Just over 400 kilometres north of Bangkok and handily located on the route to Chiang Mai, the ruins of Sukhothai – Thailand’s ancient capital – still stand today, with temples, towering Buddha statues and remnants of the former city wall scattered across 117 square kilometres. The structures are quite spread out, so the best way to take in the history-soaked scenery is to book a bike tour and wind your way through the Sukhothai Historical Park on two wheels. 

Take the four-hour drive east of Chiang Mai to Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat to see the “floating” white pagodas that dot the mountain top. Once you arrive at the ancient temple, hail a songthaew – a miniature bus – to take you to the complex’s second tier, before tackling the 800-metre hike to the summit, where the lookout strewn with Buddhist bells offers spectacular views.

Between January and February, when the lotus flowers are in bloom across Udon Thani, which lies to the far northeast of the country not far from the Laotian border, an incredible natural phenomenon takes place. At sunrise, just as the light hits, the thousands of blooms cloaking the surface of the aptly named “Red Lotus Lake” are set ablaze in vivid hues of red and pink. The stunning sight is best viewed from a boat.

Home to the striking King and Queen Pagodas, a series of nature trails and even sakura blossoms if you time your trip right (February is your best bet), and Thailand’s tallest peak Doi Inthanon, this region is an area that punches well above its weight. The national park is about a three-hour drive south-west of Chiang Mai, so extend your stay with a night at Chiang Mai Elephant Friends – a five-bungalow resort that’s dedicated to the conservation of elephants – before lacing up your hiking boots and taking advantage of the natural splendour on offer here. 

Founded by animal conservationist Saengduean Lek Chailert in response to the mistreatment of elephants she witnessed in Thailand’s tourism industry, the Elephant Nature Park, a 90-minute bus ride from Chiang Mai is the ideal setting for absorbing the beauty and grace of these gentle giants without causing harm. Book an afternoon tour and watch the herd make its way down the river to its night shelter, backdropped by the gently waning jungle light. 

You’ll have the soundtrack to the film The Beach playing in your head as the gemstone-coloured waters and dramatic rock formations of the Surin Islands come into view. Getting to the five-island archipelago takes about 90 minutes by boat from the Khura Buri Pier, which is about three-and-a-half hours’ drive from Phuket. Trek through the verdant jungles or bring your snorkelling gear and hit the water: the coral reefs below the ocean’s surface are just as impressive as the views above – if you visit during February or March, you may even have the chance to spot whale sharks in the wild.

South of Koh Lanta in the Andaman Sea, Koh Lipe’s sun-soaked beaches and turquoise waters will make it immediately obvious why locals call it “Thailand’s Maldives”. The closest airport is Hat Yai (daily flights depart from Bangkok), after which 90-minute minivan ride and about the same on a ferry or speedboat will land you inside your own personal tropical island fantasy complete with technicolour reefs to explore. 

There are 42 untouched islands that make up the Ang Thong National Marine Park archipelago and the jewel in its crown is Emerald Lake on Ko Mae Ko, an inland waterhole connected to the ocean via a series of underground caves and tunnels. The short-but-steep climb to get to the lake from the beach is rewarded with deep-green crystalline water surrounded by limestone cliffs. Our top tip? Book a day trip from Koh Samui that includes a sunset sail round trip.   

It’s all about the after-dark experience at this quirky temple, perched above the Mekong River and near the border with Laos. The exterior of Wat Sirindhorn Wararam is decorated with an ornate tree painted with fluorescent pigments that glow after dark and the best time of year to visit is during the Yi Peng Lantern Festival – held on the full moon of the twelfth lunar month, which in 2024 is on 15-16 November – when the night sky is filled with luminous paper lanterns.

Set at the foot of a dormant volcano and shrouded in dense greenery, the Hindu Khmer temple at Phanom Rung Historical Park has stood since the 10th Century and is a marvel of both design and history. The journey to get there requires a five-hour bus from Bangkok, with an additional 30 minutes by tuktuk or songthaew from nearby Nang Rong. Once you arrive you’ll cross three Naga bridges – they symbolise passing into the world of the divine – before wandering through the pavilions and towers that make up the complex.

A jungle reserve with biodiversity rich enough to rival the Amazon, Khao Sok National Park is one of the oldest evergreen rainforests in the world. Caving, hiking, elephants and tigers – adventure is never far in this natural wonderland two hours north of Krabi, but Cheow Lan Lake, the 165 square kilometre water hole in the park’s centre, is the undisputed highlight. For a tranquil start to the day, bring along a picnic blanket and settle in by the shore, shrouded by the morning mist and with birdsong filling your ears.   

A 15-minute longtail boat ride from Koh Tao brings you to its lesser-known sister island Koh Nang Yuan (both lie north of tranquil Koh Samui, Thailand’s second-largest island), where pristine beach links a trio of rock formations that rise from the sea like sentinels. The bays created at the feet of these formations offer world-class diving and snorkelling but for those who prefer to keep their feet dry, take the half-hour hike to one of the island’s peaks – you’ll earn panoramic views that stretch all the way back to Koh Tao.

Remote and lush with dense forest, the mountainous province of Mae Hong Son borders Myanmar and its misty hills are home to hot springs, Burmese-style temples and canyons. Take in the local culture with a visit to one of the hill tribes then walk amongst the rice fields and along the Su Tong Pae bamboo bridge that stretches 500 metres and links Tham Poo Sa Ma temple to the village. 

To the northwest of the country, Pai is a laid-back wonderland that’s ideal for adventurers looking to immerse themselves in the lesser-travelled paths of Thailand. Pai Canyon, with its vivid orange rock walls winding and jutting out into the mountainside, is a 5.8 kilometre loop that rewards you with dramatic peaks and valleys stretching out as far as the eye can see.

Thailand is certainly not short on temples but the intricacy and opulence of the White Temple in Chiang Rai – a Buddhist temple adorned in silver and white – is a stand-out. From the city, the drive takes around half an hour – be sure to stop for a closer look at the atmospheric ‘garden of hands’ on the temple grounds, which adds to the gothic feel of the whole compound.