> DESTINATIONS > FAR EAST > THAILAND > THINGS TO DO IN THAILAND
Top things to do in Thailand
Cruise between Bangkok and Ayutthaya on the River of Kings, venture to National Parks abundant with exotic wildlife and go to the Golden Triangle. Thailand's south is perfect for island hopping to pristine sandy beaches, or venture into Thai history in Sukhothai, the first truly independent kingdom.
Here are the top things to do on a Thailand holiday, as chosen by our Far East specialists.
Cruise between Bangkok and Ayutthaya
Hop on a beautifully restored rice barge and sail along the Chao Phraya river, the River of Kings. Flowing between Bangkok and the ancient capital, Ayutthaya, the river retraces the paths of former royal processions. Chao Phraya river has long been the lifeline of Thailand, and this journey offers an insight into the lives of rural communities that are still dependent on the ancient waterways. The hustle and bustle of cosmopolitan Bangkok is replaced by the tranquillity of the countryside just a few hours into the journey.
Go to the Golden Triangle
Chiang Rai is a laidback Northern Thai town, surrounded by green hills and located close to the Golden Triangle – the border between Thailand, Laos and Burma. The area is full of small quiet villages and ancient temples set in beautiful natural scenery where the Ruak and Mekong rivers meet and form the borders of three countries.
Venture to National Parks
Visit Khao Yai, one of the country’s biggest and oldest national parks and only a 3-hour drive from Bangkok. It is home to almost 2,500 plant species and abundant wildlife including wild elephant, deer, tiger, gibbon, wild boar and more than 300 bird species. Venture further afield to Pha Taem National Park in Thailand's north-east, renowned for its collection of prehistoric paintings which are more than 3,000 years old. Nearby Kaeng Tana National Park covers an area of 80 sq km and is covered in deciduous dipterocarp forest on the plains, tropical evergreen forest along the rivers and grassland everywhere else. It is home to large mammal animal species including wild bear, macaque, civet, gibbon and common barking deer.
Sightsee in Sukhothai
Literally meaning 'Dawn of Happiness', Sukhothai was the first truly independent Thai kingdom. The main draw is the superb temples and monuments of the lovingly restored Sukhothai Historical Park, a Unesco world heritage site.
Go island hopping
Cruise lazily around Thailand’s south, from Koh Tapu, known colloquially as ‘James Bond Island’, to Koh Phi Phi Ley where you can explore Maya Bay, which became famous after featuring in the Leonardo DiCaprio film The Beach. During the cruise between the islands of Krabi and Phi Phi, there are many opportunities for snorkelling, swimming, sunbathing and going ashore to explore remote uninhabited islands and deserted white sand beaches.
