Thailand : Travel guide | Itineraries and Highlights

Thailand is both a playground for adventure-seekers and a natural sanctuary for rejuvenation. Tourism is very well established in the country, which is a very affordable destination once you’re there. Milesopedia was invited by the Tourism Authority of Thailand on a media trip to discover some of the highlights of this magnificent country.

The list of places to visit in Thailand is very long; it’s impossible to do it all in one trip. This is a complete itinerary that can be completed in two weeks, combining cultural and immersive experiences with a touch of adventure.

Most trips to Thailand begin or end in Bangkok, the country’s capital and the hub of Southeast Asia. Big-city fans won’t be disappointed in Bangkok, a vibrant metropolis with ongoing action. Here are a few must-sees for a first visit.

Bangkok’s traffic is intense, so it’s often better to use other means of transport such as the metro, tuk-tuks or the most pleasant way to get around: by boat through the canals and on the Chao Praya River.

This activity gives you the chance to admire the family homes that line each canal, preserved from one generation to the next. From your boat, stop off at The Artist’s House in Klong Bang Luang, a creative community to explore along the canal. Grab a coffee, string beads to create bracelets or simply admire the artistic creations of this tightly woven little neighborhood.

Finish your boat tour by arriving at Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of Dawn. Built in the early 19th century, this Hindu temple will dazzle you day and night. It’s a place equally frequented by Buddhists from all over the world.

Everywhere in Thailand, temples are accompanied by large Buddha statues. In Bangkok, the most famous include the Reclining Buddha, which you can visit right next to Wat Pho temple and the Royal Palace.

The royal family has always been cherished by the Thai people. Built in 1782, Bangkok’s Royal Palace is an iconic landmark, and many parts of it, including its gardens, courtyards and certain rooms, can be visited.

A word of advice: get there as soon as it opens at 8.30 a.m. to avoid the crowds and, above all, to protect yourself from the afternoon heat. Make sure your shoulders and legs are fully covered (men and women, mandatory) to gain access to the premises. Admission costs $20 (500 baht).

Located north of Bangkok, 6 hours by road or 1 hour by air, Sukhothai is considered the first capital of Thailand, which was known as the Kingdom of Sukhothai in 1238. Its historic center has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991.

I recommend flying from Bangkok to get there, if only to cross the open-air airport, probably the most unique I’ve had the chance to visit!

Before visiting the famous historic park, I recommend waking up at dawn and visiting Wat Traphang temple. Every morning, Buddhist monks gather here and cross the bridge to receive offerings from the people.

A visit to the temple also tells us a lot about the lives of these monks and the significance of Buddhism in Thai families.

Sukhothai’s main attraction is of course its historic park, where the remains of Buddhist monuments and temples tell the story of the history and culture of ancient Thailand. The stupas, Buddha statues and architecture are awe-inspiring. You’ll need a few hours to get the full picture.

Reminiscent of another era, Sukhothai is a great place to slow down and appreciate Thailand’s natural beauty. The beautiful scenery and numerous rice paddies contribute to this relaxing atmosphere. We were able to visit a ceramics workshop and appreciate Thai craftsmanship.

On the way to Chiang Mai, stop off at the Ban Na Ton Chan community. In this small ecotourism village, you can observe the life of the villagers and learn many traditional techniques for creating all sorts of things, such as natural fabric dyeing and carpet weaving. Numerous small “homestay” style inns are available for the most authentic experience of rural Thailand. Take a ride in the E-tak, a local vehicle, taste the local specialty of Khao Poep prepared in front of you, sample local fruits and honey, and let yourself be completely charmed by the beauty of this community.

This last option is definitely the must-do activity in Chiang Mai, and I highly recommend choosing the Elephant Nature Park. Be sure to book in advance, as their calendar fills up fast.

Founded in 1996 by Lek Chailert, Elephant Nature Park is an elephant sanctuary and rehabilitation center that works tirelessly to improve the living conditions not only of elephants throughout Thailand, but also of many other animals. Recognized worldwide, the organization was awarded the Légion d’honneur in France for the work carried out by its “Save the Elephant” foundation.

A visit to Elephant Nature Park is both educational and immersive; you’ll learn a great deal about the organization’s efforts, the elephants’ way of life and how you can ethically observe and interact with them. Having been lucky enough to visit the sanctuary twice, it’s a magical experience that I recommend to everyone. Here are a few photos:

For a pleasant stay in a hotel that offers many services and is well suited to families, I recommend the Meliá Chiang Mai. My full review is available here :

Ko Samet, also spelled Koh Samed, is an island in the Gulf of Thailand, off the coast of Rayong province, about 4.5 hours’ drive from Bangkok. It’s a popular tropical destination with its many white sandy beaches and crystal-clear water. The island is part of the Khao Laem Ya – Mu Ko Samet National Park, which ensures the protection of the area. You need to obtain an access ticket, available on arrival on the island.

While many of Thailand’s islands are lively, festive destinations, this is not the case for Ko Samet, which is much quieter and more peaceful. This makes it an ideal destination for nature lovers who want to relax and enjoy the surrounding area. Still, the island has enough restaurants, bars and accommodation options to make for a pleasant stay.

For a luxurious stay, you won’t find better than the resort Paradee Koh Samed where I was lucky enough to stay. Here is my review of this hotel:

Ko Samet is the ideal place to indulge in non-motorized water sports such as kayaking and paddleboarding, or to observe marine life by snorkeling. You can also book a boat trip to the surrounding islands, which are also part of the national park.

Organizing an itinerary on the other side of the world can sometimes seem complicated, but that’s not the case for Thailand, which is a well-established tourist destination. Whether you plan ahead and book everything remotely, or decide on your itinerary at the last minute, the country serves demand very well, whether it’s for transport, accommodation, excursions or anything else.

As mentioned above, I highly recommend using the services of a local guide to discover Thai culture. This was my second visit to the country and my first with a local guide, and it completely changed my experience. Platforms like GetYourGuide and Viator offer just this kind of guided experience.

You can also book small group tours that take care of every aspect of your trip, such as G Adventures, which offers many itineraries depending on your travel style and desired duration. I was able to try it out during my trip to Vietnam, and I greatly appreciated G Adventures’ concern to offer an authentic experience that respects the local culture.

Thailand is a very affordable country where it’s easy to travel luxuriously for less. The costly part is often the price of plane tickets from Canada.

A simple way to travel to Thailand with points is with Aeroplan. For example, in a quick search, I found flights in February 2024 (high season) ranging from 47,000 to 60,000 points from Montreal to Bangkok in economy class with the preferred rate for Aeroplan credit card holders.

To work out your strategy for traveling to Thailand with points, take inspiration from this article as well as this testimonial.

The Marriott Bonvoy chain has 54 hotels in Thailand, almost half of which are located in Bangkok. Prices in points vary widely depending on the hotel brand chosen and the time of year of the stay. For example, in February 2024, prices range from 16,000 to 122,000 points per night. The more luxurious banners are sometimes available for attractive points prices, such as the Rayong Marriott Resort & Spa at 19,500 points per night.

You could use the annual one-night free certificate offered by the Marriott Bonvoy^MD American Express^MD* Card, at many hotels in Thailand, and complete your stay by redeeming your points earned through the welcome bonus and get the fifth night free to maximize the use of these points.

Thailand is a country with a lot to offer, for all types of travelers. Whether you’re looking for relaxation, adventure, luxury, a gastronomic, cultural or urban experience, this country will satisfy your desires. This type of trip is often considered expensive because it’s in Asia, but thanks to reward points, you can get there at low cost. Once in the country, it’s a very affordable destination that has a lot to offer.

Finally, I’d like to underline the country’s focus on sustainable tourism, which is now at the heart of Tourism Thailand’s initiatives. Having first visited the country in 2016, I was able to see a decrease in the amount of single-use plastic during my second visit in May 2023. The government is currently working to make this destination more sustainable through education and public awareness, in addition to the concrete initiatives presented in this article.