Things to do in 

Thailand

Slip past the headline sights to find alternative things to do across Thailand—canals, craft hamlets, and coastal kitchens—where daily life hums and hosts share low-key, local moments.

Cultural experiences: In Bangkok, drift by long‑tail into Khlong Bang Luang for a quiet artist house and a simple lunch on the water, an easy win for families and seniors. In Chiang Mai, meet makers at Baan Kang Wat and try a short Lanna woodcarving or indigo workshop in nearby San Kamphaeng, 30 minutes east of the Old City. In Khon Kaen, learn Isaan silk stories in Chonnabot village, an hour south of the city, while couples linger over som tam and grilled chicken at sunset. In Phuket Old Town, step inside a Peranakan shophouse kitchen for a private family-style cooking session that suits small groups and luxury travelers.

Day trip ideas: From Bangkok, ride the early train to Maeklong Railway Market in Samut Songkhram, then boat along Amphawa’s canals at dusk to see fireflies. From Chiang Mai, sip forest-grown tea in Mae Kampong village, an hour east, or climb the grippy “Sticky Waterfall” at Bua Tong, 90 minutes north. From Phuket, hop a long‑tail to Koh Yao Noi for flat cycling between rice fields and a farm lunch, 30 minutes by boat from the marina. From Kanchanaburi, two hours west of Bangkok, paddle a calm stretch of the Kwae Noi River before a homestyle curry in town.

Explore Thailand's regions: Up north around Chiang Rai, wander tea hills near Doi Mae Salong and visit Akha-run coffee spots an hour from the city. In the northeast (Isaan), base in Ubon Ratchathani for Mekong-side villages and morning markets, a short flight from Bangkok. Along the Andaman Coast, trade crowds for Trang’s quiet islands like Koh Libong and Koh Mook, reachable by boat from Trang Town. On the Gulf side near Chumphon, snorkel shallow reefs and eat pier‑fresh seafood before overnighting in Surat Thani if you’re island‑hopping to Koh Tao or Koh Phangan.

Travel tip: Give Thailand 10–14 days to mix Bangkok with one northern hub and a coastal region; stretch to 18–21 days if you want islands plus Isaan without rushing.

More places to see in Thailand

Bangkok gets most of the attention, but it’s worth carving out time for a few places that show Thailand’s range, from misty hills to ancient ruins and rainforest lakes.

Chiang Mai: Start your morning at Warorot Market with a paper bag of sai ua and sticky rice, then step into the shade at Wat Chedi Luang to see the cracked brick chedi up close. In the late afternoon, ride up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and watch the city soften below; when evening comes, wander the Wua Lai walking street for grilled pork skewers and coconut pancakes.

Ayutthaya: Go early and pedal between temple ruins like Wat Mahathat and Wat Phra Si Sanphet while the light is soft and the air is cooler. Pause for roti sai mai from a riverside stall, then circle the island by longtail boat in the late afternoon to see quiet monasteries and stilted houses along the Chao Phraya.

Khao Sok National Park: Catch a dawn longtail boat on Cheow Lan Lake when mist hangs over the limestone cliffs and gibbons call from the trees. Have a simple lunch at a floating raft house, then take a guided walk to spot hornbills and giant bamboo before the light fades over the water.

Buriram Province: Spend the afternoon wandering the Khmer stone temples of Phanom Rung and nearby Prasat Muang Tam, where carvings sit among lotus ponds and rice fields. Refuel with som tam, sticky rice, and charcoal-grilled chicken at a roadside shop, then watch village life wind down as the heat lifts.

Seasonal activities

Spring: March to May runs hot, so rise early for temple courtyards in soft light and duck into markets for mango sticky rice at its juicy best. Cool off with breezy canal rides in Bangkok or shady mountain trails around Chiang Mai, then join Songkran in mid-April as water splashes turn streets playful and families laugh together.

Summer: June to August brings the monsoon, usually in brief bursts that leave the air fresh and the countryside glowing. Chase waterfalls in the north, tour rice paddies in between showers, and pick Gulf islands like Koh Samui for sunnier beach days while the Andaman sees rougher seas. Photographers enjoy dramatic clouds and quieter landmarks.

Fall: September to November is a soft shoulder; rains taper, breezes pick up, and travel eases. Watch rice fields turn gold, taste new-season durian in local markets, and arrive in November to float a krathong by candlelight or watch lanterns lift into the sky in Chiang Mai. Couples often find this a sweet spot for fewer crowds and gentler weather.

Winter: December to February is cool and dry, the best time to wander Bangkok’s old quarters, cycle Ayutthaya’s ruins, and island-hop the Andaman with calm seas. Seniors appreciate milder days for river cruises and gentle hill walks, while luxury travellers settle into private villa stays or yacht outings between quiet coves.

Plan around big cultural moments: Songkran’s joyful water festivities each April, the Phuket Vegetarian Festival in October with its vibrant street processions, and November’s twin celebrations of Loy Krathong and Yi Peng that light rivers and night skies. Chinese New Year in Bangkok’s Yaowarat adds lion dances, lanterns, and feasting to the cool-season calendar.