Top Lists
Curated lists of the best hotels, restaurants, temples, beaches, and nightlife across Thailand.
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270 lists total
11 Hidden Gems in Chiang Rai Worth the Detour
For a walk, Khun Korn Waterfall. For sunrise, Doi Pha Tang on the Laos border. For a long lunch, Chivit Thamma Da on the river or Larb Sanam Keela by the stadium. For a temple without the crowds, Wat Phra Kaew, or the monkey caves of Wat Tham Pla. Eleven places just past the White, Blue and Black temples, each with the one thing to get right.
20 Hidden Gems in Thailand Worth the Detour
Twenty places most itineraries skip: a royal pavilion lit through a cave roof, a temple whose murals glow after dark, a metal castle in Bangkok's Old Town, a river you cross by bamboo raft inside a mountain. Each comes with the one thing to get right.
9 Hidden Gems in Pai Worth the Detour
For a hike, Mae Yen Waterfall and its forty river crossings. For a view, Doi Kiew Lom at dawn or the cliff-edge noodle house at Ban Jabo. For a soak, the free Mueang Paeng hot spring, and for a quiet temple, Wat Nam Hu. Nine places just past Pai Canyon and the walking street, each with the one thing to get right.
Best Beach Bars in Koh Samui
Koh Samui's top-rated beach bars and beach clubs for sunset drinks and island vibes.
Best Beach Bars in Phuket
Phuket's top beach bars and beach clubs for cocktails with sand between your toes.
Best Beach Resorts in Koh Samui
Koh Samui's top beachfront resorts with tropical gardens, infinity pools, and island luxury.
Best Beach Resorts in Krabi
Krabi's highest-rated beachfront resorts with stunning karst views and pristine beaches.
Best Beach Resorts in Phuket
Top-rated beachfront resorts in Phuket with direct beach access, pools, and ocean views.
Best Boutique Hotels in Bangkok
Bangkok's top-rated boutique hotels — unique design, intimate atmosphere, and local character.
Best Budget Experiences in Thailand
Top-rated free and budget-friendly places across Thailand.
Best Cafés in Bangkok
Twenty-three cafés in Bangkok, from the specialty roasters of Ari and Chinatown to brunch in Silom, a flower café, a Little Prince art space and a cat café, ranked with hours and what to order.
Best Diving & Similan Liveaboards in Khao Lak
Khao Lak's best dive centers and Similan Islands liveaboard operators — the gateway town for Richelieu Rock and Thailand's finest diving.
Best Diving & Snorkeling in Koh Samui
Koh Samui's top dive centers and snorkeling trips — Ang Thong, Koh Tao day trips, and local sites.
Best Diving & Snorkeling in Phuket
Phuket's top-rated dive shops and snorkeling tours — Similan Islands, Phi Phi, and local reefs.
Best Diving in Koh Tao
Koh Tao's top dive schools and centers — the world's most affordable place to get certified, across Sairee, Mae Haad and Chalok.
Best Fine Dining in Bangkok
Bangkok's top fine dining restaurants — tasting menus, Michelin-level cuisine, and elegant settings.
Best Hidden Beaches in Phuket
Phuket's quietest and least-crowded beaches — secret coves and secluded sands away from the crowds.
Best Hidden Gem Restaurants in Thailand
Under-the-radar restaurants across Thailand with outstanding food and loyal local followings.
Best Honeymoon Resorts in Thailand
Thailand's most romantic resorts, hand-picked — cliff-framed icons, private pool villas and quiet-coast hideaways from Railay to Koh Phangan's secret northeast.
Best Khao Soi in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai's essential khao soi — the storied Fa Ham houses, the locals' champion that sells out by afternoon, the halal original and the Nimman sit-down specialist.
Best Live Music Bars in Bangkok
Bangkok's top venues for live jazz, blues, rock, and Thai folk music performances.
Best Luxury Hotels in Bangkok
Bangkok's finest 5-star luxury hotels and resorts, with their guest ratings and reviews.
Best Luxury Spas in Phuket
Phuket's most luxurious spa experiences — resort spas, wellness retreats, and pampering treatments.
Best Mango Sticky Rice in Bangkok
Thirteen places for mango sticky rice in Bangkok, from the Michelin-listed Old Town shop and Thong Lo's famous corner to late-night stalls in Silom and the market with the city's best fruit, ranked with hours and prices.
Best Meditation Retreats in Thailand
Thailand's best meditation retreats — from the famous donation-based forest monastery of Wat Pa Tam Wua to silent mountain retreats and island sanctuaries, chosen for depth of practice rather than spa polish.
Best Muay Thai Camps in Pattaya
Pattaya's top Muay Thai camps — from the storied Fairtex and Sityodtong stables to modern all-inclusive training resorts.
Best Muay Thai Camps in Phuket
Phuket's top Muay Thai training camps — the Soi Ta-iad gym street, Rawai's technical gyms and the big multi-discipline campuses.
Best Pad Thai in Bangkok
Where to eat Bangkok's definitive pad thai — from Thipsamai's flaming woks and Michelin-listed Baan Phadthai to the neighborhood shops locals actually queue for.
Best Pool Villas in Phuket
Phuket's top-rated private pool villas — luxury, privacy, and tropical relaxation.
Best Seafood Restaurants in Phuket
Phuket's top-rated seafood restaurants — from beachside grills to upscale dining.
Best Thai Massage in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai's highest-rated Thai massage spots — traditional Lanna techniques at great prices.
Best Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurants in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai's top plant-based dining — vegan cafes, vegetarian Thai, and health-focused restaurants.
Best Wellness Retreats in Thailand
Thailand's top destination wellness retreats — world-renowned sanctuaries, medical wellness resorts, detox centers and countryside hideaways.
Best Yoga Retreats in Thailand
Thailand's top yoga studios and retreat centers — from beach yoga to mountain meditation.
Cheapest Hotels in Bangkok
Bangkok's best-value budget hotels and guesthouses, all with high guest ratings.
Cheapest Hotels in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai's best budget hotels and guesthouses — great ratings at wallet-friendly prices.
Cheapest Hotels in Phuket
Phuket's best-value budget accommodation — affordable stays with good guest ratings.
Hidden Gem Temples in Thailand
Beautiful, lesser-visited temples across Thailand — peaceful alternatives to the famous tourist temples.
Hidden Gems in Bangkok
The best-kept secrets in Bangkok — highly rated local favorites off the tourist trail.
Hidden Gems in Chiang Mai
The best-kept secrets in Chiang Mai — highly rated local favorites off the tourist trail.
Hidden Gems in Kanchanaburi
The best-kept secrets in Kanchanaburi — highly rated local favorites off the tourist trail.
Hidden Gems in Koh Samui
The best-kept secrets in Koh Samui — highly rated local favorites off the tourist trail.
Hidden Gems in Krabi
The best-kept secrets in Krabi — highly rated local favorites off the tourist trail.
Hidden Gems in Phuket
The best-kept secrets in Phuket — highly rated local favorites off the tourist trail.
Most Beautiful Temples in Thailand
Thailand's most stunning Buddhist temples — architectural wonders from Bangkok to Chiang Rai.
Most Popular Places in Thailand
Thailand's most visited and reviewed destinations, loved by millions of travelers.
Must-Visit Places in Thailand
The highest-rated destinations across all categories in Thailand.
Off-the-Beaten-Path Activities in Thailand
Unique experiences and activities in Thailand that go beyond the standard tourist itinerary.
Secret Beaches in Thailand
Thailand's most beautiful under-the-radar beaches — quiet shores and hidden coves away from the crowds.
The 10 Best Activities & Tours in Ayutthaya, Ranked
What surprised me here is how much of this list is water and greenery rather than temples, with four waterfall parks spread across Saraburi and Nakhon Nayok pulling serious crowds. Sriayuthaya Lion Park takes the top spot, and it's the one place families keep coming back to.
The 10 Best Activities & Tours in Hua Hin, Ranked
What strikes me here is how little of this list is actually in Hua Hin proper. Most of it is parks, boardwalks and wildlife centers scattered south and west of town, with a couple of water parks thrown in for anyone traveling with bored kids. Wildlife Friends Foundation leads the list, and the mangrove boardwalk at Pran Buri costs nothing to walk.
The 10 Best Activities & Tours in Kanchanaburi, Ranked
This lot leans hard on water and open country, with Erawan's seven tiers, a dam, two national parks and a pair of paddleboard outfits on the River Kwai. Paddle More Thailand is the one I'd single out, for paddleboarding on the River Kwai.
The 10 Best Activities & Tours in Koh Chang, Ranked
This lot leans heavily on free nature stops, waterfalls, hilltop viewpoints and the national park that wraps around the whole island. Kai Bae Viewpoint is the one I'd prioritize, with monkeys wandering about and a sunset over the sea. The paid operators, the dive school, ATV trails and zip-lines, sit lower.
The 10 Best Activities & Tours in Koh Lanta, Ranked
Dive shops dominate this list, five of them, with a couple clustered in Sala Dan, plus two ethical elephant sanctuaries and a cooking school for variety. Following Giants takes the top spot for its no-riding welfare policy, and Mu Ko Lanta National Park is the big outdoor draw.
The 10 Best Activities & Tours in Koh Lipe, Ranked
This list is mostly boat people: island-hopping operators and dive centers, several of them working out of Walking Street, with a couple of places you actually go rather than book, like Ko Hin Ngam and the Chado Cliff viewpoint over on Ko Adang. Pura Vida Diving is the one I'd point at first, and it tops the ranking.
The 10 Best Activities & Tours in Koh Samui, Ranked
This lot leans inland and uphill: two jungle zipline parks, a hillside sculpture garden, a clifftop restaurant and a couple of viewpoints, with the marine park and the Lamai rocks covering the coast. Hawk Adventure Zipline takes the top spot, though Hin Ta Hin Yai is the one everyone stops at because it costs nothing.
The 10 Best Activities & Tours in Koh Tao, Ranked
This is a dive school list, plain and simple, with seven scuba operators and a heavy cluster along Sairee Beach, broken up only by two viewpoint hikes and one general tour outfit. Big Blue Diving School takes the top spot.
The 10 Best Activities & Tours in Korat, Ranked
This lot is dominated by free open-air spaces, four parks plus a reservoir and an ancient banyan grove, with Terminal 21 chipping in two of its own in the indoor play zone and the rooftop deck. Suan Rak Park tops it, though Sai Ngam out near Phimai is the one I'd travel for.
The 10 Best Activities & Tours in Krabi, Ranked
This lot is heavy on nature, with karst parks, jungle pools and waterfalls taking most of the slots, plus three ethical elephant sanctuaries and one cooking class in Ao Nang. Ao Phang Nga tops it, though Dragon's Crest is the one I'd point you at if you can handle the climb.
The 10 Best Activities & Tours in Pai, Ranked
Viewpoints do the heavy lifting here, with two hilltop lookouts up top and a run of Mae Hong Son Loop stops like the hot springs and the strawberry farm filling out the middle. Papa's Pedals is the one I'd single out, a bike rental shop.
The 10 Best Activities & Tours in Pattaya, Ranked
This lot is heavy on big-ticket family days out, animal parks and water parks mostly, with a couple of quick viewpoint stops thrown in. Nong Nooch takes the top spot, and its gardens are the reason to go. Several sit well south of the city or out toward Bangsaen, so plan a taxi and a full day.
The 10 Best Activities & Tours in Udon Thani, Ranked
This lot is dominated by parks and water, four public green spaces plus two water parks, with a good chunk of the list actually sitting over in Nong Khai rather than Udon proper. Nong Prajak Park takes the top spot, though I'd argue Red Lotus Lake is the one to plan around since the lilies only open early.
The 10 Best Attractions in Phuket: Viewpoints, Sanctuaries & Shows
This lot splits four ways, with free clifftop viewpoints in the south, elephant sanctuaries from Kathu up to Pa Klok, Hanuman World's ziplines in the jungle, and the big ticketed shows, two of them in Kamala. For the elephants, Phuket Elephant Sanctuary in Pa Klok is the one I'd point at, since nine of the ten welfare lists I counted name it.
The 10 Best Beaches in Koh Samui, Ranked
Ten beaches, from Lamai, Silver Beach and Chaweng on the east coast to the quiet sunset beaches of the north and west.
The 10 Best Hotels in Ayutthaya, Ranked
Most of this list is mid-size hotels built for temple-hopping, with a few riverside boutiques and one hostel breaking the pattern. SALA Ayutthaya and Baan Pomphet are the ones I'd single out if you want a room looking straight at the ruins, and Baan Pomphet throws in a Michelin-recognized kitchen downstairs.
The 10 Best Hotels in Bangkok, Ranked
The river runs this list. Most of these sit on the Chao Phraya, from the old grande dames in Bang Rak to Capella's all-suite newcomer with plunge pools, and only a handful break for Siam, Thonglor or Sukhumvit. I'd point at the Four Seasons in Sathon.
The 10 Best Hotels in Buriram, Ranked
Most of this list sits in central Buriram, and nearly all of them come with a pool, a gym or both. B2 takes the top spot, though I'd point you at Amari Buriram United if the football stadium is why you're here. The stragglers spread out toward Nang Rong, Prakhon Chai and Phanom Rung, handy if you're temple-bound.
The 10 Best Hotels in Chiang Mai, Ranked
This lot leans heavily upscale, with a cluster sitting on or near the Ping River and a few more inside the old city walls. Shangri-La takes the top spot, though the Four Seasons out among the rice paddies at Mae Rim is the one I'd point at for a proper splurge. Mad Monkey is the odd one out, a party hostel holding its own.
The 10 Best Hotels in Chiang Rai, Ranked
This one splits neatly in two: riverside and mountain resorts at the plush end, and cheap central beds at the other, including both B2 branches and a hostel on Jetyod Road. Le Méridien takes top spot.
The 10 Best Hotels in Hua Hin, Ranked
This is a beachfront list almost top to bottom, big-name resorts with pools, spas and enough restaurants to keep you on site all week. The one that stands out to me is B2 Hua Hin Premier, the lone budget option in central town and still holding its own against resorts charging many times more.
The 10 Best Hotels in Kanchanaburi, Ranked
Every single one of these sits on the river, which tells you exactly what people come to Kanchanaburi for. Plakan Resort is the one I'd name, a small boutique place that holds its own against the bigger resorts. Two, HomePhutoey and River Kwai Village, run hot spring baths.
The 10 Best Hotels in Khao Lak, Ranked
This is beachfront resort territory almost top to bottom, big pool-and-spa places strung along the Andaman sand, with one oddity in Our Jungle House, a treehouse retreat inland at Khao Sok. If you want the smallest option, The Little Shore is the boutique one and it's rated higher than anything above it, just with fewer people saying so.
The 10 Best Hotels in Khon Kaen, Ranked
This lot is mostly city-center hotels with pools, plus a few resort-style places by the water like the riverside Wishing Tree and the lakeside one at number six. Nadee 10 takes the top spot. If you want quiet over polish, 19 Resort Nonthan is the small one to watch.
The 10 Best Hotels in Koh Chang, Ranked
This lot is almost entirely beachfront resorts with pools and spas, a couple of them sat side by side on Klong Prao, plus two quieter escapes over on Koh Kood. Santhiya Tree is the one I'd point at first, with pool-access rooms on the sand.
The 10 Best Hotels in Koh Lanta, Ranked
Almost every place here sits right on the sand, and the split is clear: polished pool-villa resorts with spas at one end, simple thatched bungalows with a beach restaurant at the other. Long Beach Chalet takes the top spot. Phra Ae and Long Beach do most of the heavy lifting.
The 10 Best Hotels in Koh Lipe, Ranked
Nearly every place here sits right on the sand, and most are bungalow resorts rather than big hotels, spread across Sunrise, Pattaya and Bundhaya beaches. Ten Moons Lipe Resort is the one I'd flag.
The 10 Best Hotels in Koh Phangan, Ranked
This is a beachfront-heavy list, with only a couple of hillside places breaking the pattern. Santhiya takes the top spot, a big private-beach resort with a spa, while Panviman and High Life trade sand for a hilltop view and a pool to match.
The 10 Best Hotels in Koh Samet, Ranked
It's beachfront almost all the way down, from big multi-pool resorts to plush cottage and villa setups with spas and dive centers attached. Saikaew Beach Resort takes the top spot, though quieter places like Le Vimarn and Baan Ploy Sea are just as good and quieter.
The 10 Best Hotels in Koh Samui, Ranked
This lot skews to the north coast, with Mae Nam, Bophut and Choengmon taking half the list and the rest spread across Chaweng, Lamai and the southwestern cliffs. Pool villas dominate, though SALA Samui is the one I'd flag for putting a private pool within reach of normal money.
The 10 Best Hotels in Koh Tao, Ranked
Diving runs through this whole list, with four of the ten doubling as dive schools and nearly all the rest sitting on or steps from a beach. Assava takes the top spot, training divers on site. The rest spread out across Sairee, Sai Daeng and Tanote, and there's one hostel in the mix if you'd rather keep costs down.
The 10 Best Hotels in Korat, Ranked
Almost all of these sit in central Korat, and they split between big city hotels and smaller boutique or resort-style places with pools and gardens. Centara Korat takes the top spot.
The 10 Best Hotels in Krabi, Ranked
This is a beachfront-resort list almost top to bottom, with a heavy cluster in Nong Thale and Ao Nang and a lot of pool villas, spas and private beach access. Dusit Thani takes the top spot, while Banyan Tree and Phulay Bay are the two quietest entries.
The 10 Best Hotels in Pai, Ranked
Pai's list leans heavily on small boutique resorts and bamboo bungalow places, with a riverside hostel and a couple of bigger pool hotels breaking things up. Pai Village Boutique Resort takes the top spot, though B2 Pai Premier is the busiest.
The 10 Best Hotels in Pattaya, Ranked
Big beachfront and clifftop resorts run this list, most of them with a spa, several pools and half a dozen places to eat inside the grounds. The one that stands out is Arbour Hotel and Residence, which tops it despite being the odd one out with kitchenettes and a rooftop pool rather than sand.
The 10 Best Hotels in Phuket, Ranked
This is big beachfront resorts almost all the way down, spread across Karon, Bang Tao, Patong, Kamala, Cape Panwa and Rawai, with one social hostel in Patong sneaking in to break the run of pool villas and spas. Banyan Tree is the one I'd name if money's no object, sitting top three on its private pool villas alone.
The 10 Best Hotels in Sukhothai, Ranked
Nearly every place here is a low-slung pool resort within a short ride of the Historical Park, which tells you how tightly Sukhothai's accommodation clusters around the old city. Thai Thai Sukhothai Resort takes the top spot, though Ban Na Ton Chan Homestay is the odd one out and the more interesting for it, sitting in a Si Satchanalai village instead.
The 10 Best Hotels in Ubon Ratchathani, Ranked
This list is mostly city-center hotels, with two riverside resorts out at Khong Chiam for anyone who'd rather wake up to the Mekong than a shopping complex. B2 Ubon Premier takes the top spot and it's the cheap one, which is a rare combination.
The 10 Best Hotels in Udon Thani, Ranked
This lot splits fairly neatly between polished city hotels in Udon Thani with pools and spas, and a run of riverside places over in Nong Khai, including a couple right on the Mekong. Centara Udon takes the top spot, though Mut Mee Garden Guesthouse is the one I'd name if you want gardens and a slow morning instead of a ballroom.
The 10 Best Markets in Hua Hin, Ranked
This lot leans heavily nocturnal, with weekend and one-night-a-week night markets making up most of it, plus a couple of oddities like a mall, a supermarket and a chocolate factory. Cicada, a weekend institution, takes the top spot, though Chatchai is where you go if you'd rather see people buying dinner than souvenirs.
The 10 Best Markets in Kanchanaburi, Ranked
Almost all of these are night and everyday markets clustered in central Kanchanaburi, with only a mall and a Tha Muang everyday market breaking the pattern. JJ Night Market takes the top spot, though Kanchanaburi Night Market is the one I'd point you to for cheap food that keeps going until 4 AM.
The 10 Best Markets in Khon Kaen, Ranked
This lot is dominated by evening markets, four of them opening around 5pm with food, live music and cheap fashion, plus a handful of daily fresh and wholesale markets for people who actually shop rather than browse. Ton Tann takes the top spot by a wide margin on reviews and runs nightly, so it's the safe bet if you've only got one free evening.
The 10 Best Markets in Korat, Ranked
This lot is dominated by everyday city-center markets, split between night markets that fire up around teatime and daytime ones like Mae Kim Heng and Therdthai Talkoo that run from dawn. SaveOne Night Market tops it, and it's open all week, so it's the safe bet on any given evening. Only Phimai Night Bazaar takes you out of town.
The 10 Best Markets in Sukhothai, Ranked
This is mostly everyday fresh and food markets that open at dawn for locals, with a handful of weekend night markets round the old town filling out the lower half. Sawankhalok Market takes the top spot, and if you want an evening wander instead, the old town night market is the one that pulls a crowd.
The 10 Best Markets in Udon Thani, Ranked
This list splits between everyday Udon markets you can wander into any day and the weekend-only sort, plus three that are actually over in Nong Khai, including the riverside one that pulls the biggest crowd of the lot. If I had to pick one, it's UD Town, the central indoor-outdoor complex that tops the ranking and stays open late.
The 10 Best Nightlife Spots in Ayutthaya, Ranked
This is mostly casual bar-restaurants rather than clubs, with a couple of riverside spots, two craft beer places and a few live music rooms scattered around the old city. River Bar takes the top slot. Prices sit in the mid band where they're listed.
The 10 Best Nightlife Spots in Buriram, Ranked
This is a mid-range city-center drinking list, mostly laid-back bars that shut around midnight, with only a few running properly late. Tawandang Mahason takes the top spot with its 3am license, though Nekromantique's Speakeasy is the one I'd pick for something odder, a 90s-themed place open Thursday to Sunday.
The 10 Best Nightlife Spots in Chiang Mai, Ranked
Live music runs through most of this list, from jazz rooms near the old city walls to rock and blues bars in the center, with two rooftops and a couple of big open-air dance venues breaking it up. North Gate Jazz Co-Op takes the top spot for its jazz and cheap drinks. Expect the Old City and Nimman to soak up most of your night, and mid-range prices where they're listed at all.
The 10 Best Nightlife Spots in Chiang Rai, Ranked
Chiang Rai's night scene here is mostly small city-center bars with live music, plus a couple of expat-run pubs and two wine bars for a quieter evening. O'Kane's Irish Pub takes the top spot, though Swansong Bar is the one I'd point at for cheap beer and a pool table. Nearly everything sits within walking distance of the Clock Tower, and prices stay modest.
The 10 Best Nightlife Spots in Kanchanaburi, Ranked
Most of this lot sits on or near Maenamkwai Road or the river, so expect open-air drinking, live music and a slow pace rather than anything polished. Irie Vibes takes the top spot, though Aussie Rules is the one I'd point sport fans toward, and it's cheap with it.
The 10 Best Nightlife Spots in Khao Lak, Ranked
Khao Lak's night out is small bars, not clubs, and this lot proves it: ten mid-priced spots, nearly all of them opening mid-afternoon and running late, with only two actually on the sand. Memories Beach Bar takes the top slot, though Mr. Chay Bar is the quieter pick.
The 10 Best Nightlife Spots in Khon Kaen, Ranked
This is a live-music-heavy list, with most of the ten sitting in the mid-range bracket and a good few of them clustered in the city center, two on Sri Chan Road alone. Tawandang Mahason takes the top spot, though KaenKaew Live House is the one I'd name for novelty, being a rooftop bar 28 floors up.
The 10 Best Nightlife Spots in Koh Chang, Ranked
This lot is beach bars and slow, low-key drinking spots rather than clubs, and the spread runs well beyond Koh Chang itself, with clusters on Koh Kood and Koh Mak. Beautiful Bar on Lonely Beach takes the top spot. Prices sit low to mid where they're listed.
The 10 Best Nightlife Spots in Koh Lanta, Ranked
Beach bars run this list, six of them right on the sand, with the rest clustered in Sala Dan where the late licenses are. Why Not Bar takes the top spot, and it's one of the cheap ones too, with fire shows and live music thrown in.
The 10 Best Nightlife Spots in Koh Lipe, Ranked
This is mostly beach bars and jungle-themed drinking dens, with a good few sitting right on Walking Street and staying open into the early hours. Zodiac See Sun takes the top slot, though Jungle Bar and Sand Bar are the ones to hit if you want cheap drinks. Nearly everything here is mid-range.
The 10 Best Nightlife Spots in Koh Samet, Ranked
This is a beach bar island through and through, with most of these places sitting a few steps from the sand and opening mid-afternoon before running late. Naga Bar takes the top spot, though Rasta Bar's reggae setup is the one I'd point you at for a slow night. Everything here lands in the same mid-range price band.
The 10 Best Nightlife Spots in Koh Tao, Ranked
Beach bars run this list, five of them right on the sand, with a rooftop, a cabaret and a burgers-and-live-music sports bar breaking up the run of sunset drinking. Fishbowl Beach Bar is the one I'd name first. Nearly everything sits in the mid-range band, with Bamboo and Freedom the cheap ones.
The 10 Best Nightlife Spots in Korat, Ranked
This is a list of mid-range central Korat bars almost across the board, with a craft beer spot, a music bar and one proper late club breaking up the run of small neighborhood places. Snail Korat takes the top slot. Prices barely move, so pick by closing time.
The 10 Best Nightlife Spots in Krabi, Ranked
Ao Nang runs this list, with six of the ten sat along that beach strip and the rest split between Krabi town and one beachfront grill over on Railay West. Bamboo Beach Club takes the top spot, though the smaller town bars like Ole and Booze are just as good and quieter. Prices skew cheap where they're listed.
The 10 Best Nightlife Spots in Pai, Ranked
Most of this lot sits on or just off the walking street, and it's a scruffy mix of draft beer bars, live music rooms and fire show spots rather than anything polished. JIKKO takes the top spot for its taps and pizza, though Pai Siam is the busiest. Cheap is the norm, with several barely nudging past a single baht sign.
The 10 Best Nightlife Spots in Phi Phi Islands, Ranked
This is mostly beach bars with fire shows and buckets, plus an Irish pub and a couple of late-night places that don't shut until 3am. Slinky Bar takes the top spot, though Bob Bar is the one I'd point at if you want cheap drinks and a friendlier crowd. Nearly everything sits in the mid-range band.
The 10 Best Nightlife Spots in Ubon Ratchathani, Ranked
This is a mid-priced list from top to bottom, mostly small city bars and pubs rather than clubs, with three of them sitting on Thepyothi Road alone. LunarLane takes the top spot, though I'd point night owls at Mixx66, which runs to 5am when the rest have shut.
The 10 Best Nightlife Spots in Udon Thani, Ranked
Live music bars and late-night pubs make up most of this list, and every single one sits in the same mid-range price band, so you're not picking by budget here. The craft beer place near the bus station takes the top spot.
The 10 Best Restaurants in Ayutthaya, Ranked
River prawns run this list, with half the entries sitting on the water and grilling something large and orange. Grand Chaopraya takes the top spot, though The Artisans is the pick if plating matters more to you than charcoal. Most of these are mid-priced, with Sukunya Somtum the cheap Isaan outlier.
The 10 Best Restaurants in Buriram, Ranked
Nang Rong dominates this list, with six of the ten there, and a fair few are cheap khao kha moo shops that open early and feed locals all day. Tri Café and Restaurant takes the top spot. The rest sit in the mid-range, from a riverside spot to a steakhouse and a seafood BBQ buffet.
The 10 Best Restaurants in Chiang Rai, Ranked
Ten places to eat in Chiang Rai, from Larb Sanam Keela and Barrab's northern Thai cooking to the riverside gardens at Chivit Thamma Da and Locus's fine dining.
The 10 Best Restaurants in Hua Hin, Ranked
Seafood runs this list from top to bottom, most of it Thai coastal cooking at mid-range prices, with a few places right on the sand and one Cha-am spot pulling in the crowds. Aowtakiab Seafood takes the top slot, though Indian Hut on Soi Naresdamri is the outlier worth knowing about if you want a break from grilled prawns.
The 10 Best Restaurants in Kanchanaburi, Ranked
Most of this list looks out at something, either the River Kwai or the limestone cliffs, and nearly all of it sits in the mid price band. The farm-to-café out on Highway 323 takes the top spot, though I'd point budget eaters toward the Thai-Issan vegan kitchen on Mae Nam Kwai Rd.
The 10 Best Restaurants in Khon Kaen, Ranked
This lot leans mid-range and central, with a fair few tucked into malls, hotels and complexes rather than standing alone. CQK Hotpot takes the top spot, though I'd argue Seasons 27 earns its place for the view alone from the 27th floor.
The 10 Best Restaurants in Koh Chang, Ranked
Seafood does a lot of the heavy lifting here, and the list spreads well beyond Koh Chang itself, with Koh Kood taking four spots and Koh Mak one. Noochy Seafood tops it, though at the cheaper end a local Thai kitchen and a coffee shop both punch above their price.
The 10 Best Restaurants in Koh Lanta, Ranked
This is mostly mid-priced Thai kitchens doing home-style food all day, with a few cheap eats holding their own at either end of the ranking. Yawee takes the top spot, and Sala Dan quietly accounts for a good chunk of the list.
The 10 Best Restaurants in Koh Lipe, Ranked
Walking Street does a lot of the heavy lifting here, with three of the top five sat along it, and the rest split between cheap noodle shops and cafés that locals actually eat at. Elephant takes the top spot, though the clifftop sunset bar is the one people rave hardest about.
The 10 Best Restaurants in Koh Phangan, Ranked
This list leans heavily mid-range and casual, with three spots right by the sand and a good run of cafés doing breakfast, salads and long daytime hours. Phangan Food Court takes the top slot, and it's the cheapest thing here alongside At Chiang Mai.
The 10 Best Restaurants in Koh Samui, Ranked
This lot splits neatly between Chaweng and Bo Put, with a couple of hilltop viewpoint spots and one oyster bar over near Lamai to break it up. Ban Thai is the one I'd flag if money's tight, a family-run Bo Put kitchen at the cheap end while most here sit mid-range or don't publish prices.
The 10 Best Restaurants in Koh Tao, Ranked
It's a mid-range crowd here, mostly all-day cafés and brunch spots with a few cheap Thai kitchens holding their own, and only one place actually on the sand at Sairee. I'd point you at 995 Roasted Duck, a budget dinner-only spot.
The 10 Best Restaurants in Korat, Ranked
Almost every place here sits in the mid-range band and in central Korat, open long hours, running from morning dim sum through to late-night taverns. Baan Wihan takes the top spot. Only two budget options make the cut, and one of them, Imm Unn, is out in Phimai rather than in town.
The 10 Best Restaurants in Krabi, Ranked
Ao Nang does most of the heavy lifting here, with cheap Thai kitchens, halal Indian tandoori and a few mid-priced seafood spots making up the bulk of it. Kodam Kitchen takes the top slot, though I'd point you at Kanabnam View Seafood, a floating place you reach by long-tail from Chao Fah pier.
The 10 Best Restaurants in Pai, Ranked
This lot is dominated by cheap Thai kitchens and daytime cafés clustered around Pai's main road and Rangsiyanon, with a hillside sunset spot and a Mexican place breaking the pattern. Centrico takes the top slot.
The 10 Best Restaurants in Phi Phi Islands, Ranked
This list is heavy on all-day cafés and open-air bar-restaurants, with a couple of beachside spots and one garden setting breaking things up. Pirates House is the safe bet if you want somewhere lively, and As Good Restaurant is the quieter pick. Nearly everything sits in the mid-range price band.
The 10 Best Restaurants in Ubon Ratchathani, Ranked
This is a mixed bag of cheap local eateries, mid-range bar-restaurants and a couple of all-day cafés, with most of the city center covered and one outlier over in Warin Chamrap. TETSU takes the top spot for me, a Japanese place that pulls big crowds without pushing prices up.
The 10 Best Restaurants in Udon Thani, Ranked
Half of this lot actually sits over in Nong Khai, so you get Vietnamese plates, a riverside bar and a forest-themed cafe alongside Udon's noodle shops and home-style Thai. Cafe Viet is the one I'd name, and it tops the list. Prices stay mid-range, with the mall food center the cheap option.
The 10 Best Rooftop Bars in Pattaya, Ranked
Pattaya's highest-rated rooftop bars and sky lounges with ocean views and cocktails.
The 10 Best Snorkeling Spots in Thailand, Ranked
Thailand's best snorkeling, from the Similan and Surin islands to Koh Tao, Phi Phi and Koh Lipe, with the season on each coast, park fees and what the boat days cost.
The 10 Best Spas & Wellness Spots in Ayutthaya, Ranked
Most of this lot are straightforward Thai massage shops around the old city, a few open late for post-temple legs, with a couple of outliers: a scalp-massage specialist and a meditation retreat out toward Saraburi. The Senses Spa leads.
The 10 Best Spas & Wellness Spots in Bangkok, Ranked
This is a list dominated by straightforward Thai massage studios rather than hotel spas, with three of them stacked along Surawong Road and a couple of Japanese-style onsen branches breaking up the pattern. Health Land at Asoke is the one I'd name for sheer volume, a colonial-style mansion doing two-hour traditional Thai for pocket money.
The 10 Best Spas & Wellness Spots in Chiang Mai, Ranked
Nearly all of these sit inside or right against the old city walls, which makes this a walkable list rather than a driving one, with Cozy on Nimman and Makkha's Colonial Gardens the two that pull you out of the moat. Zira Spa takes the top spot, though Ziri runs it close.
The 10 Best Spas & Wellness Spots in Chiang Rai, Ranked
This is mostly straightforward Thai massage shops in and around central Chiang Rai, with a meditation center, a riverside resort spa and a hot springs place breaking up the run. Chiang Rai Nice Massage takes the top spot for a plain room and very good hands.
The 10 Best Spas & Wellness Spots in Hua Hin, Ranked
Half this list sits on Phet Kasem Road, which tells you where Hua Hin does its serious massage work, and the rest splits between mall spas and proper resort retreats out on the coast. Kinn Retreat takes the top spot, and it stays open till 11 at night.
The 10 Best Spas & Wellness Spots in Kanchanaburi, Ranked
This is mostly straightforward Thai massage shops rather than fancy resort spas, and a good chunk of them sit along the riverside strip on Maenamkwai Road, open late enough for a post-dinner hour on the mat. Rock Valley Hot Springs is the odd one out and worth the drive out toward Sai Yok for the mineral pools and fish spa.
The 10 Best Spas & Wellness Spots in Khao Lak, Ranked
This list is mostly small, independent Thai massage studios that stay open till late, plus a handful of rainforest wellness spots up in Khao Sok. Bhandari Wellness & Spa takes the top spot as the one proper resort spa here. Everything else clusters between Bang Niang Road and Khao Sok.
The 10 Best Spas & Wellness Spots in Khon Kaen, Ranked
This lot is mostly city-center day spas doing Thai massage and general wellness, with a couple of outliers like the Sila branch, the place near the university and a clinic mixing physiotherapy with Thai and Chinese medicine. Me Aura Spa & Massage tops it, and late closing is common here, so evening bookings are easy.
The 10 Best Spas & Wellness Spots in Koh Chang, Ranked
This is mostly straightforward Thai massage studios with long daily hours rather than resort spa palaces, though Rainforest Spa breaks the pattern with treatments out in the jungle and Lamoon adds a herbal steam sauna. Star Massage is the one I'd name first.
The 10 Best Spas & Wellness Spots in Koh Lanta, Ranked
This list leans heavily on small massage studios, four of them clustered in Sala Dan and most open till 10 or 11pm, with a couple of resort spas and a breathwork-and-ice-bath studio breaking up the pattern. Faikham takes the top spot.
The 10 Best Spas & Wellness Spots in Koh Lipe, Ranked
This is mostly small independent massage shops rather than polished resort spas, with late opening hours that suit a sunset-to-midnight island rhythm. Kamon Puh Massage takes the top spot, though Castaway Yoga is the odd one out and the one I'd name, a beachfront studio running morning sessions on Sunrise Beach.
The 10 Best Spas & Wellness Spots in Koh Phangan, Ranked
This lot is mostly walk-in massage shops with long opening hours, three of them Pure Relax branches spread across Thong Sala and Sri Thanu, plus a couple of jungle retreats doing yoga and detox at the other end of the scale. Wonderland Healing House is the one I'd flag if you want more than an hour on a table, with multi-day packages inland from Baan Tai.
The 10 Best Spas & Wellness Spots in Koh Samui, Ranked
This lot is dominated by straightforward Thai massage studios rather than resort spas, and Bo Phut has the run of it with six of the ten clustered there. Nakee Thai Massage turns up three times across Bo Phut, Lamai and Choengmon, which tells you plenty about how consistent the therapists are.
The 10 Best Spas & Wellness Spots in Koh Tao, Ranked
This is a massage list more than a spa list, with walk-in studios filling most of the ranking and just one yoga center and one health club breaking the pattern. Infinity Koh Tao tops it, though the yoga center is the one I'd book ahead. A couple sit in Mae Haad, and most stay open late for post-dive aches.
The 10 Best Spas & Wellness Spots in Korat, Ranked
Almost all of these sit in central Korat, and they're mostly straightforward Thai massage shops rather than grand hotel spas, with the odd specialist like Silver Sand doing facials and one tucked inside Terminal 21. Kasina Spa & Massage leads the list.
The 10 Best Spas & Wellness Spots in Krabi, Ranked
Nearly all of this list sits in Ao Nang, and most of it is straightforward Thai massage shops that stay open till 11pm rather than resort spas. Royal Palm Spa takes the top spot, though Momiji Onsen is the odd one out with actual hot spring bathing.
The 10 Best Spas & Wellness Spots in Pai, Ranked
This is mostly straightforward Thai massage shops in and around town, with a few outliers like a mountain meditation retreat, a valley yoga and sound healing spot and a riverside hot springs resort. On Massage is the one I'd point at first, since an hour of Thai massage runs 250 baht and the therapists pay attention.
The 10 Best Spas & Wellness Spots in Pattaya, Ranked
This lot's mostly straight-up Thai massage houses, with two Japanese onsen spots and a couple of quieter day spas out toward Jomtien breaking up the pattern. The One Massage on Walking Street takes the top spot, and it's open till after midnight, which the hotel spas aren't.
The 10 Best Spas & Wellness Spots in Phuket, Ranked
This is mostly straightforward Thai massage shops rather than resort spas, with a cluster in Phuket Town and a few more spread across Chalong, Rawai, Laguna, Patong and Kamala. Sansabai Massage 2 takes the top spot, and if you want something different, SAMA pairs Japanese-style soaking baths with the bodywork.
The 10 Best Spas & Wellness Spots in Ubon Ratchathani, Ranked
Most of this lot are plain traditional Thai massage shops in the town center, with only a couple of proper day spas in the mix. YUSUNSEN takes the top spot, though UbonVej is the busier one. Prices are rarely published here, and several stay open until 10pm or later, with Z-Through on Khuanthani Road going until 1am.
The 10 Best Spas & Wellness Spots in Udon Thani, Ranked
This lot is mostly city-center Thai massage studios and day spas, with a couple of onsen bathhouses breaking the pattern, including one that sits over in Nong Khai. YU Onsen takes the top spot for its thermal baths. Plenty of them run late into the evening.
The 10 Best Temples & Cultural Sites in Ayutthaya, Ranked
This lot is dominated by the big historic-park temples, brick ruins and chedis you can walk between in a day, plus a few working shrines where people still come to pray. Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon takes the top spot, though Prasat Nakhon Luang out toward Phachi is the quiet one I'd make time for.
The 10 Best Temples & Cultural Sites in Buriram, Ranked
This list leans heavily on hilltops and old Khmer stone, with a few city shrines and a castle-themed oddity thrown in to break things up. Phanom Rung Historical Park takes the top spot, and it isn't close.
The 10 Best Temples & Cultural Sites in Chiang Rai, Ranked
This one's temple-heavy, six Buddhist sites plus a few outliers like a black timber art complex, a golden city clock tower and the royal villa at Doi Tung. Rong Suea Ten takes top spot, though Wat Huay Pla Kang gives you more to actually do with its giant Guan Yin and climbable pagoda.
The 10 Best Temples & Cultural Sites in Kanchanaburi, Ranked
Cave temples dominate here, four of them, plus a couple of hilltop wats and the WWII sites that put Kanchanaburi on the map. Wat Tham Suea takes the top spot, though Hellfire Pass is the one I'd clear a morning for, and it costs nothing to walk.
The 10 Best Temples & Cultural Sites in Khon Kaen, Ranked
This is mostly working Buddhist temples, four of them right in the center and the rest scattered out into rural Isan, plus a Khmer ruin, a Hindu shrine, a museum and a lakeside walk to break up the chedis. Wat Nong Wang takes the top spot, and its nine-tiered pagoda is the one I'd point a first-timer at.
The 10 Best Temples & Cultural Sites in Korat, Ranked
This lot splits fairly neatly between old Khmer stonework and working Buddhist temples, with Phimai pulling triple duty through its historical park, national museum and nearby memorial. Thao Suranari Monument takes the top spot, which tells you how much Korat cares about Ya Mo.
The 10 Best Temples & Cultural Sites in Pai, Ranked
Calling this list "temples" is a stretch, since half of it is canyons, caves, waterfalls and a bamboo bridge, with only three actual wats in the mix. Wat Pa Tam Wua is the one I'd single out, a quiet forest temple built around caves that far fewer people bother reviewing, which tells you plenty. Most sit within a short ride of Pai town and cost nothing beyond gas.
The 10 Best Temples & Cultural Sites in Sukhothai, Ranked
Most of this list sits inside Sukhothai Historical Park itself, ruined chedis, lotus ponds and Khmer-style prangs within walking or cycling distance of each other, with Si Satchanalai the one real day trip out of town. Wat Si Chum is the one I'd name first, since that huge seated Buddha squeezed between stone walls pulls more visitors than anything else here bar the park as a whole.
The 10 Best Temples & Cultural Sites in Ubon Ratchathani, Ranked
This is temple country, so seven of the ten are working Buddhist sites, padded out with a museum, a monk's memorial and a sandstone rock park at Sao Chaliang. Wat Sirindhorn Wararam Phu Phrao takes the top spot, mostly for those glowing murals.
The 10 Best Temples & Cultural Sites in Udon Thani, Ranked
Mostly working temples here, several of them over the border in Nong Khai rather than Udon Thani proper, plus a few civic stops like the city museum and the green space at Thung Si Muang. Wat Pa Ban Tad is the one I'd single out, a quiet forest monastery that rates higher than anything else on the list.
The 10 Best Thai Massage Shops in Bangkok, Ranked
The Bangkok Thai massage shops the travel guides and Google's own local results keep naming, from the Wat Pho school to Health Land and Oasis Spa.
The 11 Best Beaches in Krabi, Ranked
For the best beach in Krabi, Phra Nang. For sunset, Railay West. For a quiet stay, Tubkaek or Klong Muang. Eleven beaches on the Railay peninsula, the Ao Nang coast and the islands offshore.
The 11 Best Cooking Classes in Bangkok, Ranked
Eleven Bangkok cooking schools, from Tingly and Silom in Bang Rak to Blue Elephant's premium half day and Cooking with Poo in Khlong Toei, with prices, class times and what you cook.
The 11 Best Islands Near Phuket, Ranked
Eleven islands, from Phi Phi, Racha and Coral Island to the Similans and Phang Nga Bay. Boat times and prices on each card come from our route guides.
The 11 Best Museums in Bangkok, Ranked
Eleven Bangkok museums, from the National Museum and Museum Siam to MOCA, Jim Thompson House and the Ancient City, with fees, hours and the days each one closes.
The 11 Best Nightlife Spots in Bangkok, Ranked
Eleven clubs, bars and streets, from the RCA clubs and Sukhumvit Soi 11 to Sing Sing Theater, the rooftops and Khao San Road.
The 11 Best Rooftop Bars in Bangkok, Ranked
Eleven rooftop bars, from Sky Bar and Vertigo to Octave, Red Sky and the city's newer high bars.
The 11 Best Thai Restaurants in Chiang Mai, Ranked
Eleven sit-down Thai and northern Thai restaurants in Chiang Mai, from Tong Tem Toh and Huen Muan Jai to the larb houses on the edge of town.
The 12 Best Beaches in Koh Phangan, Ranked
Twelve Koh Phangan beaches and what each one is for. Salad Beach and Haad Yao for families and an easy west-coast day, Mae Haad and Haad Khom for snorkeling, Secret Beach and Zen Beach for sunset, Thong Nai Pan and Bottle Beach for swimming in a quiet bay, and Haad Rin for the Full Moon Party.
The 12 Best Cooking Classes in Chiang Mai, Ranked
Twelve Chiang Mai cooking schools, from farm days at Grandma's Home and Smile Organic Farm to Thai Akha Kitchen's hill-tribe menu, with prices, class times and what you cook.
The 12 Best Temples in Pattaya, Ranked
Twelve temples, from Wat Phra Yai's hilltop Buddha and the Sanctuary of Truth to the royal temple park at Wat Yansangwararam.
The 13 Best Beaches in Koh Lanta, Ranked
Long Beach is the best beach on Koh Lanta and the best for swimming, Khlong Dao is the one for families, and Klong Nin is the one for an evening out. For scenery and quiet, head south to Kantiang, Bamboo and Nui Bay. Thirteen west-coast beaches, with the tide, the access and the trip each one suits.
The 13 Best Beaches in Koh Tao, Ranked
Freedom Beach is the best all-round beach on Koh Tao, Sairee is the one for sunset and nightlife, and Koh Nang Yuan's sandbar is the one for the view. For turtles and reef sharks, Shark Bay. Thirteen beaches and bays, with the gate fees and the easiest way down to each.
The 13 Best Beaches in Phuket, Ranked
Thirteen beaches on Phuket itself, from Freedom Beach and Kata to Surin, Nai Harn and the empty sand at Mai Khao.
The 13 Best Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries in Thailand
Thirteen elephant sanctuaries in Thailand, each on at least three independent welfare lists. Elephant Nature Park is on all ten, and the strictest places on the list let you watch the elephants but not touch them.
The 13 Best Muay Thai Gyms in Chiang Mai, Ranked
For a first class in the Old City, Dang or The Bear. For technique, Hongthong or Lanna. For a camp you live at, Santai or Gym Bangarang. Thirteen Chiang Mai Muay Thai gyms in all.
The 14 Best Activities & Tours in Thailand, Ranked
Bangkok and its weekend overspill into Pattaya dominate this one, mostly big-ticket parks, zoos and aquariums that swallow a whole day. The one I'd single out is Rajadamnern Stadium, the oldest Muay Thai ring in the country and now air-conditioned, with the heaviest cards on Thursday and Saturday. Phuket supplies the viewpoints.
The 14 Best Bars and Night Spots in Hua Hin, Ranked
Soi Bintabaht for a first night out, Soi 94 for a bar crawl, The Sky for the view and Tamarind Market for a band and cheap beer. Hua Hin's nightlife is relaxed, more live music and beer bars than big clubs, and I've ranked this list by what each place is best for rather than by rating.
The 14 Best Restaurants in Khao Lak, Ranked
Fourteen places to eat in Khao Lak, from Pam's and Krua Thai to the MICHELIN-listed southern Thai kitchens in Khuekkhak and the beachfront grills at the resorts.
The 14 Best Restaurants in Pattaya, Ranked
Fourteen restaurants, from Glass House on the beach at Na Jomtien to Cafe des Amis and the seafood halls of Na Kluea. Hours on each card come from the restaurant's Google listing.
The 14 Best Shopping Malls in Bangkok, Ranked
Fourteen Bangkok malls, from Siam Paragon, CentralWorld, MBK and Terminal 21 to ICONSIAM on the river and Platinum for cheap clothes, with the station, hours and food court for each.
The 14 Best Temples in Bangkok, Ranked
Fourteen temples, from Wat Pho, the Grand Palace and Wat Arun on the river to the Golden Mount, the Marble Temple and Chinatown's Golden Buddha.
The 14 Best Temples in Chiang Mai, Ranked
Fourteen temples, from Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh in the Old City to Doi Suthep on the mountain. Opening hours on each card come from the temple's Google listing.
The 15 Best Markets in Bangkok, Ranked
Fifteen markets, from Chatuchak and the flower market to floating markets, night markets and Pratunam's wholesale lanes. The days and hours on each card come from the market's Google listing.
The 15 Best Markets in Thailand, Ranked
Bangkok has most of this one, from Chatuchak and the flower market that never shuts to the floating market at Damnoen Saduak and the night markets at Jodd Fairs and Asiatique. Chatuchak is the one I'd send a first-timer to. The rest are night markets in Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, Korat and Pattaya.
The 15 Best Restaurants in Bangkok, Ranked
Fifteen restaurants, from Gaggan, Sühring and Le Du to the Chinatown stalls Jek Pui and Nai Mong Hoi Thod. Hours on each card come from Google.
The 15 Best Restaurants in Chiang Mai, Ranked
Fifteen places to eat, from SP Chicken and the khao soi shops to the Cowboy Hat Lady's pork leg and a riverside fine-dining dinner. Hours on each card come from Google.
The 15 Best Restaurants in Phuket, Ranked
Fifteen restaurants, from Blue Elephant and PRU to Old Town's shophouse kitchens, the seafood rafts on the east coast and the cliffside dining rooms at Kalim.
The 15 Best Restaurants in Thailand, Ranked
Fifteen restaurants across Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya, Koh Samui and Krabi, from Gaggan, Sühring and Le Du to SP Chicken's charcoal-grilled chicken and a Chiang Mai khao soi shophouse, with Blue Elephant and PRU in Phuket. Hours on each card come from Google.
The 15 Best Seafood Restaurants in Bangkok, Ranked
Bangkok's highest-rated seafood restaurants, from Chinatown legends to riverside dining.
The 15 Best Shopping Malls in Thailand, Ranked
Fifteen malls, led by the big Bangkok malls, from Siam Paragon and CentralWorld to MBK and ICONSIAM, then the biggest malls in Pattaya, Phuket and Chiang Mai.
The 15 Best Spas & Wellness Spots in Thailand, Ranked
This is overwhelmingly street-level Thai massage shops rather than resort spas, with Bangkok and Ao Nang doing most of the heavy lifting and only one beachfront hotel spa in the mix. Royal Palm Spa takes the top spot, and a cluster on Surawong Road means you can walk between three of them.
The 16 Best Nightlife Spots in Thailand, Ranked
Sixteen nightlife spots across Thailand, led by Koh Phangan's Full Moon Party, then the RCA clubs and Sukhumvit Soi 11 in Bangkok, Illuzion, the beach clubs and Bangla Road in Phuket, the Walking Street clubs in Pattaya and live jazz in Chiang Mai.
The 17 Best Muay Thai Gyms in Bangkok, Ranked
For a drop-in class near Sukhumvit, Watchara, Elite or Krudam. For a real fight gym, Rithirit, FA Group or PK Saenchai. For a camp with rooms, Khongsittha. Seventeen Bangkok Muay Thai gyms in all.
The 17 Best Nightlife Spots in Pattaya, Ranked
Seventeen clubs, bars, rooftops and shows. Most of them are on or just off Walking Street, and the hours on each card come from the venue's Google listing.
The 17 Best Nightlife Spots in Phuket, Ranked
Seventeen nightlife spots in Phuket, from Illuzion and the Bangla Road clubs to the beach clubs on Bang Tao and Kamala, the rooftops, and the cabaret and stage shows.
The 17 Best Street Food Spots in Bangkok, Ranked
Seventeen stalls, shophouses and food streets, from Jay Fai and Yaowarat to boat noodles at Victory Monument.
The 20 Best Hotels & Resorts in Thailand, Ranked
Twenty luxury hotels and resorts, the splurge end of Thailand, from the Chao Phraya's grande dames to a hundred acres of jungle on Koh Lanta, with a table to pick the coast first and the hotel second, and the one thing to know about each before you book.
The 4 Best Shopping Malls in Hua Hin, Ranked
Hua Hin's four malls and outlets, from Market Village and Blúport in town to the two outlets toward Cha-am.
The 4 Best Temples & Cultural Sites in Koh Lanta, Ranked
This list leans south, with the old wooden shophouse strip and the community museum both at the island's quieter end. Lanta Old Town takes the top spot, though the cave temple at Tham Khao Mai Khew is the one that actually feels like a temple visit.
The 4 Best Temples in Koh Samet, Ranked
Koh Samet isn't a temple island, and these four are small hilltop wats with big views rather than grand complexes. Wat Thamma Sathit takes the top spot and it's the one most people actually visit, with the longest opening hours. Everything here is free or close to it.
The 5 Best Islands Near Pattaya, Ranked
Only a handful of islands are a real day out from Pattaya. Koh Larn is the one with beaches and a public ferry, Koh Sak and Koh Khrok are the snorkeling stops on the island-hopping tours, and Koh Si Chang off Si Racha is a lived-in island with a royal palace museum. Koh Samet, a couple of hours away by road and boat, is the step up for a night or two. Koh Chang and Koh Kood have their own list.
The 5 Best Markets in Koh Samet, Ranked
Here's the thing: nearly all of these sit in Ban Phe on the mainland, clustered around the ferry pier, so you're shopping either side of the boat rather than on the island itself. Ban Phe Fresh Market takes the top spot for me, a proper daily seafood and produce market. Only one entry is actually on Koh Samet, and it's a small local food market.
The 5 Best Markets in Pai, Ranked
Pai's night walking streets take the top spots here, and nearly everything sits in the town center. If you only make one stop, make it Pai Walking Street.
The 5 Best Shopping Malls in Krabi, Ranked
Krabi's mall scene is mostly hypermarkets and supermarkets with a cinema or food court bolted on, so don't expect glossy air-con cathedrals. Central Krabi takes the top spot and it's the only one that feels like a proper day out, an open-air village of local shops, brands and places to eat in the town center. The rest cluster around Krabi Town for groceries and air-con.
The 5 Best Spas & Wellness Spots in Koh Samet, Ranked
This is mostly straightforward Thai massage shops rather than fancy resort spas, and half of them stay open until 11pm, which tells you when islanders actually book a rub down. Heaven's Feels takes the top spot, while Tree Roots Retreat is the odd one out, a nature-set retreat and guesthouse over on the mainland side.
The 6 Best Activities & Tours in Khon Kaen, Ranked
It's mostly open-air stuff: two lakeside parks in the center, a countryside viewpoint out in Ban Fang, plus a zoo and an exotic pets show for anyone dragging kids around. Hin Chang Si is the one I'd single out.
The 6 Best Activities & Tours in Koh Samet, Ranked
Koh Samet's best activities are mostly free things you walk to, a seaside mermaid statue and a hilltop viewpoint that catches both sunrise and sunset, plus the snorkeling boats that circle the island from the beaches. Book a boat for the reefs and walk for the rest.
The 6 Best Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries in Chiang Mai
Six ethical elephant sanctuaries around Chiang Mai, from Elephant Nature Park's day visits to the hands-off overnight stays in Mae Chaem.
The 6 Best Islands Near Koh Lipe, Ranked
Six islands around Koh Lipe, from Koh Adang across the channel to the snorkeling stops at Koh Rawi and Koh Hin Ngam and the small islands you can kayak to from Sunrise Beach.
The 6 Best Markets in Koh Chang, Ranked
This lot is more everyday shopping than souvenir browsing, with supermarkets, minimarts and a couple of night markets spread across Koh Chang, Koh Kood and Koh Mak. The Makro superstore takes the top spot, though the Night Food Market is the one I'd point you to if you want dinner and a wander.
The 6 Best Markets in Koh Tao, Ranked
Koh Tao has no scheduled night market, just evening food stalls in Mae Haad and along the road to Sairee, so this list is the island's markets and stores for anyone self-catering. Pen Wholesale Supermarket in Mae Haad is the big one and cheaper than the convenience stores, with Pod Fresh Mart and the fruit market close by for fresh produce.
The 6 Best Yoga Retreats in Koh Phangan, Ranked
Six Koh Phangan yoga retreats on the west coast and beyond. Orion Healing for a beachfront school with every format, Samma Karuna for a long stay on a budget, Wonderland for an all-inclusive week in the jungle, The Sanctuary for a remote beach you reach by boat, One Yoga for teacher training and drop-ins, and Ananda for yoga with a detox.
The 7 Best Beaches in Koh Lipe, Ranked
Sunrise Beach is the best beach on Koh Lipe and the best for swimming, Pattaya Beach is where the restaurants and the boats are, and Sunset Beach is the quiet one for the evening. Seven beaches, all within walking distance of each other, with what each one is like.
The 7 Best Markets in Khao Lak, Ranked
This is a fairly even split between proper markets and everyday supermarkets, with a few small shopping centers padding out the lower half. Bang Niang Market takes the top spot, and its fresh-market sibling covers the morning shift just up the road.
The 7 Best Temples & Cultural Sites in Khao Lak, Ranked
Khao Lak's temples are working village wats rather than showpieces, and three of them sit within a few kilometers of Bang Niang and Khuk Khak. Wat Tha Sai, half an hour south, is the one worth a dedicated trip, and the Dragon Cave temple at Thap Put is the one inland detour.
The 8 Best Activities & Tours in Buriram, Ranked
This lot is mostly open-air stuff, volcanic hills, flower parks, fruit orchards and gardens, with a football stadium sitting on top of it all. Chang Arena takes the lead because nothing else in Buriram pulls that kind of crowd, though Khao Kradong Forest Park and its hilltop Buddha runs it close.
The 8 Best Activities & Tours in Khao Lak, Ranked
Elephants and rainforest run this list, with four ethical sanctuaries and two national parks taking up most of the slots, plus a dive shop, a tour operator and a couple of quiet beaches. Khao Sok tops it and deserves to, since the old-growth jungle and karst scenery pull more visitors than anything else here.
The 8 Best Activities & Tours in Koh Phangan, Ranked
This lot leans hard into the island's interior: ziplines, two ATV outfits and a hilltop viewpoint, plus a pair of cooking schools that are near enough interchangeable. The zipline takes top spot. Only the last two entries are actual beaches, both quiet northern and southern coves rather than party sand.
The 8 Best Beaches in Hua Hin, Ranked
Eight beaches, from the town beach and Khao Takiab to Sai Noi's swimming cove and the national park at Sam Roi Yot.
The 8 Best Beaches in Khao Lak, Ranked
This is mostly long, palm-backed mainland sand strung along the Khao Lak coast, quiet stretches like Bang Sak, Khuk Khak and Pak Weep doing the heavy lifting, with resort-heavy Bang Niang and Nang Thong at the busier end. The odd one out is Donald Duck Bay on Koh Similan, granite boulders and a boat trip away, and worth the effort.
The 8 Best Beaches in Koh Chang, Ranked
White Sand Beach is the best beach on Koh Chang for a first visit, Lonely Beach is the one for nightlife, and Klong Prao is the long, quiet one for couples and families. For calm water in any season, go south to Klong Kloi. Eight beaches on Koh Chang itself, with the tide, the access and the trip each one suits.
The 8 Best Beaches in Pattaya, Ranked
Eight beaches, from the city beach and Jomtien to Wong Amat, Pratumnak and the clear water of Koh Larn.
The 8 Best Elephant Sanctuaries in Phuket, Ranked
To watch elephants without touching them, Phuket Elephant Sanctuary. For feeding and bathing, Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. Eight Phuket elephant sanctuaries with no riding, with what you do at each and the operator's own price.
The 8 Best Floating Markets Near Bangkok, Ranked
Eight floating markets within a day trip of Bangkok, from Khlong Lat Mayom and Taling Chan to Damnoen Saduak and Amphawa, with the days each one opens, the travel time and the boat ride.
The 8 Best Island Tour Operators in Krabi, Ranked
Krabi's island tours compared, from the Four Islands and Hong to Phi Phi, the Seven Islands sunset trip and James Bond Island, with prices, park fees and eight Ao Nang operators worth booking.
The 8 Best Islands in the Koh Chang Archipelago, Ranked
Eight islands in the Koh Chang archipelago, from Koh Mak and Koh Kood to the day-trip islands of Koh Wai, Koh Rang and Koh Ngam.
The 8 Best Markets in Ayutthaya, Ranked
This list splits fairly evenly between air-conditioned malls and proper working markets, with a couple of tourist-facing spots like the floating market thrown in. Ayothaya Floating Market is the big draw, though it's the fresh produce markets like Chao Phrom and Hua Ro that I'd rate for an early start.
The 8 Best Markets in Koh Lanta, Ranked
Nearly all of this lot sits in Sala Dan, and it's split between weekly morning markets that pack up by lunch and the everyday shops and supermarkets you'll actually use for supplies. The Old Town street market takes top spot, and it only runs Saturdays and Sundays, so plan around it.
The 8 Best Markets in Koh Samui, Ranked
This lot is mostly night markets, and half of them sit in Bo Put around Fisherman's Village, so you could walk between four of these in an evening without trying. Fisherman's Village Night Market tops it, though Lamai Fresh Food Market is the one I'd point you to if you want produce and ready-made Thai food rather than souvenirs.
The 8 Best Night Markets in Bangkok, Ranked
Eight night markets, from Asiatique, Chatuchak and Yaowarat to the train market and Jodd Fairs.
The 8 Best Night Markets in Pattaya, Ranked
Eight night markets, led by Thepprasit and Jomtien, which both now run every night. The hours on each card come from the market's Google listing.
The 8 Best Nightlife Spots in Koh Phangan, Ranked
What strikes me here is how few of these are actual clubs. An Irish pub, a secluded beach scene and a handful of cocktail and chill spots sit alongside the jungle rave at the top, and that's OXA, the one pulling the biggest crowds by a mile. Prices sit in the mid range almost across the board, with The Jam bar the cheapest of the lot.
The 8 Best Shopping Malls in Koh Samui, Ranked
Be honest, most of this list is hypermarkets and supermarkets with food courts bolted on rather than proper malls. Central Samui earns the top spot as the one real shopping center here, with indoor and open-air wings, brand shops and a kids' play area. The small community malls at Bo Put and Chaweng Beach Road rate higher, but on far fewer votes.
The 8 Best Shopping Malls in Pattaya, Ranked
These are the malls Pattaya's shopping round-ups keep naming, in the order they name them. Central Pattaya on Beach Road leads, Terminal 21 is the one to see for the building alone, and the list ends with the outlets and the gadget mall for when you need something specific.
The 8 Best Temples & Cultural Sites in Koh Chang, Ranked
This lot is a mix of Buddhist temples, two naval memorials and a couple of jungle waterfalls, and it strays off Koh Chang itself to Koh Kut and Koh Mak more than once. Wat Salak Phet is the one I'd single out, an old temple with royal history behind it.
The 8 Best Temples & Cultural Sites in Koh Samui, Ranked
This is mostly working Buddhist temples, four of them perched on hills or water with big statues doing the heavy lifting, plus a farm, a Chinese shrine and a cobra show to round it out. Wat Plai Laem takes the top spot with its 18-armed Guanyin and the fish-filled lake, though the Big Buddha at Wat Phra Yai, out on its islet, is the bigger draw.
The 8 Best Temples & Cultural Sites in Krabi, Ranked
This list leans hard on limestone: cave shrines, cliff-side goddess caves and temples with brutal step counts, plus a couple of oddities like a riverside crab sculpture and a saltwater hot spring. Wat Tham Suea takes the top spot, and if you'd rather skip the 1,200-odd steps, Wat Bang Thong's golden pagoda near Ao Luek is the easier win.
The 8 Best Temples & Cultural Sites in Phuket, Ranked
This lot splits between hilltop temples and monuments on one side and evening shows on the other, with a solid run of Sino-Portuguese heritage clustered around Phuket Old Town. The Big Buddha takes top spot, though the Siam Niramit show is the evening pick.
The 9 Best Activities & Tours in Bangkok, Ranked
This lot leans big and busy, with a theme park, an aquarium under a mall, a safari park and a couple of proper crowd-pullers like the observation deck and Lumphini. If you want something smaller, Co van Kessel's canal bike tours sit near the bottom on volume but top the ratings, and Rajadamnern is the one I'd name for a real Muay Thai night.
The 9 Best Activities & Tours in Chiang Mai, Ranked
This lot leans heavily on water and forest, with three waterfalls, two hot spring parks and a pair of national parks all sitting outside the city, so you'll want wheels for most of it. Elephant Nature Park is the one I'd name first, a real rescue sanctuary rather than a ride outfit, and it tops the ratings here. The two cooking schools are the only things you can walk to, and Samsen Villa is the sole sit-down meal, at mid-range money.
The 9 Best Activities & Tours in Chiang Rai, Ranked
This lot is heavily outdoors: mountain parks, waterfalls, viewpoints and a hot spring, with only a couple of things you could call city stops. The Golden Triangle takes the top spot, though Doi Tung Royal Villa is the one I'd carve out a morning for if gardens and Lanna architecture are your thing. Most of it sits well outside town, so you'll want wheels.
The 9 Best Activities & Tours in Phi Phi Islands, Ranked
This list is dominated by dive centers, six of them, plus two viewpoint climbs on Phi Phi Don and a couple of tour agencies. Pi Leh Bay takes the top spot, and plenty of boats swing into that lagoon each day.
The 9 Best Activities & Tours in Sukhothai, Ranked
This list leans outdoors more than I expected, with two national parks, a wetland and a hillside homestay village sitting alongside the bike tours. Ramkhamhaeng National Park takes the top spot, though the two guided cycling outfits are the obvious pick if you want the ruins explained as you ride.
The 9 Best Activities & Tours in Ubon Ratchathani, Ranked
This lot is heavy on the outdoors: national parks, riverbanks and public green space, with only one actual tour operator making the cut at the bottom. Pha Taem is the one I'd build a day around, with its cliff paintings and Mekong views pulling nearly as much attention as the city center square at the top.
The 9 Best Beaches in Koh Samet, Ranked
This list splits neatly between the busy north and the quiet south, with Sai Kaew pulling the biggest crowds and the speedboat traffic to match, while Ao Wai, Ao Thian and Ao Kiu Na Nok are all small, calm coves down the bottom end. Ao Wai is the one I'd point at first, since it still feels uncrowded.
The 9 Best Beaches in Phi Phi Islands, Ranked
Almost all of these sit on Phi Phi Don, and the list leans heavily toward quiet coves rather than the party sand, with Loh Dalum and Ton Sai the two obvious exceptions. Long Beach takes the top spot, while Monkey Beach pulls the biggest crowd of all.
The 9 Best Hotels in Phi Phi Islands, Ranked
Nearly every place here is beachfront, and most are the low-slung bungalow or resort type rather than anything tall or flashy. OUTRIGGER is the one I'd single out, tucked in its own bay at Loh Bagao a longtail ride from Tonsai, so you get the limestone views without the late-night racket.
The 9 Best Islands Near Krabi, Ranked
Nine islands, from Koh Hong and Phi Phi to the Four Islands off Ao Nang and the quieter Koh Lanta and Koh Jum.
The 9 Best Markets in Buriram, Ranked
This list is mostly night markets in Buriram city, plus a couple of malls and a fresh market that never shuts. Robinson takes the top spot, though So Krao Walking Street is the one I'd plan a weekend around. Two entries sit out in Nang Rong.
The 9 Best Markets in Chiang Mai, Ranked
Most of this list is night markets and everyday fresh-produce halls, with the walking streets taking over Wua Lai on Saturdays and Rachadamnoen on Sundays. The Night Bazaar leads, but Jing Jai is the one I'd single out for crafts and organic produce.
The 9 Best Markets in Chiang Rai, Ranked
This lot splits three ways: night markets you eat your way through, working wet markets that peak at dawn or mid afternoon, and a couple of big hardware barns on Phahon Yothin that snuck in under the shopping banner. The Night Bazaar tops it, though the Saturday Walking Street is the better night out.
The 9 Best Markets in Koh Phangan, Ranked
This lot is mostly night and evening markets, with a few daily local ones for produce and street food thrown in. Pantip in Thong Sala takes the top spot, and it's the one I'd point people to first since it runs from morning right through to midnight. Thong Sala and Srithanu carry two apiece.
The 9 Best Markets in Krabi, Ranked
This is night markets, near enough all of them, split between Krabi Town and Ao Nang with a riverside park and a dawn wet market breaking up the run. Krabi Town Night Market is the big one, though it only opens at weekends, so plan around it.
The 9 Best Markets in Phuket, Ranked
This lot is mostly night markets, and Patong hogs four of the ten spots between Banzaan, Malin Plaza, Bangla and OTOP. Banzaan takes the top place because it does the pick-your-seafood-then-eat-it thing under one roof, though Rawai does the same trick across the road for about ฿100 a kilo to grill.
The 9 Best Markets in Ubon Ratchathani, Ranked
This lot splits roughly down the middle: night markets that fire up around 5pm and everyday shopping centers you can wander any time of day. Thung Sri Muang Night Market takes the top spot, running nightly in the center of town from half four. Three of them sit along Chayangkun Road, and Riverside Walking Street is the odd one out, weekends only by the Mun.
The 9 Best Night Markets in Chiang Mai, Ranked
Nine night markets, from the Sunday and Saturday walking streets to the Night Bazaar and the gate markets.
The 9 Best Nightlife Spots in Koh Samui, Ranked
Nearly every entry here sits on the sand, from Bo Put and Bophut round to Lamai and the quieter north coast. Coco Tam's leads, with fire shows and beach seating that clearly pull a crowd, while Rock Bar and Cocktails By Pik over in Maret are the cheap end.
The 9 Best Restaurants in Koh Samet, Ranked
Almost every place here sits on the sand, and most of them are beach bars and clubs that serve all day rather than proper sit-down restaurants. Breeze takes the top spot with a rating that barely anything on the island touches, though Winkks pulls a far bigger crowd. Prices stay mid-range across the board, with Brown Cabin's chocolate café the odd one out.
The 9 Best Restaurants in Sukhothai, Ranked
Nine places to eat in Sukhothai, led by the town's noodle shops, then the restaurants in New Sukhothai and by the historical park in the old city.
The 9 Best Shopping Malls in Ayutthaya, Ranked
This is less mall country than you'd think, with three outlet centers, a couple of Lotus's supermarkets and a produce market sitting alongside the proper air-conditioned giants. Central Ayutthaya takes top spot as the one that rescues you after a morning in the ruins, while a lot of the rest sits out toward Bang Pa-in.
The 9 Best Shopping Malls in Chiang Mai, Ranked
Nine malls, led by the four the Chiang Mai shopping guides on Google agree on, Central Chiangmai, Maya, Central Chiangmai Airport and One Nimman, then the outlet and the community malls by Google reviews.
The 9 Best Shopping Malls in Phuket, Ranked
Mostly big air-conditioned complexes, with a couple of hypermarkets thrown in for groceries and souvenirs. Central Phuket takes the top spot. Wichit quietly dominates the lower half, from duty-free to a small open-air community mall.
The 9 Best Spas & Wellness Spots in Buriram, Ranked
This is small independent massage studios almost all the way down, most of them in central Buriram and open daily till late, with Luckrez the one outlier out in Nang Rong. Sabaai Gai takes the top spot, so it's the safe bet if you want somewhere proven.
The 9 Best Spas & Wellness Spots in Phi Phi Islands, Ranked
This lot is dominated by walk-in Thai massage studios, most of them open till 11pm or later, plus a couple of nail salons. Highseason Thai Massage sits top, inside the PP Princess Hotel.
The 9 Best Temples & Cultural Sites in Hua Hin, Ranked
Cave temples run this list, four of them, plus a couple of royal palaces and a memorial park, and most sit well outside Hua Hin proper in Phetchaburi or Sam Roi Yot. Phraya Nakhon Cave is the one I'd build a day around, since it tops the ratings and you earn it with a proper hike.
The 9 Best Temples & Cultural Sites in Koh Phangan, Ranked
This lot is overwhelmingly quiet Buddhist temples, several of them on hilltops, with a Chinese shrine to Kuan Yin and a jungle waterfall breaking up the run. The one I'd single out is Cacao King at the Temple of Sacred Scents, the only one that costs anything.