We love Thailand and spend a lot of our time in the Land of Smiles. Over the years, we have come across some rather cool hidden gems and we are here to let you in on some of the lesser known places to visit in Thailand.
What’s even better, all these places are absolutely FREE to visit.
Seeing as they are spread out across the country why not include them as part of your Ultimate 3-Week Thailand Itinerary?!
Let’s get straight into it. Here are a list of 5 of the Best Places in Thailand You Never Heard of Until Now – You will thank us.
1. Best Places in Thailand – Wat Ban Tham
Welcome to the first of our Thailand hidden gems, introducing Wat Ban Tham.
Wat Ban Tham is definitely the most fun temple in Thailand. Also known as the Temple of the Golden Dragon because the stairs leading to it ends in the jaws of a Dragon. Yes, you read that correctly!
You then venture THROUGH the Dragon before reaching the open air again to climb the mountain for incredible 360 degree views over Mae Klong River.
Throw in an optional cave exploration for good measure, in case this wasn’t fun enough. Talk about a Thailand hidden gem!
Be honest, when is the last time you walked through a dragon?!
Where is Wat Ban Tham located?
Wat Ban Tham is about 15 kilometers from Kanchanaburi, Western Thailand.
How Do I Get There?
Kanchanaburi is located only 2-3 hours from Bangkok and it is pretty straightforward to get there:
- Minivan: Minivans are a convenient and faster option, with direct services from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi and can be booked from 12go.
- Join a tour: From Bangkok, you can join a small group tour to Kanchanaburi.
- Rent a car: Renting a private car is a comfortable and flexible choice.
Once in Kanchanaburi, unfortunately there is no public transport to get to Wat Ban Tham temple but you can:
- Hire a songthaew/tuk-tuk: From Kanachanaburi city, this should cost you around 700 THB round trip.
- Rent a scooter: This is how we explore much of Thailand as it is cost-effective and allows us our freedom to discover more hidden gems! A scooter rental for the day should cost between 200-250 TBH.
When driving a motorbike/scooter always drive to the conditions of the road and ALWAYS wear a helmet.
What Should I Bring?
Sarong/Shawl: Wat Ban Tham is a fun attraction to visit, however, it is still a religious site. If you are female make sure to carry a light sarong/shawl with you to cover your shoulders/knees when entering the cave temple.
Comfortable walking shoes: To the top of Wat Ban Tham is a short but strenuous hike and there are many steps involved. This trek will take you 30minutes to reach the top depending on your level of fitness.
Water: There are two resting points where you can enjoy the nice views. Go slow, be prepared with water and you will be fine.
As a reward, you will witness the best views of Kanchanaburi.
2. Best Places in Thailand – Lumphini Park
Thailand is our favourite country, Bangkok is our favourite city and Lumphini is our favourite park!
Here are some highlights and activities that make Lumphini Park worth visiting:
Green Oasis: Lumphini Park provides a serene and green environment where visitors can relax, escape the urban hustle and get into some serious people watching!
Paddle Boats: The park has a lake where visitors can rent paddle boats and swan boats. It’s a fun and leisurely activity, allowing you to enjoy the water and the views.
Fitness and Exercise: Lumphini Park is a perfect place for walking, jogging, or simply enjoying a leisurely stroll. The number of people exercising here in the afternoons/evenings is truly spectacular – it even got us joining in for our daily runs!
Tai Chi and Aerobics: In the mornings and evenings, you may find locals engaging in activities like Tai Chi, aerobics, or other group exercises.
Monitor Lizards: Lumphini Park is known for its resident monitor lizards and they are HUGE. While they are generally harmless, it’s interesting to observe them in their natural habitat.
King Rama VI Statue: The park features a statue of King Rama VI, and there are other interesting sculptures and monuments throughout the area.
Occasional Events: Lumphini Park hosts various events and festivals, especially during Thai holidays. Check local calendars for any special happenings during your visit.
Don’t miss out on the Best Thai Festivals here.
Whether you’re seeking active recreation, a peaceful retreat, or cultural experiences, Lumphini Park is a pretty cool place to hang out. Quite a different feel from the usual Bangkok attractions no doubt.
Where is Lumphni Park Located?
Lumphini Park is located in the heart of Bangkok. It is situated in the Pathum Wan district, near the Silom and Sukhumvit areas.
How Do I Get There?
The park’s central location makes it easily accessible from various parts of the city. Visitors can use public transportation, such as the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) or the Metropolitan Rapid Transit (MRT) to reach the park, or they can opt for taxis, GRAB or other forms of local transportation (tuk-tuks).
What Should I Bring?
Whatever you want – a picnic, running shoes, a camera – but most importantly a smile.
Get A Free Quote – World Nomads Travel Insurance
3. Best Places in Thailand – Wat Tham Suea
Wat Tham Suea, also known as The Tiger Cave Temple, can be easily called one of the most beautiful temples in Thailand, and definitely the most beautiful in Kanchanaburi province.
One of the most special things about this temple complex is the vastness of it’s location. Elevated with the most magnificent panoramic views of the surrounding rice fields and majestic mountains.
Wat Tham Suea in Kanchanaburi has the same name as Wat Tham Suea in Krabi, so don’t get confused. Tiger Cave Temple in Krabi is one of the toughest temple hikes we have ever done so be sure not to get these mixed up!
The temple is large and multi-level with lots to explore. Upstairs there is a large 18 meters high statue of a seated Buddha.
You can climb to the very top of one of the pagodas, from where you can get an even better view of the vast surroundings, as well as, the neighboring Chinese temple.
Where is Wat Tham Suea Located?
Wat Tham Suea is 15 kilometers from the town of Kanchanaburi. Yes, this means we have another entry from the stunning province of Kanchanaburi.
For even more amazing places to visit in Kanchanaburi, including our favourite waterfall of all time, make sure to check out the post below:
How Do I Get There?
We are presuming you know how to get to Kanchanaburi already from number 1 on the list! Therefore, we will skip straight to how to get to The Tiger Cave Temple/Wat Tham Suea.
Similar to Wat Ban Tham (number 1 on the list), public transport does not go to The Tiger Cave Temple, so you can only get there by taxi or rented transport.
Why not include a visit to The Tiger Cave Temple as part of your trip/tour to Wat Ban Tham. Be sure to negotiate the price before setting off.
If budget allows, you can customize your own Kanchanaburi tour from Bangkok so you can see the places you want to visit at your own time and pace. As you can imagine, this will come with a MUCH higher price tag.
What Should I Bring?
Similar to Wat Ban Tham above, females should bring a light shawl/sarong to cover their shoulders and therefore, show their respect whilst visiting this religious site.
4. Best Places in Thailand – Klong Nin Beach
We are currently in Klong Nin Beach, located on the Thai island of Koh Lanta, as this article is being written and it will be our fourth month here in the past 12 months.
To hook you in immediately, we are going to say it, Kong Nin Beach is the best place in all of Thailand to watch the sunset. It’s true!
Koh Lanta is one of Thailand’s lesser visited islands, and even more so, Klong Nin Beach is even less visited again. Tourists tend to stay put at Saladan Village closest to the ferry.
However, just a 20 minute drive brings you to your own paradise. If you like less crowds, chill vibes, perfect sunsets, affordable luxury accommodation, welcoming local communities and the best authentic Thai food, this is the place for you.
It is definitely the place for us!
You can read all about why Koh Lanta is the Best Thai here.
*We are spending 31 euro per day for both of us. This includes staying in a gorgeous poolview villa and all food, drink, snacks. Did I mention that this is PEAK SEASON. So it was even cheaper when we were here in November!
You won’t find high-rise apartment style resorts here as all the “resorts” blend into the natural tropical surroundings so that you barely notice them.
Where is Klong Nin Beach located?
We will start first with the location of Koh Lanta, an island district in the Krabi Province of Thailand, off the west coast of mainland Thailand.
Klong Nin Beach is on the western side of Koh Lanta Yai, which is the larger and more developed of the two main islands in the Koh Lanta district.
If island living suits you, make sure to find out which Thai island is best for you and next time consider a Thailand Island-Hopping trip.
How Do I Get There?
To reach Koh Lanta, the nearest major town, Krabi, has an airport (Krabi International Airport) that serves as a gateway for visitors to the region. From Krabi, you can then take a ferry or boat to Koh Lanta’s Saladan Pier. You can book your tickets easily online via 12go.
Once on the island, Klong Nin Beach is accessible by road. If you booked the hotel transfer option via 12go then you will be dropped at your hotel in Klong Nin Beach, if not, there will be local transport available.
The fee from the Saladan Pier to Klong Nin Beach should be 200 TBH per person.
What Should I Bring?
Bring swimwear and a strong arm for holding up those cocktails!
5. Best Places in Thailand – Tham Luang
The last of our Thailand hidden gems is Tham Luang. Tham Luang is a cave complex in Northern Thailand, but it gained worldwide fame from the 2018 incident when a youth soccer team, the Wild Boars, became trapped inside due to flooding.
The successful international rescue operation gathered widespread attention as divers and specialists worked to navigate the flooded passages, extracting the stranded boys and their coach safely over the course of 17 days.
Tham Luang has since become a symbol of teamwork, international collaboration, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
You can read more about this unbelievable feat here.
Where is Tham Luang Located?
Tham Luang is situated in the Tham Luang-Khun Nam Nang Non Forest Park in Northern Thailand. It is located approximately 70 kilometers away from Chiang Mai.
How Do I Get There?
Travel to Chiang Rai or Chiang Mai: With Tham Luang located in the northern part of Thailand, you can fly to either Chiang Rai or Chiang Mai, both of which are major cities in the region.
Local Transportation to Mae Sai: From Chiang Rai, you can take local transportation, such as buses or taxis, to reach Mae Sai, a town near the cave complex.
Mae Sai to Tham Luang: You can arrange for local transportation, like taking a taxi or renting a scooter, to take you from Mae Sai to the Tham Luang area.
Guided Tours: A good idea is to enquire with your accommodation if they arrange or have information on a trusted local tour guide.
What Should I Bring?
It is advisable to have cash, in particular, small change for the fees mentioned above.
As with any day trip, always be prepared with sun protection, water and snacks.
Enjoy All The Best Places in Thailand!
There you have it, our Thailand hidden gems that you may not have heard of. Let’s not all run to these places all at once now and keep them lesser known to some extent (especially Koh Lanta!).
But the point of this article, is to encourage people to venture out of the “main touristy areas” and see all the other cool things that Thailand has to offer. The list is endless.
We would love to hear your thoughts. Please feel free to leave us a message below or contact us through our socials.
Slán go fóil
This post contains affiliate links. If you click on the links to make a purchase, we will earn a small commission. This is at NO EXTRA COST to you. This is a free way to support us and allow us to continue to create inspiring adventure travel guides.
