Journey to Thailand's Best: 6 Incredible Places to Visit this Summer with Club Mahindra

With summer approaching fast, it is that time of the year again when families and friends get together and start shortlisting destinations for their annual summer vacation with much gusto as they look forward to some much-needed fun and frolic after a long and hard yearat work, school or college. After all, as they say, 'All work and no play make John a dull boy!' So a little bit of well-deserved relaxation and rejuvenation goes a long way in recharging our batteries!

Now, the moment one imagines being on a fun and vibrant vacation, the pictures that come to the mind are some sun, sand, and beaches, not to mention, swimsuit, hat, sunglasses, beach chair, and some sunscreen to go with it! And somehow, the first name that pops up in our minds is the Asian paradise, Thailand! 

There aren’t just multiple places to visit in Thailand, but also various options of things to do in Thailand, whether you are a history buff, nature, and outdoor lover, culture explorer, a spiritual seeker, a shopaholic or merely looking out for some delicious food and entertainment, you name it, and Thailand has it!

In the most real sense of the term, Thailand has something for everyone from every age group, so you can be assured everyone can have a lovely time!

Thailand tourism

It wouldn’t’ be an overstatement to claim that Thailand thrives on tourism as it is a major contributor to the economy of Thailand. One of the major factors for the rise in Thailand tourism in the last decade or so has been its moderate tropical climate, which attracts a good influx of tourists from around the world consistently throughout the year. The slogan ‘Amazing Thailand’ has been used by The ‘Tourism Authority of Thailand’ (TAT) under the ‘Ministry of Tourism and Sports’to promote Thailand tourism internationally. Even though Thai is the local language of the country, most tourist-friendly places have English speaking staff as well as English signboards for international tourists. 

It is no wonder that within a short period, Thailand has become one of the leading tourist hot spots on the global tourism map!

Let us explore the top six places to visit in Thailand

Bangkok

The capital city of Thailand, Bangkok, has to be a part of your itinerary when visiting this tropical island heaven. While there is no shortage of things to do in Thailand, a visit to this island country is incomplete without experiencing its magical and vibrant capital city! With a hearty mix of the old world charm of Wat Arun and Wat Pho, the hustle and bustle of the nightlife of a big city, the charm of floating markets and Chatuchak Weekend Market, one of the largest known street markets of the world, the gastronomical delights of over 300000 street food stalls, the peace and serenity of ancient Buddhist temples and not to forget the limitless budget-friendly shopping delights for the compulsive shopaholics out there,  this dynamic and exhilarating modern city has to be on your list of things to do in Thailand the moment you conceive the idea of visiting  Thailand.

Safety
Over and above the attractive tourist spots of Bangkok, it is also considered a generally safe tourist destination as it does not have any significant criminal record against tourists.

Transportation
Getting around Bangkok is also quite convenient as there are many pocket-friendly ways of commuting within the city like the Sky trains, Metros, the famous Tuk – Tuk, a colorful open vehicle to explore the city as well as tourist cabs. There is the Riverboat as well if you wish to enjoy a floating scenic view of the city.

Food
When it comes to food, Bangkok is a gastronomical delight for the foodie traveler as it houses some of the best restaurants in Thailand along with the innumerable world-famous street food stalls in the city that serve some well and truly exotic delicacies local to this region.

Phuket

Another postcard-perfect destination of this island country in the southwestern island Phuket, a beach lover’s paradise! Surrounded by the majestic Andaman Sea, this island is just an hour's flight from the capital city Bangkok. Sparkling blue aquamarine waters, beautiful limestone cliffs, and pure white sands welcome you with open arms. The main charm of Phuket is that you get to enjoy a luxurious vacation at budget-friendly rates, be it hotels and resorts, the world-famous spa treatments of Thailand, or the boat tours.

Some of the most popular places to visit in Thailand are:

• Promthep Cape, the southernmost point of the island to enjoy a breathtaking view of the Andaman Sea as well as enjoy some hiking to a lovely lighthouse nearby
• Big Buddha, the giant statue of Lord Buddha atop the peak of Mount Nagakerd which gives a bird’s eye view of the Kata Bay
• Nai Harn Beach, the southernmost beach of Phuket, is a favorite among the locals and tourists alike for its shimmering white sand and authentic restaurants
• Wat Chalong - along with being the biggest, it is also one of the most vibrant and colorful Buddhist temples of Phuket
• Phuket Spas and Boat tours – a Thailand travel guide would be incomplete without experiencing the relaxing spa treatments and serene boat tours of Phuket.

Chiang Mai

If the crowd and commotion of Bangkok on the Thailand travel guide is not your cup of tea, worry not! Chiang Mai comes as a breath of fresh air! This old city has beautiful landscapes of mountains, calming ancient temples like Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang, lovely night markets, and Sunday bazaars for some laid back shopping strolls as well as the must-visit Elephant Nature Park for a date with the Thai giants of the forest! So, for the tourist who wants to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life, Chiang Mai is one of the best places to visit in Thailand.

Chiang Rai

Towards the northernmost province of Thailand, there is a complete shift in its geographical landscape as you will be welcomed with lush greenery in the form of mountains, flood plants, rivers, and jungles! At Chiang Rai, your sightseeing itinerary should include a visit to the Buddhist temples like the beautiful Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) and Wat Phra Kaew, the Hall of Opium as well as the Baan Dam Museum to take in the historical sights! Also, do not miss the famous eateries and locally made souvenirs shops of the Night Bazaar here!  Didn’t we say when it comes to things to do in Thailand, there is something for everyone out there!

Phang-nga

Amongst the many tourist hot spots that had been devasted and destroyed by Tsunami, the 2004 natural calamity that claimed a huge chunk of this beautiful island country, if there is one place that displays the resilience of Thailand, it is Phang-nga for the way it has re built and recovered itself after the 2004 tragedy. During the dry winter season between November to April, tourists from across the world flock this quaint place famous for the province's four national parks. Hiking, snorkeling, and diving are some of the favorite hot activities of tourists at Phang-nga. Even if these adventure sports are not on your bucket list, Phang-nga is also a great spot to breathe in the natural and serene beauty of southern Thailand. Also, make sure the James Bond Island in the Ao Phang Nga National Park in Phang-nga is also on your list of places to visit in Thailand when preparing your Thailand travel guide.

Ko Chang

Amongst the many things to do in Thailand, just being, taking it easy, relaxing and rejuvenating can also very well be on the list of a lot of tourists. Enter Ko Chang. This island, located on the west coast of Thailand, is less exploited by tourists than the more famous ones like Phuket, but no less beautiful and serene in comparison! Ko Chang, which translates to Elephant Island, is stunningly dotted with breathtaking coastlines and an array of accommodation options. The interiors of this west coast island offer Elephant sanctuaries, which explains the name of the island, and tropical jungles to enjoy and explore.

Best time to visit Thailand

Although there are slight climate variations across different regions of Thailand, depending on the geographical landscapes, it experiences relatively moderate weather throughout the year, which is why you will see a steady influx of tourists during all seasons. The climate varies between the western and eastern coasts in the south. The weather, in general, tends to be slightly more favorable during the winter months when tourists enjoy diving and snorkeling the most, whereas the climate on the east coast is favorable through most of the year. January and February experience the lowest rainfall, whereas November records the highest rainfall in the region.

November – March – this considered to be the best time to visit Thailand for people looking to avoid humidity as the weather is on the cooler side.  

April - June – from April onwards, the temperature starts to rise, as does the heat and humidity. There is usually a surge of tourists from Asian countries like India, which have summer breaks for students during this time.

July – October - Thailand experiences mild monsoons during this time, and the temperature tends to cool down a bit. This is considered to be a peak season for western tourists as they travel during their summer break.

and museums.

How to reach Thailand?

Owing to the steady spike in tourism in the last ten to fifteen years from across the globe, the travel infrastructure of the island country has also seen a parallel growth to ensure secure connectivity with the rest of the world.

Geographical Details

Continent – Asia
Region – Far East Asia, Southeast Asia

Reaching Thailand by Air

The two major International airports in Thailand are in Bangkok and Phuket, which are well connected to all the countries. There are multiple airline options for tourists as all major airlines that fly to Asia also travel to Thailand. Other small international airports in Krabi, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, and Hat Yai are also reasonably connected through flights from Southeast Asian countries.The national carriers of Thailand are Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways.

Reaching Thailand by Rail

Thailand has one international train service operating between Butterworth, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, and Singapore.

Reaching Thailand by Water

Thailand has good water connectivity as there are ferries and cruises operating across Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Cruises from Australia and Europe make frequent stops at Phuket and Laem Chabang in Bangkok. 

After considering all of the above, one thing is certain; there is no better choice than Thailand for a wholesome summerholiday with the entire family as there is something for every age group. So, wait no more and quickly book yourself on an adventure-filled vacation to enjoy different places to visit in Thailand with your near and dear ones, make wonderful memories, and capture magical moments on your i phones and Androids to be cherished forever!

About Mahindra Holidays

Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Limited (MHRIL), India’s leading player in the leisure hospitality industry, offers quality family holidays as also stated by Club Mahindra Membership Reviews, primarily through vacation ownership memberships. While Club Mahindra is the flagship brand offering Club Mahindra Membership, the other brands offered by the company are – Club Mahindra Resorts Fundays and Svaastha Spa. As on Mar 31, 2019, MHRIL has 61+ resorts across India and abroad and its subsidiary, Holiday Club Resorts Oy, Finland, a leading vacation ownership company in Europe has 33 resorts across Finland, Sweden and Spain. Visit us at www.clubmahindra.com