Categories > Guides and Tips
12 Fun and Non-Touristy Things To Do in Thailand
- Bike your way through the Mae Hong Son Loop
- Do some rock climbing and fire dancing at TonSai Beach
- Hike the multi-tiered waterfalls of Erawan National Park
- Marvel at the dinosaur footprints of Tha Uthen
- Relax and chill out at Ko Kut
- Take in the rural vibes of Nan Province
- Sip on some coffee and chill out at Doy Din Dang Pottery Studio
- Experience local farm life at Nakhon Ratchasima
- Experience a symphony of colours at Ban Nong Bong Plant Market
- Stay overnight at the floating bungalows of Khao Sok National Park
- Relax and chill out at the Chiang Saen Lake
- Marvel at the uniqueness of Hat Saeng Chan Beach
Travelling around Thailand and doing touristy things is what tourists such as yourself should do, right? Well, sure but that’s if you only want to experience what the common attractions this beautiful country has to offer.
However, you’ll often find hidden gems on the off-beaten path – from gorgeous waterfalls to locally brewed coffee. This is exactly what we have for you on this list of fun and non-touristy things to do when in Thailand!
Read on to find out more!
Bike your way through the Mae Hong Son Loop
Address: Mae Hong Son
Contact details: N/A
Operating hours:
- N/A
If you want to experience the gorgeous landscape of Northern Thailand, then taking the 600-kilometre Mae Hong Son Loop might be the activity for you! From Chiang Mai, two roads go in the opposite direction consisting of the loop ending in Mae Hong Son City.
Expect this ride to be an adventurous one as you make your way through caves, colourful towns, multi-tiered waterfalls, farming valleys, and beautiful landscapes. We recommend that you rent either a motorcycle or scooter to enjoy this experience.
You’ll also need around four days to complete the loop and enjoy the trip around Mae Hong Son. If you give yourself enough time, you can pass by and enjoy the sights of the main towns here such as Mae Hong Son, Mae Sariang, and Pai.
Pro tip:
- To help you get accustomed to the loop, follow a clockwise path. Start with the flat terrain of Mae Sariang before heading towards Pai and Mae Hong Son. These latter parts are quite hilly and have steep curves.
Do some rock climbing and fire dancing at TonSai Beach
Address: Ton Sai Beach
Contact details: N/A
Operating hours:
- N/A
The main beaches of Thailand like Krabi Beach can be a bit too crowded for your taste. If this is the case and if you’re looking for someplace more relaxing and quaint, then your best bet will be TonSai Beach.
This tropical paradise is smack in the middle of Ao Nang and Railey Beach and it has a lot of bars for you to choose from. Here, you can relax as you sip some tea or party all day as you drink a cold glass of beer all while taking in the gorgeous views around you.
If you want something more challenging, though, you can always conquer the stalagmites and the different rock formations of the beach through rock climbing. There are stores that will allow you to rent some climbing gear at around 800 to 1,000 THB.
On the other hand, if you’re serious about honing your rock climbing skills, you can even opt to join a rock climbing course that will take around 5 days to complete. The best part is that after your action-packed activity, you can witness locals doing some fire dancing.
They do this at night to great effect and if you want to learn how to do this dance, you can ask them to teach you. It’s a fun and unforgettable experience that most tourists miss out on (unless they read our lists of things to do, of course).
Pro tip:
- Fire dancing and rock climbing aren’t the only activities you can do here.
There’s also some yoga, hiking through the woods, snorkelling, diving, kayaking, and slacklining which you can try out to get the most out of your trip to TonSai Beach.
Hike the multi-tiered waterfalls of Erawan National Park
Address: Erawan National Park
Contact details: +6634574222
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Erawan National Park is just 3 hours away from Bangkok by car and if you love nature and the great outdoors, then this national park should be on your itinerary.
This location is massive at 550 sqm and offers some of the most interesting flora and fauna in Thailand. You’ll enjoy watching the different animals present at this national park such as king cobras, tigers, elephants, deer, and gibbons among others.
The best attraction of Erawan National Park though is the Erawan Waterfall with its several levels of flowing waters and ponds. You’ll also be enchanted by its emerald-green pools that contain hundreds of fish to give your tired feet a massage.
You and the kids can also do something fun once you get to the 4th level of this waterfall. It has a natural water slide made of smooth stone where you can slip and slide into the green waters of the pond below it!
Pro tip:
- Make sure to bring swimwear or at least an extra set of clothes when you visit the Erawan National Park. You might not plan on swimming here but you might need to change into fresh clothes if ever you get too sweaty or even just accidentally wet while traversing the park’s waterfalls.
Marvel at the dinosaur footprints of Tha Uthen
Address: Phanom, Tha Uthen District, Nakhon Phanom 48120, Thailand
Contact details: N/A
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Visiting the Dinosaur Footprints Learning Centre at Tha Uthen feels like you are stepping into a time machine! The centre has enormous footprints that are supposedly a hundred million years old and there’s a ton of them for you to see here firsthand.
It’s speculated that there were a number of different prehistoric animals that made those tracks– from iguanodons to dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures– but the bottom line is it’s a marvel for you to see them curated for your viewing pleasure!
The inner child in you will also scream in delight as you enjoy roaming around the site while learning all about the dating techniques used to identify these prints. You’ll not only learn something new but you’ll appreciate the ancient history of Thailand.
Pro tip:
- Aside from dinosaur footprints on display, you’ll also see a couple of dinosaur statues here as well. Take your camera and start taking pictures of and with these statues as they are impressive to look at.
Relax and chill out at Ko Kut
Address: Ko Kut, Trat, Thailand
Contact details: N/A
Operating hours:
- N/A
You might be the kind of traveller who wants to slow things down when on vacation. If so, Ko Kut should be on your Thailand bucket list. It’s referred to as Thailand’s “last unspoiled island” as the area has no nightlife, no traffic, and no crowds.
There is minimal electricity as solar power is king here which we think is pretty impressive! Ko Kut internet can also be a bit unreliable which means you’ll have no emails to respond to or virtual meetings to attend.
All you have left to do is just take a stroll around the island, get on a hammock, and enjoy a long relaxing nap as you look out and admire the amazing views of the water and the swaying palm trees in the distance.
Pro tip:
- There are a number of luxury resorts here at Ko Kut Beach since the island is just “starting out” in terms of development. However, we recommend looking for budget hotels or homestays to get great value for your money.
Take in the rural vibes of Nan Province
Address: Nan, Thailand
Contact details: N/A
Operating hours:
- N/A
Located 300 kilometres away from Chiang Mai, Nan province is a laid-back and lush location where you’ll find true blue rural vibes away from the urban lifestyle of major Thai cities.
The area is well-known for its lush mountains and huge rice fields where you can take impressive photos with these wide open spaces as your background.
Nan is also a great place for you to immerse yourself further in the culture through the province’s historical sites (e.g. Nan Noble House). Lastly, there are several national parks you can get lost in just by admiring the stunning waterfalls and caves of the area!
Pro tip:
- You can also visit the Bo Klua salt wells where you can witness how the locals make salt. We recommend renting a bike to make it easier for you to visit this salt well which will take you around two hours and a half to reach.
Along the way, you can take in the sights of this rural slice of heaven and enjoy the beauty of the province while you pedal your way to your next destination.
Sip on some coffee and chill out at Doy Din Dang Pottery Studio
Address: Nang Lae, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
Contact details: +66610933131
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
- Closed on Sunday
Price:
- 90 THB per person
Doy Din Dang is one site you need to visit in Thailand if you’re after a unique cultural experience. It’s relatively close to Chiang Rai (Chiang Rai in Thailand) (12 Kilometres away) so it’s worth a visit if you want to see the works of a popular Thai artist who trained in Japanese ceramics.
The studio is quite special as you get to see decorative and functional pottery from natural and locally sourced materials such as soil, bamboo, and even hay. You can purchase some for around 200 THB to 500 THB – a perfect souvenir item for your home!
While browsing through the ceramic pieces, you can also relax at their al fresco cafe which serves locally crafted coffee. Enjoy your hot drink as you look around at the beauty and artistry of the studio.
Pro tip:
- As one of Thailand’s more non-touristy hidden gems, Don Din Dan Pottery can be difficult to find. Hence, you need to look for the signs that say “Long Neck Karen Village” while you’re on the South or North highway.
From the highway, the studio should then just be around 2 kilometres away.
Experience local farm life at Nakhon Ratchasima
Address: Nakhon Ratchasima, Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima District
Contact details: N/A
Operating hours:
- N/A
You can spend a satisfying and fulfilling day at Nakhon Ratchasima if you’re into local farm life or agrotourism. Also referred to as Korat, this northeastern province of Thailand, this site is famous for silk threads produced by raising their very own silkworms.
We recommend getting the farm tour here to witness the very impressive and interesting process of how these silkworms produce these threads. You’ll also get a tour of the farm where you can take in the gorgeous view of the lush hills surrounding the site.
The tour will also give you access to some of the other activities locals engage in during their day-to-day lives. These include their mushroom cultivation, roaming the giant pumpkin patch, picking fruits and vegetables, and their cultivation of these silkworms.
Pro tip:
- If you want to know more about the history of Thai Silk, you can join the Jim Thompson Farm Tour of Nakhon Ratchasima. Make sure to book in advance though as it only offers its tours once a year (around December to January).
Experience a symphony of colours at Ban Nong Bong Plant Market
Address: Phu Ruea
Contact details: N/A
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
The Ban Nong Bong Plant Market is one location you need to visit in Thailand if you want to feel that European vibe while in the country. It’s a paradise where you can experience a ton of different flowers and plants that only usually grow in cold climates.
Local farmers are to thank for this amazing spectacle of colours as their hard work and dedication resulted in the garden being in tip-top condition.
You can buy some of these plants and flowers directly from them not just as a souvenir but also as a way to support the local plant trade industry.
There are also some homemade crafts you can purchase from the families of these farmers. You can’t get any more authentic than this if you ask us.
Pro tip:
- Even before getting to the plant market itself, the roads leading to the site will have colourful plant nurseries lining up the side of the path. You can park to the side and just enjoy the beauty of these nurseries to relax and calm your mind.
Stay overnight at the floating bungalows of Khao Sok National Park
Address: Phanom District, Surat Thani, Thailand
Contact details: +6677395154
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Price:
- 40 THB for Thai adults
- 20 THB for Thai kids
- 300 THB for adult tourists
- 150 THB for kid tourists
The floating raft houses or “bungalows” of Khao Sok National Park (Khao Sok National Park & Floating Bungalows Travel Guide) are the star of the show here and are something you must experience when in this part of the country. The floating raft houses are located in the Cheow Lan Lake deep within the jungle.
If you book a night in one of these, you’ll experience the joy of waking up in the middle of the jungle while floating calmly on the lake. This is a divine experience if you ask us, and nothing can beat seeing the sunrise from this viewpoint!
You can also just enjoy the 360-degree view of the jungle and the lake’s horizon as the sun begins to show up. The melodious sounds of wildlife in the area are definitely a plus especially if you or any of your family members love the great outdoors.
Pro tip:
- You can also do other activities while at Khao Sok National Park. Try some bamboo rafting, river kayaking, jungle trekking, and even interact with the park’s elephants!
Relax and chill out at the Chiang Saen Lake
Address: Chiang Saen Lake
Contact details: N/A
Operating hours:
- N/A
Chiang Saen Lake is a must-visit if you’re into nature and wildlife, specifically birds. The lake itself is a majestic body of water to look at but what will surely draw you here is the unique fauna of the site.
If you time your visit just right, you’ll witness the migration of two unique bird species– the Greater Coucal and the Chinese Pond Heron. No wonder you’ll see a lot of locals around the lake just relaxing and doing some bird watching.
Pro tip:
- You can also strike up a conversation with the locals around the lake while they’re birdwatching, Just make sure to keep your voice down if you do so to avoid scaring the birds away.
You might learn a thing or two about birdwatching and also walk away from the site with a new local fellow enthusiast.
Marvel at the uniqueness of Hat Saeng Chan Beach
Address: Saeng Chan Beach
Contact details: N/A
Operating hours:
- N/A
Hat Saeng Chan Beach is truly one of a kind and deserves your attention. Here, you’ll see man-made harbours designed to keep erosion at bay (pun intended) and to protect the small fishing boats plying the area.
Aside from these unique beach features, you can also do some swimming and sunbathing along the beach. Once you’re done, you can watch the local fisherfolk dry out their catch, preserving them in order to sell them to the market later on.
Pro tip:
- This is one of the few beaches in Thailand that isn’t overly crowded. You can swim and sunbathe in peace as most tourists don’t even head this way for their water activities.
