Here is an easy guide to Thailand cities, destinations and regions. Thailand can be conveniently divided into five geographic and cultural regions:
Cities
- Bangkok — Thailand’s bustling, frenetic capital, known among the Thai as Krung Thep
- Ayutthaya — a historical city, UNESCO World Heritage Site and old capital of Siam
- Chiang Mai— de facto capital of Northern Thailand and the heart of Lanna culture
- Chiang Rai — gateway to the Golden Triangle, ethnic minorities and mountain trekking
- Chumphon— gateway to the Chumphon Archipelago, Pathio’s unspoilt beaches & Ko Tao Island
- Kanchanaburi — home of the bridge over the River Kwai and numerous World War II museums
- Nakhon Ratchasima — largest city of the Isaan region
- Pattaya — one of the main tourist destinations, known for its nightlife
- Sukhothai — Thailand’s first capital, with amazing ruins still
Other Destinations
- Ko Chang — once a quiet island, now undergoing major tourism development
- Ko Lipe — small island in the middle of Tarutao National Park, amazingly unspoiled with great reefs and beaches
- Ko Pha Ngan — site of the famous Full Moon Party with miles of quiet coastline
- Ko Samet — the nearest island beach escape from Bangkok
- Ko Samui — comfortable, nature, and entertainment hippie hangout gone upmarket
- Ko Tao — known for its diving and nature, easily reached from Surat Thani or Chumphon by high speed catamaran
- Khao Lak — gateway to the Similan Islands, hard hit by the 2004 tsunami, but vibrant once more
- Khao Sok National Park — one of the most beautiful wildlife reserves in Thailand
- Khao Yai National Park — take a night time 4×4 safari spotting deer or visit the spectacular waterfalls
- Krabi Province — beach and watersports hub in the south, includes Ao Nang, Rai Leh, Ko Phi Phi and Ko Lanta
- Phuket — the original Thai paradise island, now very developed, but still with some beautiful beaches
- Khon Kaen — in the heart of Esaan (Isan) known for their silk and dinosaur sites.
- Mae Sot — a thriving multi-cultural border town, with lots of national parks around to explore
- Mae Sariang — small town life at the Thai Burmese border with trecking and Salween National Park
- Tarutao National Marine Park — Attractions of Tarutao, Ko Lipe, Ko Tarutao, Mo Lae Bay, Ao Son Bay, Ko Kai Tarutao National Marine Park.
Thailand can be conveniently divided into five geographic and cultural regions:
Regions of Thailand
| Northern Thailand Chiang Mai, hill tribes, and the Golden Triangle. |
| Isaan The great northeast region. Get off the beaten track and discover back country Thailand, mouthwatering food, and some magnificent Khmer ruins. |
| Central Thailand Bangkok, lowlands and historic Thailand. |
| Eastern Thailand Beaches and islands within easy reach of Bangkok, like Pattaya, Ko Samet and Ko Chang. |
| Southern Thailand Lush rainforest, hundreds of km of coastline and countless islands on both the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, plus Phuket, Chumphon, Krabi, Ko Samui, Ko Tao and more of Thailand’s famous beach spots. |