Written by Adam Whitehouse
Posted, 9th April 2021
I know times are tough right now and the thought of travelling to Thailand on a backpacking adventure sounds like a lifetime away! But who says we can’t start planning and dreaming of that next trip?
Here are my suggestions on places you CAN-NOT miss when travelling in Thailand (for anyone that has been to Thailand you will get my little CAN-NOT joke 😂)
Chiang Mai
It’s easy to get carried away when planning a backpacking trip to Thailand and purely focusing your route on beaches and parties…what a mistake you would be making! Chiang Mai is a super popular spot for backpackers and solo travellers. Get yourself mixed in with the local culture, flavours and some incredible scenery up in the mountains surrounding Thailand’s 2nd biggest city…
Our top picks in Chiang Mai;
- Night markets
- Cooking class in the rice fields 🍃
- Ladyboy show
- An ethical elephant visit 🐘
Bangkok
This beast of a city is absolutely jam-packed full of energy! You really haven’t been to Thailand unless you’ve visited the capital city of Bangkok. You can definitely spend a good 2-3 days here with ease and leave feeling like there was so much more to see…
Our top picks in Bangkok;
- Wat Pho (Royal Temple with giant reclining buddha) ⛩
- Street food on Soi Rambuttri
- Party on Khao San Road 🍻
- Tuk-tuk to the Golden Mount (Wat Saket)
Inside knowledge on the common local expression ‘CAN-NOT’…when asking for something from a local, you would usually expect a ‘Yes’, ‘No’, ‘Sure’, ‘Why not’ but in Thailand it’s common to hear either ‘Can’ or CAN-NOT!!” 😂
Koh Phi Phi
The Phi Phi islands are usually top of every backpacker’s bucket list for good reason. With beach parties, boat trips, monkeys, reef sharks and beautiful viewpoints it’s really easy to see why every backpacker wants to visit Koh Phi Phi.
Our top picks in Phi Phi;
- Boat trip from Phi Phi Don to Phi Phi Ley
- Visit the famous Monkey Beach 🐵
- Either early morning or sunset trek to the viewpoint
- Party on the beach with a bucket 💃
Krabi & Railay Beach
When you think of Thailand you automatically think of pristine crystal clear waters and idyllic beaches…well this really is Krabi! Grab yourself a longtail boat from Ao Nang and make your way to the world-famous Railay Beach you will quickly see what I am talking about…INCREDIBLE!
Our top picks in Krabi;
- Sunset at Tiger Cave Temple 🌅
- Longtail boat to Railay Beach
- Ao Nang Night Market 🥢
- Rooftop chills at the hotel pool
Khao Sok National Park
Some would say Thailand’s ‘Best kept secret’, well maybe after this blog I’ve definitely blown it and shared this incredible place with the world. Khao Sok is by far the best place I have EVER visited in the world. Imagine cruising by longtail boat into Jurassic Park…that is exactly what to expect when you arrive here…just magical ✨
Our top picks in Khao Sok;
- Stay overnight in floating bungalows
- Relax in a tube with a chang beer 🍺
- Go for an adventure in a kayak
- At sunset go in search of monkeys…Shhh they can hear you 🐒
Pai
Another one of Thailand’s hidden little gems. Pai is found in the north of Thailand…even further north than Chiang Mai (3 hours north to be exact). This little hippie town is full of ‘vibes’…whether you are looking to ‘find yourself’ or just surround yourself with the chillest people on earth..this place is for you!
Our top picks in Paid;
- Tubing on the Pai river
- Visit the Pai Canyon for sunset 🌅
- Get your IG on at the bamboo bridge
- Try your hand in at Muay Thai 🥊
So, there you have it…6 spots you CAN-NOT miss when you next visit Thailand! Of course, there are tonnes of amazing places in Thailand but I wanted to keep this short, sweet and punchy.
Slide into the DM’s if you need some more help support or fancy jumping on one of our trips that cover all these spots and more 🤙🏻🤙🏻
Travel all these destinations and more on our ‘South to North – 15 Days in Thailand’ trip. Start on a weekend and finish on a weekend for 2 incredible weeks!
