Steamy, frenetic, and exhilarating, Thailand’s capital city, located in the Chao Phraya River Delta, is a legendary travel destination. This metropolis is equally famous for its rich cultural offerings, effervescent nightlife, superb shopping, and diverse dining options. Bucket list items include a visit to the mind-boggling Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho, a morning boat trip down the canals to immerse oneself in the floating markets, and a walk around the opulent Grand Palace. The tourist hub of Khaosan Road, the MBK Centre, Siam Square, or on weekends, the vast Chatuchak market, offer further excellent shopping opportunities, while restaurants span every style, from incredible street food to five-star haute cuisine. The SkyWalk at King Power Mahanakhon is a great spot for couples and photographers, while the Siam Society and Kamthieng House provide an in-depth introduction into Thai culture and folklore.
Krabi is the capital city of Krabi Province, set on a river mouth on the Andaman Sea. The bustling fishing town boasts a colourful weekend night market and plenty of bars, restaurants and nightclubs. Krabi is the kickoff point for some of the province’s most beautiful coastal destinations, including Ton Sai, Railay Beach and Phi Phi Island. The scenery at these locations is characterised by turquoise waters and striking limestone karsts jutting out of the ocean. The main attractions in and around town are the ‘Dog’s Ears’ rock formations and cave, Koh Klang, a traditional fishing village on an island in the river, and the mangrove swamps along the estuary. Rich in birdlife, they are best seen from a longtail boat tour. The legendary Tiger Cave Temple lies five kilometres away.
Named for both its turtle-like shape and its history as a turtle breeding ground, Koh Tao is the little sister to the world-famous islands of Samui and Pha Ngan, Koh Tao has made a name for itself as a diving and snorkelling hotspot, due to the profusions of coral reefs that lie within easy access of its coast. Favourite dive sites around the island are Chumpon, where divers have the chance to glimpse feathery scorpionfish, giant barracuda, underwater pinnacles crusted with brightly coloured sea anemones, and on occasion, even whale sharks; Shark Island, with its proliferation of corals frequented by stingrays, moray eels and nudibranchs; and ‘The Twins’, home to a family of rare and elusive saddleback clownfish. When you’re not immersed in the pleasures of Koh Tao’s underwater world, you can explore the island’s terrestrial attractions, including its lush trekking routes, stunning viewpoints and burnished beaches.
Koh Samui is one of Thailand’s most popular holiday destinations, by virtue of its idyllic sand beaches, azure waters, spell-binding vistas and easy accessibility from the mainland. The last decade has seen extensive development on the island, bringing with it a flood of luxury hotels and resorts – often featuring their own private beaches. The coastline is the main drawcard here, but other attractions on Samui include the Big Buddha temple with its 12-metre effigy, the 30-metre Na Muang Waterfall, and the array of world-class spas and restaurants, as well as more laid-back beachfront bistros and bars. Don't miss the opportunity to snorkel in the clear waters, rent a scooter and explore the island and kayak to hidden coves and beautiful beaches.
Dubbed 'The Rose of the North', Thailand’s northern capital is far smaller and more serene than Bangkok. Despite this, the city has seen extensive development in the last decade that has transformed it from a low-key, old-world city into a modern hub, complete with top-notch restaurants and five-star hotels. A walk around the inner-city moat will take you past the array of glittering temples, aromatic food markets and eclectic shops of Chiang Mai’s downtown, while just five minutes away is the popular Night Bazaar – a shopping Mecca for tourists. Other highlight attractions include a visit to the trendy Nimmanhemin district, with its upmarket bars and shopping outlets, and a trip up Suthep Mountain, to see the hilltop temple and take in panoramic views of the city below.
As previously described
