Thailand Bucket List: 15 Must Do Things in Thailand
Thailand is one of those places that hits you all at once. The moment you step off the plane, you’re greeted by the smell of street food, the hum of tuk-tuks weaving through traffic, and a kind of energy that’s equal parts chaotic and welcoming.
It’s the kind of destination that manages to check every box: beaches, temples, food, adventure, culture.
I’ve spent a good amount of time in Thailand, and honestly, it never gets old. Whether you’re island-hopping in the Andaman Sea, wandering through ancient temples, or eating your way through a night market, there’s always something that makes you think, “Yeah, this is why I came here.”
This Thailand bucket list is built around the experiences that actually matter. Some are classic (because they’re classic for a reason), and some are a little more off the beaten path.
Either way, if you’re planning a trip to Thailand, these are the things you don’t want to skip.
Island-Hop in the Andaman Sea
If you’re coming to Thailand and not spending at least a few days island-hopping, you’re doing it wrong.
The Andaman Sea is home to some of the most stunning islands in the world. Phi Phi, Krabi, Koh Lanta, Railay Beach. The best way to experience them is by boat.
Island-hopping gives you the freedom to explore multiple spots without being locked into one place.
You can snorkel in crystal-clear water in the morning, hike up to a viewpoint by midday, and watch the sunset from a beachside bar by evening.
The vibe shifts from island to island, too. Phi Phi is more of a party scene, while Koh Lanta is quieter and more laid-back.
Railay Beach is perfect if you’re into rock climbing or just want to post up on one of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand.
The easiest way to do this is by booking a longtail boat tour or joining a group island-hopping trip. If you’ve got the budget, you can also hire a private boat and create your own route.
Visit the Grand Palace in Bangkok
The Grand Palace is one of those bucket list experiences that lives up to the hype. It’s massive, ornate, and honestly a little overwhelming in the best way possible.
This place was the official residence of Thai kings for over 150 years, and it’s still one of the most important cultural and historical sites in Thailand.
The main draw here is Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), which sits inside the palace complex.
The Emerald Buddha is small but sacred, and the detail throughout the temple is unreal. Every surface is covered in gold leaf, intricate carvings, or colorful mosaics.
The palace grounds are huge, so give yourself at least two to three hours. There’s a strict dress code (covered shoulders and knees), so plan accordingly.
Go early in the morning (8:30 AM) to beat the crowds, bring water, and mentally prepare to sweat. But one things for sure, you can’t miss this attraction, its a top thing to do in Bangkok.
Take a Thai Cooking Class
If you love Thai food, taking a cooking class is one of the best things you can do in Thailand. It’s hands-on, fun, and you’ll walk away knowing how to recreate your favorite dishes at home.
Most classes start with a trip to a local market, where you’ll learn about the ingredients that make Thai food so flavorful. Lemongrass, galangal, Thai basil, fish sauce, lime, chilies.
Then you head to the kitchen and make three to five dishes like Pad Thai, green curry, tom yum soup, spring rolls, and mango sticky rice.
You do all the chopping, stirring, and tasting yourself, and yeah, you get to eat everything you make.
I’ve done a few of these in Chiang Mai and Bangkok, and they’re all pretty solid. Chiang Mai has a more relaxed vibe, while Bangkok classes are faster-paced. Either way, it’s a great experience.
Ride a Longtail Boat Through Floating Markets
Floating markets are touristy, sure, but they’re also genuinely cool and worth doing at least once.
The most famous one is Damnoen Saduak, about an hour and a half outside of Bangkok. It’s crowded and chaotic, but that’s part of the experience.
The best way to see the market is by hiring a longtail boat. You’ll cruise through narrow canals lined with vendors selling everything from fresh fruit and coconut pancakes to handmade crafts and souvenirs. Some vendors are set up on boats themselves, so you can buy food directly from the water.
If you want a less touristy version, check out Amphawa Floating Market instead. It’s about two hours from Bangkok, mostly frequented by locals, and the food is better.
Either way, the longtail boat ride itself is a highlight. The canals are lined with traditional wooden houses, palm trees, and little temples.
Spend a Day in an Ethical Elephant Sanctuary
If you’re going to interact with elephants in Thailand, do it right. Skip the elephant rides and circus-style performances, and spend a day at an ethical sanctuary instead. These places focus on rescue, rehabilitation, and letting elephants just be elephants.
At a good sanctuary, you’ll get to feed them, walk alongside them, and maybe help out with a mud bath or river bath. It’s hands-on, but in a way that respects the animals. The elephants aren’t forced to perform tricks or carry tourists on their backs.
Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai is one of the most well-known ethical sanctuaries, and for good reason.
Just do your research before booking. If a place offers riding or tricks, it’s not ethical.
Snorkel or Dive in the Gulf or Andaman
Thailand’s underwater world is just as impressive as what’s above the surface. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or just want to snorkel for an afternoon, the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea have some incredible spots.
For snorkeling, the Similan Islands are hard to beat. The water is ridiculously clear, and you’ll see colorful coral, tropical fish, sea turtles, and maybe even a reef shark.
Koh Tao is another great option, especially for beginners. The island is known for its dive schools, but the snorkeling is solid too.
If you’re into diving, Koh Tao is one of the cheapest places in the world to get certified. Richelieu Rock near the Similans is one of the best dive sites in Thailand, known for whale sharks and manta rays. Even if you’ve never snorkeled or dived before, Thailand is a great place to start.
Plan Your Thailand Trip with Confidence
4 Hours of Expert Travel Advice — Routes, Scams to avoid, What to book, and more.
Taste the 5 Most Iconic Thai Foods
Thai food is one of the main reasons people keep coming back to Thailand. The flavors are bold, balanced, and completely addictive. If you’re serious about food, make it a point to try these five iconic dishes.
Pad Thai is the obvious starting point. Sweet, salty, tangy, with just enough chili. Som Tum (green papaya salad) is spicy, sour, and crunchy. Massaman Curry is rich, slightly sweet, and loaded with peanuts and potatoes.
Tom Yum Goong is a hot and sour soup with shrimp, lemongrass, and chilies. Mango Sticky Rice is the dessert you need to try at least once.
You could spend your entire trip eating and still not cover everything, but these five are a solid foundation.
Experience a Thai Night Market
Thai night markets are chaotic, colorful, and absolutely worth your time. They’re where locals go to eat, shop, and hang out after the sun goes down, and they’re one of the best ways to experience everyday Thai life.
The food alone is worth the visit. You’ll find everything from grilled skewers and pad thai to fresh seafood, fried insects (if you’re feeling adventurous), and Thai iced tea.
Beyond food, night markets are great for shopping. You’ll find clothes, accessories, handmade crafts, and pretty much anything else you can think of.
Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok is massive and worth checking out if you’re there on a Saturday or Sunday. Rod Fai Night Market (also in Bangkok) has a vintage, retro vibe. In Chiang Mai, the Sunday Walking Street Market is one of the best in the country for handmade goods and local art.
Explore Ancient Temples in Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya is an easy day trip from Bangkok, and if you have even a slight interest in history or architecture, it’s worth going.
The city was once the capital of the Kingdom of Siam, and the ruins that remain are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The temples here are old, crumbling, and beautiful in a way that feels almost cinematic. Wat Mahathat is probably the most famous, thanks to the Buddha head wrapped in tree roots.
Wat Phra Si Sanphet was the most important temple in the old capital, and the three massive chedis are still standing. Wat Chaiwatthanaram is another highlight, especially at sunset.
You can explore Ayutthaya by bike, tuk-tuk, or even boat. Biking is the most popular option since the ruins are spread out but still manageable to cover in a day. The whole place has a quiet, reflective vibe, and it’s not overrun the way some of Bangkok’s temples can be.
Relax with a Thai Massage
Thai massage is not the relaxing spa experience you might be expecting. It’s more like assisted yoga mixed with deep tissue pressure, and it can be intense. But in a good way.
A traditional Thai massage involves a lot of stretching, pulling, and pressure applied with hands, elbows, knees, and feet. You’ll leave feeling looser, taller, and weirdly energized. It’s less about relaxation and more about working out tension and improving flexibility.
You can get a Thai massage almost anywhere in Thailand, from high-end spas to street-side shops. In Bangkok, Wat Pho is famous for its massage school, and you can get a traditional Thai massage there for a reasonable price.
In Chiang Mai, there are massage places on practically every corner. If you’re not into the intense stretching, you can ask for an oil massage or aromatherapy massage instead.
Tuk-Tuk Ride at Night in Bangkok
Taking a tuk-tuk through Bangkok at night is equal parts thrilling and slightly terrifying, and that’s exactly why you should do it.
Tuk-tuks are open-air, three-wheeled vehicles that weave through traffic at speeds that feel faster than they probably are. It’s loud, chaotic, and you’ll definitely get a face full of exhaust fumes, but it’s also ridiculously fun.
The best time to do this is at night when the city is lit up and the streets are buzzing. The neon signs, the street vendors, the smell of grilled meat and fried snacks all hit different from the back of a tuk-tuk.
Negotiate the price before you get in, otherwise you’re setting yourself up for one of the classic scams in Thailand. Drivers will almost always quote you something absurd at first, so don’t be afraid to push back.
A short ride (10 to 15 minutes) should cost around 100 to 150 baht, depending on distance and your bargaining skills.
Visit the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) in Chiang Rai
The White Temple is unlike any other temple in Thailand. It’s modern, surreal, and honestly a little bizarre in the best way.
The entire structure is white, covered in mirrored glass that sparkles in the sunlight, and every inch of it is covered in intricate carvings and symbolic details.
The artist who designed it, Chalermchai Kositpipat, is still alive and still working on it. He’s been building and expanding the temple since 1997. Inside, you’ll find murals featuring everything from traditional Buddhist imagery to Spider-Man and the Matrix. It’s weird, but it works.
Chiang Rai is about three hours north of Chiang Mai, so it’s a bit of a trek, but the White Temple is a solid reason to make the trip.
If you’re already in the area, you can combine it with a visit to the Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten) and the Black House (Baan Dam Museum) for a full day of unconventional temples and art installations.
Hike in Northern Thailand
Northern Thailand is mountainous, green, and perfect for hiking. If you’re tired of beaches and temples and want to get into nature, this is where you go.
Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai are the main hubs for trekking, and there are tons of options depending on your fitness level and how much time you have.
Doi Inthanon National Park is home to Thailand’s highest peak and has great trails that take you through cloud forests, past waterfalls, and up to viewpoints with sweeping mountain views. Doi Suthep is another popular spot, with a hike that leads up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, one of the most important temples in northern Thailand.
If you want something more off the beaten path, look into multi-day treks that take you into the mountains to visit Karen, Hmong, or Lisu villages. Just make sure you’re booking with a responsible tour operator that respects the communities.
Chill Out on a Thai Beach
At some point during your trip, you need to do absolutely nothing. And the best place to do that is on a Thai beach.
Thailand has beaches for every mood. If you want a party scene with beach clubs and fire shows, hit up Koh Phi Phi or Surin Beach in Phuket. If you want something quieter and more laid-back, try Koh Lanta, Koh Kradan, or Railay Beach. If you want full-on isolation, head to Koh Kood or Koh Yao Noi.
The beaches on the Andaman side (west coast) tend to have better scenery with limestone cliffs, clear turquoise water, and dramatic rock formations. The Gulf side (east coast) is calmer and better for swimming.
You don’t need to do anything here. Just post up with a book, grab a fresh coconut from a beach vendor, and let the hours disappear.
Buy Unique Souvenirs at Local Markets
If you want souvenirs that don’t suck, skip the tourist trap shops and head to local markets. You’ll find better quality, better prices, and way more interesting stuff.
Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok is massive and has everything from handmade jewelry and ceramics to vintage clothes and quirky home decor.
Chiang Mai Night Bazaar and the Sunday Walking Street Market are great for handmade crafts, silk scarves, wood carvings, and paintings from local artists.
Look for things like hand-woven textiles, silverware from the hill tribes, Thai spices and curry pastes, handmade soaps, and traditional ceramics.
Bargaining is expected at most markets, so don’t feel weird about negotiating. Start at about half the asking price and meet somewhere in the middle.
Avoid buying anything made from endangered animals, and be cautious about fake gemstones if you’re not an expert. Stick to crafts, textiles, and food, and you’ll be fine.
Plan Your Thailand Trip with Confidence
4 Hours of Expert Travel Advice — Routes, Scams to avoid, What to book, and more.
Final Thoughts on Your Thailand Bucket List
Thailand is one of those rare countries that actually delivers on the hype. It’s chaotic and calm, adventurous and relaxing, deeply cultural and completely approachable.
You can eat some of the best food in the world for a few dollars, explore ancient temples in the morning, and end the day floating in turquoise water or wandering through a night market.
This bucket list isn’t about checking every single box. Some of these experiences, like the White Temple in Chiang Rai or hiking in the north, might not make it onto your itinerary depending on where you’re headed.
And that’s fine. Thailand is the kind of country that rewards repeat visits. You’re not going to do everything in one trip, and honestly, you shouldn’t try.
Pick a few regions, give yourself time to actually enjoy them, and leave room for spontaneity.
Focus on the experiences that genuinely interest you, and I guarantee you’ll walk away planning your next trip before you’ve even left. Thailand has a way of doing that.
How many days do I need to complete a Thailand bucket list?
At least 10 to 14 days for the main highlights. Two weeks lets you cover Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and the islands without rushing. Want to do everything? You’d need three to four weeks, but focus on what interests you most and save the rest for next time.
What’s the best time of year to tackle a Thailand bucket list?
November to February for the best weather, but it’s peak season with crowds and higher prices. June to August is cheaper with fewer tourists and just some afternoon rain. Avoid March to May unless you love extreme heat.
Can I do a Thailand bucket list on a budget?
Yes. Street food is cheap, hostels run under $20 a night, and transport is affordable. Most temples and markets are free or low-cost. Main expenses are flights and activities like diving. You can do Thailand well on $30 to $50 a day.
Do I need to visit both northern and southern Thailand, or can I skip one?
You don’t need both, but you should. The north has mountains, temples, and culture. The south has beaches and islands. They’re completely different, and skipping one means missing half of what makes Thailand great.
