Thailand travel guide: Places to visit and see

• Chiang Mai – The 'Rose of the North' is surrounded by mountains and lush countryside. Chiang Mai is considered the gateway to the infamous golden triangle. It’s a great starting point for a jungle trek to the many hill-tribe villages.
• Kanchanaburi – Home to the Bridge over the River Kwai. Kanchanaburi is incredibly beautiful with easy access to Erawan National Park, where you can explore the famous seven-level waterfall.
• Bangkok – Thailand's capital city is full of hidden gems to explore. You’ll find temples, palaces, vibrant markets and nightlife. Catch a tuk-tuk through bustling Chinatown to Bangkok Old Town, or explore floating markets by longtail boat.
• Ayutthaya – Known as the capital of the Kingdom of Siam, Ayutthaya is now a UNESCO world heritage site. It’s home to hundreds of ancient statues and ruins.
• Phuket – At 48km long, Phuket is one of Thailand's largest islands. It’s famous for its beautiful beaches and the party destination Patong.
• Ko Samui – This island of outstanding natural beauty has a less hectic vibe than Phuket. It’s a perfect place to hang out on the beach all day with a cold drink.

No matter when you visit Thailand, there will likely be a festival to celebrate. It's little wonder that Thailand is known as the ‘Land of Smiles’.

Songkran – Hugely popular with tourists, Songkran involves splashing water between friends and family to mark the start of the New Year. During April, you will see people lined up on the streets with water guns and buckets ready to playfully splash a passer-by.

Loy Krathong – This beautiful festival is usually held in November. People head to the water at night to float flowers, candles, and lit lantern balloons.

Phi Ta Khon – Thailand's most colourful festival, held in the Dan Sai district, is better known as the ‘Ghost Festival’. Locals dress up as spirits, in bright costumes and masks, to dance the night away.

In Thailand, you'll come across many exotic animals. Orphaned or rescued elephants roam free in the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai. Meet, play, and have your photo taken with a tiger at Tiger Kingdom in Phuket. In November, monkeys dine in style at the Lopburi Monkey Festival. Residents prepare banquets of food to honour the local macaque monkeys.

One of the drawcards to Thailand is the beautiful islands that line the country's south. The humid tropical weather make them popular with tourists, ready to cool off in the tranquilising waters. Our tip – plan an island stay as the last "to-do" on your Thai travel itinerary. The wait will be worth it after trekking through the jungles in the north.

From party beaches with beachside bars and nightclubs, such as Pattaya and Patong. Full moon parties and dancing until sunrise in Koh Phangan. Or relaxing in beachside bungalows and jungle fringes in Ko Lanta or Prachaup. There really is something for everyone.

You can’t visit Thailand without seeing one of the estimated 40,000 Buddhist temples spread around the countryside. A Thai temple is known as a ‘wat’. They usually consist of buildings, shrines and monuments, enclosed by a wall. Some of the most popular are: 

• Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) – This temple in Bangkok is located in the grounds of the Grand Palace. It holds a Buddha statue carved from jade.
• Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha) – This stunning temple holds a sleeping golden Buddha that measures forty-six metres long and fifteen metres high.
• Wat Traimit (Temple of the Golden Buddha) – Here, you’ll find the world's largest gold seated Buddha. It’s five metres high and weighs a whopping five and a half tonnes. This golden statue was discovered by accident. Upon moving a statue, it was dropped. The solid gold Buddha that was hidden under a layer of plaster was revealed.
• Wat Sam Phran – This is a unique seventeen storey high pink tower with a giant dragon spiralling to the top. Inside are sculptures of other beasts and a bronze Buddha.
  

Thai markets and busy shopping streets sell an array of street foods. It's cheaper than eating in a restaurant, and a fantastic way to experience the local way of life. If you live by the adage "when in Rome…", why not try these:

• Larb Mote Daeng – Prepared with red ants and their eggs. 
• Durian – This popular fruit is found all over Thailand. It's known as one of the smelliest fruits in the world.
• Deep-Fried Insects – Usually crickets, grasshoppers, worms and sometimes tiny, deep-fried frogs.

Witness the most popular spectator sport in Thailand. Muay Thai attracts a mass of visitors and tourists. They come not only to view the passion of the fighters but to hear the musical and ceremonial aspects that accompany the fight.

Upon entering the ring and performing prayers, competitors commence the ram muay, a personal ritual appearing like a dance. It’s usually accompanied by music, providing a rhythm to the boxer's movements.

Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok is considered the home of modern Muay Thai and is the best place to watch a Muay Thai fight. 

What better place to get a Thai massage than in Thailand itself. Thai massages usually involve deep massage and stretching on the floor or a firm mattress. A great Thai massage reduces stress, eases muscle tension and stiffness, and boosts energy and blood circulation.

Walk in the paths of our ANZACs. Visit the Bridge over the River Kwai, Hellfire Pass and the Death Railway Museum. These sites are all located in Kanchanaburi Provence. You can explore the Australian-owned museum, walk across the bridge, and walk through the pass tracks. 

Australian Prisoners of War worked on the cutting at Hellfire Pass – one of the most profound and dramatic cuttings. It served as part of the Thai-Burma railway during World War II.