Thailand is a great all-round destination- perfect for backpackers on a budget as well as those who are after a bit of luxury. There’s plenty to see and do in Thailand, and the great thing is- everything is super cheap, so you can see a lot! Here are 41 Fun Things to do in Thailand.
Hit the Beach Party
Well known for its beach parties, Thailand is a party lovers paradise. I travelled here a few years ago and loved the freedom of dancing the night away on the beach with people I had met through the hostel or a day tour. Although the parties and bars can be very fun, you do have to be sensible about them too, especially if a solo female traveller. Go out with a group and do keep an eye on your drinks- they are very strong out there and can creep up on you.
Relax on a Beautiful Beach
Sometimes we need to take it down a peg or two, whether its from a busy work life or from jam packed travel plans- make sure you fit in time just to sit and relax. That’s the beauty of travel- you don’t have to feel guilty about doing nothing- and this can be hugely beneficial and put you in a much more relaxed and happy state of mind. Thailand has plenty of islands to choose from, pick some of the more secluded ones to really take time to wind down.
Visit James Bond Island
Just off the coast of Phuket is the island made famous by the Bond film ‘The Man with The Golden Gun’. Also known as Khao Ping Kan, the island has some stunning natural beauty, with blue/green waters floating below huge limestone cliffs. It does get extremely busy though with a lot of tourists in the high season.
Try Canoeing Through Caves
Go on a sea canoe tour through caves, taking you to Phang Nga Bay (situated by James Bond Island). See the beautiful bay from a different perspective and get deep into the caves. Some of the gaps are so tight you have to lie right back in the canoe! Once inside admire the beauty of the cave rock formations.
Walk up to the Phi Phi Viewpoint
A pretty easy walk to the top- a bit hot, but once you reach the top, the views are stunning. It will take around 20-30 minutes and is easily signposted. Plus, you can relax with drinks and ice creams for sale at the top. View the beautiful island from above, for some stunning photos.
Go Quad biking
Quad biking is so much fun and its so much cheaper to try it in Thailand than it is in a Western country. I took a 2-hour ATV tour from Phuket up to big Buddha (a giant statue, overlooking stunning views from the top of a hill). The tour takes you through muddy roads, jungle and forests, so perfect for adrenaline lovers.
Explore the Local Temples
I found just by walking around each town and exploring on my own, I came across so many lovely temples. Most of them are small and so you may be the only tourist walking around (that’s the best bit btw). I remember walking around one when I suddenly heard a big group of monks all chanting- a wonderful experience where I just sat and watched for a while, taking it all in.
Hire a Bicycle
When in Chiang Rai, I spent the morning cycling around the town and loved it. Peddling my way through local villages was great, as was stopping off for lunch and trying to order food in the local café (by pointing mostly!). There is a trail you can do that leads you up to a waterfall, but it was a little too far for me! Still I came across lots of little temples, houses, statues and friendly smiling locals.
Admire the White Temple
Wat Rong Khun, nicknamed ‘the White Temple’ is slightly unconventional in its architecture and is privately run. The architecture is exquisite, with curious and quirky statures of hands and monsters coming out from the ground. Its also very pretty, it literally sparkles in the sun! Defiantly worth a visit for the sheer uniqueness of it.
See the Quirky Black House
If taking a trip to the White Temple in Chiang Rai, then don’t miss the Black House, which is pretty much the opposite. For those of you who like the weird and wonderful attractions, this ones for you. Full of sculptures depicting death and many other quirky handmade objects, carvings and paintings. The work is that of local artist Thawan Duchanee.
Visit a Hill Tribe Village in North Thailand
There are many hill tribe villages you can visit in Thailand, some more authentic than others. You can even have a homestay in some. The one I went to was a little set up for tourists but still interesting to see how the people live. I also had the chance to join in the beating of the drums during one of their performances! For a more authentic experience do a bit of research and going further afield to less touristy places is a good idea, to get a more real sample of life in the villages.
Explore the Monkey Cave Temple
Wat Tham Pla, otherwise know as ‘the money cave’, is a dark cave, lead up by 200 steps and leading to a Buddha statue. There are loads of monkeys outside the cave- which look a little scary but amusing to observe. I enjoyed the dramatic entrance to the cave, as well as watching the monkeys (from a reasonable distance haha).
See 3 Countries at Once!
Take a visit to Thailand’s golden triangle, a viewpoint where you can see Thailand, Myanmar and Laos all the same time. Its also where the mighty Mekong river and Ruak River meets.
Shop in the Local Markets
Thailand has many markets, from tourist markets, local food markets and night markets. You can pick up some great gifts, see entertainment at the night markets or get some candid photography at the local food markets, as well as try some of the local produce. The things sold in the stalls are super cheap and you can practice your haggling skills too.
Visit Chiang Mai’s Orchid and Butterfly Farm
For those of who love nature and flowers, you will like a visit here. It is pretty small so best to visit as part of a tour, or during a stop off but pretty and a nice visit all the same. The best time to visit would be in Chiang Mai’s winter months, when the orchids really come into colour.
Take a Raft Ride Along the River
Drift along the river on a bamboo raft and admire the lush jungle along the way. There are several places to do this, particularly around Chiang Mai. You can try it yourself or get a guide to take you down the river. For those wanting more adrenaline, there’s also plenty of opportunities for white water rafting in Thailand.
Try Ziplining
The zipline I did was part of the previous day trip and is also a fun activity to take part in. You will find ziplining all over Thailand, the Flight of the Gibbon being a very popular one. This will take you up to the treetops of the incredible rainforest, where you may spot unique wildlife and get to fly through the jungle.
Swim in a Natural Waterfall
Waterfalls where you can swim are found all over Thailand and are a great way to spend the day. During the heat of the day, a cool dip can be just what you need! Many will have natural rockslides or rope swings to have fun with too. It always feels like such an adventure, walking through the rainforest and ending up at a beautiful waterfall.
Buy Some Poo Paper!
Elephant Poo Paper Park is situated in Chiang Mai and is an interesting visit. They make paper from elephant poo! Sounds gross but they will walk you through the whole process, you can even have a go yourself. At the end, visit the gift shop for a truly unique gift. They have lovely notebooks all made out of poo!
Visit for the Lantern Festival
Yi Peng (the lantern festival) and Loi Krathong (the floating candle festival) happen at the same time, usually over 3 days. This festival is massive with street parades and thousands of lanterns being released into the air. It’s a truly magical and enchanting experience and one you shouldn’t miss!
Discover the Pretty Mountain Area of Pai
Pai is a sweet little hippy kind of town in the North of Thailand. There are plenty of things to do here, from waterfalls, trekking, and getting lots of fun photos at Love Strawberry Pai, a strawberry farm and café, with a giant swing and lots of props for fun photos.
Soak in the Hot Springs
Situated in many places in Thailand, hot springs are maybe the last thing you want to do in the heat but if you think about it, your hot anyway- might as well soak up the heat and relax your tired legs! You feel great afterwards and what a nice way to chill out, in a natural pool- the one I went to had a cool pool so you can switch in between to refresh (so delightful!).
Walk the Stairs to see the Big White Buddha
Situated in Pai, you can take a challenging walk from the town centre or cheat like I did and get someone to take you on a motorbike. Either way, the views from the top of the hill are spectacular and the crisp white of the statue is so striking against the blue of the sky.
Stay in a Wooden Hut
These can be found anywhere from the mountain town of Pai, to the beaches in the South. Renting a wooden hut is super cheap- its really just a thin mattress on the floor, with a small fan- what else do you need though?! They are so cheap for the night- much better than sharing a busy smelly dorm.
Rent A Moped
If you have a licence, then renting a moped is a great way to get around Thailand. You can stop where you like and have the freedom to go at your own pace, admiring the wonderful scenery as you go. Many people love taking the bike through the hills in Northern Thailand. Just be careful when driving though, the roads can be uneven and there is less safety rules.
Visit Thailand’s Historical Parks
I have recently written a longer post on Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, two of Thailand historical parks showing old temple ruins and buddha statues. These are both fascinating places and worth a visit. You can walk, cycle or rent a moped to explore the antient ruins.
Trek Through the Jungle
Many trekking tours can be found in Thailand and they are a fun activity to do, seeing wildlife and scenery along the way. I did one near Sukhothai, where I was the only one on the trail. I did pass a lovely Thai family at the bottom of the river who instated on giving me a snack before my walk! Very friendly people. I walked up to a natural waterfall, which I had all to myself for a quick bathe before heading back down.
Go Shopping in Bangkok
Bangkok has some incredible shopping, from large Western stores, cheaper fabric and clothing markets and more local markets. Siam Discovery and the MBK centre are huge and so big you could shop all day.
Admire the views from Lebua State Tower
Made famous by the movie ‘The Hangover’, this rooftop bar has breath-taking views over the city. The Bangkok sky bar is located on level 63 and will guarantee to make you say “wow”. It’s expensive but even on a backpacker’s budget you could afford 1 cocktail!
Get Blessed by a monk
There are plenty of temples around Thailand, and in most you can get blessed by a monk with a small donation appreciated. Although I’m not really religious, I found this quite a spiritual experience and a great way to delve into the local culture and way of thinking. The experience can be quite moving.
Eat Your Own Food at a Thai Cooking Class
Thai cooking classes are super fun and a great way to find out more about the local cuisine, whilst learning how to make a delicious meal (which you get to eat afterwards). The women teaching us was so funny, we even got to dress up in traditional clothes and watch a dance put on by some local women.
Visit the Reclining Buddha
Wat Pho is one of Bangkok’s best and largest temples, including a 46 metre long reclining Buddha, covered in gold leaf. This is an impressive site, as well as the many other parts of the temple too. From tall, decorated spires, intricate, colourful carvings and numerous statues of Buddha, walking around the complex is a relaxing and enlightening experience.
Take a Sleeper Train
Taking a sleeper train is not only a cheap and practical way to get around Thailand, but also a fun experience in itself. It’s a chance to meet many other travellers and locals alike, as well as watching the scenery you might otherwise have missed if taking a plane. The views through the countryside and seeing the small villages and towns are a great way to get a feel for the country.
Enjoy the Sunsets
Thailand has some beautiful sunsets. Sit with a beer on the beach and watch the sun go down, or chill out in a mountain top bar, overlooking the rainforest. Some of Thailand’s island’s including Koh Tao and Krabi have some incredible sunsets over the ocean.
Float on Emerald Waters at Khao Sok
This stunning natural park screams adventure- and relaxation. You can go trekking in the jungle, cliff jumping into the emerald waters, try canoeing, or simply float around in a giant donut, sipping on a beer! You can stay overnight on the floating bungalows too.
Discover Thailand from Underwater
Thailand has some fantastic dive and snorkel spots, particularly Koh Tao. You will find snorkelling and diving tours all over the islands and they are very cheap also. There is a lot of interesting underwater life to have a look at in the clear waters.
Make Friends at a Funky Bar
There are plenty of cool bars around Thailand, from beach bars to treetop huts. They are a great place to meet other backpackers and make some new friends, or to simply chill out in the relaxed vibe.
Watch a Thai Boxing Match
This on was on Phi Phi island and had a mix of kids, adults and tourists all having a go in the ring. Boxing is a popular sport in Thailand and watching a match can be quite exciting!
Get a Thrill Cliff Jumping
One for the adventure lovers, cliff jumping can be pretty scary but an exhilarating experience. In the islands there will be plenty of opportunities for this- just be sure to book with a reputable company. The experience is so much fun and once you jump the first time you will just want to keep on doing it.
Check Out ‘The Beach’
Just off the coast of Phi Phi island, ‘the beach’ was made famous by the movie of the same name, starring Leo DiCaprio. Although a popular day tour, it is still worth seeing, as it is so beautiful. I would recommend taking the earliest tour possible if you don’t want to be with many other tourists, as it will get busier later on. The pretty cove is in a beautiful setting, and most of the tour groups will take you to a small cove where you can swim with tiny glow in the dark creatures- pretty special.n
Hope this post has given you some ideas of things to see and do in Thailand. It’s such a diverse country, with delicious food and cheap activities- there something for everyone in Thailand 😊 Please share this post along.
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