If you are planning to visit Thailand and would like to avoid touristy places like Phuket, Pattaya, or Krabi, and only visit the truly hidden gem places that no one knows about, you are in the right place.
I was born and raised in Thailand, and I have spent many MANY years exploring my own country, so I know a thing or 2 about the best places to visit in Thailand. Like you, I prefer to go the extra mile and visit places that are off the beaten path, yet incredibly beautiful.
Within this article, you will find just that, so without further ado, here are the 10 best hidden gems in Thailand that you should definitely check out. Let's begin with the most beautiful island in Thailand: Koh Kood.
1. Koh Kood
I've seen many islands in Thailand, but none compare to Koh Kood, the southernmost island of the Trat archipelago located in Eastern Thailand, and it is the fifth-largest island in the country.
Koh Kood, also known as Ko Kut, has some of the clearest water and most pristine white sand beaches I have ever seen. The best part is that it is not crowded at all, probably because it requires quite a bit of effort to get to, due to how remote the island is.
Ao Phrao Beach, for example, is one of my favorite beaches on the island. It is situated in the southernmost part of the island and is one of the longest and most spacious beaches in Koh Kood, spanning about 1 km along its southwestern coastline.
- Chiang Mai: Waterfall, Elephant Sanctuary and Bamboo Rafting (1 day)
- Phuket: Maya, Phi Phi, and Bamboo Island with Buffet Lunch (8 hours) 🏅 Top Pick
- Bangkok: Damnoen Saduak Market and Maeklong Railway Market (6 - 7 hours)
Thanks to its remote location and expansive beach, Ao Phrao also doesn't feel as crowded as other beaches on the island. If you are looking for the best beach to stay on Koh Kood island, this is the place to be.
Not only that, but there are also several things you can do on the island, such as going waterfall hopping and jumping into the refreshing pools at Khlong Chao Waterfall and Klong Yai Waterfall, two of the most beautiful waterfalls on the island.
You can also take a break from the beach and rent a kayak to explore the estuaries and mangrove forests of the island. You might be able to spot some wildlife out in nature, such as monkeys, birds, and more.
If you are looking for a beautiful, quiet beach to live out your fantasy of living on a remote island in Thailand, you are going to love Koh Kood. With the amount of things to do here, you can expect to spend from 3 to 5 days here. Trust me, there is no other island quite like it.
2. Chantaburi
Next up is Chantaburi, another province in Eastern Thailand. It is home to the ancient waterfront community of Chantabun, numerous idyllic mountain temples, pristine beaches, and best of all, it rarely attracts tourists.
You can spend your first few days exploring Chantaburi's Old Town, an ancient waterfront community and a former residential area inhabited by Chinese and Vietnamese immigrants. This has resulted in a tightly-knit community with diverse cultures and charming traditions unlike any other Thai town you have visited before.
The town is steeped in history, with old buildings dating back to the 19th century, during the reign of King Rama V. It is the oldest part of the province and the best place to learn more about the history of Chantaburi and its unique mix of people and culture.
One of the highlights of visiting Chantaburi's Old Town is spending a night in a heritage inn and seeing firsthand what life was like living in this historic town back in the day. One of the best places to stay is Luang Rajamaitri Historic Inn, located right by the bank of the Chantaburi River.
Chantaburi is also blessed with beautiful beaches and mountains, thanks to its geography, so you can spend a few days exploring its coastline and visiting places like Ao Krathing Beach, one of my favorite beaches in the province, walking to a pagoda in the middle of the sea, kayaking around the mangrove forest of Ao Khung Kraben Forest Park, and more.
On other days, you can explore the mountains of Chantaburi and visit places like Namtok Phlio National Park, a massive waterfall with crystal-clear water year-round. You can also visit Wat Khao Sukim Mountain Temple, one of the many mountain temples in the region, and so much more.
You can expect to spend at least 3-5 days here, with the first 2 days at the old town and the rest exploring the stunning beaches and mountains of Chantaburi. If you are looking for an off-the-beaten-path place that is not too far from Bangkok, Chantaburi is the way to go.
3. Ratchaburi
Ratchaburi is another province just a few hours away from Bangkok that seldom sees many tourists. It's an excellent destination for either a day trip or a weekend getaway from Bangkok.
Ratchaburi is home to some of the most well-kept secret tourist attractions in Thailand. One of my favorite places here is Huppha Sawan, a temple hiking trail that leads to some of the most impressive viewpoints in the province.
There are also many other tourist attractions like Wat Mahathat Worawihan, an ancient temple from the Dvaravati period, even before the Ayutthaya era, and Khao Ngu Stone Park, home to the unique-looking rock formation where you can stroll around.
There are also the floating markets, among the most popular places to visit in Thailand. Floating markets like Amphawa and Damnoon Saduak are often advertised as authentic, but in truth, they feel more like tourist traps than anything else. If you truly want to experience a genuine floating market, head to Tha Kha Floating Market instead.
You can also go further and check out the rich nature of Suan Phueng and its nature-centric tourist attractions located on the foothills of the Tenasserim Mountain Range. If you are looking to get off the beaten path, Ratchaburi is definitely a great place to explore.
4. Sangkhlaburi
Sangkhlaburi is a small town located in Kanchaburi province near Bangkok and is best known for its unique culture, stunning scenery, and Mon Bridge, the longest wooden bridge in Thailand.
The town is tucked away between the forests and mountains of the Tenasserim, a mountain range that dominates much of the southern and central parts of Thailand, creating a natural border between Thailand and Myanmar. The unique culture of Sangkhlaburi, a result of the centuries-long influence between the two countries, is something you won't find anywhere else in Thailand.
One of the most popular things you can do in Sangkhlaburi is to participate in or observe the alms-giving ceremony in the morning, where people line up and the monks walk from the main temple of Sangkhlaburi to collect the alms throughout the village.
Another popular activity to do here is to go on a 3 sunken temples boat tour to see the 3 temples: Srisuwan Temple, Wat Wang Wiwekaram temple, and Wat Somdet temple. These temples were located at the old site of Sangkhlaburi village before they were moved uphill to avoid being flooded due to the construction of the Vajiralongkorn Dam.
Depending on the time you visit, the water level can be low enough for you to walk to all the temples, or it can be so high that you can only see them from a boat. Nevertheless, the temples and their beautiful settings are extremely unique and definitely worth visiting.
The place is quite popular among local tourists, but you will rarely see any foreign tourists here, which is why the place deserves a spot on this list. If you are looking for a fun and unique place to visit in Thailand, away from the usual tourist route, Sangkhlaburi is the place to be.
5. Phayao
And now it's time to head north and see what hidden gem Northern Thailand has to offer, starting with Phayao, a province adjacent to the popular tourist city of Chiang Mai, home to some of the most beautiful nature in the region. I spent 3 days exploring Phayao, and I was completely blown away by the sheer amount of beautiful and undiscovered places I never knew existed.
For one, I didn't realize that Phayao is a lakeside city reminiscent of those beautiful lakeside cities in Europe. Its vast lake, known locally as Kwan Phayao, is an artificial lake that was formed only a few decades ago due to nearby dam construction, and it has turned the city into one of the most photogenic places in Thailand.
With the city located on the eastern bank of the lake, the sunset over Phayao Lake is one of the most beautiful sunset spots you can experience in Northern Thailand.
Many locals would often come out every evening, sit by the lake, and bathe in the last sunlight of the day before the street turns into a pedestrian street, with shops and street food waiting for you to explore.
Phayao City sure is a charming city, but if you are not convinced by the photos above, then the dreamy landscape of Phu Langka at sunrise will surely do the job.
Phu Langka is, hands down, one of my favorite places in Phayao. I was completely blown away by just how dreamy and beautiful the landscape around Phu Langka is, especially during the sunrise.
If you visit Phu Langka during the day, you might think that the view is nice and assume that's all there is to it. However, wait until you witness it at sunrise when the low clouds descend from the mountain into the rice paddies; it is truly a sight to behold.
There are many things you can do in Phayao, and to see all these places, you will have to stay at least 3 days in Phayao with a night stay in Phu Langka and another in Phayao City. It is not too far from Chiang Mai, so if you are looking for an off-the-beaten-path place to visit in Northern Thailand, this is it.
6. Lampang
When you think of the best places to visit in Thailand, most people will go directly to Bangkok or Chiang Mai. But what I have discovered through many years of traveling here is that it is the quiet places that are often not on many people's radar, like Lampang, that will leave you with the most long-lasting memories.
Lampang is the gateway province to the Lanna Kingdom, and the further north you go from Bangkok, the more you will notice a shift in the architectural style of the temples and buildings. The transition from the modern look of Central Thailand to a more traditional, teakwood-made, Burmese-inspired architectural style is specific to Northern Thailand.
Lampang's tourist attractions, such as the all-teak-wood temple of Wat Si Rongmuang, built by a Shan immigrant from Myanmar, and the old residence turned museum of Baan Louise, where Louise T. Leonowens operated his teak logging company, reflect its forestry past and Lanna roots very well.
Not just that, Lampang is also home to one of the prettiest, most photogenic pagodas in the country called Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat, or the temple in the sky. Here, you will find several white pagodas built on top of a limestone mountain's jagged peak in the remote Lampang region.
Lampang is an awesome place to spend some quiet time away from all the tourists in Chiang Mai and explore all the beautiful sights at your own leisure, with a bike or a horse cart. I highly recommend spending at least 2-3 nights in Lampang to truly do justice to the place.
7. Chumphon
If you're looking for an off-the-beaten-path experience in Southern Thailand, Chumphon is one of the best provinces to explore. It offers a plethora of cool places to visit beyond the well-known Koh Tao island, including several incredible hidden gems that not many foreigners are aware of.
Some of the best viewpoints along the eastern coastline of Southern Thailand can be found in Chumphon, like Khao Thung Yang Viewpoint, an incredible viewpoint on top of a mountain overlooking the beautiful remote Thung Yang beach which you can scramble up the rock to get to.
In Chumphon, you will also find plenty of beautiful white sand beaches that don't get as many tourists as other beaches in Southern Thailand, but are as pretty, if not more so. One of my favorite beaches in Chumphon is Thung Wua Laen Beach, with its beautiful coconut trees, a small community of locals, and crystal clear water.
Chumphon City is also packed with unique things to do, like the Deer Suspension Bridge where you can explore a small island full of deer and feed them, or you can visit its lively night market and try some of Thailand's delicious street food.
And, of course, you can also spend a few days exploring Koh Tao, a popular tourist island just off the coast of Chumphon. It is best known for its beautiful beaches, crystal-clear waters, and excellent diving and snorkeling opportunities.
8. Phang Nga
I often say Phang Nga is what Phuket used to be. It has all the beautiful nature, breathtaking islands, a quiet, beautiful old town, and vast beaches everywhere, but without the mass tourism that I believe has ruined the magic of Phuket and made it less and less attractive these days.
For starters, Phang Nga is home to Samet Nangshe Viewpoint, arguably one of the best viewpoints in the country, and I've visited many in Thailand.
While this place may not be considered off the beaten path, as many travelers from Phuket often visit it as a day trip, its breathtaking views make it a must-see destination while you are in Southern Thailand. Don't worry, we will get to the hidden gem part of Phang Nga in no time.
Thai Muang Beach is probably one of the best beaches I have ever seen in Thailand. This unknown, long strip of white sandy beach that stretches across Phang Nga's western coast for many kilometers, is completely empty with not a single tourist or even a local in sight.
I was there around sunset, and I had the whole place to myself. The sand is fine to the touch, and the beach is long, spacious, and very clean. The water is clear and warm, with not a lot of waves, which is perfect for swimming and chilling at the beach.
This white sandy beach stretches from Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Mueang National Park all the way to Natai, and you will be able to find plenty of empty beach spots along the way.
Phang Nga doesn't just have beaches; it also has a rich history that becomes evident as you stroll around Takua Pa, a charming little old town with a similar heritage to Phuket's Old Town, albeit smaller and much quieter.
The Takua Pa main walking street, Khun Intra building, the old ordination hall at Wat Sena Nucharangsan, and Kopi Kuapa cafe are some of my favorite places to visit in Takua Pa.
Not to mention, the province is home to several popular tourist spots like Khao Lak, Panyee Island, James Bond Island, and more, so you can switch between going on and off the beaten path whenever you like. Phang Nga is definitely the best place to travel to if you are looking to have an entire white sandy beach all to yourself. If that is what you are looking for, you are going to love Phang Nga.
9. Nakhon Si Thammarat
When people talk about traveling to Southern Thailand, Krabi, Phuket, and Surat Thani often dominate the conversation, as these are the top 3 most popular travel destinations in the area. However, not many people know about Nakhon Si Thammarat, the second-largest province in the region, with a ton of hidden gems waiting for you to explore.
If I have to describe Nakhon Si Thammarat as a travel destination in a few words, it would probably be "the land of countless waterfalls." There are so many of them out here, thanks to its geographical location being near the massive Khao Luang National Park, that you can spend days exploring the national park, and you barely scratch the surface.
Waterfalls like Krungching Waterfall, the largest of them all, Karom Waterfall, Yong Waterfall, and Phrom Lok and Ai Khiao Waterfalls, are going to blow your mind. Many of these have hiking trails you can explore as well as pools where you can freshen up and go for a swim.
Nakhon Si Thammarat is also rich in history, being the capital city of the ancient southern kingdom of Tambralinga, an Indianized kingdom that thrived during the 11th-13th Century, and there is no better place to learn about it than at the National Museum of Nakhon Si Thammarat.
There are also many interesting traditions that are unique to Southern Thailand, preserved in museums like Suchart Subsin's House of Shadow Puppetry, a privately-owned, family-run museum dedicated to preserving the art of crafting shadow puppets out of cow's skin. You can see firsthand how they make the shadow puppets inside for free, which is awesome.
If you are tired of the crowded cities of Phuket and Surat Thani and want to experience something unique and local in Southern Thailand, you are going to love Nakhon Si Thammarat.
10. Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat)
Nakhon Ratchasima, or Korat for short, is the gateway to Isaan, the northeastern part of Thailand that rarely sees any visitors. Most tourists often flock to Northern or Southern Thailand, but if you are interested in going off the beaten path, away from most tourists, Isaan is really where it's at.
Phimai Historical Park is probably one of the most recognizable landmarks in Korat, and it is what drew my attention to the province in the first place. Located about an hour away from Korat city center, in the quiet town of Phimai, the historical park is home to a stunning Khmer temple complex that resembles the famous Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
Every first weekend of November every year, the city of Phimai also organizes Phimai Festival, a 5-day fantastical event that turns the quiet streets of Phimai into a time machine, where one can step in and relive the good old days with traditional performances, ancient markets, and more.
During the day of the festival, you will be able to witness the thrilling long-boat races that pit the locals against each other as they paddle down the river at full speed, trying to beat one another. The winner gets the Royal Cup!
The streets of Phimai are also converted into an ancient market that resembles those old temple fairs that were popular in Thailand back in the day. You will find yourself surrounded by rows and rows of food stalls and shops that you can indulge in.
The highlight of visiting Phimai during the festival is its impressive theatrical show, set right in front of Phimai ruins, with lights illuminating it in the background. The show completely blew my socks off when I saw it.
Other than Phimai and its festival, there are also other beautiful Khmer-era ruins and an archaeological museum you can check out to learn more about this province, like Prasat Hin Phanom Wan, Banprasat Archaeological Site, and so much more.
If you are looking to explore the beautiful and untouched region of Isaan, there is no better place to introduce you to the amazing northeastern region of Thailand than Nakhon Ratchasima.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Thailand
Looking for more information for your trip to Thailand? Here are a collection of articles about Thailand that you might find useful:
- Looking for a complete travel guide to Southeast Asia? You should check out our 3-Month Backpacking Itinerary for Southeast Asia.
- Planning a trip to Thailand? Here are the 11 Best Places to Visit in Thailand.
- Thailand is incredibly rich in history, with ancient cities scattered across its landscapes. If you’re looking to explore some of the country’s most remarkable historical sites, don’t miss this guide: Discover Thailand's Rich History: 12 Best Historical Sites to Visit.
- Visiting a country like Thailand, you are going to need a comprehensive packing list to ensure you bring everything you need for your trip. Check out: What to Pack for Thailand - The Essential Packing List.
- Wondering when the best time is to visit Thailand? Here is a complete guide on picking The Best Time to Visit Thailand.
- Want to spend one month backpacking around Thailand? Check out: One Month Itinerary for Thailand.
- Have 2 weeks in Thailand? Check out this itinerary: 2 Weeks Backpacking Thailand Itinerary.
- Looking for an itinerary for Thailand? Check out the 10-Day Itinerary for Thailand.
- If you are traveling to Thailand, it is important for you to know what you should and shouldn't do. Here are 10 Tips for Traveling in Thailand.
- Thai Street Foods are among the best in the world, and to help guide you through the street food cuisine of Thailand, be sure to check out the 15 Best Street Foods in Thailand to Try.
- Learning a bit of Thai phrases will go a long way for you when you visit Thailand. Here are 15 Thai Phrases You Should Know.
- Not convinced by my words? How about looking through these photos I took in Thailand? 25 Beautiful Photos from Thailand.
- More often than not, your journey in Thailand will begin in Bangkok, and there are a ton of things you shouldn't miss in this city. Here are the 16 Best Things to Do in Bangkok.
- Wondering which temples are worth visiting in Bangkok? Check out: 10 BEST Temples to Visit in Bangkok.
- Want to spend a day outside Bangkok, but not sure where? Here are the 9 Best Day Trips To Make From Bangkok.
- Don't have a lot of time in Bangkok? Check out our One Day in Bangkok Itinerary.
- Have more than one day in Bangkok? I highly recommend that you spend at least 3 days in Bangkok. Here is a complete 3 Days Itinerary for Bangkok.
- For the best areas and neighborhoods to stay in Bangkok, check out: 7 Best Areas to Stay in Bangkok.
- There is no need for an introduction to the renowned old capital city of the Lanna Kingdom, Chiang Mai. Here are the 20 best things to do in Chiang Mai, according to the locals.
- One of the best road trips you can make in Thailand is traversing the Mae Hong Son Loop. Here's a complete backpacking guide and 10-day itinerary for the Mae Hong Son Loop.
- Want to explore other parts of Thailand? How about exploring Northern Thailand, Central Thailand, or Southern Thailand?
- Wondering where to go after Thailand? How about continuing on to Malaysia, Myanmar, or Indonesia?
- For all articles about Thailand, visit the Thailand Travel Guide page.
- Looking to travel to Southeast Asia? Check out all of my articles about Southeast Asia here: Southeast Asia Travel Guide page.
- You can see all my Asia-related articles here: Asia Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.
2 Comments
Random as, and this is the first time I've commented on a blog like this. But this is incredibly well put together! We've been to Thailand multiple times and there are multiple places here that we've never heard of!
Thank you very very much for your hard work!
Thank you for the comments Jordan and Emily! Glad you found the blog useful! I was born and raised in Thailand so I'm always glad to be able to show the more authentic side of my home country, away from the likes of Pattaya and Phuket. 😅 Those are not our best cities haha.
More to come soon as I plan to visit all the provinces in the country so stay tuned! 😉