Thailand is without a doubt amongst the best places to go on a solo trip to. It is famous for its beaches, authentic Thai food and it’s massages. It is also a very affordable country compared to most in terms of food and hotels to stay at on a visit. In 2020, Thailand had 38 million visitors and it is estimated that this year, the number will be even higher, around 41 million visitors. The best time to visit here is between November and February because of the warm weather and the beautiful sunshine that you will be able to witness. The people of Thailand are also known to be some of the friendliest in the world and hence is also known as the “Land of Smiles”. Let’s move on to your travel guide now and show you what you’re going to be putting on your to-do list for your journey!
1. Phuket
Phuket is Thailand’s largest island located in the southern region of the country. Phang Nga Bay here is an absolute wonder. You have two options to enjoy and explore the area here – the first one is by cruise and the second one is by a canoe. John Gray Sea Canoe is one of the best options to choose from. The service is named after John Gray who originally found this area and made it accessible for the general public. This is the original service but you will have a lot of different and cheaper options to choose from as well when you get there. The chance of getting seasick here is none because the complete area is a bay. Your path will depend on the tides, but you will surely get a lot of chances to travel under the breathtaking tunnels. You will be guided through the complete tour.
The second place to visit here is the Phi Phi Islands, which is widely known for its night long beach parties, especially for the younger crowd. If you are planning to stay here overnight, it is advisable to book in advance. It is also advisable to go for the overnight option because you might regret not being able to travel the complete area in such a short time.
The third option for you to explore in Phuket are the night markets. The Sunday Walking Street Market is a renowned market here.
2. Trang
Trang is also located in the southern region of Thailand and is a good place for you to explore the traditions and cultures of the country. You will sense true authenticity while exploring this area. Thung Mai Botanical Garden is one of the places where you can experience the serenity of a variety of well maintained plants and trees by a local conservationist group. The names will also be listed below in two languages – Thai and Latin.
The second place for you to visit here to explore the natural side of the area is the Khao Kop Cave. You can take a boat ride to get here if you like. You will be asked to lie down in the boat as you are nearing the end because you could get hurt by a low hanging rock. Don’t worry, you will be guided appropriately.
Rajamangala aquarium is a third must visit here in Trang as it is the biggest aquarium in Trang. Although it is an aquarium, it looks a lot like a real forest. It consists of 61 different types of displays and is located 30km away from the main Trang City.
3. Ko Chang
The island of Ko Chang is not only one of the largest in Thailand, but is also the one which is known to have everything from dense jungles, tranquil clear beaches and a wild nightlife. It is also referred to as the Elephant Island because of its shape. The first among the things to do here is unusually exciting. You can swing from a palm tree on the White Sand Beach, which is located on the western side of the beach which will also allow you to enjoy the swings while looking at the beautiful sunset. Yes, you read correctly! Instead of laying back on a sunbathing seat, you will be able to do that on a swing while enjoying the wind and the sunset with it. There are also beach bars and boats available for rent if you are looking for more.
The second item on the to do list here is snorkeling. The island is rich with coral reefs and fish swimming in the clear waters. The tickets are available all over the island, but buying it on the boat itself will save you some money without compromising anything. The third item on the list is visiting the Lonely Beach for some wild partying! Yes, I realise that the name is ironic with what I am suggesting, but it is what it is. In fact, it is coming around as the club central.
4. Kanchanaburi
Kanchanaburi is especially popular for sightseeing and historical structures. The first one on the list is the Erawan waterfall, which is known to be one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Thailand. It is located in Tenasserim hills 200kms northwest of Bangkok. It is part of the Erawan National Park and has seven different tiers. There are also a few limestone caves to explore around here. This can be a tiring activity so it is recommended to bring sufficient food and water and also some mosquito repellent. It takes roughly 3 hours to explore it completely. It is open between 7 am and 4:30 pm.
The second one is a historically significant structure called the Death Railway. The story behind this is that it was attacked under the orders of the Japanese army and caused a lot of destruction in terms of property and life both. It cut through the important supports of the structure like the limestone cliffs and craggy mountains. It led to over 10,000 deaths.
The third recommendation is the Sai Yok National Park. This is located at the end of the Death Railway after 77 km. The Sai Yok Waterfall is just beautiful and calming, kind of presenting some irony.
5. Bangkok
The last one is Bangkok of course, the capital of Thailand. The first place on this list is to grab something to remember your solo journey by, the Chatuchak Market. Although you will find a lot of markets here in Bangkok, this is among the top with over 8000 stalls. You can even pick up a map to guide you through your journey here in the market.
My second recommendation is the Chao Phraya River, where you can take a boat trip. Over 50,000 people still use the ferry here to travel to work. There will be a lot of stops while you are on the ferry, so you will get a chance to explore further!
The third and the best recommendation is to get a Thai massage. This is something you literally cannot afford to miss. You can get an authentic massage here and here only. You can choose to get a massage anywhere in Bangkok depending on your budget and availability.
