10 Most Favourite Tourist Destinations in Thailand

1. Grand Palace of Bangkok

The Grand Palace is a large compound built in 1782 which consisted of more than hundred buildings with beautiful gilded architecture, intricate carved decorations and fantastic statues depicting both mythical and the divine. Within the palace, Wat Phra Kaew is the most beautiful and important Buddhist temple in Thailand. It houses Phra Kaew Morakot (also known as the Emerald Buddha), the most highly revered Buddha image carved from a single block of fine jade. Inside the temple, the grounds are scattered by numerous interesting sculptures of artistic value, including the fanciful animals in mythology, the fierce-looking giants standing guard at the gates, the six pairs of Cambodian-style bronze lions and the stone figures from China. The inner surface of the walls which is surrounding the temple are extensive mural paintings depicting scenes from the famous epic ''Ramayana''. It is the longest wall painting in the world as well as one of the Unseen Bangkoks. Today, the Grand Palace is the most famous and popular place that for every tourist who comes to Bangkok.

2. Wat Arun

Wat Arun or also known as Temple of the Dawn, and the full name of the temple is Wat Arunratchawararam Ratchaworamahavihara. Wat Arun is located on the West bank of Chao Phraya river, opposite to Grand Palace. This temple is one of First Class Royal Temple and well known landmark of Bangkok. The most popular attraction at Wat Arun is Group of prangs (imposing spires) in Khmer style, which has the main huge Prang in the center, surrounded by 4 smaller prangs. The main Prang is 81 meters high. The prangs are decorated with colorful pieces of porcelain. Around the bottom of the prangs are variety statues of soldiers and animals from China. Tourists are allowed to climb the main Prang's stairs to enjoy the view of Bangkok city and Chao Phraya River.

3. Ancient City of Ayutthaya

The ancient city of Ayutthaya or Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya was built by King U-Thong in 1350 and the Thai capital for 417 years which was ruled by 33 kings, before it was destroyed by Burmese in 1767.  This city was built on an island surrounded by three rivers, Chao Phraya, Lopburi and Pa Sak rivers. There are numerous ruins of temples, religious shrines, pavilions and palaces which can be seen scattering all over the place, especially on the western half of the island. In 1969 the Fine Arts Department began with renovations of the ruins, which became more serious after it was declared a historical park in 1976. After 15 years, the park finally was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1991. Every year in December, festivities are organized in the former site of the capital to celebrate the glory of its past. The events include displays of traditional culture and lifestyles, various entertainments and a memorable light and sound show with the backdrop of Ayutthaya’s ancient ruins and temples which attract countless visitors come far away from every corner of the world.

4. Sukhothai Historical Park

Sukhothai ancient city was formed in 1,238 and considered as the first capital of Thailand that thrived between the 13th and 14th centuries. The kingdom had prospered for 200 years before it was replaced by Ayutthaya. This ancient city is surrounded by walls that form a rectangle shape and houses numerous Buddhist shrines, Buddha statues, former palaces and temples. Among all these ancient buildings and statues, Wat Mahathat is the largest and most impressive and important Buddhist temple in Sukhothai. It is the place where the first stone inscription was discovered. The square rock contains Thai letters that are believed to be invented by King Ramkamheang, who is one of the greatest kings in Thailand. Main chedi (stupa), vihara (assembly hall), mandapa, ordination hall (uposatha), approximately 200 subordinate chedis and some fine Buddha images can be found in the same area. These stupas represent various architectural influences from different kingdoms such as Hariphunchai, Lanna and Sri Langka. Two impressive statues of the 12-meter tall standing Buddha, Phra Attharot, enshrines the mandapa on both sides of the principle chedi. In 1988, this ancient city was officially announced as Sukhothai Historical Park and later declared as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.

5. Doi Suthep-Doi Pui National Park

Doi Suthep-Dui Pui National Park is one of most visited national park in Thailand which over 3 million visitors annually. It is a place to be visited by each visitor that comes to Chiang Mai. This national park was established in 1981 with spanning an area of 261 square km and home to more than 300 bird species and nearly 2,000 species of ferns and flowering plants. There are several attractions in this national park including the scenic views of Huai Kaeo Waterfall and Khru Ba Siwichai Monument located at the foothill of Doi Suthep Mountain. The major attraction of this luxuriant park is the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, which was Chiang Mai’s most important and visible landmark built in 1383. It is located at the hillside of Doi Suthep with an elevation of  1,050 m, and overlooks the city from its forested mountain backdrop. One of the interesting in this temple is the pagoda contains holy Buddha relics that attracts Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world throughout the year. The Bhubing Palace is another attraction which is 4 km further up the mountain. The palace itself is not opened for public, but the visitors may enjoy the beautiful garden in the palace's compound which is full of colourful exotic flowers. Further up another 3 km is Doi Pui Tribal Village where the village presents the typical lifestyle of the Hmong as well as a scenic view of Doi Inthanon, the highest peak of Thailand.

6. Chiang Mai Night Bazaar

Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is a huge market located in the heart of the city, on the Chang Khlan Road between Tha Phae Road and Si Donchai Road. The night market is famous for its handicrafts and portrait paintings. Other products such as clothes and accessories, bags and luggages, swords and knives, jewelry and watches, ornamental and collective items, bronze and silver products and much more, also available in this night market. The night market opens at about 6 pm until midnight. It’s not just a place to shop, but possibly Chiang Mai’s largest tourist attraction, with products from Northern Thailand and neighbouring countries, especially those associated with Thailand‘s hill tribes – but take all claims with a pinch of salt and bargain hard for good prices.

7. Railay Beach

Railay beach is situated in Krabi Province of southern Thailand. The beach is accessible only by boat, as it is cut off from the mainland by a huge limestone rock formation. The lush green tropical forests, mountains, beautiful beaches, crystal clear water, smooth golden sand, exotic view of nature and fascinating limestone rock formations make this place a paradise on earth. Railay has always attracted adventure lovers, leisure travellers, family vacationers as well as honeymooners from all over the world and has never disappointed them. The huge limestone rock formations are the main attraction for rock climbers and the lush green tropical forest is a home to the wildlife and waterfalls is another attraction to nature lovers and forest explorers. Due to the clean and clear warm seawater, many colourful marine life have been attracted to the surrounding area of Railay, and has made it an ideal place for scuba diving and snorkeling. As the addition, Railay also provides many excellent restaurants with delightful cuisines and exotic resorts and spas. With so much to offer and its nature of beauty, Railay beach definitely deserves to be known as the world's most perfect holiday destination.

8. Phi Phi Island

Phi Phi Island is a group of six islets, Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Le, Yung, Mai Phai, Bida Nok and Bida Nai. The islands are part of a National Marine Park in Krabi Province which can be reached by speedboat from Krabi town or Phuket. Phi Phi island is surrounded by azure deep crystal clear water, countless marine life and also beautiful beaches and coral reefs. Green and hawksbill turtles munching on bubble corals, black and white banded sea snakes, squid, angelfish, black-tip reef sharks and leopard sharks are often in these coastal islands. There are two main islands in the group. Only the largest, Phi Phi Don, hosts tourists and well known for its beautiful beaches and coral reefs. The smaller island, Phi Phi Le, is also spectacular in its beautiful bays, including Pileh, Maya, Loh Samah and a lovely cove, Ao Pileh. But this small island is frequently visited on day trips only. The neighboring islands, Yung and Mai Pai are teeming with diverse colourful coral reefs. With the emerald crystal sea, secluded beaches, mountain cliffs, colorful coral reefs and undersea life, Phi Phi  Island,  indeed to be called as the island of paradise in the Andaman Sea.

9. Phang Nga Bay National Park 

Phang Nga Bay is one of the most favourite Thailand tourist locations, it appeals significant number of international travellers to this part of the country. The bay is popular for its unique characteristics of limestone cliffs that vertically stand out from the water. The Koh Pannyi and the James Bond Island are the major tourist highlight of this bay. The national park is also home to several other islands, most of which are uninhabited. Some of the islands like, Koh Hong are famous for featuring a wonderful cave. While on a visit to this part of the country, boat rides from the northern end of Phuket is a good ideal which offering spectacular scenic beauties.

10. The Bridge on the River Kwai

The famous Bridge on the River Kwai is located in Kanchanaburi Province. It was first built in 1942 as a part of the railway between Thailand and Burma. At the time of World War II, the Japanese wanted to seek to shorten the supply lines between Japan and Burma in preparation for an eventual attack on British India. Hundreds of thousands of Asian labourers and Allied prisoners-of war were forced by Japanese forces to construct a railway for a distance of about 400 km. More than hundred thousand people lost their lives during the construction of this death railway due to starvation, exhaustion and diseases. The bridge and railway became famous after a novel with the title of ''The Bridge Over the River Kwai'' by Pierre Boulle published in 1952 and later made into a film by David Lean in 1957. Today, there are trains running from Kanchanaburi to the terminus at Nam Tok station for a distance of 50 kilometers and the journey by riding on a tourist train has become one of the main attraction while travelling to Kanchanaburi.