The Land of Smiles has been drawing visitors from far and wide for decades. Tropical climate, sandy beaches, and exotic culture are just a few reasons people can’t stay away from Thailand.
Thailand’s most famed places – Bangkok, Phuket, Koh Phangan, and Chiang Mai – have been well (if not overly) developed and cater strongly to western standards. While this creates a more comfortable atmosphere for tourists, the genuine culture of this South East Asian country is often cast aside because of it.
That’s why this blog is not about places like Phuket or the party-hardy islands on the east coast. This blog is about the places in Thailand that remain undisrupted and peaceful. If you’re a traveler seeking the truth about this amazing and complex country, check out these can’t miss places in Thailand:
Chatuchak Weekend Market, Bangkok
Despite the touristy vibe, there are plenty of worthwhile places to see in Bangkok. However, it’s the Chatuchak Weekend Market really takes the cake. As the biggest market in the country, Chatuchak is your one-stop-shop for any souvenir you could possibly want. Browse over 8,000 outdoor stalls – yep, eight thousand – for clothes, shoes, jewellery, textiles, furniture, home décor, arts and crafts supplies, outdoor equipment, live animals…the list goes on. If you can’t find it at Chatuchak, you won’t find it anywhere.
Of course, after all that shopping you’ll need to refuel. Luckily, there are many food and beverage stalls serving Thai teas, fruit shakes, pad Thai, fried rice, spicy papaya salad, and sweet green curry. Some of the bigger places even have live entertainment in the aisles of the market.
Chatuchak is a can’t-miss market in Thailand due to the insanely vibrant atmosphere and the ability to get all sorts of treasures, souvenirs, and knick-knacks to commemorate your trip – all in one go!
Koh Lanta
Thailand is a known destination in South East Asia for tropical islands. The big-name islands boast full-moon parties, jungle parties, and buckets of cheap alcohol. If this is what you’re looking for, then you’re reading the wrong blog. Of course, I experienced these parties, and while they are indeed wild and raucous, it’s a cheap and disingenuous way to see Thailand.
That’s why I suggest heading to Koh Lanta. Half way up the west coast in the Andaman Sea, Lanta attracts travelers for a variety of reasons. For one, it boasts arguably the best dive sites in the country. If you’re a certified diver already, check out the Manta and Whale Shark hotspots Hin Daeng and Hin Muang.
Even if you don’t get lucky with a big fish spotting, these dive sites will never disappoint. Not certified? No problem. Take the 3-day course and be spoiled forever by the Koh Haa dive sites. Home to hard and soft corals, caves, cathedrals, eels, octopus, turtles, and seahorses, you’ll be hard pressed to find more impressive dive sites.
There’s plenty more to do on Lanta beside scuba diving. There are roughly a dozen beaches, each with their own restaurants, bars, and personality. Klong Kong Beach is my personal favorite. It’s chill with plenty of food and drink options, and puts on a killer sunset show. Grab beers from the roadside shops or post up at any one of the laid-back beach bars and enjoy.
One of the nicest things to do on Lanta is to rent a motorbike and visit the Old Town. This section of this island is on the opposite side of the island from all the accommodations, beaches, and overall tourist “life.” Here you can stroll the single street and shop for all things Thai, including clothing, food products, and hand-made hammocks.
Smiley’s Floating Bungalows, Khao Sok
Take a few days off the beaten path and visit one of the most pristine places in Thailand: Khao Sok National Park. The park boasts a breathtaking 739 square-kilometers of jungle-lake landscape with massive limestone cliffs, impressive karsts, lakes, rivers, caves, and more flora and fauna than you can count.
A hidden gem within the park is Smiley’s Lake House. Composed of 42 floating bungalows and attached bar and restaurant, this is the only option for floating accommodation on Ratchapraba Lake (also known as Cheio Lan Lake). The restaurant serves up tasty local dishes and the bar is fully stocked with the local beers and spirits.
The family owned lake house rents kayaks for self-tours around the area. Paddle to some nearby islands and tromp around in all the natural beauty. Smiley’s also has plenty of dock space – perfect for sunbathing and enjoying the water. 
Guests can schedule day trips to Ratchapraba Dam, jungle trekking, and tubing. It’s also perfectly acceptable to just relax and take in the stunning view of the limestone cliffs and mountain backdrop as it reflects off the tranquil, turquoise water.
Surat Thani
To the untrained travelers’ eye, Surat Thani is a lackluster Thai city, offering nothing but dusty roads and whizzing motorbikes. Many view it simply as a pass-through town, a brief stop on the way to one of the well-hyped party islands like Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao.
While Surat Thani does make getting to most of the east coast islands easy with its pier and boat schedule, there’s more to this city than meets the eye. Let’s start with the amazing food. I have lived and traveled throughout Thailand for years, and Surat Thani remains number one on my list in terms of the best local food. It’s genuine and untampered with, meaning it’s not adjusted for the foreign palate. This is Thai food in it’s true form – and yes, sometimes the spicy-ness factor can be unforgiving.
Another perk are the prices. Surat Thani has yet to be transformed and marketed as a destination within Thailand. The prices are still set for locals, not jet-setting tourists. Enjoy a delicious meal complete with appetizers and beers for under $5. If you choose to eat your way around one of Surat’s many night markets, expect to spend even less.
Another one of my favorite places to hang out on a weekend night was The Pier. This riverfront stretch of the city has a tiny port that houses the Koh Tao night ferries. Additionally, locals have capitalized on the busy location and turned it into a Friday night hot spot. Small metal stands line the road adjacent to the pier, and plastic tables and chairs have been set up right on the river. Sit under the stars and enjoy cheap food like pad Thai, soup, papaya salad, and cold beer that’s been chilled in plastic coolers. There’s even a Cocktail Stand run by a woman blasting reggae tunes and mixing potent drinks. It’s a great place to gather with a big group in the early evening.
Koh Lipe
Escape the trashy party scene that has descended onto many of the other Thai islands and visit a place with a little more class and lot more beauty. Koh Lipe is the most southern island in Thailand. It’s so far south, in fact, that you can see Malaysia on a clear day, and even catch a ferry to the Malaysian island of Langkawi.
Sitting like a prized jewel on the west coast of the country, this Andaman Sea island is nothing short of breathtaking. The boomerang shaped shores of Koh Lipe attract foreigners with the azure waters, shallow coral reefs, and a healthy balance of western development and local island spirit.
Serene sunrises can be seen from one side of the island, while magical sunsets are witnessed from the other. Secluded, mountain side bungalows dot the hilly landscape, and naturally constructed wooden bungalows line the beaches.
Lipe is encircled by neighboring islands, none of which are inhabited. However, they are explorable via kayak and are especially impressive in terms of their rugged beauty.
Tip: There is a fantastic view point from the neighboring island of Koh Adang. Take on the steep hike and be rewarded with panoramic views of Lipe, Koh Talang (nearby island and awesome dive site) and the vastness of the Andaman Sea. 
Khanom
This is a special place that most ordinary tourists in Thailand would know about. The only reason I discovered it was because I worked as an English Teacher in Surat Thani, and Khanom is every local teacher’s weekend escape.
Situated roughly an hour outside of Surat Thani Town lies a sleepy little beachside village. You’d never give it a second thought if you were just passing through on the main road. It looks like any other nondescript, undeveloped Thai town. But turn away from the main road and cruise down to the coast and it becomes clear why ex-pats and locals alike love spending the weekend in Khanom.
There are zero traces of tourists, neon-colored beach party signs, and western development. Knanom offers miles of pristine sandy coastline, beach front bamboo bungalows, and home-grown establishments.
There are different accommodation options depending on your budget, ranging from basic huts to comfortable resort rooms. There are very few beach bars in Khanom, which makes the ones they do have special – check out Jam Bay for a younger crowd and hippie vibe or Cee-Cee’s for a slightly more upscale, but smaller venue.
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This list is not composed of Thailand’s most popular hot-spots. That would be pointless. There are a million other blogs that describe the best beach parties and the trendiest islands in Thailand. This blog is for those who want to experience true Thailand; the untouched, untampered with side that gave Thailand its fame. Now, those places are overrun with tourists and the authenticity has been driven out by foreign business and tourism.
Luckily, there are still well-hidden locations in Thailand that have retained their originality. The above mentioned are just a few. Visit these and you’re guaranteed to discover more along the way.
