A study conducted by a private sector think thank last month showed that Thailand remains one of the most preferred destinations for tourism, even with the pandemic still in place and with international tourism currently banned in the Kingdom.
With the Special Tourist Visa, tourists now have a chance to stay in Thailand for a considerable amount of time. The visa lets holders stay for at most 270 days, and that’s plenty of time for you to explore Thailand. Now, the question is – should you stick with the usual, or would you like to see a side of Thailand you’ve never seen before?
Make the most out of the Special Tourist Visa, and visit some of these lesser known destinations in Thailand.
Koh Kham
The island archipelagos off the coast of the Thai mainland are a wealth of hidden treasures. Some islands are well-known, but behind some are undiscovered gems that offer a different way of having a holiday. One of these is Koh Kham, a virtually pristine white sand island with its vibrant vegetation and opportunities for a semi-secluded holiday.
It is a short kayak ride from neighboring Koh Mak, so if you’re in Koh Mak for a day or two, be sure to drop by Koh Kham.
Phraya Nakhon Cave
If you want to experience caving like never before, you should add the Prachuap Khiri Khan province to your itinerary. In the province, you can find the Khao Sam Roi Yot mountain, which has a network of caves that spelunkers will definitely like to explore.
One of these caves that come highly recommended is the Phraya Nakhon Cave, a sizable cavern with a Buddhist temple inside. Be sure to get up early and visit the cave in the morning for a rare visual treat.
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
If you’re looking for a new experience in buying goods like fruits and vegetables, go ahead and visit the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.
It’s truly a sight to behold. Instead of immobile stalls, sellers are literally paddling their wares to interested parties. You’d need to get aboard one yourself if you’re planning to buy, which adds up to the uniqueness of the experience.
Like the Phraya Nakhon Cave, the Floating Market is an attraction that you can appreciate fully in the early morning – there might be nothing for you to buy if you visit too late in the morning.
Nakhon Si Thammarat
Last but not the least, Nakhon Si Thammarat remains largely unexplored as compared to the more popular destinations like Phuket and Koh Samui. There are actually plenty here to entice the most curious traveler.
Activities include getting up close and personal with pink dolphins off the coast of Khanom Beach, visiting the rustic Pak Phanang fishing village and market, sampling local cuisine and drink in the Nakhon Si Thammarat Old Town and view exceptional works of art in the Nang Talung Museum.
The pandemic has forced us all to look at holidays from a different perspective. With social distancing a prime need, there also comes a need to find some quiet place where you would not find as many people congregating in one spot. These four lesser-known destinations might be the best places for you to go in the new normal.
