And now you need to plan your route. It is not as easy as it may look. As soon as you start researching, you find out that there is much more about Thailand than well-known package tourist destinations, from Phuket to Pattaya and from Chiang Mai to Koh Samui. And even in the best explored destinations you are always sure to find off the beaten path corners which will reward all your efforts you spend to find them.
The bustling capital of Thailand never stops surprising. Backpackers on a budget feel at home in Khao San Road and the glittering malls of Siam with swish rooftop bars offering the best city view ever lure those who have some cash to splash.
The city with cultural scene yielding only to Bangkok, Chiang Mai has an infinite charm. Elaborate Lanna temples, misty chilled mornings up Doi Inthanon and a variety of activities on offer will keep you busy for days, weeks and months, if necessary.
Pai was once a quiet market village inhabited by Shan people (ethnic Tai) whose culture is influenced by Myanmar (formerly called Burma). Today, Pai primarily thrives on tourism. Mostly a hippie destination, it is filled with hot springs and amazing views. Well-known among backpackers for its relaxed atmosphere, the town is full of cheap guesthouses, souvenir shops, and restaurants. In the environs of the town are spas and elephant camps. Further outside of town, there are several waterfalls and a number of natural hot springs varying in temperature from 27-39 °C (80–102 °F).
With hundreds of islands both in the Gulf and off the shores of the Andaman Coast Thailand does offer a wide choice. As a first-time visitor, you can try the most popular beach destinations like Phuket in the Andaman – the largest island in the country with long wide beaches and plenty of nightlife or Koh Samui in the Gulf – for a more paradise-like island experience.