, white sand, cliffy shorelines, long hot days with nothing to do but drink margaritas.
On the flip side, they can be crowded, covered in touts and hot, really, really hot.
The funny thing is, I’ve been to Thailand maybe six or seven times, and I’ve never been to a Thai beach.
The reason is that Thailand offers so much more than beaches. It has mountain villages nestled in the highlands. Cultural cities dotted with local temples and historic ruins. Winding roads leading to hidden cafés overlooking rice fields. And a capital city where the food scene is amongst the best in the world.
Here are my top picks for where to start for your next Thai holiday that forgoes the beaches and delves into another side of Thailand.
Bangkok
Bangkok is divisive. People love it or hate it. I love it.
The great thing about Bangkok is that it has something for everyone. It takes a little persistence and a little research, but once you start exploring the local alleys stuffed full of street food, the off-beat rooftop bars overlooking uplit temples, the riverside communities and the hidden green zones, I think you’ll love it too.
Bangkok street food.
It’s frenetic, it’s fast-paced and you’ll never run out of things to do. Now back to that research. I know, I know, homework…yuck. But in the last ten years, the thing that has transformed my travels more than anything else is research.
I always start with YouTube. But I don’t just watch. I make a Google map that plots out all the recommendations all over my destination. I make categories for trusted street food places, museums, day trips and night markets. All the places that once you’re on the ground, you’ll want to know about.
Bangkok by night on a tuk tuk.
Yes, it’s a little nerdy, but trust me, your future self will thank you, and it’s one of the keys to enjoying a sprawling city like Bangkok.
To get started, check out the roaming cook for incredible street food recommendations all across the city.
Chiang Mai
The Chiang Mai temples.
In my mind, Chiang Mai is the ultimate escape from Bangkok; it’s low-key with vibes far more chill than Bangkok but a place where you’ll still never be bored.
It’s located 600 kilometers north of Bangkok. It’s just over an hour on a plane, or you could grab the overnight sleeper train, which takes 12 hours.
Once on the ground, grab a hotel in the old town which is surrounded by city walls that date back over 700 years. Within those walls, which surround an area of land around 1.7 square kilometers, you’ll find 37 Buddhist temples that are beautifully lit at night and regularly host markets and festivals.
You’ll also find within the city walls a pumping night market, local restaurants serving up your fave Thai dishes and a whole bunch you’ve never heard of, and tour companies that can take you out into the surrounding countryside to visit elephant sanctuaries, waterfalls, ancient villages, mountain trekking, rural cooking classes and local farms.
Local sausages in Chiang Mai.
This northern region of Thailand has a cuisine all of its own that is lesser known outside of Thailand. Try the local sausages, Sai Ua and Sai Krok Esan, for a taste of the local flavours.
Pai
For an extended adventure in Northern Thailand, head into the mountains to a little town called Pai.
It’s only 130 kilometres from Chiang Mai to Pai but the road is famously winding with over 700 corners, which means the trip can take you up to three hours. There are a number of ways to get there, the most adventurous being a scooter or motorbike but with all those twists and turns, it’s only recommended for the experienced rider. You can book a tourist van for less than $10 AUD each way. Or if a crowded van packed with travellers who may experience car sickness on these windy roads isn’t appealing, grab a private car for around $100 AUD each way.
Once in Pai, you’re greeted by a charming village in a rural setting alongside the rushing Pai river which skirts around the town.
Becoming a popular backpacker destination in the early 2000’s there is loads of affordable accommodation to choose from basic bungalows for mere dollars a night up to guesthouses like the stunning Hotel Des Artists, a boutique villa located right on walking street and backing onto the river.
Hotel Des artists, Pai.
The region offers a nightly walking street packed full of food and shopping, local music in little bars, hot springs, peaceful walks in the country, Thai and western food and a pumping nightlife if that’s your thing.
Khao Sok National Park
Yes, Thailand has national parks, and they are gorgeous.
Khao Sok is located on the peninsula heading towards Malaysia and is a lush tropical jungle offering raft houses on a lake, hiking, caves, limestone cliffs and wildlife encounters.
There are two key locations to base yourself; they are the Cheow Lan Lake, where floating raft houses offer a unique stay where your room floats right on the lake. Or you can stay near the park headquarters, where you can easily access hiking trails and waterfalls.
The park is teaming with wildlife, including deer, long-tail macaques, banded langurs, more than 300 species of birds, more than 30 species of bats, gibbons and if you’re really lucky, the park is even home to sun bears, tigers and clouded and Indochinese leopards.
Entry fees to the park do apply but are very affordable at less than $15 AUD per person.
To discover more about the park, it’s accommodations and experiences, head to khaosoktravel.com
