Thailand is one of the top tourist destinations in South East Asia and lures an influx of tourists from all over the world. Synonymous with beautiful beaches and absolutely breathtaking temples, traveling to Thailand will give you the required break from your busy schedule, and visiting with your family will be a cherry on the cake. Below are 11 things not to miss:
- Explore the Grand Palace
The Grand Palace, along with the beautiful buildings and their surroundings, is more than 200 years old and the most popular and recognizable destination in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. Since 1782, the Grand Palace has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam. For the Thai Kingdom, it is the centre of spirituality. Remember to dress politely when you visit here – you can be denied entry if you are dressed incorrectly.
- Elephant Nature Park
The national symbol of Thailand is the elephant – the most respected animal by the people of Thailand. You can find many ways to experience these huge creatures or work with the animals in the country.
Animal cruelty is an unfortunate and real problem in some of the parts of the country, so you should avoid any centre where the elephants are made to perform tricks. You can volunteer or visit to help the Elephant Retirement Park, which is a rescue and rehabilitation center for elephants. You can also check out this video where we spoke with the Thai mahouts, or elephant caretakers, about their take on ethical elephant tourism.
- Krabi
Put on your slippers, get some food and drinks, and forget about all your problems when you are in Krabi. You can indulge in some amazing activities with your family including kayaking, rock climbing, snorkeling and nature walks. Here the beaches are peaceful, away from the crowds and will take your breath away. Hop on a speedboat and immerse yourself in the serenity of the Chicken Island, Poda Island, Tub Island and the Phra Nang beach.
- Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
You can find many floating markets in Thailand, but Damnoen Saduak Floating Marketis the most famous and biggest. You will see boats floating up and down the canals while selling various types of foods and fruits. It will be a different type of experience where you will be able to see how things were several years ago. The market is around 100 km away from Bangkok, so a pretty easy drive. (hint: you can add this on to any Discover Corps Thailand journey as a post-trip extension!)
- Island hopping
Island hopping is one of the most wonderful things to do in Thailand, especially for kids. The coastline is over 5,000 miles, and not every part is explored. This will be an unforgettable experience for you, so hop on the longtail boat and travel to as many beaches and islands as you can. Discover Phang Nga Bay and the Andaman Sea of Phuket, white sand beaches, snorkeling on the islands of Ko Phi Phi Lee and Ko Phi Phi Don, cliff jumping, and so much more.
- Phang Nga Bay
Phang Nga Bay is in the north east of Phuket, and an absolutely stunning site. The limestone cliffs sticking vertically out of the beautiful green water is a unique feature of Phang Nga Bay. The two famous spots here are James Bond Island and Koh Pannyi.
You can enjoy the stunning scenery in peace because there are less tourists than the nearby James Bond and Koh Pannyi, and you’re just one boat trip away from the north Phuket. You will be able to enjoy the best scenery as you soak in the sun – an unforgettable memory for you and your family.
- Phi Phi Islands
The Phi Phi Islands are one of the most famous and popular islands in Southeast Asia. Around 45-minutes on speedboat and 90 minutes on a ferry boat ride from Phuket, these islands are paradise, made up of two islands – Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh. Phi Phi Don is the larger one which attracts a flock of visitors on its beautiful shores. The nightlife of Phi Phi Don is quite famous which starts at the setting of the sun going on throughout the night, full of young and carefree party lovers, but also a lot to see for families and children (another post-trip extension option!).
- Tour of Bangkok on bicycle
Imagine how it would be to explore a new city on bicycle with your loved ones. Ride through narrow streets and come across the traditional settlements that will enrich your understanding about the culture and traditions of Bangkok. Ride through the busy markets, watch locals pass by, explore ancient temples, and discover other local communities. You can explore the unexplored places of Bangkok.
Thailand is one of the most sought-after places for vacation, and people from every corner of the globe come here to spend their holidays. You’ll never fall short of things to do when you arrive in the ‘land of smiles’. So plan a trip with your family and create long-lasting memories. Bon Voyage!!!
Bipin Baloni is a passionate yogi, yoga teacher and traveler of India. He is currently working with Rishikul Yogshala. The Yoga Alliance affiliated school organizes a number of yoga events, such as yoga teacher training in India, yoga teacher training in Nepal, yoga workshops, retreats, pranayama training, Ayurveda courses in Kerala and more.