Thailand is a popular destination for both new and experienced backpackers. The people are known for being warm and welcoming to tourists, lodging and accommodations are relatively inexpensive, and you can find great food and experiences at every price point. With a largely diverse landscape and rich, ancient history, backpackers can explore lush jungles, sunny beaches, ancient cities, as well as modern and urban spaces with a thriving nightlife and party scene. To give you some inspiration, we’ve created a list of must-see places to travel in Thailand.
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand and is home to many beautiful temples, museums, and unique tourist attractions. The most visited site around Bangkok is the famous Grand Palace, the gorgeous home of the Kings of Siam (and later, Thailand) that has stood since the 17th century. Because of its popularity, it’s normally very crowded but you can beat some of the lines by planning to visit early in the day.
Another site to see around Bangkok is Wat Pho, an ancient enormous temple that houses the famous 46-foot-long golden Reclining Buddha statue, as well as the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand.
Bangkok also has a famously active nightlife scene packed with bars and clubs. At night, many vendors offer quick meals and snacks to while in the town. If you’re feeling adventurous, you may find more than one vendor selling Malang Tod- freshly fried insect delicacy popular among locals.
Chiang Mai
About an overnight bus ride to the north of Bangkok is the city of Chiang Mai. Although less crowded than Bangkok, it’s still a very popular destination for backpackers and tourists because of its rich cultural history, the elephant sanctuaries that rehabilitate abused or mistreated elephants, and its proximity to the mountains and jungles of northern Thailand.
Chiang Mai is home to many massage schools where visitors can sign up for 1 day or 10-day courses to learn ancient practices and techniques of Thai massage, as well as cooking classes for travellers to learn how to cook some delicious Thai cuisine. Taking classes like these is popular among tourists because it teaches a skill and offers a unique experience without being too pricey.
There are also plenty of outdoor excursions in Chiang Mai to experience, including guided treks through the mountains and jungles for multiple days, bamboo rafting, and mountain biking. The lands surrounding Chiang Mai are dramatic landscapes with tons of natural beauty that is perfect for exploring or simply for relaxation.
Pai
About 4 hours away from Chiang Mai is the mountainous town of Pai. Pai is home to Pai Canyon, dubbed the “Grand Canyon of Thailand” is a perfect spot to visit for any sightseer. There are scenic waterfalls and hiking trails for the outdoorsy backpacker, as well as a huge selection of foods from all around the world in the town (perfect if you’re craving some Western food like lasagna or pizza.) One of the best-kept not-so-secrets of Pai is the Tham Lod caves which you can explore and raft through, and maybe see the thousands of white birds that make their home there.
Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya is an island made by the connection of three rivers and is an ancient city that was formerly the capital of Siam and was once the largest city in the world and the heart of the trading industry. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Ayutthaya is a popular destination for travellers mostly for its well-preserved temples and palaces, of which there are so many that it takes multiple days to see the whole city. The best way to get around Ayutthaya is to rent a bike for the day (which is very inexpensive.) Ayutthaya is very close to Bangkok and easily accessible by train, bus, or car.
The Islands
Thailand is surrounded by many beautiful islands for the beachside backpacker. The largest and most popular of these is Phuket (pronounced Pu-ket.) Phuket has many high-end resorts and world-renowned beaches. It’s also known for its vibrant nightlife and beautiful natural scenery.
Another popular island for backpackers is Ko Phayam. Ko Phayam is known as the backpacker’s paradise because of its quiet, tranquil serenity and the bustling community of backpackers who stay there up to six months. Ko Phayam is a great destination for backpackers who want to get away from other tourists and who want to have a more authentic backpacking experience in nature.
Before you start your adventure, make sure you invest in a global SIM card for backpackers from BNESIM. Their SIM cards will allow you to make calls, send texts, and use data from nearly every place on the planet. Having a global SIM card is also an absolute must for safety and for travellers to check on hostel or room reservations, check train and bus schedules, to keep in touch with friends and family, and to call emergency services if there is ever an accident or danger.
Looking for a global SIM card? Check out BNESIM.com to find the right card for you.
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