Thailand is known as the land of a thousand smiles but also for palm-fringed beaches with the purest white sand, towering golden buddhas, sacred temples and palaces, lush rainforest, a vibrant cultural calendar, world-renowned food and tropical island escapes - it’s easy to see why Thailand is one of the most visited countries in the world.

From its northern hill tribes and dense jungle to the perfect beaches down south and the buzz of Bangkok, there’s no place quite like Thailand.

Bangkok

Hot, loud, frenetic, exotic and with a population of around 11 million people – heady Bangkok is a feast for the senses. Thai hospitality is in a class of its own, and much of the five-star accommodation can be found along the Chao Phraya River, such as The Peninsula, Shangri-La, Anantara and Mandarin Oriental. Options are varied, such as the incredible Wat Pho and The Grand Palace, Thai boxing matches, traditional dancing shows, hip bars, night markets and the Chatuchak Weekend Market - a law unto itself, this place has an estimated 8,000 stalls selling a cornucopia of wares.

The north

Cooler, calmer and less developed than other regions, northern Thailand offers jungles, mountains, hill tribes and a plethora of Buddhist temples. Chang Mai is part of the ‘Golden Triangle’ and is a place for calm recollection and relaxation. Bordering Laos and Myanmar, many visitors head to the mountains and forests of the Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park, others opt for a guided tour to Mae Sa on a quest to discover ancient hill tribes. Some tours are better than others, with questions occasionally raised as to their authenticity. Further north, Chang Rai offers unspoiled mountain villages, waterfall-filled rainforests and peaceful wats. Visitors to this part of the country can also test their nerves rafting in Um Phang, party with the backpacker crowd in Pai or enjoy a traditional homestay in rural Sukhothai and find peace at Phrae’s Buddhist temple.

The southern islands

Thousands of islands line the Gulf Coast on the east side and Andaman Sea on the west, both offering paradise-perfect beaches, but the unrivalled beauty of the islands has of course been affected by mass tourism. Ko Samui, Ko Phangan and Ko Tao are a trio of islands on the Gulf Coast. Ko Samui still manages to retain a certain amount of charm in the less developed resorts. Ko Phangan has changed immeasurably over the years due to its reputation for full and half moon parties, while Ko Tao is the smallest of the three and better suited to couples and families as well as being a popular spot for diving. The Andaman coast side is dotted with dramatic limestone karst islands, jutting out of the ocean. Phuket and Krabi are the most popular stop-off points here. Phuket is predominantly a brash party destination, but also attracts a well-heeled crowd to its villas, boutique boltholes and luxurious hotels. Krabi has a much calmer air, and is a great place to explore before heading to Ko Phi Phi Lee and Ko Phi Phi Don, the two picture-postcard islands made famous by James Bond and Leonardo di Caprio, but now rammed with tourism. For those looking for a more authentic experience, Ko Lipe, Ko Ra Wi and Ko Adang hold a special allure and are still relatively unspoilt.

East coast

Holidaying Bangkokians and package tourists head to this part of the country, lured by the islands and beaches, some just as beautiful as the southern isles, but bear in mind that much of the first part of the coastline to the east of Bangkok is heavily industrialised. Pattaya is Thailand’s number one package-tour destination but perhaps not the highest quality destination, however the ever-enduring Ko Samet is a calm, beautiful, palm-fringed island that has long been a hangout for diving enthusiasts. Head to Trat if you want to access the more mainstream Ko Chang, lesser-known Ko Kood, Ko Mak and Ko Ku or family-friendly Ko Wai.

Central plains

Many travellers simply pass through central Thailand, but this part of the country is well worth a look, given this is home to a great deal of the country’s rich historical and cultural heritage. Visit the grand former capital, Ayutthaya, to discover gleaming temples and palaces of former Thai rulers, harking back to a bygone era or Sukhothai, birthplace of the Thai kingdom in the 13th century. Nature is all around too, with the vast mountain ranges, caves and crevices of Thong Pha Phum National Park waiting to be explored, along with the allure of potentially seeing wild tigers - all within easy reach of the capital.

Khao Sok National Park

Whether you want to trek through lust rainforest – said to be the oldest evergreen rainforest in the world – go deep underground on a pitch-black cave tour, trail limestone mountains or stay on the beautiful Cheow Larn Lake in the heart of the park with its floating houses, this area has huge appeal. Located in Surat Thani in the south, it’s the place to head for a real jungle adventure.

The Great Buddha of Thailand

Thailand is home to the world’s ninth tallest statue – The Great Buddha of Thailand, also known as The Big Buddha – proudly guarding over the Wat Muang Monastery in Ang Thong province. The statue is 92m high and 63m wide and is painted gleaming gold, a true sight to behold.

Bangkok’s Grand Palace

A complex of beautifully ornate buildings in the heart of Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, the Palace was once home of the King and his court and the entire administrative seat of government for around 150 years. Spanning an area of 218,400 sq. metres, you will find gilded chapels, inner, outer and middle courtyards, a throne hall and perfectly manicured gardens.

Ayutthaya

A trip to the ancient Thai capital of Ayutthaya – founded in 1350 and the second capital of the Siamese Kingdom – is a must-see if you’re interested in discovering Thailand’s real history and heritage. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can explore the ancient ruins and visit gilded temples and palaces that hint at Thailand’s fascinating past.

Mae Hong Son Loop

This desirable 600km roadtrip through Mae Hong Son Province lures travellers in search of authentic, sleepy Thailand. This is the most mountainous province in Thailand and receives few visitors due to its remote location and time needed to reach it – most people allow four days to complete the trip, which includes the highest mountain in Thailand, Doi Inthanon.

Kanchanaburi

A two-hour drive from Bangkok, this town is an adventure hub and also the ideal base to explore the notorious Bridge Over The River Kwai and Death Railway, constructed in World War II when Japanese forces used allied Prisoners of War and Asian armed forces to build a rail route to Myanmar. It is estimated that around 90,000 people died during its construction. Further north from here is the Khao Laem Reservoir with several sunken temples that can be discovered by boat or kayak.

Phimai

The Khmers of neighbouring Cambodia left a chain of incredible ruins across the northeast, such as those seen in this unassuming little town. On a par with Angkor, the Phimai historical park protects one of the most important Khmer temples of Thailand, Prasat Phimai, which once stood on the Ancient Khmer ‘highway’ linking Angkor with the northern reaches of its realm.