10 Of The Best Kept Thailand Secrets

Thailand: a world of tropical beaches, gorgeous sunsets, and beautiful friendly people. That ought to be enough of a selling point, but it’s a shame to stop there if you’re looking for the complete experience. Thailand is a country that stretches north and south, encompassing a wide variety of landscapes, cultures, and history.

Visiting Thailand? You’ll want to consider these 10 must-experience adventures as part of your itinerary. They’re some of the best kept Thailand secrets.

1. THE DELICIOUS FOOD

Thai food has fans all around the world, but until you actually visit Thailand, you’re not getting the authentic experience. Trust us, you want the authentic experience.

Thai food is know for being enticingly aromatic, and balancing out sweet, salty, sour and bitter flavors through a meal. Each region of Thailand is known for their own take on this delicate juggling act of contrasting flavors. You’ll find that the food you eat in the north will not be the same as what you’ll find in the south. This is a great excuse to travel and try everything!

Word of advice: if you don’t care for extremely spicy food, always choose a mild option. It’ll still have plenty of kick.

2. THE DESERTED BEACHES

Surely the beaches of Thailand aren’t a secret. That’s why everyone wants to visit, and why Koh Samui is becoming so popular!

Thailand has many beaches, and most tourists visit the beaches that have been developed with delightful resorts and no short of people and action. But there are other beaches, beaches that are off the beaten path.

Koh Nang Yuan, for example, has a gorgeous Y-shaped beach between island, with a zip line stretching across (the world’s only zip line between islands, actually). Or Railay which, even though still part of the mainland, is only accessible by boat and leaves you certain that you’ve found a deserted island. And, of course, Koh Tarutao, a pristine island made famous by the TV show Survivor, or Koh Mak, an island that limits the number of tourists in order to keep the experience pristine.

These are just three out of endless numbers of fantastic beaches off the beaten path. In fact, if you were to ask a seasoned traveler what the best kept secrets of Thailand were, chances are very good you’d get a list of their favorite beaches that are off the beaten path.

3. PRASAT HIN PHIMAI KHMER SHRINE

When we think of Khmer culture, most of us naturally drum up an image of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. We picture the towering temple and those around it without realize that there is actually one which is older than Angkor Wat, the Prasat Hin Phimai Khmer Shrine.

Found in Thailand near the small town of Phimai sits a fabulous example of Khmer culture and architecture. If you’re a history or architecture buff, you’ll want to rent a bike and ride around the temple as well as the rest of the region.

It might be almost impossible to pull yourself away from the excitement of Bangkok or the relaxation of your beach bungalow, but a visit to the Khao Luang Cave is definitely in order if you enjoy visiting shrines and temples.

Located three hours southwest of Bangkok, into Phetchaburi Province, you’ll find a cave with a domed “ceiling” pierced with light from a hole in the roof of the cave. There, nestled in the undulating rock is a cleverly hidden temple.

4. HIKING IN THE JUNGLES

Not one for beaches? Perhaps a hike through the rich, green jungles of Thailand are more your style. Though most hikers agree that the best trek through the jungle can be found in northern Thailand, in the Chiang Mai (especially Doi Inthanon National Park) and Chiang Rai region, there is no shortage of jungle elsewhere.

The jungles and national parks in Thailand have basic rules for hikers to follow to protect both the jungle and the hiker. Following the rules (don’t mess with the animals!) and staying on the trekking path are the sure route to an amazing experience with nature that you’ve not had before.

5. THAI ELEPHANTS

The gentle giants of Thailand are not to be missed. There are several places you can view these magnificent creatures. If you’re very serious about elephants, the province of Lampang contains the Thai Elephant Conservation Center, which lets some visitors spend a few days or a month helping care for the 50 elephants that are kept and cared for there. You can also learn about how the elephants are trained and the history of the elephant in Thai culture.

6. THE FLOATING MARKETS

Thailand’s floating markets are a cultural must-see. Though some of Thailand’s waterways have been turned into roads in some cities, you can still find floating markets in operation today. Vendors pack their boat with unique wares or food and ply the waterways selling to people in boats and on the street along the waterway.

The most well-known floating market, about two hours from Bangkok, is Damnoen Saduak. Its popularity has made it perhaps a bit too touristy, however, and if you’re looking for authentic Thai food and goods, you’re better off locating a market that is less popular.

Khlong Lat Mayom, a floating market located in the south, might be a better option. More relaxed, you’ll get a feel for the floating market culture instead of a mad crush of tourists.