Best Places to Visit in Thailand? The Numbers Know

The Best Places to Visit in Thailand may not surprise you. Perhaps it is their enduring lure that will. Travel to Thailand is getting a boost from a new “Explore Thailand” campaign in motion now that Thailand’s borders are fully open, and travelers are heading back in droves to explore its unspoiled beaches and islands, serene countryside, and urban energy. Among their choices for the best places to visit in Thailand? Agoda has the numbers. 

The online booking platform, Agoda, has revealed the top searched destinations in Thailand are still Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Hua Hin as it launches its dedicated Explore Thailand campaign offering great deals on top accommodation throughout Thailand.

Thailand’s beach resorts dominate the top seven searches, with Koh Chang, Koh Samui, Pattaya, and Phuket completing the top destination list according to Agoda. So what’s all the fuss is about?

Best Places to Visit in Thailand: Bangkok

Bangkok is a bustling metropolis that combines a rich culture and heritage with a hedonistic modern city of skyscrapers, party people and rooftop bars. Cloistered in among some of the most iconic hotels in the world are ancient temples, old markets and local neighborhoods with plenty of pomp and color to explore.  

Bangkok now boasts a burgeoning food scene with street vendors serving delicious Thai staples at all hours and gourmet restaurants all complementing an seemingly infinite shopping experience. Designer brands line Bangkok’s top malls dotting the Bangkok Train System, while tourists and locals alike flock to markets such as Khlong Ong Ang Walking Street near Chinatown and Chatuchak market. Escape from the beeps of the ubiquitous tuk tuks by taking a walk or bike ride in the Green Lung or Bang Kachao – a luscious green area in Samut Prakan’s Phra Pradaeng district or the newly opened Benjakitti Forest Park, a verdant land-use re-design of an area that previously belonged to Thai tobacco factories, for a different experience of bustling Bangkok.

Best Places to Visit in Thailand: Bangkok: Chiang Mai 

Chiang Maiin the northern section of the country has always been a popular spot for backpackers, travelers, business conference and local travelers alike, and is growing in recognition from a wider traveler demographic seeking out its temples and slightly cooler climes. There are many majestic temples dotted throughout the city and no visit is complete without these visits.Explore Prasat Templewith its Lanna architecture details believed to date back 500 years. Take in the details, such as the entrance panels and pillars with intricately carved Lanna motifs leading to the short tunnel that connects the viharn (a prayer hall) to the chedi (pagoda) behind it. 

For something closer to nature, Royal Park Rajapruek has more than 200 acres to explore and features tropical flowers and fauna – a World of Insects, a garden of Rare Plants, an Orchid Garden, and Gardens for the King. It also includes authentic Lanna architecture of Ho Kham Luang Royal Pavilion letting visitors revel in traditional northern architecture.  Don’t worry about getting round all of the 200 acres – there is a free tram service, or bicycle rentals for the more active.

Best Places to Visit in Thailand: Notable Beaches and Islands

Famed for its bountiful palm edged tropical beaches with white sand and turquoise seas, for beach lovers Thailand doesn’t disappoint. Only a few hours’ drive from Bangkok, travelers can explore the Thai Royal family’s favored destination of Hua Hin of the Gulf of Thailand, famed for its Khao Tao Beach – great for kite surfing, and playing in the waves. Head the other way out of the city for a different beach experience visiting Pattaya, renowned for its party scene and easy access to the city. 

Slightly further afield but well worth jumping on a plane for, are family favorites Koh Samui, the sandbox of Phuket, and the island of Koh Chang. Havens for beachcombers and those looking to unwind and relax, these islands are home to some of Thailand’s most beautiful beaches.

Phuket, the biggest of these islands has a number of long white sandy beaches at Surin, Kamala Bay, and Karon Beach. For those willing to get off the beaten track, Freedom Beach is nestled in the valley between Patong and Karon beaches. A jungle trek or boat ride is the only way to access this unspoiled beach. It stretches 300 meters, featuring clear turquoise sea water against a backdrop of colorful green jungle. The beach is an ideal spot for visitors to swim, sunbathe and snorkel. There is also a restaurant serving simple food and drinks.

For a little culture and a spectacular view visitThe Big Buddha. At more than 100 feet high, the statue is made of white jade marble and perches on the Nakkerd Hills between Chalong and Kata in Phuket. 

On Koh Chang

On Koh Chang, accessible from Trad, Klong Prao Beach is widely considered as one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. Large trees lined along the beach provide shade for beachgoers to lay back and soak up the sun or even have a picnic. The water is shallow for most of the day making it an ideal spot for children to take a dip or anyone who likes to paddle. Although there is no lively shopping street, accommodation and restaurants are easy to find in the northern and southern parts of the beach.

To really get away from it all, Salakphet Mangrove Walkway (locally as the Red Bridge) stretches through the Salakphet Mangrove Forest. Along the way, branches bow toward each other to make a magical arch of arbors that shades the walkway. 

Like Phuket, Koh Samui has an abundance of beaches to explore for daytime sunbathing and they also come alive in the evening with beach bars and diners all along Chawang beach. Fisherman’s Village Walking Street takes place every Friday on Bhoput Beach. It is one of the biggest markets on the island and it has an array of small stalls and boutique shops that sell tasty foods, intriguing handicrafts, musical instruments and unique accessories.

Take a trip on a traditional long-tail boat out to Pig Island, whose official name is Mudsum Island, but the name Pig Island is more commonly used due to the 10 pigs that roam the beach after they were rescued by a local.

Travel to Thailand: The Complicity of Numbers

Flight and hotel searches to Thailand have been the rise globally for the past few months, says Sojern, a leading digital marketing platform built for travel marketers. In fact, Thailand received about two million foreign visitors in the first six months of this year alone and with elusive restrictions still in place — a steady revival after its tourism industry almost collapsed due to the pandemic and more than 18 months of complex and costly entry requirements. As of August, international flight and hotel searches were up 164% and 111% respectively compared to the start of the year. 

All global regions have shown a positive uplift as well in the leadup to Thailand’s high season from November. While the Asia-Pacific visitor market to Thailand is up 74% vs the start of 2022, the US and Canadian market is up 38%. Latin and Central America is up 15%. 

Thailand is well on its way to meeting its goal of expected tourism revenues up to $65 billion next year, up three million from the $62 billion achieved in 2019.

Based on flight bookings over the summer, the top five origin countries are Thailand (10.6%), Singapore (8.9%), Republic of Korea (6.5%), United States (5.2%) and the United Kingdom (4.4%), with India (4.2%), Australia (4.1%), Germany (3.8%), Vietnam (3.8%) and Japan (3.0%) balancing out the profile.