What to See in Thailand: Cities to Explore on Foot

Thailand is a country of ancient kingdoms, Buddhist temples, tropical coasts and varied landscapes, stretching from the mountains of the north to the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. The best way to experience it is to combine its historic cities and cultural landmarks with the different regions that shape everyday life. Neywo offers free audio guides for 15 cities in Thailand, covering 651 narrated places in total.

Things to do in Thailand

Explore Bangkok and the Chao Phraya valley

Bangkok has been Thailand’s capital since 1782, when Rama the First founded the Chakri dynasty and moved the capital there. The city stands in the mostly flat Chao Phraya River valley, which extends towards the Gulf of Thailand. Its landmarks reflect the country’s royal and religious history, including the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, Assumption Cathedral and Sao Chingcha. Discover the city with the Bangkok audio guide, which includes 505 narrated places.

Walk through Ayutthaya’s historic landscape

Ayutthaya became a major regional power after the rise of the Sukhothai Kingdom, often regarded as the beginning of Thai history. The kingdom flourished until Burmese forces destroyed it in 1767. Today, Ayutthaya is a key place to encounter this earlier chapter of the country’s story, with the Ayutthaya Historical Park, Phet Fort, Wat Rat Praditthan and Wat Phanan Choeng among its narrated sites.

Discover Chiang Mai and northern Thailand

Northern Thailand is shaped by highlands, and Doi Inthanon is the country’s highest point. In Chiang Mai, temples and religious buildings offer an introduction to the region’s cultural traditions. Wat Chiang Man, Wat Up Khut, Wat Ket Karam and Sacred Heart Cathedral are among the places covered by Neywo.

Further north, Chiang Rai brings together Buddhist and Christian landmarks, including Wat Phra Sing, Wat Rong Suea Ten and The Nativity of Our Lady Church. Its audio guide also includes มัสยิดดารุลอามาน.

Experience Isan and the northeast

The northeast, known as Isan, is centred on the Khorat Plateau and bordered by the Mekong River. It forms a distinct part of Thailand’s geography and cultural landscape. In Udon Thani, the Cathedral of Our Mother of Perpetual Help and Wat Pho Somphon are among the places narrated by Neywo. The Udon Thani guide offers a way to explore the city while learning about its landmarks.

Learn about Thailand’s modern history in Kanchanaburi

Thailand’s history includes a long effort to preserve its independence. During the era of European imperialism, Siam was the only country in Southeast Asia not colonised by European powers, although it gave up territory, trade rights and legal privileges through unequal treaties. Later, the 1932 revolution changed the absolute monarchy into a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, and Siam officially became Thailand in 1939.

Kanchanaburi provides a different historical perspective, with the River Kwai bridge, Hellfire Pass and the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre among its narrated places. Wat Chaichumphon Chana Songkhram is also included.

See temples and religious art

Theravada Buddhism is Thailand’s most prevalent religion and an integral part of Thai identity. Buddhist temples are known as wats, a name derived from a Pali word for an enclosure. Their walls traditionally separate sacred space from the secular world.

Buddhist art has strongly influenced Thai artistic traditions, and traditional sculpture almost exclusively depicts the Buddha. You can encounter this religious and artistic heritage in places such as Wat Plai Laem and Wat Bo Phut in Koh Samui, Wat Luang and Wat Klang in Pai, and Wat Phothi Samphan in Pattaya.

Visit Phuket’s historic centre

Thailand’s cultural influences come from India, China, Cambodia and the wider region of Southeast Asia. These connections can be especially visible in the historic urban landscape of Phuket. Old Phuket Town, Phuket Thai Hua Museum, Peranakannitat Museum and Jui Tui Shrine are among the city’s narrated places.

Explore the southern coast and islands

Thailand’s south meets both the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, with tropical monsoon and rainforest climates in some areas. Its coastal landscapes are an important part of the country’s appeal, but the region also has cultural landmarks to discover.

In Krabi, Neywo covers the Emerald Pool, Wat Khlong Thom Museum, the Phi Phi Islands and Krabi itself. The island destinations include Khao Krachom, Khao Phra Chedi, Ao Phai and Ao Thian on Ko Samet, as well as Ko Lipe and the Ko Lipe archipelago on Koh Lipe.

The audio guides also include selected places in Hua Hin, Ko Lanta Yai and Pattaya. In Hua Hin, the narrated landmark is Klai Kangwon Palace. Ko Lanta Yai includes Jannatul Hasanah Mosque, while Pattaya combines the Sanctuary of Truth, Wat Phothi Samphan and Walking Street.

Taste Thailand through its food and traditions

Thai cuisine is one of the country’s most recognised cultural expressions. Garlic, lemongrass, galangal, coconut milk, kaffir lime, turmeric and coriander are among its characteristic ingredients. Rice is equally important: it is Thailand’s leading crop, and agriculture continues to employ a large part of the workforce.

Thai culture also includes a rich range of performance traditions. Folk dances include the southern Menora and the central Ramwong, while classical dance drama is best known through Khon and Lakhon nai. Thai films and television dramas, known as Lakorn, have developed a strong presence in the region and beyond.

Thai is the official language of education and government and is spoken throughout the country. Even the name Thailand carries a story: Thai is traditionally understood as meaning “free man”, although some scholars suggest it originally meant “people” or “human being”.

Explore Thailand with Neywo’s free audio guides

Download Neywo to explore Thailand with 18 walking tours across 15 cities, covering 651 narrated places in total. Narration is available in 11 languages. The app tells the story of each place as you reach it, at your own pace, with no group and no schedule.