Why visit? It’s a tropical paradise in Asia that has it all – lively cities, stunning beaches, historic sites, sacred temples, delicious food, wildlife, and fascinating culture; you’ll find Thailand is truly memorable. From cosmopolitan Bangkok, the still standing stone remnants of the former capital of Ayutthaya, laid-back Phuket, and a very special southern island on the Andaman Sea, I fell in love with it all. In this quick destination overview, you’ll find out why there are (at least) 10 Memorable Reasons to Visit Thailand When You Travel to Asia.
10 Reasons to Visit Thailand When You Travel to Asia
Fascinating Festivals
When I landed in Bangkok on November 8, 2022, it was a lucky day to begin a visit to Thailand. The annual Loi Krathong festival began that night because it was the the full moon of the 12th month of the Thai Lunar Calendar. Celebrations were held all over the country to mark the beginning of the New Year.
According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Loi means “float” and Krathong means “container, boat, or vessel.” During this beautiful festival, thousands of people gather near a flowing body of water, and celebrate by saying prayers to the goddess of water before releasing their offering, a banana leaf boat filled with candles and flowers.
Since we were in Central Thailand, we celebrated the festival by visiting a beautiful park along the Chao Phraya river called Phuttha Utthayan Maharat. The park features a huge golden statue of a famous Buddhist monk named Luang Pu Thuat.
At the end of the night, the band played and crowds gathered on a bridge to get the best photo and video as fireworks exploded over the statue.
Beautiful Beaches
In southern Thailand, the beaches are simply stunning with large, rocky hills, blue skies, clear waters, and soft white sand. People come from all over the world just to enjoy the experience.
One location, in particular, is known as the “most beautiful beach in Thailand” and “one of the top 10 in the world.” You’ll find Railay Beach is a small peninsula between the towns of Ao Nang and Krabi. In addition to sunbathing on one of three unique beaches, you can also swim, kayak, or go rock climbing on the limestone cliffs. Several episodes of the show Amazing Race and many movies, including Mortal Kombat have been filmed here.
We spent the last three days of our trip at Railay Beach. To get there, you have to take a long tail boat. The small but powerful wooden boats carry passengers and their luggage in and out all day long. It’s one of the very memorable reasons to visit Thailand when you travel to Asia.
Delicious Food
Thailand is known for its abundance of fresh fruit, seafood and spicy flavors ladled out in generous servings.
From the well known Pad Thai (Thai style fried noodles) to Pad Krapow Moo Saap (Fried Basil and Pork) and Khao Niaow Ma Muang (Mango with Sticky Rice), there is something to tempt almost every palate. Ice cold fruit smoothies are available everywhere and a welcome way to beat the heat and humidity.
Markets, Markets and More Markets
Markets are an important community gathering spot and part of the Thai culture. Quite a number of them are held at night and visitors amble down rows between hundreds of vendors. You’ll see bins and boxes of fresh seafood, spices, crafts, plants, toys, clothing, souvenirs and almost everything imaginable available.
The Amphawa Floating Market was one of the more memorable sights because the vendors lined both sides of the river, and some quite literally floated up to sell their wares.
World Heritage and Important Historic Sites
Thailand can trace its history back to the 13th century. Originally known as Siam, it is now officially referred to as the Kingdom of Thailand. And there are many ruins from various eras still visible throughout the country today.
Now managed as an historical park, the Historic City of Ayutthaya has well preserved architectural ruins and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is particularly important because it was the second capital of the Siamese Kingdom from the 14th – 16th centuries. It was very cosmopolitan for its time and was considered an important part of “The Golden Age of Thailand” when art, architecture and learning evolved.
Temples and Golden Buddhas
Over 93% of the people in Thailand are Buddhist and you will see beautifully cared for temples and large statues of Buddha all over the country.
Temples in Thailand are called “wats” and many have a “chedi” (spire shaped structure) above an assembly hall or main building which holds a statue of Buddha. Thai people and visitors come and say prayers and leave offerings.
One of the most beautiful temples is Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) in Bangkok. The unbelievably intricate and colorful detail adorning the buildings inside and out is the finest craftsmanship I’ve ever seen on a public building.
What’s even more astounding is that it is all so vivid and well preserved. The best time to visit and get exceptional photos is late afternoon during the golden hour.
Along winding roads, and on top of tall hills, far from the heart of Bangkok, a statue of Buddha greets visitors. Observing sunrise beside Buddha here might be a very spiritual experience.
Authentic Thai Massage
In addition to Thai food, many people know that Thai massage is a wonderful way to relax and unwind. You can find a trained massage therapist throughout Thailand.
Thai style is a much more vigorous form of massage and involves having your body pulled and stretched to relieve tension and improve flexibility. It is often referred to as assisted yoga in that the therapist is there to improve the flow of energy around and through your body.
Amazing Accomodations
From hostels to five star hotels, you will find a wide range of accommodation options available. Of all the places we stayed, my favorite was the Angsana Laguna Phuket. This gorgeous resort in Southern Thailand was built on a lagoon so the natural beauty was stunning, and guests could enjoy water sports like kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, and sailing on the property. It was the host location for the TBEX Conference I attended the second week of my trip.
Walking out the back of the hotel, there are two pools, two restaurants and a private beach on the warm Andaman Sea. The rooms, food and staff were first class. We had drinks outside overlooking the beach the night we arrived.
Mecca for Medical Tourism
On the plane over, I bit into a roll and cracked a tooth. Not a great way to begin a holiday. On my first day in Phuket, I met a fellow traveler who lived locally and gave me the name of a place to go. Did you know that dentists have offices in hospitals there? It makes sense. They have to meet both the US and international standards and because of the exchange rate, it is far cheaper.
The Bangkok Hospital Phuket was exceptional from the moment you walked into the foyer. It looked like a luxury hotel. Staff greeted you immediately and personally ushered through registration, up the elevator to the correct floor, helped check you in at the dental suite, and even came with you down to the next floor to pay your bill.
I learned from other bloggers that medical tourism is a big draw for Thailand. Why not have your medical or dental work done, pay far less than you might at home and be in a beautiful surrounding?
Friendly People – The Land of Smiles
Thailand is a wonderful place to visit because the people are so friendly and kind. It is known as the “Land of Smiles.” English is spoken throughout the country, especially in areas where tourists travel. They want you to enjoy your visit to their beautiful country and tourism is a top industry there.
Best Time to Visit Thailand
Thailand is a wonderful country to visit at any time of year, but the dry season is when the most famous festivals are held. Thai people will tell you that there are basically two seasons – wet and dry (or summer). The dry season generally runs from November through March, and is known for the best weather with temperatures in the 80s.
Safety and Other Concerns
Before you travel, it’s best to check your government’s travel advisory website for threats or general travel advice since this will change over time. If you are from the US, you can find this information on the U.S. Department of State‘s website. It will tell you if there are precautions you need to take such as COVID restrictions since they vary.
I learned that I needed to get certain vaccinations before arriving in Thailand which was helpful because a number of them I had not gotten since childhood. Although not required, masks are common throughout Asia and a sign of respect for other people’s health and wellness.
In my experience, Thailand was safe for women travelers and common sense safety measures (be aware of your surroundings, don’t flash large sums of money, use your instincts around others) still apply.
Final Thoughts and Thank You
From the beautiful beaches to the ancient ruins of Ayutthaya, I hope you found this quick overview of 10 Memorable Reasons to Visit Thailand When You Travel to Asia interesting. For me, it was truly the trip of a lifetime thanks to our local guides Skyline and Namfon, who generously gave us a week of their lives and personally drove us (my Canadian travel blogging pal Heather and I) around Central Thailand the first week. Here’s wishing new and safe journeys to all in 2023 and beyond.
What’s the most memorable place you’ve ever visited? Share why it stood out to you in the comments below.
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I like your writing – it’s so personable, interesting, and informative! I learned a lot of new things about a country I know very little about!
It’s still hard to believe that’s a hospital and not a luxurious hotel!
This post would make anyone want to run to the airport, get on an airplane and fly to Thailand! Beautiful pictures that show off the beauty of Thailand and the descriptions that add so much history.
This is a post I will look at many times as the pictures create such a calming effect.
Thank you for sharing your fabulous trip with us!
This is the coolest. It’s interesting, encouraging, making me want to travel, and helpful – like the hotel recommendations. I like how you related the experience to yourself and why you enjoyed it, but also used it as a way to help people see what they can do when they’re there.
Thanks Audrey 🙂