Bangkok is supposedly the most happening and the most amazing city in Thailand. The land of the most amazing tourist destinations and some of the remarkable temples and stupas, this place is simply superb.

Bangkok is known to be not only the capital city of Thailand, but also the cultural capital in the country. There are many remarkable places where you can visit here and also have some great fun.

Some amazing tourist places in Bangkok includes the Grand Palace, Temple of the Dawn or Wat Arun, Chatuchak Market, Jim Thompson House, Chao Phraya River, Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Suan Lum Night Bazaar, Bung Sam Lan Lake, Chinatown, Flower Market and the Floating Market.

These are some of the amazing places to visit in Bangkok. » Read more: Amazing Bangkok

On the East coast of Thailand, a mere 20 minute speedboat journey away from Koh Samui, and approximately 60 minutes between Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat airports which has 3-5 flights from Bacngkok per day, you will find the pristine beaches of the Greater Khanom Area.

Pink dolphins, hidden caves and beautiful waterfalls line this coast making it truly unique to Thailand. This area is remote and untouched, perfect for those who are looking the Thailand of 30 years ago. But for those who are looking to excape in luxury Aava Resort and Spa offer exclusive accommodation on a secluded waterfront location.

Famous for it Southern Thai cuisine, which is unlike any other, the bays in Greater Khanom Area are a fantastic place to try new and delicious dishes.

Tong Ching and Sichon Bay are two of the beautiful beaches that can be found along this coast. Tong Ching Bay is a true hideaway, featuring only one quiet resort, a large white sand beach and beautiful oversized rock formations and Sichon Bay is a beautiful step into a Thai fishing village, filled with culture and tranquillity.

The majority of people who go backpacking in Thailand spend a short time in Bangkok and then head south to the island resorts that are abundant on both coasts. All those destinations are excellent in their own right, but that travel route results in the backpacker missing out on a gem – Chiang Mai.

Chiang Mai is a beautiful, traditional city with lots to offer, as well as a fantastic surrounding area where you can head up into the jungle and have another totally different experience. The city has been less affected by the tourist influx into South East Asia compared to the southern beach destinations and Bangkok and it is possible to get something close to the authentic Thai experience. I’d highly recommend visiting the local monastery where Buddhist monks wander the paths and are happy to chat to visitors (given they speak English or you speak Thai of course!). Elsewhere it is easy to entertain yourself just taking in the town and watching locals get up to their everyday tasks, whether it’s flying around in tuk tuks at breakneck speeds or just sitting in their small shop windows eating freshly made pad thai. And if that’s not enough then you can head over to Chiang Mai Zoo and do a stint on Panda Watch.

The beauty of this place is that you could easily get stuck relaxing and enjoying everything mentioned above, but Chiang Mai also acts as a hub to go out on tours into the jungle and take your experience to the next level. Backpacker accommodation is easy to find and if you pick a good one they should have details of the tours you can do. One option is a three day trek into the jungle which allows you to stay with locals hidden up in their own small villages and get a sample of the difference between rural and city living – it’s a real eye opener. Some of the vistas you get on these tours are incredible and taken right off a postcard and the freshly made food will blow your local takeaway out of the water. The tours also involve activities such as elephant rides and bamboo rafting which bring a welcome rest after 3 days on your feet. Unless you fall in the river of course!

Whilst not off the beaten track, Chiang Mai is certainly less visited than the southern regions of Thailand and this omission is a major oversight on the part of many travellers. If you’re not just visiting for beautiful beaches and the party atmosphere then it is the ideal spot for the culture vulture to go and get a taste of genuine Thai lifestyle.