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Beyond Pattaya

Thailand destinations

Practical starting points for trips beyond Pattaya: where to stay, what to do and how to get there.

24 destinations across Thailand, each with a short overview — and for the bigger ones, separate guides on when to go, how to get there, what to do and where to stay.

Explore Thailand destinations

Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya is a UNESCO-listed former Siamese capital whose river-island ruins, temples, food and Fine Arts Department management reward a planned day or overnight visit.

Bangkok

Thailand's electric capital — temples, street food, rooftop bars and the easiest gateway to the rest of the country, about two hours from Pattaya.

Cha-am

Cha-am is a Phetchaburi beach town with a long sandy coast, inexpensive seafood, water activities and nearby royal-palace and fishing-village stops. Current tourism sources also show why its beach-length descriptions differ by scope.

Chiang Mai

The cultural capital of the north — ancient temples, mountain scenery, night markets, cooking classes and ethical elephant sanctuaries.

Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai is a northern base for Lanna culture, temple architecture, Doi Tung, Mekong-border landscapes and a mix of city and mountain day trips.

Hua Hin

A relaxed royal beach town across the gulf — long sandy beaches, golf, night markets and an easygoing, family-friendly pace.

Kanchanaburi

Kanchanaburi joins River Kwai and Death Railway history with Erawan and Sai Yok waterfalls, river stays and western Thailand day trips.

Khao Lak

Khao Lak is a Phang Nga beach base for long Andaman-coast stays, Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park and boat trips whose Similan and Surin access depends on dated park closures.

Khao Sok

Khao Sok joins rainforest trails and limestone scenery with the Cheow Lan reservoir, where lake access, boat trips and raft stays require separate planning.

Koh Chang

Koh Chang is Thailand's second-largest island, with west-coast beaches, rainforest, waterfalls and marine-park trips reached through Trat's ferry network.

Koh Kood

Koh Kood, also called Ko Kut, is a low-infrastructure island in Trat Province known for beaches, forests, waterfalls and quiet stays. Boat availability, cash access and weather need more planning than on larger Thai islands.

Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta is a long Andaman island district with west-coast beaches, Saladan arrival, Old Town, marine trips and Mu Ko Lanta National Park.

Koh Lipe

Koh Lipe is a small Satun island near the Tarutao marine park, reached through southern transfer routes and best planned as a multi-night beach and boat stay.

Koh Phangan

Koh Phangan combines the monthly Full Moon Party at Haad Rin with quieter beaches, waterfalls, forests and a working island hub at Thong Sala. Ferry planning and rainy-season road conditions matter beyond the party calendar.

Koh Samui

Thailand's third-largest island in the Gulf, with beach areas, temples, Ang Thong day trips and an airport on the island.

Koh Tao

Koh Tao is a small Gulf island built around scuba training, snorkelling, Sairee Beach, Koh Nang Yuan and a marine-conservation boundary that rewards careful planning.

Krabi

Dramatic limestone karsts, Railay's climbing cliffs and gateway beaches to the Andaman's most beautiful islands — quieter than Phuket.

Mae Hong Son

A remote, misty mountain province in the far northwest — hill tribes, the famous loop road, and Thailand at its most tranquil.

Pai

Pai is a small Mae Hong Son mountain town whose canyon, hot springs, Route 1095 approach and compact evening centre suit a slower northern Thailand stay.

Phuket

Thailand's largest island — big beaches, buzzing Patong nightlife, Old Town charm and a jumping-off point for the Andaman's islands.

Rayong

Rayong combines mainland beaches, seafood, fruit-season travel and Ban Phe's Koh Samet ferry network, making it a useful eastern-coast stop from Pattaya.

Sukhothai

Sukhothai is a UNESCO historic-town complex best planned around the Old City park, bicycle-friendly distances, named temples and the separate Si Satchanalai site.

Thailand

The honest overview of Thailand — its regions, when to go, getting around, budget and where to start, with quick guides to every major destination.

Trat

Trat is the mainland gateway to the eastern islands, with a historic city, markets, fruit and seafood, and onward ferry logistics through Laem Ngop and Laem Sok. Monsoon conditions can limit smaller-boat travel.