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Experience Thailand

8 Best things to do in Thailand

Events, Experiences & Brunches

by Inside Lifestyle Team

Take a look at our list of the best things to do during your visit to Thailand. Whether your looking for temples, animal sanctuaries or the best beach days, you’ll find them all here.

See Wat Phra Chetuphon, Bangkok

One of the oldest and largest temples in Bangkok, Wat Pho intended to serve as a place of education for visitors, covering subjects such as history, medicine and the Buddhist religion. It is now more well-known as a centre for traditional massage and medicine, in addition to housing the largest Buddha statue in Thailand, the reclining Buddha, measuring over 150 feet in length. Enjoy a walk around the temple and soak up the culture, or head for a traditional Thai massage.

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Admission from £19.00

Visit the Elephant Rescue Park, Chiang Mai

There are many elephant parks in Thailand, but it’s important to find one that is honest in its mission to provide a happy place for rescued elephants from poor conditions. Located in the green valley of Chiang Mai, the Elephant Rescue Park does just that, providing a safe, stress free environment where they can receive the care they need, and live out their days in the wild. You can join in on the fun, with a chance to feed, walk play with them, and even bathe them. All money raised from the tours goes back into the park, enabling them to continue their rescue missions.

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Tours from £70.00

A Beach Day at Maya Bay, Koh Phi Phi Leh

The infamous filming location for Leonardo Dicaprio’s ‘The Beach’, Koh Phi Phi Leh’s Maya Bay, is one of Thailand’s star attractions. The film certainly put the bay on the map, showcasing it’s dazzling emerald waters and white sands. This really is the perfect location for swimming, with calm waters protected by the bay, however, we’d suggest an early visit to avoid the rather busy peak periods (it’s a big tourist attraction after all).

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Shop at Chatuchak Market, Bangkok

Visit the Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok (locally known as JJ Market), home to 8,000 market stalls spread over more than 14 hectares. On a typical weekend, more than 200,000 visitors come here to sift through the second hand goods. Due to its impressive size, the market has reached landmark status – a must visit if your in the area one afternoon.

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Explore Koh Phi Phi

With over 1,400 islands in Thailand, it would seem crazy not to take the opportunity to see some of the most beautiful, untouched shores in the world. You can hire a long boat (if you want to explore by yourself) or find a relevant tour guide who can take you to all the best spots, including Koh Phi Phi, renowned for its stunning crystal clear waters and towering limestone hills.

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Hike in the Doi Inthanon National Park

Doi Inthanon is one of the most popular national parks in Thailand, famous for its waterfalls, trails, remote villages, and Doi Inthanon Mountain, the highest mountain in Thailand. The main park entrance is about 70 km southwest from Chiang Mai city center, covering an area of 482 km², and home to lots of wildlife, from bats to bears. If you time it right, and reach the peak by early evening, you can watch the sun go down over the hilly terrain.

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Help out at Soi Dog Foundation, Phuket

Soi Dog Foundation is South East Asia’s largest rescue organisation for vulnerable street dogs and stray cats. For 18 years, with the support of donations and global volunteers, they worked tirelessly to reduce animal suffering through medical care, provided a sanctuary for those left on the streets, and provided a local and international adoption service. Guided tours are available Monday-Friday at 10:00am and 1:30pm. Following the 40-minute tour, visitors are encouraged to socialise with animals and can enjoy time in the puppy pen, giving them as much love as possible! A truly eye opening experience.

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Party in the street at Khao San Road, Bangkok

Khao San Road’s has a reputation as being the ultimate backpacker party destination, known across Southeast Asia as a dense street full of budget hostels, internet cafes, bars, restaurants, massage parlours, market stalls, tattoo shops. Drinking and dancing is very much encouraged in the street here, so if your looking for the ultimate backpacker experience, we’d say Khao San Road is definitely a Bucket List must.