Low costs of living, friendly locals, beautiful islands, and sunshine all year round – there’s no doubt that Southeast Asia, and especially Thailand, is a true Backpacker’s paradise. During one semester break, I was lucky to spend two amazing months in this wonderful country. Bordering two oceans, the country is blessed with long beaches, numerous islands, and clear water. And, like many other countries, Thailand is highly dependent on tourism to obtain its cultural heritage. To have the ultimate Thailand experience, I will name you a few activities to add to your Thailand Bucket List. But first, let’s start with some quick facts about the so-called “land of smiles”.
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Quick Facts about Thailand
| Capital | Bangkok |
| Population | 70 million |
| Currency | Baht (1 USD = 34.8 Baht) |
| Language | Thai |
| Best time to visit | November – April |
The best 30 Thailand Bucket List activities
1. Visit an Elephant Sanctuary
For many people, visiting an elephant sanctuary is at the top of their Thailand bucket list. When choosing a place to meet these wonderful animals in Northern Thailand, please make sure that you look for a sanctuary where they are treated ethically! Elephant Retirement Park, for example, is a great place to meet these gentle animals.
2. Be part of the Yi Peng Festival
If you’re traveling to Thailand around November or December, you will be lucky to attend the Yi Peng Festival in Northern Thailand. Watch thousands of lanterns being released into the sky when it’s dark – an unforgettable experience!
3. Embark on a boat tour in Khao Sok National Park
Khao Sok National Park is one of the most spectacular places in the country. The nature reserve in southern Thailand is home to the oldest evergreen rainforest in the world, stunning limestone formations, and the man-made Chiao Lan Lake. Embark on a boat tour and spot many rare animal and plant species. There is even the possibility of staying overnight in the park in floating accommodation (book your 3-day floating resort stay here).
4. Go snorkeling
A snorkeling trip is something that should be on everyone’s Beginner’s Guide to Thailand! Even though Thailand has a lot to offer on land, you should also not miss exploring the underwater world. There are many coral reefs all around the country but the best places to go snorkeling are Koh Tao, Phi Phi Islands, Koh Chang, and Koh Lipe.
5. Drink cocktails at Lebua Sky Bar in Bangkok
In Bangkok, you can find one of the highest and most famous rooftop bars – Lebua Sky Bar – on the 63rd floor (at around 250 meters) of the city’s State Tower. The bar as well as the award-winning Sirocco Restaurant have gained international fame through the US comedy film Hangover 2. Enjoy a breathtaking view of the city and the Chao Phraya River while sipping on your cocktail is one of the best things to do in Bangkok at night!
6. Relax on the beach
There’s no doubt that Thailand is famous for its beautiful beaches. With more than 1,000 islands and an enormous coastline, you are spoilt for choice regarding the country’s beaches. According to Lonely Planet, the best-ranked beaches are Hat Tham Phra Nang in Krabi, Hat Bang Sak in Phang Nga, and Klong Dao in Koh Lanta. Also, the Khao Lak area in southern Thailand is a great region to enjoy the beach life away from the crowds.
7. Attend a legendary full moon party
Plan your stay around at least one full moon to join the legendary Full Moon Party in Thailand! The huge event, which is organized by local clubs and bars every full moon night on the beach of Haad Rin (on the southeast end of Ko Pha-ngan Island) is not to be missed.
8. Sleep at a Backpacker’s hostel
Especially if you’re traveling alone in Thailand, hostels are the best places to meet other travelers along the way and have a great time. Also, hostels are perfect if you’re traveling on a budget and the friendly staff is always happy to help you organize day trips and transport to your next destination.
Find and compare the best hostels in Thailand with Hostelworld.
9. Visit the majestic temples in the north of Thailand
Northern Thailand is well known for its beautiful Buddhist temples and ancient cities. Two famous temple complexes are Wat Rong Khun in Chiang Rai and Wat Lok Molee in Chiang Mai. Wat Phra That Doi Kham (Temple of the Golden Mountain), which is located on a hill just outside of Chiang Mai, is worth a visit as well. If you want to explore temples in Bangkok as well, a trip to Wat Pho Temple should be on your list too!
Wondering how to dress in the country’s temples? My blog post about what to wear in Thailand temples has got you covered!
10. Enjoy Bangkok’s nightlife on Khao San Road
Khao San Road is a street about 400 meters long in the Bang Lam Phu district of Bangkok. The busy street is known for numerous discos, and bars and is the hotspot for people looking for a fun night out. If you don’t want to be surrounded by young people partying all night long, I would honestly not recommend coming to this place.
11. Explore the islands by scooter
Like in Vietnam, the scooter is the main means of transport for many Thai people. And just like the locals, more and more tourists want to explore the country flexibly by scooter. Since riding the scooters in the country’s big cities can be nerve-racking, I would rather recommend renting a scooter on the islands. It’s also the best way to get from A to B fast and easily on the islands.
12. Take part in a cooking class
If you’re looking for a way to take all the amazing food back home, a cooking class might be a perfect idea for you. There are several offers for cooking classes throughout the whole country, so feel free to check out the availabilities, for example via eatwith.
13. Enjoy a massage at the beach
After a day of exploring the city or swimming in the sea, a massage at the beach is what you will need. Luckily, a good and professional massage in Thailand will not break the bank.
14. Visit a local school
There’s no better way to learn about Thailand’s culture than from the locals themselves. During my time in the country, I took the opportunity to work in a hotel for a month and to visit a local school for one day. An unforgettable experience from which I learned so much about the country’s culture.
15. Try all the delicious Thai food
There’s no doubt that Thailand is a true paradise for food lovers! Pad Thai, different kinds of Curry, Khao Soi, Tom Yam, .. you name it. Besides the beautiful landscapes and the friendly locals, the delicious food is something you will miss for sure when leaving after your trip.
16. Explore the jungles
With many national parks and large areas of jungles, the country is ideal for numerous adrenaline-pumping outdoor activities. Choose to go trekking, rafting, zip-lining, or climbing in the great outdoors of Thailand! End your day by sleeping in an authentic treehouse resort.
17. Take a night train to your next destination
Taking a night train in Thailand is one of the easiest, most comfortable, and especially cheapest ways to travel long distances. Here, the transport is an experience in itself. Two of the most chosen routes are the one between Bangkok and Chiang Mai and Bangkok and Surat Thani.
18. Ride a Tuk-Tuk through the city
Before ordering a taxi, think about the opportunity to tick off another point on your Thailand bucket list and take a Tuk-Tuk to your next destination. Not only is it cheaper but also faster considering the chaotic traffic in the big cities. But be warned: at the speed at which the drivers transport you through the streets, this mode of transport is not for the faint-hearted 😉
19. Take photos of the wooden boats
Since Thailand has always drawn much of its food from the sea, the history of the traditional wooden longtail boats is very old. When the boats are half on the sandy beach and half in the water, it makes for a gorgeous postcard photo scene.
20. Dive into the beautiful underwater world
Besides snorkeling, you can also discover the wonderful underwater world by scuba diving in Thailand. Discover many more species of animals and be surrounded by complete silence! Thailand is home to many excellent diving schools, some of which are located in Koh Tao, Koh Samui, or Phuket.
21. Drink a typical Thai beer
You definitely cannot leave Thailand without having tried the national beer. Singha is probably the country’s most popular local beer. Chang, the larger beer with 5.0% alcohol is another popular one. The name Chang is Thai for elephant and thus represents an animal of great cultural and historical importance in Thailand.
22. Learn about the country’s culture, history & religion
Whether you are visiting Thailand only for a few weeks or several months: seize the opportunity to learn about the country’s culture and traditions. The best way to have a true Thailand experience is to visit a few temples and cultural heritage sites, speak with the locals, show understanding of their way of living, and respect their nature, culture, and religion.
23. Go Island-Hopping
Thailand has numerous large and small islands, each of which seems like its own little paradise. To name a few, in the Andaman Sea (on the west coast of Thailand), you can find Phuket, the country’s largest island as well as Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta. In the Gulf of Thailand (on the east coast), you can find Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan, and – my personal favorite one – Koh Tao.
Can’t decide which island to visit? Check out my comparison of Koh Tao vs. Koh Phangan.
24. Eat as many exotic fruits as possible
In Thailand, you can find some of the most exotic tropical fruits you could ever imagine. Besides the well-known fruits such as mangos, pineapples, and watermelons, you will also find some you have probably never tasted before. Make sure to try the following exotic fruits during your stay: Durian, Pomelo, Jack Fruit, and Mangosteen.
25. Enjoy a floating market
Visiting a floating market should definitely be on your Thailand bucket list! Ride by wooden boat past numerous street food stands on the water. One of the most popular floating markets in Thailand is Damnoen Saduak Floating Market in Ratchaburi province.
26. Explore the night markets
In many parts of Thailand, people only really wake up when the sun has already set. It’s the perfect time for visiting all the beautiful night markets. Especially Chiang Mai, one of the more offbeat destinations in Thailand, is famous for its fascinating night market that attracts many tourists throughout the whole year. Other great night markets are the Weekend Market in Phuket, the Night Bazaar in Chiang Rai, and Fisherman’s Village Walking Street on Koh Samui.
27. Visit the Lopburi Monkey Temple
The Monkey Temple in Lopburi, also known as Phra Prang Sam Yod, is an old temple around 150 kilometers from Bangkok. Due to its large population of crab-eating monkeys, the temple has become a popular tourist destination in Thailand.
28. Relax in a hammock
Is there a better way to end the day than to watch the sunset from a hammock at the beach? I don’t think so. Besides colorful hammocks, you can also often find huge swings at the beaches in Thailand. Both contribute to the perfect vacation photos.
29. Watch a Thai Boxing Match
Thai Boxing, also known as Muay Thai, is one of the most popular sports in Thailand. People from all around the world come to Thailand to be professionally trained as Muay Thai fighters. Bangkok offers the best and largest stadiums and is the ideal place to watch the traditional match.
30. Buy typical souvenirs from Thailand
Before heading home make sure to buy a few souvenirs for friends and family or as a memory for yourself. The most purchased souvenirs are Thai silk, spices, soap, coconut oil products, or anything with elephant symbols.
As you can see, life never gets boring in Thailand! I hope my Thailand Bucket List has helped you get prepared for your upcoming travels. If you’re planning a backpacking tour, make sure to check out my list of backpacking essentials and my other destination guides about Asia.
Have you ever been to Thailand? In the comments down below, tell me about the best experiences you’ve had in the country or what you are looking forward to the most! 😊
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