Travelling to Thailand with friends is a safe bet: idyllic beaches, luxuriant nature, culture, history and night life. And, of course, mouthwatering, international food. The ‘land of smiles’ is also a safe international destination with lots of services to make the life of any tourist easier.
Apart from its buzzing capital city, Bangkok, this South-East Asian archipelago offers a wide range of options and places to discover: a journey back in time in the ‘golden city’ of Chiang Mai or in Ayutthaya, the former capital of the Kingdom of Siam; a few days in Phuket, the nearest place to heaven on Earth; Krabi or the Phi Phi islands where you can go partying and enjoy the crystal-clear waters, white sands and activities such as snorkelling, diving or kayaking; or the perfect treat for nature lovers, a visit to the rain forests of Khao Sok, considered to be the oldest on Earth, or to see the elephants in the jungles of Khao Yai.
Below, we offer a range of suggestions if you’re travelling to Thailand with friends.
- De Bangkok a Chiang Mai, pasando por Ayutthaya: inmersión cultural tailandesa
- Phuket y Krabi: aguas cristalinas, playas de arenas blancas y enclaves paradisíacos
- Visitar parques naturales o conocer de cerca a los elefantes
- Vivir la experiencia de la Full Moon Party
From Bangkok to Chiang Mai via Ayutthaya: immerse yourself in the culture of Thailand
The starting point for any trip to Thailand must be the country’s capital, Bangkok. With a population of 8 million, this city bathed by the river Chao Phraya and located in the south of this South-East Asian country demands a stay of several days, due to its size and the number of tourist attractions.
In a nutshell: everyone should visit the Old Town, which stretches from the Royal Palace to the immense reclining Buddha of the Wat Pho and to the National Museum, one of South-East Asia’s finest. The Royal Palace, home to the royal family from 1782 until 1946, is Thailand’s most visited attraction. It is also worth visiting Chinatown, with its gold shops and street stalls. The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is another not-to-be-missed attraction of Bangkok, best visited during the morning or at midday so that you can grab the opportunity to enjoy some of the traditional dishes there.
About 80 kilometres north of Bangkok lies Ayutthaya, the former capital of the Kingdom of Siam for over 400 years. Nowadays it is a historic park, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1991, which is well worth visiting if you are staying in the Thai capital.
Its archaeological area spans 15 square kilometres and is spread out within the modern city. There are more than 60 temples and ruins to visit. Highlights include its cactus-shaped obelisks, known as prangs, as well as various well-preserved stupas and temples.
From Bangkok, which is the starting point for the vast majority of tourists who come to visit Ayutthaya, you can travel here by car or bus, by train or even by boat. It is possible to visit the ancient city for a day trip, but if you want to take it easy and enjoy the archaeological park and are a history buff, staying in the new town is a great option.
At the other end of the country, in the north and about 700 kilometres from Bangkok, lies Chiang Mai, known as the ‘golden city’ and the capital of the Lanna kingdom (thirteenth century). This is another Thai city that you really must visit.
Its historic centre is enclosed by walls and more than 300 Buddhist temples are dotted across a fascinating city that combines modernity and history. The oldest temple is Wat Chiang Man, which dates from 1296.
It’s well worth spending two or three days in Chiang Mai to visit the Saturday and Sunday Walking Street Night Markets, the Old City, Doi Suthep (one of the holiest temples in Thailand), and to enjoy the food, among many other attractions.
Phuket and Krabi: crystal-clear waters, beaches of white sand and idyllic enclaves.
After an introduction to the country’s history and soaking up its culture in Bangkok, Ayutthaya or Chiang Mai, it’s time to enjoy another of the great attractions of the ‘land of smiles’: its idyllic beaches.
Known as ‘the pearl of the Andaman’, Phuket is Thailand’s largest island and a paradise for lovers of the sea. But its attractions go beyond water and sand — there are lots of temples, a 45-metre-tall Great Buddha in white marble, perched on top of a mountain, and viewing points that are, in themselves, a good reason to visit the area.
Patong beach is the liveliest and the best for night life, but there are other, quieter, beaches such as Kata Noi Beach or Panwa where you can relax to the sound of the sea breeze.
Just over two hours’ drive from Phuket lies the province of Krabi. Its coastline is bathed by the Andaman Sea and is an area of spectacular natural beauty, characterised by countless ‘vertical’ islands rising out of the water with limestone hills and cliffs that are a magnet for climbers from all over the world.
The base camp or town from which to explore the various beaches and islands is Ao Nang, which has established itself as a lively coastal area with hotels, houses, bars, restaurants and shops. From there, travellers can reach the isolated beaches of Phra Nang Cape, where they will find the famous former hippie enclave of Railay; or the archipelago of Phi Phi, five islands known as the ‘jewels of the Andaman sea’, one of Thailand’s most exotic destinations.
Visiting nature parks or seeing elephants at close quarters
Thailand is a natural paradise: it has over 100 National Parks — 20 of which are marine parks — and the wildlife includes monkeys, elephants and whale sharks (the biggest fish in the world). So another option for an activity with friends is to visit one of these parks or one of the well-known elephant sanctuaries.
The Doi Inthanon National Park, in the north of Thailand to the south-west of Chiang Mai, takes its name from the country’s highest mountain. Deserving of special mention are the spectacular waterfalls and the hill villages inhabited by traditional tribes.
In the south, the outstanding Khao Sok National Park, with its rainforests (considered to be the oldest on Earth) and its impressive peaks, limestone crags and jungle vegetation spread out along the entire length of the peninsula, is well worth visiting. It can be reached from Khao Lak and Phuket.
Elephants have for centuries been the cultural emblems of the country. There are lots of sanctuaries with elephants in captivity, but these are not ethical refuges for the animals.
In Chiang Mai, there are several elephant sanctuaries where the elephants live in natural surroundings. Here, the elephants are rescued from dangerous situations, and are cared for and allowed to live in herds. On the island of Phuket, there are also several shelters in the middle of forested areas devoted to the recovery of elephants.
Experience the Full Moon Party
Any trip with friends should involve going out partying. And Thailand is no exception. Bangkok or Phuket are the centres of nightlife, but another possibility is to time your trip to coincide with one of the local festivals — which have become international.
The most famous of all is the Full Moon Party. It takes place in Head Rin, a beach on the island of Koh Pha Ngan in the Gulf of Thailand, and is held every month when there is a full moon.
The story began when some backpackers held a small party on the beach 20 years ago. That was when they discovered that the full moon is at its most beautiful when viewed from Koh Pha Ngan. Since then, the celebration has taken place year after year until it has attained the fame it has today, when tens of thousands of people jostle on the beach accompanied by fire shows and the rhythm of the music.
