Things To Do In Thailand: 5 Unexpected And Lesser-Known Attractions

things to do in thailand
Sarah J
Sarah J 
Published
| 6 min read

The first things that many people think of when they conjure up images of Thailand are often the gorgeous beaches of the south, the cooler mountains of the north, sacred temples, and tempting street food. Whilst these are certainly terrific things to experience in the Land of Smiles, there are also plenty of unexpected and lesser-known attractions to enjoy. Dare to step away from the tried and tested tourist track and visit spots that are that bit different and see fewer foreign visitors. Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Temples that depict gruesome and gory scenes of hell

things to do in thailand | temples that depict gruesome and gory scenes of hell

You might think that Thailand’s numerous Buddhist temples are all peaceful sanctuaries where people go to pray, reflect, and make merit. Glittering stupas, ornate halls, and serene Buddha statues are often the norm in Thailand’s temples. There are, however, several temples that show a different side of Buddhism, the side that warns people what will happen to their soul after death if they do not lead a good and proper life.

Many people are unaware of the fact that there is a belief in hell within Theravada Buddhism, the type of Buddhism that is prevalent in Thailand. Known as Naraka in Sanskrit and Niraya in Pali (two ancient languages), Buddhist hell shares a lot in common with the Chinese concepts of Diyu. Souls enter hell for a long time between death and rebirth. There are believed to be several hot layers and several cold layers, each meting out a variety of torturous deeds.

Brave the hell sections of temples and you will see grisly beings that might cause you to shudder, large statues of pee (ghosts from Thai animist beliefs), mutilated bodies, people being ripped apart by animals, desperate souls bubbling away in a boiling pot, and other horrific scenes.

Some of Thailand’s most spine-tingling hell temples include Wat Muang in Ang Thong, Wat Mai Plai Huai in Phichit, Wat Phai Rong Wua in Suphanburi, Wat Puet Udom in Pathum Thani, Wang Saen Suk in Chonburi, Wat Mae Kaet Noi in Chiang Mai, Wat Phumin in Nan, and Wat Tha Meru in Songkhla.

Regardless of what the temple contains, please remember to dress conservatively, with shoulders and knees covered, when visiting Thailand’s temples. Donations are appreciated.

Tip from tour guide

While you're visiting the Wat Muang temple for its gruesome statues, click a few pictures of the grandiose beauty of the Great Buddha of Thailand. It's locally known as Big Buddha or Phra Buddha Maha Nawamin. The 92-meter (302-feet) statue of reinforced concrete is painted in gold and almost glows in the sunlight. Click here for more views of the attraction: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/YFFHMM3YYrM

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2. Swim through Koh Mook’s Morakot Cave and be dazzled at what lies the other side

things to do in thailand | swim through koh mook’s morakot cave and be dazzled at what lies the other side

Koh Mook (also spelt Ko Muk) is one of the beautiful Trang Islands. Trang is a southern Thai province that sees relatively few visitors when compared to the more popular beaches and islands of Phuket, Krabi, and Surat Thani. Whilst there are several stunning islands in this area that are well-worth a visit, Koh Mook’s Morakot Cave (Emerald Cave) is particularly attractive and interesting.

As you swim through the dark cave, the sound of loud waves crashing and booming all around you, nothing can prepare you for the sight that will greet you when you come out the other side. As a small speck of light grows larger and you eventually feel soft sand beneath your toes, you will swim into a picture-perfect lagoon. Clear, calm waters meet a small stretch of white sand, with towering and craggy greenery-clad cliffs completely enclosing the bay. It is a stunning sight to behold.

You can arrange an island hopping boat trip from Trang’s main town. Prices vary as to the season and whether any additional activities, such as snorkelling or lunch, are included.

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3. Take a ride on the unusual Maeklong Railway

things to do in thailand | take a ride on the unusual maeklong railway

Now kept open mainly for being an unusual attraction, Hoop Rom Market on the Maeklong Railway (quite literally) is located in Samut Songkhram Province. It is sometimes referred to as the Market on the Tracks or the Maeklong Railway Market. Nothing seems particularly out of the ordinary as you chug along on the train … until you come close to the end of the line.

Watch as market vendors deftly snatch their goods from the tracks, moving items just far enough away from the tracks to avoid being crushed. Canopies are quickly pulled up and people scuttle out of the way of the oncoming train. With efficient precision, an entire stretch of market is disassembled to make way for the train.

Hop off the train at Maeklong Station and you will see how quickly the market is put back together, with business resuming as though nothing at all happened. Stroll along the once again shaded tracks and peruse an array of typical fruit and vegetables, such as mangoes, rambutans, tomatoes, and cucumbers, as are usually found within a local Thai market. The market is also known for its fresh seafood. The train waits for around ten minutes before loudly blowing its horn, signalling to traders that they must momentarily clear the tracks again.

You can catch the train from Bangkok’s Wong Wian Yai Station.

Tip from tour guide

Another way of experiencing the rush of a market scrambling to pack up and make way for a train is by staying with the crowd in the market itself. You can witness the train pass by from the street instead of onboard. Click here to see what the market is like from the street: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/nZ9WUAN8vLA

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4. Take a boat trip through Sangkhlaburi’s sunken temple

things to do in thailand | take a boat trip through sangkhlaburi’s sunken temple

Sangkhlaburi is in the northern part of Kanchanaburi Province, a province in the western part of Central Thailand. Close to the Burmese border, one of Sangkhlaburi’s most unusual sights is a (usually) partially submerged temple.

An entire community was flooded when the Khao Laem Reservoir was built. Just the top of Wat Saam Prasob can be seen today. Sometimes, when the water level is very high, there is no trace of the temple and it is completely submerged in the water. The best time to visit is during the dry season (November - May).

Charter a boat and enter the remains of the eerie temple; it is rather bizarre gazing upon a shrine and having stone walls all around you as you drift around by boat. Boats cost around 300 – 500 THB (approximately 8.30 – 13.70 USD) for a trip on the reservoir.

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5. Visit Suphanburi’s informative Buffalo Village and see something really unusual

visit suphanburi’s informative buffalo village and see something really unusual

If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about the role of the buffalo in Thai agriculture throughout the ages, the Buffalo Village / Baan Kwai is the place to go. You can get up close to the large, gentle creatures and see lots of old farming equipment from the past and the present. You will quickly understand the great importance of the buffalo to Thai farmers.

The grounds also include a fascinating medicinal herb garden, traditional Thai-style buildings on stilts, quirky statues, a souvenir shop, and a collection of rare birds.

The most unexpected feature is, however, the buffalo demonstration. Whether you find it hilariously entertaining or in really bad taste, there is certainly no denying that it is something you won’t see in many other places. As well as showing how buffaloes pull equipment through the fields and making the creatures perform some basic tricks (buffaloes aren’t known for being particularly clever animals), you may not believe your eyes when a tiny person appears and tries to leap onto the back of a buffalo and ride it down the steps from a raised platform.

Admission to the Buffalo Village is 300 THB (approximately 8.30 USD) for non-Thai visitors.

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Other unexpected sights around Thailand

There are many unusual and unexpected attractions around Thailand. Indeed, once you stray away from the more touristic areas, there are many opportunities to experience a side of Thailand that is rarely enjoyed by foreign tourists.

Head to Si Saket and see a temple built entirely from old glass beer bottles – that’s dedication to recycling! Wat Pa Maha Chedi Kaew, also known as Wat Larn / Lan Kuad / Kuat (Temple of a Million Bottles), is built from more than one and a half million empty bottles.

There is a whole village devoted to snake rearing and handling close to Khon Kaen, with many locals keeping deadly cobras in cages below their homes. Called Ban Kho Sa-Nga, or King Cobra Village, it isn’t a place for jumpy souls!

You can see the biggest chedi / stupa in the world in Nakhon Pathom Province, Central Thailand. The towering Phra Pathom Chedi stands at 120.5 metres tall. Nong Khai’s Sala Keoku is a mystical wonderland of bizarre Buddhist and Hindu statues, and you can feed alpacas at Montana Farm in Nakhon Ratchasima Province. From mummified monks and ancient skeletons to dinosaur tracks, hidden cave temples, and curious rock formations, Thailand certainly isn’t lacking when it comes to the unexpected!

Book your holiday to Thailand and have fun seeing the country from a very different perspective.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Originally from the UK, Sarah has been mostly based in her second home of Thailand for the past five years. As well as exploring new places, learning about different cultures, and sampling lots of...Read more

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