🌏 2026 tours now open — start planning →
Est. 1974 | 📞 0409 661 342 | Free trip planning
🌏 Cooee Tours · World Travel

Things to Do in Thailand

Temples and street food, misty northern mountains and turquoise southern islands — the Land of Smiles is perennially one of Australia's best-value and easiest first trips overseas.

🗓 Best: Nov–Apr (dry) 📍 Southeast Asia 🛂 ETA + visa-free
✍️ Curated by Cooee Tours
🗓 Updated March 2026
📋 12 things to do
Est. 1974 ✓
Destination Guide

Cities, Mountains and Islands in One Trip

Few countries pack in as much variety as Thailand: the neon intensity of Bangkok, the laid-back temple town of Chiang Mai in the north, and a southern coastline of limestone cliffs and clear water. It's affordable, friendly and remarkably easy to travel.

Most first-timers combine Bangkok, one southern island and Chiang Mai over 10–14 days. Below are the experiences that give you the full picture — from a dawn temple visit to a night market feast.

🛂 Entry & fees — 2026

From 2026, most visa-exempt travellers — including Australians — must apply for a Thailand Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) online before arrival; tourist stays are typically up to 60 days visa-free. Your passport should have six months' validity. Thailand is highly digitised now — QR payments (PromptPay) are accepted almost everywhere. Always confirm current entry rules on official sources before booking. General information only, not travel advice.

The Highlights

12 of the Best Things to Do in Thailand

Grand temples, street-food feasts, ethical elephants and island escapes — the experiences that define a great Thailand trip.

1
🛕Bangkok
The Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Bangkok
Bangkok

Bangkok's Grand Palace & Wat Pho

The dazzling Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha, then the giant Reclining Buddha at neighbouring Wat Pho — Bangkok's most spectacular sights, and the birthplace of Thai massage.

Tip: Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered) and go early; combine both temples in one morning.
2
🌅Bangkok
The spires of Wat Arun beside the Chao Phraya River, Bangkok
Bangkok

Wat Arun & the Chao Phraya River

The porcelain-studded Temple of Dawn on the riverbank, best reached by hopping a public river boat — the fastest, breeziest and most scenic way to move around old Bangkok.

Tip: Cross the river at golden hour for the classic Wat Arun view, then stay for a rooftop sunset drink.
3
🍢Bangkok
Street food stalls lit up at night in Bangkok
Bangkok

Bangkok Street Food & Markets

Thai street food is a way of life — from the neon chaos of Yaowarat (Chinatown) to the buzzing night markets of Jodd Fairs and the vast weekend sprawl of Chatuchak.

Tip: Follow the queues of locals; the best stalls often have the shortest menus.
4
🏯Chiang Mai
A golden temple in Chiang Mai's old city, northern Thailand
Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai's Old City & Temples

The moated old city is dense with temples, cafés and walking streets, while mountaintop Wat Phra That Doi Suthep watches over it all. The north is calmer, cooler and deeply cultural.

Tip: Climb (or drive) to Doi Suthep for sunrise, and don't leave without a bowl of khao soi.
5
🐘Chiang Mai
Elephants roaming freely at an ethical sanctuary near Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai

Visit an Ethical Elephant Sanctuary

The north is home to genuine sanctuaries where you observe rescued elephants in a natural setting rather than ride or bathe them — the ethical standard travellers should look for in 2026.

Tip: Choose 'observation only' sanctuaries; avoid anywhere offering riding or forced bathing.
6
🥘Chiang Mai / Bangkok
A Thai cooking class preparing curry and pad thai
Chiang Mai / Bangkok

Take a Thai Cooking Class

Learn to balance the sweet, sour, salty and spicy that defines Thai food — most classes start with a wander through a local wet market before you cook a spread to share.

Tip: Chiang Mai's classes are especially good value; ask for the market tour to be included.
7
🏝️Krabi / Phuket
Longtail boats below the limestone cliffs of the Phi Phi Islands, Thailand
Krabi / Phuket

The Phi Phi Islands & Maya Bay

Soaring limestone cliffs, clear lagoons and superb snorkelling — including Maya Bay, famous from the film and now reopened with daily visitor limits to protect the recovering reef.

Tip: Go early on a small-group boat to beat the day-trippers; Maya Bay requires an advance-booked slot.
8
🧗Krabi
Railay beach framed by limestone karsts, Krabi, Thailand
Krabi

Krabi: Railay & Island Hopping

Krabi keeps things elemental — the cliff-backed beaches of Railay (a rock-climbing mecca), plus the Four Islands and Hong Island tours across calm Andaman water.

Tip: Railay is only reachable by longtail boat; base in Ao Nang for the easiest island-hopping access.
9
🌴Phuket
A beach on Phuket with the Sino-Portuguese old town nearby, Thailand
Phuket

Phuket's Beaches & Old Town

Thailand's largest island balances resort beaches with the colourful Sino-Portuguese shophouses, cafés and galleries of Phuket Old Town — plus easy access to Phang Nga Bay.

Tip: Base according to your vibe: lively Patong, quieter Kata/Karon, or characterful Old Town.
10
🐠Koh Samui / Koh Tao
A palm-fringed beach on Koh Samui, Thailand
Koh Samui / Koh Tao

Koh Samui & the Gulf Islands

On the Gulf side, Koh Samui leans into wellness and beach clubs, Koh Tao is one of the world's best-value places to learn to dive, and Koh Phangan blends parties with yoga.

Tip: The Gulf islands have offset seasons — they're often good June–August when the Andaman is wet.
11
🗿Ayutthaya
Ancient temple ruins and a Buddha head in tree roots at Ayutthaya, Thailand
Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya's Ancient Ruins

The UNESCO-listed ruins of Thailand's former capital — crumbling temples, prangs and the famous Buddha head cradled in tree roots — an easy day trip north of Bangkok.

Tip: New high-speed rail makes the day trip faster than ever; hire a bike to loop the ruins.
12
🏮Chiang Mai (Nov)
Thousands of paper lanterns released into the night sky at Yi Peng, Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai (Nov)

Yi Peng & Loy Krathong Lanterns

Each November, Chiang Mai's Yi Peng festival fills the sky with thousands of paper lanterns while Loy Krathong sends candlelit baskets down the rivers — one of the world's most photographed events.

Tip: Dates move each year with the lunar calendar; book accommodation and any ticketed release months ahead.

Beyond the Highlights

More time, or a return trip? These take you off the main trail.

Khao SokAncient rainforest, limestone cliffs and a floating-bungalow lake.
Koh LantaA longer, quieter island for slow beach days.
PaiA laid-back mountain town in the far north near Chiang Mai.
SukhothaiThailand's first capital — serene 13th-century ruins.
Khao YaiNational park and a surprising up-and-coming wine region.
The SimilansSome of Thailand's best diving and snorkelling (Nov–Apr).
Plan It Right

Practical Thailand

🗓 When to go

November to early April is the cool, dry and best overall season. The Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi) peaks November–April, while the Gulf islands (Samui, Tao) run December–April with a secondary dry window June–August. Songkran (April) and Yi Peng (November) are spectacular festival times.

📅 How long

10–14 days lets you combine Bangkok, Chiang Mai and a southern island at a relaxed pace. With 7 days, focus on one region — the cultural north or the southern islands — rather than rushing both.

🏨 Where to base

Use Bangkok as your arrival hub, Chiang Mai for the north and culture, and one southern island — Phuket or Krabi (Andaman) or Koh Samui (Gulf) — for the beach half of the trip.

🚗 Getting around

Cheap domestic flights link Bangkok with Chiang Mai and the south. In the cities, Grab and Bolt avoid haggling; ferries connect the islands; and new high-speed rail speeds up day trips like Ayutthaya. QR payments work almost everywhere, so you needn't carry much cash.

Good to Know

Thailand — FAQ

November to early April is the cool, dry and best overall season. The Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi) peaks November–April, while the Gulf islands (Koh Samui, Koh Tao) run December–April with a secondary dry spell in June–August. Songkran in April and Yi Peng in November are highlights.
Ten to fourteen days lets you combine Bangkok, Chiang Mai and a southern island comfortably. With about a week, focus on one region — either the cultural north or the southern islands — to avoid a rushed trip.
From 2026, most visa-exempt travellers, including Australians, must apply for a Thailand Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) online before arrival; tourist stays are typically up to 60 days visa-free. Your passport should have six months' validity. Confirm current requirements on official sources before booking.
Look for genuine 'observation only' sanctuaries where rescued elephants roam in a natural setting, and avoid anywhere that offers riding or forced bathing. In 2026 the ethical standard across the north has shifted decisively toward observation rather than interaction.
Very — it's safe, affordable and easy to travel, with a great mix of culture, beaches and food. A common family-friendly route pairs Bangkok's temples with an island beach and Chiang Mai's elephants and cooking classes.
Cheap domestic flights connect Bangkok with Chiang Mai and the south. Grab and Bolt apps handle city transport without haggling, ferries link the islands, and QR payments via PromptPay are accepted almost everywhere, so you don't need to carry much cash.
Keep Planning

Related Guides

Things to Do
World Travel Things to DoBrowse every destination and experience
More Ideas
Things to Do in VietnamThe fastest-rising trip for Australians
Best Time to Visit
When to Travel, Destination by DestinationThailand, Asia, Europe, the Pacific and more
Before You Go
Travel Insurance GuideWhat Australians need to know before travelling

Ready to Plan Your Thailand Trip?

Tell our team how you like to travel and we'll build a tailor-made Thailand itinerary — city, mountains and islands — around what matters most to you.

Talk to a Tour Expert — It's Free →
✓ Family-owned since 1974
✓ Own fleet
✓ Brisbane depot
✓ Small groups
✓ No booking fees