If you’re in the process of planning your first holiday to Thailand, you’re likely wrestling with the decision over which cities to visit. This task needn’t be a difficult one, as it is really just a matter of asking yourself what you like to do. Are you someone who enjoys a holiday filled with activities that make your heart race, or is your goal to find a nice place to unwind? Do you enjoy losing yourself in another culture, or simply losing yourself in seclusion and natural beauty? No matter which of these things you’re looking for, Thailand offers the very best of each to its visitors.

Speaking from my personal experiences as a frequent visitor to Thailand, and past resident, I generally point first-time travelers toward one of three destinations in the country: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. There are certainly no surprises in this group, as each is well known to most visitors, yet their individual appeals are not as well known.

It would be ideal to visit all three of the aforementioned cities during your holiday to Thailand. Because that isn’t always possible, however, it’s helpful to have some idea of what their differences are when you’re trying to narrow your selection. It is the objective of this article to help facilitate that process by making you aware of the unique character and flavor of each of these world-famous tourist meccas.

Bangkok

Bangkok is not just Thailand’s capital and largest city, but the bustling metropolis of 11 million is also its heart and soul. The majority of foreign visitors both start, and finish, their holidays here because the nearby international airport is the country’s primary port of entry. This convenience makes it probably that you’ll wind up spending some part of your visit to Thailand in the capital, which is the perfect chance to immerse yourself in one of the world’s highest-rated tourist destinations.

The city of Bangkok is an interesting cross-section of Thailand’s past and present. You’ll find historic temples alongside modern government buildings, new mega-malls on the same block as traditional street markets, and everything else in between. Where else in the world can you shop at Gucci while munching on a skewer of barbecque beef that you bought from a street vendor?

Whether you pass your day shopping at Siam Square, touring the Royal Palace, or seeing the city by boat from the Chao Praya, Bangkok is sure to fascinate you with its many charms. The city’s wild nightlife is also famous the world over, and consists of some of Asia’s most-energized pubs, dance clubs, and other entertainment venues. Whatever it is that you enjoy doing, you’ll probably find it fairly easily in Bangkok.

Chiang Mai

The second-largest city in Thailand, Chiang Mai is also one of its most important from a cultural standpoint. Located high in the mountains of near Thailand’s borders with Myanmar (Burma) and Laos, Chiang Mai was once the capital of the 13th Century’s Lanna Kingdom, and still boasts numerous structures (including the old city walls and surrounding moat) from that era. Over 300 temples are located within the city as well, as are several of the nation’s most-prominent universities, and one of Thailand’s most-vibrant art communities.

There is much, much more to Chiang Mai than just cultural attractions, however. The city is just a short drive away from several of Thailand’s most-famous national parks and action sports attractions. If you’re looking for an unforgettable venue for backpacking, hiking, seeing wildlife up close and personal, rock climbing, biking, or anything else that makes your hair stand up on end, Chiang Mai is just your cup of tea.

Phuket

Home to what may very well be Thailand’s most-famous stretch of natural beauty, the island of Phuket is located far in the south of Thailand just several hours away from the border with Malaysia. Catering heavily to foreign tourists, Phuket holidays tend to be a bit more expensive than other places in the Land of Smiles, but you won’t hear many complaints from those fortunate enough to have visited the tropical island paradise.

Your days in Phuket can include lounging on the beach, golfing on world-class courses, scuba diving, snorkeling, or exploring the island’s interior by all-terrain vehicle. By night, the island matches any other resort in the world with a variety of entertainment options guaranteed to keep you awake until the sun comes up.

As beautiful as Phuket is, it is just a short boat ride away from somewhere even more remarkable – the Phi Phi Islands. If spending a night or two in a beach bungalow on a nearly-deserted tropical island appeals to you, then Koh Phi Phi is the place to make it happen. Be sure to bring along your camera though, as these islands are some of the most-photogenic anywhere in the world.

Summary

As was mentioned earlier in this article, it would be an ideal holiday to Thailand if you were able to visit all three of the destinations discussed above. If that is not possible, however, then my hope is that this article was helpful as you decided upon the location best for you and your travel companions. Just remember, even though you may not make it to all three places on this particular holiday, they’ll be there waiting to be discovered in the future.

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