It’s been a while since we heard this familiar greeting from the Land of Smiles, Thailand. The Southeast Asian country is home to the most visited city in the world — Bangkok. Prior to the pandemic, approximately 22 million visitors arrive in Bangkok each year. Of course, all the city’s hustle and bustle came to halt when tourism was forced to a standstill due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Aside from Bangkok, there are many other hidden gems to explore in Thailand!
Phuket is the largest and most popular island in Thailand and is known for its exotic beaches, colourful night markets, vibrant nightlife and scuba diving. There are plenty of activities to fill up your itinerary in Phuket. From live shows, adventurous watersports, boat tours to suntanning, visitors are spoilt for choice.
Some of the must-visit attractions in Phuket include Promthep Cape, Wat Chalong, Wang Thalang, Old Phuket Town, Monkey Beach, Phang Nga Bay National Park and the famed James Bond Island that appeared in 1974’s James Bond movie, The Man with the Golden Gun. Expect to cruise through the island on speedboats that will send chills down your spine. Just don’t forget to pamper yourself with a traditional Thai massage after a long night.
For the more adventurous, you can opt for swimming or snorkelling in pristine emerald waters. If you are looking for something to up your adventure level in Phuket, you can opt for a jungle zipline adventure with SmooveX.
No Phuket holiday is complete without a visit to Patong. Patong is the most popular and famous beach in Phuket that offers a dynamic nightlife for the party animals. There are also many popular hotels near Patong beach including Grand Mercure Phuket Patong, Amari Phuket, and Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort.
Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok is an aviation hub in Southeast Asia. The capital of Thailand, Bangkok is well known for its food scene, street life, floating markets and great massages. Being just 2 and a half hours away from Singapore, Bangkok is a favourite getaway destination for Singaporeans.
Some of the top attractions in Bangkok include Chao Phraya River, Wat Arun, Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Grand Palace, Ayutthaya, and Bang Pa-In Summer Palace. Being the only Southeast Asian country that was never colonised by the Europeans, Bangkok boasts many historical and prominent religious sites. Buddhist pilgrims around the world travel to Bangkok for its sacred ancient monasteries.
Wondering if your favourite Chatuchak Market and Platinum Mall are still around? The answer is YES. You can now resume your full day of shopping while your partner waits for you at the massage parlour.
Bangkok is a gastronomic heaven for the foodie. Some of the popular Thai street food that you must try in Bangkok are fried noodles (pad thai), fried chicken (gai tod), grilled pork (moo ping), fried banana pancake, boat noodles (kway teow rua), and tom yum goong.
The pandemic has taken a toll on most of us, don’t forget to rejuvenate your tired body and destress with an authentic Thai massage while you’re in Bangkok. You can get a satisfying massage at only 200 to 400 baht (below SGD20).
Explore off the beaten track to Phitsanulok, an important and historic city in the lower northern Thailand region. The history of Phitsanulok could be traced back to the time when the ancient Khmer influenced the region.
There are many sightseeing spots in this lesser-known Thai city. It is said that the Phra Buddha Chinnarat at Wat Phra Si Mahathat Woramahaviharn located in Phitsanulok is the most beautiful Buddha statue in Thailand. The province also has ancient historic sites such as Wat Chumalee which houses important Buddhist artefacts such as a replica of the Phra Phutthabat footprint.
Take a stroll at the Phitsanulok Night Bazaar for delicious food and drinks. Just remember to learn how to barter in Thai before you do your shopping.
Chiang Rai is the northernmost province of Thailand known for its relaxed atmosphere. The lovely northern city is a paradise for nature lovers as it’s home to flower gardens, tea plantations and mountains.
Wat Rong Khun or the White Temple and Wat Rong Sue Ten, the Blue Temple are must-visit attractions in Chiang Rai. The stunning architecture and masterpieces of the famous artist, Chalermchai Kositpipat will blow your mind. For a unique experience, visit the Black House (Baan Dam Museum) to check out a plethora of animal remains like skulls and bones.
For IG-worthy shots, visit Singha Park for the colourful flower fields that make a great photography spot for photo enthusiasts. The spectacular landscapes and scenery is sure to make your friends jealous.
If you’re a tea lover, check out the Choui Fong Tea Plantation for the best tea in Thailand.
Chiang Mai is the second-largest city in Thailand and it’s located right next to Chiang Rai. As the historical capital of the old Lanna Kingdom, Chiang Mai is extremely rich in culture.
Known as ‘Rose of the North’, Chiang Mai is home to over 300 beautiful ancient temples, a multitude of breathtaking landscapes and plenty of night markets. Unlike Bangkok, Chiang Mai is renowned for its laid-back atmosphere. Travellers mostly visit Chiang Mai to relax and escape from the busy city life.
For a meaningful experience, visit an ethical elephant sanctuary, Elephant at Work, in a jungle area north of Chiang Mai. Enjoy fabulous performances of the elephants, the symbol and national animal of Thailand.
Better still, book a Thailand tour package with SmooveX to take you through carefully selected activities and places to visit in Bangkok, Phitsanulok, Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai.
Alternatively, you may also check out the golfing holidays package in Chiang Mai if you’re a golf enthusiast.