Bangkok - Thailand’s capital and the heart of the country. Bangkok is a metropolitan city, bustling with life and activities and you can’t help but be blown away by its affordable yet tantalizing food and huge discounts when shopping! However, some crave a little more adventure, a little more storytelling, or a little more scenery. If this sounds like you, you’ve come to the right place. Here, you will be able to find the top day trips from Bangkok, Thailand, to spice up your trip! From immersing yourself in their culture by taking in their floating markets to visiting the temples where the ruins tell the story of their country, we got you covered.
1. Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya city is one of the most popular cities to visit in Thailand and it speaks of a beautiful but yet tragic story behind its ancient ruins – depicting a fraction of its glory in the past and the full picture of the devastation that befell the city. Ayutthaya Historical Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it features the four spectacular temples from the early Ayutthaya period (1350-1529). The temples are surrounded by a dense forest. At the west is the site of the Royal Palace and the Royal Chapel, which is the heart of the lost kingdom.
Besides the historical legacies of this place, Ayutthaya currently has a vibrant culture, as well, which can be seen from in its Ayutthaya Floating Market, Krirk Yoonpan’s Million Toys Museum or the Ayutthaya Boat Museum.
2. Samut Prakan
Known for its ancient city, Samut Prakan is the place to go if you are looking for something out of the norm. The Muang Boran Ancient City is one of the biggest outdoor museums in the world and consists of replicas of Thailand’s important architectural and heritage sites. The Ancient City was built in the shape of Thailand and some of the monuments were even built to scale, to give you a full picture of what wonders Thailand holds.
Another popular attraction is the Erawan Museum, which features a highly popular three-headed elephant statue, completely made of bronze and an antique from the past. Dive into a panoply of scrumptious food to fill you up and some souvenirs to bring home at the Srinakarin Train Night Market – the perfect way to end your day.
3. Pattaya
Home to Southeast Asia’s largest botanical garden and the world’s largest floating market, Pattaya is a place that is set to blow your mind! The Nong Nooch Tropical Garden has rich biodiversity and the most spectacular display of flowers and landscaped gardens in the country – or possibly even worldwide. This tropical garden has clinched many international awards for its design using the plethora of exotic flowers native to the region.
On the other hand, the Pattaya Floating Market, also known as the Four Regions Floating Market, covers a total of 100,000 square metres (1,076,391 square feet) and there are many eateries, souvenir shops, fruit stalls, and even some art galleries here. In fact, there is a grand total of 114 shops and vendors selling food and products from around the kingdom.
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4. Maeklong Railway Market (from USD 120.59)
The Maeklong Railway Market is truly one of the most unique markets in the world. It started in 1905 and has been standing in the same spot ever since, even though over the years developmental work has meant that a train track has been built to cut right through it. Even with the presence of the train track, it has not stopped. In fact, the vendors pretty much ignored the fact that train tracks were built in the middle of their market – by building their market on the tracks!
When you go here, you will be able to see a wide variety of Thai sweets, meat, seafood, and other food items on the tracks. And when the horn of the train is sound to signal a train is coming, you will see how the vendors calmly pull back their goods, tents, or umbrellas that might hinder the path of the train, giving this railway market its nickname – the “umbrella pulldown” market.
Mahachai & Maeklong Railway Market Day Tour From Bangkok
Duration: 8.0 hour
5. Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
Featuring the straightest and longest canal in Thailand, Damnoen Saduak is a lively place, where tourists flock to experience the Thai way of life. The floating market is filled with hundreds of vendors and purchasers, floating in tiny boats to sell their products, ranging from traditional Thai food to agriculture produce that they brought freshly from their own farms.
Here is the right place to get the most authentic food items, such as the popular Thailand boat noodles! You will also be able to taste fruits that you probably never even knew existed! You can sign up for a boat tour, as well, on which you will truly experience how the locals feel boating through the long, narrow alleys.
6. Koh Larn Island
Ready for an adventure? Koh Larn Island heavily capitalises on their clean and azure beaches and has tons of activities planned out for you if you are a thrill-seeker! Attach yourself to a speedboat for some parasailing and you will find yourself soaring through the sky at an insane speed, right above the turquoise blue ocean. Or, swim in the tropical waters and, if you are up for some close contact with the underwater life, sign up for some snorkelling or for an underwater walk, where you can roam the seabed freely and mingle with the creatures that call the seabed their home.
Apart from this, for thrill-seekers, there are also activities like the banana boat, or you can rent a jet ski and race along the surface of the clear blue ocean.
7. Khao Yai National Park (from USD 177.88)
Khao Yai National Park – the hands-down winner of the best national park in Thailand! Khao Yai National Park is filled to the brim with wildlife and it is guaranteed that a trip here will give you the opportunity to get close to many impressive and magnificent animals in their natural habitat. Spot mammals, such as wild elephants, barking deer, and sun bears and reptiles, such as pit vipers and Gibson’s wolf snakes.
Along with a wide variety of birds, this place is just bursting with life and you’ll be able to watch animals roam freely on land or in the skies, or, who knows – maybe even slither up a branch next to you. However, do take note that a guided tour has to be booked when visiting Khao Yai National Park, as it is a rather large park with many wild animals. But, when you do, you are good to go, as you will be able to venture into the land which many animals call home and catch a glimpse of nature’s beautiful gifts, including the two waterfalls hidden in the park.
Khao Yai National Park Jungle Trekking Day Trip From Bangkok
Duration: 10.0 hour
8. River Kwai (from USD 47.0)
One fact that has made Thais proud for centuries is that they have never been colonised. They have never been annexed and made a colony of any other western power, but they certainly have been occupied before. It is a painful part of their history, as the Japanese occupied Thailand during World War II and many lives were lost to the terrors of the Japanese. Evidence of this brutality is the Bridge Over the River Kwai, which is also known as the Death Railway. It was constructed using the slavery of hundreds of thousands of civilians from the Southeast Asian countries they occupied and also the Prisoners of War from the Allied forces.
During the whole construction process of the bridge, around 13,000 of the total 60,000 POWs died, in addition to around 90,000 Southeast Asian civilian forced labourers.
River Kwai Day Trip with train ride, (join the group)
Duration: 10 hours
9. Hua Hin (from USD 217.0)
Hua Hin is a luxurious destination for a getaway holiday and it has been like this for centuries, as the royalties in the past often travelled here for their vacation. Visit the Maruekhathaiyawan Palace, which was built in the 1920s during the reign of King Rama VI. It has an Italian touch to it, due to the architect, and it displays verandas, latticework, and covered boardwalks using golden teak, which was obtained from the demolition of Hat Chao Samran Palace.
In addition to the intricate architecture left by the monarchy of Thailand centuries ago, there is also a modern touch to the city, due to new developments, such as the Cicada Market and the Hua Hin Night Market – these places are bustling with life and human activity.
Private Tour: Hua Hin Day Tour from Bangkok
Duration: 14 hours
Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Thailand
Thailand is a country with a long history of strife, due to the internal conflicts in the kingdom and incursions by other countries. These hardships, along with the resilience of its people, is what built Thailand into the flourishing city it is today. So head out and explore more of Thailand and what she has to offer!
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