Thailand has long been on travel shows, in magazines, and all over travel blogs, and has yet to lose its charm. The country is like no other, with hill tribes and wild animals in the mountains, beaches in the south, and a plethora of tiny towns full of culture and excellent food in between.

Here are ten of the best places to visit in Thailand:

Chiang Mai

Located in the North of Thailand, there are no beaches here, but Chiang Mai is famous for its jungles and mountains. Visit Wat Chedi Luang, and feed the rescued elephants at Elephant Nature Park.

Be sure to wander through the many incredible night markets, and spend some time chatting with the monks as they practice their English during Monk Chat.

Phuket

Phuket is famous for the sun, sea and sand, and is notorious for the crazy nightlife, which can at times turn seedy. Do yourself a favour and avoid the ping pong shows, and take a cooking class or walking tour instead.

Bangkok

If there’s one word to describe Bangkok it would be “cosmopolitan”. The city is home to numerous expats from around the world, and enjoys a raging nightlife after dark, with plenty of culture and attractions to explore during the day. Highlights include the floating market, the giant buddha, and the Grand Palace.

Bangkok. Source: Flickr

Chiang Rai

You could be forgiven for thinking this place is a one-horse town, but there is still plenty to see in the greater Chiang Rai area. The main attraction is the glittering white temple, which comes alive at sunset, and the street food is some of the best you’ll eat in Thailand.

Pai

This is the new favourite among backpackers, and those looking to “find themselves”. Pai is north of Chiang Mai, and travellers aim to get off the beaten track. The city will be full of 20-somethings, so head outside the main town, where you’ll be treated to amazing wildlife and some of the best scenery in the country, with waterfalls, lakes, and forests.

Koh Tao

This is known as the diving capital of Thailand, and travellers come from all over the world to get fully certified, often staying on to teach. The diving is some of the best (and cheapest) you’ll find anywhere, with a highlight being the whale sharks, which are often in the area.

Railey

This is a rock-climbers paradise, and Railey is a small peninsula only accessible by boat. Climbers come to spend time on the limestone cliffs, but it’s also an excellent place to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok or Phuket.

Hua Hin

Hua Hin has clean, quiet beaches, surrounded by national parks. It’s close to an 11-tier waterfall, and seems to be one of the best kept secrets in Thailand, with barely any tourists adding it to their itineraries.

Ko Phi Phi

Anyone who has watched The Beach starring Leonardo Di Caprio will be familiar with Ko Phi Phi. This is a gorgeous island, and a main stop for anyone travelling through the islands.

Ayuthaya

Founded in 1350, Ayuthaya is surrounded by three rivers and was once declared the most magnificent city in the world. This place is great for history buffs, as there are spectacular ruins here waiting to be explored.