Looking to get more off the beaten path in Thailand? These hidden gems in Thailand might be a bit more difficult to get to, but you can guarantee they will be much less crowded than Khao San Road (but is that really saying anything?)!
After you’ve experienced the bustle of Bangkok, eaten street food on Yaowarat Street, explored Chiang Mai, and even made it down to the coast… you are just getting started with the amazing places to see in Thailand.
Here are some jaw-dropping offbeat places to visit in Thailand, everywhere from the islands to the mountains. And yes, Thailand DOES have mountains. There’s a lot more to explore in Thailand than you think!
What to Know Before Visiting these Hidden Gems in Thailand
If you have been before or have traveled in the country for a while already, you’ll be familiar with the occasional difficulty of wifi, cell service, ATMs, and other amenities. Keep in mind that visiting more offbeat destinations in Thailand might take this to the next level. Be prepared for little or less connection, bring cash, and get ready to be amazing by nature!
Getting around Thailand is quite simple via bus, transfer, or sometimes flight. Save uncertainty and book many Thailand routes in advance here on Bookaway.
Before you visit Thailand, Make sure to check the Thai visa requirements beforehand (as they are ever-changing in this travel climate). Don’t forget to pack bug spray, sunscreen, hats, glasses, and even a rain jacket for those tropical storms!
More of my Thailand articles you may enjoy:
Doi Inthanon National Park
Pa Pong Pieng Rice Terraces
Bali? Nope, a wonderful Thailand hidden gem! You can find stunning rice terraces like those of Vietnam of Indonesia in Thailand’s north – in Doi Inthanon National Park to be Exact.
This area is far off the beaten track in Thailand – in fact, it’s right on the border of Laos! If you like hiking, this scenic area may take a while to get to but is stunning.
Pu Chi Fa Mountain
is a peak in Doi Inthanon National Park, one of Thailand’s high points at more than 1442 meters. It is hidden away up a steep trail and is harder to reach than the other attractions on this list so it gets fewer visitors – but that still means around 200 people per day!
Doi Tung Mountain – Hikes and Orchids!
Doi Tung means “Flag Mountain” in Thai, but it’s known as part of the Golden Triangle by Westerners – which was once part of the infamous drug-smuggling region of Thailand! Many tours to this region will touch upon its history with opium.
The actual mountain itself has been known among locals for its beautiful orchids, but is now becoming popular with tourists for the incredible Buddhist temples.
Nong Han Kumphawapi – Red Lotus Lake
Nong Han means “un-walled” and was originally built as a reservoir to prevent flooding in Bangkok. Now it is known as the Red Lotus Lake because of the THOUSANDS of reddish-pink lotus flowers that characterize it, and the surrounding karst hills.
Surrounding this lake, you can experience a variety of activities such as camping, fishing, swimming or just hanging out on the beautiful beaches that surround it. It’s a must for photo ops with hundreds of lotus flowers in the background – if you get there before the picking begins!
Haad Yao -7km Long Beach Near Krabi
Hat Yao is the longest beach in Krabi and is much lesser known by tourists than the popular Ao Nang region. It has beautiful white sand and is great for walking on during low tide, sunbathing, relaxing, or swimming with the small fishes that live underwater!
Haad Yao is not as developed yet – which is why it’s one of the hidden gems of Thailand – so there are only a couple of hotels for a great getaway.
Khao Rang Hill Viewing Platform in Phuket
Khao rang means “colorful hill” and the view is indeed colorful from this unique viewpoint. It is a small hill with stairs leading to the top where you can find a gazebo and many shops that sell local products such as honey, bananas or coconuts.
If you love viewpoints like me, Rang Hill is a must-see in Phuket… but many don’t make it here. Be sure to stop by the fascinating stilted platforms for sunset with a loved one.
Marvel at the Wat Rong Khun (White Temple)
The White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) may be known by some tourists, but few make the trek out to actually see it. This is a gem of Thailand because it is completely unlike ANY other Thai temple with its design and construction.
See, if you look closely, you will see fascinating shapes like gargoyles, frightening faces, hands reaching up from hell, and more unexpected features that are not quite as ethereal as most temples. It’s definitely a sight to behind once in your life.
Many visit the Wat Rong Khun white temple on the way from Chiang Mai to Laos, or also as a day trip from Chiang Mai. It’s worth seeing either way as it’s very spectacular.
Drive the Samoeng Loop
The Samoeng Loop is the best way to experience the beautiful countryside of Chiang Mai. It has amazing views and great photo opportunities!
Most tourists skip driving this loop in favor of simply visiting Chiang Mai, but it is definitely worth a try if you love exploring hidden places off-the-beaten-path. This route will allow you to see the real Chiang Mai and maybe even some hill tribes too.
Chase Waterfalls at Tham Erawan National Park
This beautiful Thailand hidden gem is located in the middle of a forest and it is full of waterfalls, caves, cliffs that you can climb for an amazing view over the area. It also has wild animals such as monkeys and deer!
This offbeat Thailand destination outside Bangkok may not always be on top of everyone’s list when planning their trip but those who do come here won’t regret it. It’s best-known for its multi-tier waterfalls making their way through beautiful forests.
Visit the Muang Boran Ancient City (Outdoor Museum)
This absolutely fascinating and unusual place to visit in Thailand is actually an ‘outdoor museum’ designed to mirror a traditional Thai village and lifestyle. There are temples and pagodas, and you’ll find traditional architecture next to experimental and unique constructions – like this island temple wrapped by a fish!
Muang Boran can be reached in about an hour from Bangkok. It’s on the coast just south of the city. Book a ticket in advance with a transfer option from Bangkok.
Visit the Hippie Mountain Town of Pai
To be honest, I’m sure you’ve already heard of Pai. But I still need to list it because it is really a must-see and is still considered a bit more of an offbeat destination than most of Thailand.
Pai is a tiny mountain village located in the hills of northern Thailand with a lot to offer for travelers that are looking to get away from it all. Pai is not only known as an adventure destination with waterfalls and hikes surrounding it, but also has some great places to stay, eat, and party for backpackers.
I recommend spending a few days in Pai (most travelers extend their stays here), and taking a scooter from Chiang Mai to Pai for the truly adventurous ones.
But, if you are short on time and don’t want to drive, Pai is absolutely still worth seeing in a private day trip from Chiang Mai.
Pang Oung Lake
This part of Thailand is not that well-known, but offers amazing views and cool things to do. Most tourists stop at Pai (or Chiang Mai, for that matter), but if you keep going all the way to Pang Oung you’re among only a few.
The road has great scenery with lots of curves (which you will have been used to from the drive from Chiang Mai to Pai). Being only a few miles from the Myanmar border, the scenery is totally different and mountainous. You’ll be surprised by pine trees and mountain fog!
Koh Kood/Koh Kut
Koh Kood is an island in Trat province, which is in the Eastern region of Thailand. It’s about an hour boat ride from Koh Chang and can be reached by speedboat during high-season (November to May). The island has only been made accessible via land since 2008 and still has one of the smallest populations in Thailand, making it one of the best hidden gems.
The other thing that makes this island special are the mangrove forests along its coast – these can even be visited on tours. There are also some of the most amazing untouched beaches and cool caves you might want to check out while you’re there.
Explore Thap Lan National Park
This park has been called the “jewel in Thailand’s crown” because it is incredibly beautiful. The word to describe this place would be peaceful–it’s a great spot for biking, hiking and general exploring. Check out a beach along the reservoir, too!
One of the best things about this area is that it isn’t overrun with tourists making you feel suffocated. You’ll be imersed in nature and have plenty of space for yourself.
Wat Chaloemprakiat Prachomklao Rachanusorn Temple – Unique Floating White Temples in Lampang
That’s quite the mouthful, isn’t it? This temple is comprised of different white pagoda structures atop jagged rocky mountains. It has a very unique design and is definitely worth visiting if you are in the area. How did they get there? They were actually carried up piece by piece many years ago by monks. Impressive, right?
The best time of year here is during Buddha’s birthday where locals flock with flowers to pay their respects. To learn more about visiting this place, visit My Chiang Mai Tour for full directions.
Check Out the Sala Keoku Concrete Sculpture Garden
Another hidden gem in Thailand! This place features concrete sculptures that are quite fairytale-like and different from other ones around Thailand. They were built by one man–a monk who was an incredible architect named Luang Pu Boun Leua Sourirat. He also built the Buddha Park on the Lao side of the river.
He designed all of the structures but unfortunately, he passed away before his dream could be completed. Now it will never be finished which makes it feel very authentic and homey knowing that someone just wanted to build a refuge for people instead of wanting fame or glory. It’s definitely worth visiting if you find yourself in Wat That province.
Enjoy the Kaeng Sam Phan Bok “Grand” Canyon
Kaeng Sam Phan Bok, meaning three thousand holes, is a large canyon that has the biggest ‘rock reef’ on the whole Mekong River. It is known by some as the “Grand Canyon of Thailand” because, well, it’s the biggest canyon in the country!
Amazing rapids form in this area in the wet season, which actually formed the holes in the first place.
Chase More WAterfalls at Khao Yai National Park
Another worthwhile visit while spending time around Bangkok would be Khao Yai National Park which covers than 200 square miles with mountains, waterfalls, hiking trails, and tons of green!
You can expect to see monkeys wandering around, lush forests to explore and even some small waterfalls (plus you can swim in them). The best time of year to go would probably be during the winter months when temperatures are cooler.
To fully enjoy the park and get transportation sorted, make sure to book a popular Khao Yai National Park Tour that visits all the best spots.
Swim and Explore the Remote Trang Islands
The Trang Islands are a group of islands in the south-eastern part of Thailand. They’re about an hour from Pak Meng Pier,. The best way to get there is by speedboat or sea plane – this is why they are such a hidden gem of Thailand! You can find coves, caves, and beautiful untouched watery places.
Swim in the Tham Morakot (Emerald Cave) on Ko Muk
Tham Morakot, also known as the emerald cave for obvious reasons, is a cave in the Trang Islands of Thailand that you can swim into through a small opening. The emerald waters are what make this place stand out over other caves though. There are lots of stalactites and stalagmites inside (some up to 40 feet long) and the water glows green from the sunlight.
See the Temple Hidden in a Cave (Tham Phraya Nakhon)
Located near Rayong province on the east coast of Thailand not far from Bangkok, Tham Phraya Nakhon island actually has three different “thams” within its borders: Tham Yun Hae, Tham Plai Haeng Yai, and Tham Phraya Nakhon. These are cave temples you will have no doubt seen in photos.
Tham Plai Haeng Yai is the most popular of these three caves and can easily be visited as part of a tour. The cave itself isn’t very deep – it’s around 100 meters in length and about 20 meters wide at its widest point. There are lots of Buddha images inside (over 50), however, what makes this cave special is that there’s an opening near the top where light shines in during certain times of day – more early. in the year. This means you get two different lighting effects depending on when you visit!
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See also: my hilarious guide to things to know before backpacking Southeast Asia!
Passionate, full-time travel blogger with over 230k on social media and 150kMPV blog. Extraordinary photographer with two DSLR's + a drone with a love for capturing candid moments, epic drone shots, and magical compositions. I'm a natural-born content creator originally from California, but I've been on the road for 9 years living, working, traveling, blogging, and photographing my way around the world. I recommend the most amazingly adventurous and unique + boutique travel experiences/stays and helpful products to my audience and write comprehensive guides on my website that have helped millions of travelers so far. I love to inspire people to plan their dream trips, and many readers have given feedback as such. The reach on my platforms continues to soar, especially when combining cutting-edge social content with optimized articles on my high-authority website.