Top 10 Most Beautiful Coastal Towns in Thailand
Thailand’s beauty is indisputable, but it is not all about white sand beaches and clear waters. The country also offers ancient sites, stunning temples, and ... read more...fascinating urban areas. Living and working in Thailand is not only possible, but many who land in this beautiful country on holiday, make the move to stay long-term. Let's explore the list of the most beautiful towns in Thailand.
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Popular among travelers, the charming town of Chiang Mai is less chaotic than other cities in the country and offers the perfect opportunity for relaxation, light sightseeing, and savoring the best Thai street food. Visit ancient temples and the historic center, get a Thai massage and learn to cook authentic Thai food. Or trek around the region; there are plenty of beautiful walks in the surrounding countryside. In addition to sunbathing, swimming, and snorkeling, travelers can rent a scooter to explore Chiang Mai. The town offers lively nightlife and delicious seafood, with many wonderful restaurants.
During your stay in Chiang Mai, you should definitely visit Doi Suthep National Park, located just outside the city. A road allows you to quickly go from one attraction to the other and visit the park in a day. The most visited site in the park is for sure Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a temple built on the top of a hill. Besides, Hmong Doi Pui Village features a small waterfall and a pleasant garden. The best way to discover the park is to rent a car or scooter in Chiang Mai. If you don’t have your own vehicle, you can also take one of the red collective taxis that will take you from place to place in the park.Location: Chiang Mai Province, Thailand
Google Rating: 5/5 -
Phuket is known as the “Pearl of the Andaman.” And, its beauty doesn’t disappoint. Located in the southeast portion of the island, it is one of the most famous beach towns in all of Thailand. Furthermore, its wide range of accommodations, activities, and attractions make living in Phuket always exciting. The turquoise waters and rocky jungles undoubtedly add a serene backdrop to your workday. With a large ex-pat community, it is easy to find others who are working from home. Furthermore, because of the large ex-pat community and incoming tourists, developers made sure shopping malls, restaurants, and other attractions are top-rated.If you're in Phuket, you must definitely visit Chalong Temple. Built at the start of the 19th century, this Buddhist temple is the biggest in Phuket. The most iconic building on the temple grounds is a 60 meters tall stupa sheltering a fragment of bone from Buddha. Besides, it’s hard to resist those old Sino-Portuguese streets with beautiful shophouses and magnificent mansions. Phuket’s old town is perfect for a half-day, with many small cafes, bakeries, and eateries along the way. You can reach there by tuk-tuk, or even with the local blue bus that stops at the city market, then walk to Thalang road, the most popular of the old streets of Phuket Town.
Location: Phuket Province, Thailand
Google Rating: 5/5
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Located in southern Thailand, Prachuap Khiri Khan has long been a favorite of Thai tourists. As it is becoming more popular with ex-pats, it is a great idea to move here while it is up and coming. The town is known for its pineapple and coconut industries, making it quite serene. For those ex-pats who want a beach town feel without the hoards of tourists and everything that comes with it, Prachuap Khiri Khan is a great choice.
In Prachuap Khiri Khan, the Wat Thammikaram or Monkey temple gives you an awesome taste of an adventurous trip through a hill full of monkeys. The temple is located at the top of Khao Chong Krajok hill, which gives a 360-degree view of the whole town from the top. The whole area of Khao Lommuak is preserved for the amazing monkeys of this area. Climbing to the top of Khao Lommuak is not a hardship, just a bit of lengthy exercise. The place opens to the public early morning, so to avoid the direct glare of the sun, you can start early. On a day trip, a visit to the Phraya Nakhon Cave is a must from Prachuap Khiri Khan. The calm and tranquil atmosphere of the cave can also be termed mysterious and surreal.Location: Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, Thailand
Google Rating: 4.8/5 -
Kanchanaburi is a town municipality in the west of Thailand and part of Kanchanaburi Province. The town covers tambon Ban Nuea and Ban Tai and parts of Pak Phraek and Tha Makham, all of Mueang Kanchanaburi District, and parts of tambon Tha Lo of Tha Muang District. Its location at the edge of a mountain range keeps it much cooler than the other provinces of central Thailand.
Natural experiences abound in the Kanchanaburi area, including fjords, mountains, forests, and lakes, as well as the northern lights in the winter and the midnight sun in the summer. Visitors can visit the Hellfire Pass which is a 500-meter-long portion of rock that 1,000 prisoners of war dug out to pave the way for the Death Railway. In addition, Jungly Erawan National Park offers a soothing counterpoint to some of Kanchanaburi's emotionally charged historical attractions, and the picturesque seven-tiered Erawan Falls are the star attraction. If you're up for a bit of exploration, check out the park's Tham Phra That Cave. You can wander through four cavernous rooms and admire the ancient stalagmites and stalactites. Try to arrive earlier in the day to beat the tour buses.Location: Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand
Google Rating: 4.6/5 -
Krabi is a beautiful town located in Southern Thailand, this is a peaceful area that anyone who loves this country would like to visit once. The island scene is impressed by the beautiful coastline ranked at the top of the world, the large and small islands along with the majestic limestone mountains create a beautiful natural landscape like paradise. The peak season of Krabi tourism is the period from November to January next year. At this time, the weather is beautiful, with little rain, the most ideal for visitors to enjoy the beauty of the island paradise of Andaman Bay.
Krabi has 2 main areas: Krabi Town and Ao Nang. Krabi Town is more crowded than Ao Nang. The best way to roam around town is by bicycle, and you’ll find plenty of places you can hire them here. Aim to visit the historic grounds at sunrise; nothing beats the view of the impressive Buddha statues against the backdrop of a gorgeous sunrise. Even though the roads are windy, the scenery is breathtaking and the journey is worth the detour. The town itself is surrounded by lush green jungles, hot springs, and waterfalls.
Though it’s technically on the mainland, Railay Beach in Krabi is only accessible by boat and has an isolated island feel you won’t find at most of Thailand's popular beach destinations. Clear blue water, small islands on the horizon, and majestic limestone cliffs surround the small beaches which are usually only crowded during Thailand's peak season. Railay is considered a rock climber's haven in Thailand. Several climbing schools will teach you the basics of sport climbing and belaying. For climbers with a little experience, take advantage of the excellent bouldering right on the beach and an opportunity to deep-water solo—climb as high as you dare without protection then jump into the sea! Aside from rock climbing, swimming, and snorkeling, there’s not much else to do here but admire the gorgeous scenery—so bring a book and prepare to relax!
Location: Krabi Province, Thailand
Google Rating: 4.6/5 -
Ayutthaya became the second capital of Siam in 1350. Its location between India, China, and the Malay archipelago made the town a strategic trading capital in Asia. Today, only a few vestiges remain, but these are enough to give visitors a good glimpse into what this majestic city would have looked like back in the day. Reliquary towers and grand monasteries can be seen in this UNESCO World Heritage Site, which can be visited as part of a day trip from Bangkok.
There are beautiful river views to enjoy, ancient and fascinating rock formations to see at the Phu Phra Bat Historical Park, and stunning temples to visit. If possible, visit during one of the annual festivals, when the town becomes as lively and colorful as it can be. Don’t miss the Tham Khao Luang Cave, where visitors will find a very old Buddhist shrine. Located on the east side of the Haad Rin peninsula, Sunrise Beach comes alive with festivities once a month. Still, you’ll find a relatively tranquil atmosphere at Sunrise Beach during the rest of the month, although nightlife is never too hard to come across in Ayutthaya.Location: Ayutthaya Province, Thailand
Google Rating: 4.5/5
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Hua Hin is a beautiful coastal city about 200 km from Bangkok. Hua Hin's climate is warm all year round and is divided into distinct wet and dry seasons. You can travel to Hua Hin at any time of the year. But from December to May next year, the weather is warm, with little rain is the most ideal time. You should avoid going in the period from September to November because Hua Hin often has a lot of rain, affecting your sightseeing and tourism activities.
Water sports lovers will love the fun to be had in Hua Hin. This popular ex-pat, the beach town is known for fun activities and kid-friendly attractions. As it is teeming with a long-term ex-pat population, the attractions here are of high quality and rival those of others in the world. Moreover, Hua Hin is famous for its golf courses, trekking, boating, cycling, fitness, and snorkeling. The town moves at a slower pace, making it great for those who just want a relaxing life. Hua Hin cuisine is full of typical Thai dishes such as Son tam, grilled salted fish, pad Thai, tom yum, chicken curry soup, etc. Come here, don't forget to enjoy the fresh seafood dishes!Location: Prachuap Khiri Khan
Google Rating: 4.5/5 -
Koh Samui is one of the most beautiful coastal towns in Thailand. Known for being a high-end spa haven, the island definitely has some upscale attractions and accommodations. Moreover, the island has plenty of international hospitals and schools, making it perfect for those who want to live here long-term. Despite its bustling vibe, the nightlife here isn’t as seedy as in Pattaya, making it family-friendly. Furthermore, those who love water sports will find a wide variety of activities to do both on the water and on land
Koh Samui may be the second largest island in Thailand, but in reality, it's not as big as you think. Renting a scooter or motorbike is incredibly easy in Thailand, and this is the best way to see Koh Samui. Home to a massive 12-meter-high gold Buddha statue at the top of a staircase, Phra Yai is one of the most popular temples in Koh Samui and a massive attraction for tourists year-round. Visitors who arrive in the early morning will be able to see local monks during their daily prayers. After a walk around the grounds, you can pick up some food or Buddhist statues and meditation supplies to take with you. Nearby Ang Thong National Marine Park and Wat Plai Lem are also worth a visit while you're here.Location: Surat Thani, Thailand
Google Rating: 4.5/5 -
Chiang Rai city is 200 km southeast of Chiang Mai city of Chiang Mai province, Thailand. This is a coastal town where you can discover tourism and nature tourism is the most attractive point of the northern mountainous region, especially in Chiang Rai. Also try rock climbing, cycling around town, walking around the colorful street fairs during the weekend; or head to Khun Korn to see the spectacular waterfall.
In Chiang Rai, you will smell the fresh seaside scent blended with local food from some of the many top-class restaurants along the waterfront. But this place offers more than just food and sea. You can visit Wat Rong Khun which is one of the most famous places to visit in Northern Thailand. This beautiful temple is the work of a Thai painter and architect, Chalermchai Kositpipat. If you want to buy souvenirs during your road trip in Thailand, the best place is for sure Chiang Rai’s Night Bazaar. Several tribes from the surrounding mountains also come there to sell their handicrafts. In the center of the evening market, you can eat in a very nice wooden restaurant. If you’re in Chiang Rai on the weekend, you should also go to “Saturday or Sunday Walking Street”. The street becomes pedestrian in order to accommodate many stands.Location: Chiang Rai Province, Thailand
Google Rating: 4.5/5 -
Pattaya is a city in Thailand located on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, about 165 km southeast of Bangkok, in Chon Buri Province, Eastern Thailand. The coastal town has a tropical climate that is both wet and dry, divided into the following seasons: hot and dry, hot and humid, and hot and rainy. Pattaya is known as the “Hawaii of the East” for its abundant sunshine, beautiful beaches, and delectable seafood.
In Pattaya, the coastline is a popular attraction for sunbathers and beach enthusiasts from all over the world. Water sports such as water skiing, parasailing, and diving are all prevalent attractions here that every visitor should experience. In addition, you can visit the Four Regions Floating Market - the first and only floating market in Pattaya. Souvenirs, arts and crafts, and clothing are among the many items sold here, and it's also a great place to indulge in some exotic cuisine from scorpions to crickets and crocodile meat. After nightfall, the city plays host to a variety of performances, of which the Tiffany Show is one of the most spectacular, with gorgeous ladyboys and equally brilliant acts. The streets are full of dance halls, nightclubs, and bars with flashing neon signs and blaring pop music.
Location: Chon Buri Province, Thailand
Google Rating: 4.4/5