Not only is Thailand full of stunning scenery and diverse life everywhere, this South East Asian travel hub is full of amazing activities. I’ve chosen, with great difficulty, four things that were topped my list of best things to do in Thailand. If you’re looking for help on deciding what to do in Thailand, read on!

 

Diving Koh Tao/Phi Phi Island

For so many years I put off learning how to dive, and now I’m Advanced Open Water Certified. I’m not sure why it took me so long! I suggest if you’re pondering it, jump on in! (pun intended!)

Koh Tao is known worldwide as one of the cheapest places to get certified in diving. Make no mistake, this low price tag doesn’t affect quality or safety. Beautiful locations that full of stunning marine life and coral. You can even explore a shipwreck that was incredibly eerie as it suddenly appeared in the dimly-lit, 30-meter deep water!

If you only have time to dive in one location, however, I recommend Phi Phi Island. Hands down. While considerably pricier, the visibility and life down below the surface of the water is insane. The diversity is incredible. Sharks, octopus, turtles, lionfish, bearded dragon fish, the list could go on for quite some time. Princess Divers are a great, eco-dive company. I highly recommend them as I completed 6 dives in two days with them and each one was something completely different and equally amazing.

For more information about diving on Thailand’s islands, specifically Koh Tao Island and Phi Phi Island, click the name of the island you want for the in-depth post on why you should dive and what company to dive with!

Click here for more things to do on Phi Phi Don Island!

 

Phi Phi Island’s Early Bird Tour

Phi Phi Island makes this list twice. Yes, it can be a little touristy, but there’s a reason for that. It’s a stunning place to visit. Maya Bay is one of Phi Phi Island’s most visited sights and once again, there is a reason why.

So how do you beat the crowds to Maya Bay to view all that beauty without hundreds of people crowding the golden sands? Phi Phi Island’s Early Bird Tour! Get on a speedboat around 6 am and get to the bay before most tourists do. It’s worth the early start!

Not only that, but the tour takes in many other sights around Phi Phi Island. Snorkel with Black Tip Reef Sharks, swim in Pileh Lagoon, Phi Phi Leh’s other beautiful bay. The tour also visits “monkey beach”. A very popular tourist sight. I didn’t hold high hopes for this well-visited beach, but I was pleasantly surprised. The monkeys were not coy, jumping from person to person across their shoulders, whatever was the quickest route to any food they could see! It was quite funny to hear the constant shrieking of visitors as the monkeys scrambled over them, but just remember, take any rubbish with you! In fact, leave it on the boat and dispose of it properly. One final point, these monkeys are still wild animals. Treat them with respect and caution.

For more detailed information on how to book and what to expect, check out this post on How to Beat the Crowds to Maya Bay – Phi Phi Island.

Please note: Maya Bay is currently closed due to damage from overtoursim.

 

Bangkok’s Plane Graveyard

By far the least known Thailand sight on this list is just outside the capital city of Thailand. Bangkok’s Plane Graveyard is an attraction well off most tourists’ radars. I guess the main reason for this would be its location. It sits on a busy road, just off a main highway nowhere near the city center. Even though rush hour traffic sees vehicles crawl by, not many visitors go out of their way to visit Bangkok’s Plane Graveyard. Not even taxi drivers know of this attraction. The Maps.Me app saved me here as it directed our driver right to the location. For more information, check out my detailed post here.

This plane graveyard holds around four dormant giants. These once majestic birds now lay derelict and falling apart. They are stripped clean of anything valuable, making it a lot easier to walk through the empty cabins. Some beautiful and unique photos can be taken here, especially at sunset as the light becomes softer. It was incredible and such a unique place to check out.

Even though this isn’t an official attraction or tour, families reside in the complex. Since you are visiting a site on their land (however legitimate their claim to the land is I’m not sure), they expect a fee for entrance. 200 Baht was the fee imposed on me, around $8 AUD. I feel like I could have bartered for a cheaper price, but I paid it without question. I was just too excited when I saw the planes. Looking at these decaying behemoths I felt the price was justified!

Want to know how to find this unique attraction? Detailed information, routes and maps in this post on Bangkok’s Plane Graveyard!

To read more about what to see in Bangkok, check out this 4-day itinerary!

 

Stay Overnight in Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park

Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park is a cluster of 42 islands and surrounding water. It is home to diverse wildlife such as monkeys and hundreds of tiny crabs on land, and Black Tip Reef sharks and amazingly diverse marine life in the sea.

Getting to this marine park is easiest achieved via a day trip from Koh Samui or Koh Phangan. These day tours include a variety of activities from snorkelling spots to an inland lake lagoon at Ko Mae Ko Island. The main island of Ang Thong, Koh Wua Talap, is the largest and is the only island that you’re able to stay overnight on. From busy beaches during the day, desertion sets in around 3:30-4pm as the day trippers leave the sandy shores of Koh Wua Talap and you’re left isolated (apart from the Park staff) on an island paradise.

Hike to Bua Bok Cave, which quickly turns from a trail to a rocky climb/scramble. Or hike up the well-trotted pathway to the high-up lookout with an expansive view of the entire marine park.

Mu Ko Ang Thiong National Marine Park is a stunning visit, whether you have time for just a day trip or an overnight stay.

Click this link if you would like more information on visiting Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park as a day trip.

Alternatively, you can always book a tour online before you even leave for Thailand.

 

Best Things to do in Thailand – Conclusion

It is incredibly hard to construct such a short list of the best things to do in Thailand when the country has a plethora of amazing activities. These four things to do made Thailand more memorable and special to me. I’d love to hear what you think should and shouldn’t have made this list! Let me know below in the comments section!

Thailand is full of amazing places. If you would like other suggestions on places to visit, I suggest Pai and Chiang Rai in the north. Click the respective link for a post on how to go about making the most in these beautiful destinations.

Another fantastic thing to experience in Thailand is visiting a floating market. Pretty much exactly the same as a regular market, just on water! Amphawa Floating Market is a great place to see this beautiful sight – plus it’s close enough to Bangkok for an easy day trip!

Thailand’s Best Activities – Information

The local currency of Thailand is the Baht. For $1 Australia Dollar, you get roughly 24 Thai Baht.

Thailand is an inexpensive country to travel for the most part. Find out what Bangkok has on offer for $10!

Many roads in this South East Asian tourism hotspot there are quite a few scams and threats, always keep an eye out for any suspicious behavior. These scammers are good at their “job”. Also, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. This goes for many offers for “good prices”. Taxi’s come to mind, and how the meter is also broken. Try to get a meter if you can.

For current travel information about Thailand, including safety issues and political tensions, the Australian Government’s site Smarttraveller.gov.au is a fantastic resource.

Kitesurfing is a popular activity in parts of Asia, and Thailand is no different! If you’ve ever thought of trying it out, this resource on kitesurfing in Thailand is great!

 

Thailand’s Best Activities – Highlights

• Diving is such a great experience, and if you’ve ever thought of doing it, don’t wait!
• Bangkok’s Plane Graveyard was quite far out of the city but worth the effort!
• Mu Ko Ang Thong overnight stay was amazing. A beautiful, deserted beach, once the day trippers left!

 

Have you visited Thailand? What makes your “Thailand’s Best Things to do” list? Any questions or comments are more than welcome!

 

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