8 near-by places to visit outside Bangkok

If you are living in or traveling to Bangkok, you may be interested in discovering nearby places, let’s us introduce to you 8 must-see spots outside Bangkok.

Pattaya

Known as the closest coastal area in Thailand, Pattaya is a vibrant city with sunny beautiful beaches, modern shopping malls, luxury hotels and resorts, bars, and 24/7 clubs which attracts millions of visitors per year. With 2-3 hours driving from Bangkok, you will reach this amazing city. If you don’t have a car, it’s easy to take a bus from Ekkamai Bus station or Mochit Bus station. If you have 1 or 2 days of traveling and you want to enjoy the perfectly active life in a sunny and windy land, Pattaya is the best choice for your trip.

Koh Larn

If you would like to enjoy the sunny and windy atmosphere on stunning beaches, but you don’t like the vibrant noise of Pattaya, Koh Larn is the right place for you. Known as the closest island in Thailand, Koh Larn takes you 15 mins from Pattaya by a speed boat or 45-50 min by a slow boat. This beautiful island is famous for lots of nice beaches and activities such as parasailing, jet ski, parachuting, banana boats, etc..

Besides, Koh Larn is considered a heaven of seafood at a reasonable price. With a price of 399 THB (12.69 USD), you can enjoy a buffet of shrimp, crabs, and various sea species with amazing taste. You also can easily find some nice cafes to chill out with friends and have some good photos. Needless today, Koh Larn is a perfect place for short-time travel.

Hua Hin

About 200 km from Bangkok, with 4-5 hours by train or by bus/minivan, Hua Hin is an ideal place for short-time trips. This beautiful place is famous for peaceful beaches, water sports, modern and traditional shopping spots, and historical sites. Also known as amazing places, but Hua Hin is much more peaceful than Pattaya. If you are interested in a slow lifestyle, Hua Hin is definite for you. It isn’t hard to find charming resorts, hotels, and homestays in this area. Despite the variety of accommodations, Hua Hin’s properties are quickly fully booked. If you plan to visit Hua Hin at the weekend or public holiday, make sure you booked a hotel or a homestay in advance.

Khao Yai

If you have already visited the above spots and want to find something new, Khao Yai is really worth your visit. With 2-3 hours driving from Bangkok to the north, you will be amazed by the cool weather and stunning sites of Khao Yai. Khao Yai in Thai means “Big Forest”, as its name, this beautiful place is famous For Khao Yai National Park. Driving through the national park will bring you close to nature, the wildlife and leave you an unforgettable feeling.

There are lots of hotels, cafés, and restaurants in this area, but each place is far from each other, it would be best if you have your own car. If you don’t have a car, rent a Songteaw (semi-taxi) with a local driver should be the best choice to discover this beautiful place.

Ayuttaya

If you are interested in history and culture, Ayuttaya is the right destination for you. Coming to this 1991 UNESCO World Heritage Site within 1-2 hours from Bangkok, you have a chance to experience the remnants of the grand Ayuttaya Kingdom. This site comprises a history museum and a great number of ruined temples and palaces. If you would like to flee from the busy and noisy lifestyle, this calm, quiet, and relaxing Ayuttaya will never disappoint you. Renting a bike is highly recommended in this historical place; you can be slow enough to visit numerous temples and palaces. As this is considered a solemn spot, remember to dress formally and wear clothes covering your shoulders and knees. Day tours or 2-3 day tours are enough for this beautiful ancient city.

Kanchanaburi

Located in the northwest of Bangkok with 2-3 hours of driving, Kanchanaburi is famous for its amazing waterfalls and national parks which are easy to access. More than that, Kanchanaburi is well-known as a place keeping the remnants of World War II. Coming here, you can experience various spots and sceneries ranging from mountainous sites to temples and museums. There are so many sites to visit and so many things to do just in one place.

It is quite easy to get to this beautiful place. You can take a bus, a train, a taxi or drive a car here. This is a year-round destination but the best time to visit Kanachaburi is from November to February as the weather is cooler than the rest of the year. It’s ideal to spend 2-3 days in this place.

Bang Krachao

Considered the Green Lunge of Bangkok, Bang Krachao is a verdant peninsula in an oxbow of Chao Praya river. It is known as the best place to escape from chaotic city life due to the greenly natural space. You may never imagine that there’s a totally “different Bangkok” close to Bangkok. There’s no metropolitan, no condo, and no annoying traffic jam. You can refresh and merge yourself into a calming rural atmosphere.

The most interesting activity in this peninsula is bike riding which takes you away from daily stressful noise and brings you to a relaxing space. Besides the stunning nature, make sure you did not skip visiting Bang Num Pheung floating market and trying local food here. Both their special taste and their cheap price will amaze you!

Daily trips and a budget of less than 1000 THB (32 USD) for everything are ideal for this charming peninsular.

Amphawa Floating market

Amphawa Floating Market is one of the famous floating markets in Thailand which is about 1.5-2 hours drive from Bangkok. The most convenient way to access this market is by canoes. This market offers you a stress-free day with a huge amount of food, drinks, and souvenirs at a reasonable price. Also, it is well-known for the firefly tour along the riverside which is a must-try activity in this place.

Amphawa Floating market opens on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 2 PM – 10 PM which is a perfect get-away trip for you after a tiring working week.

Cheers,

Lihn