There are some uniquely Thai things to do in Thailand, places to see, unique experiences to be savored and cherished, things you can only do in Thailand, or just things which are best to do in Thailand. Of course, I’m talking about places and experiences which should be added to your Thailand bucket list, you dare not go home without trying or doing something typically Thai, can you imagine your embarrassment when your friends ask you if you rode in a Tuk Tuk, had a ride on an elephant, ate some Thai street food or visited a floating market, and your answer to all these questions is, no !!.
You might have compiled your Thailand bucket list already, or might simply be looking for more things to do in Thailand, some of the bucket list items below I have done already, others I have not but one day I will.
Thai Island Hopping
Most of Thailand’s best beaches are on the islands, and visiting one is a must. There’s lots of them to choose from, including islands near Pattaya.
Visit Thailand’s Hill Tribes
Most people have heard of the hill tribes in Northern Thailand, especially the Long Necks, treatment of the tribes has often been harshly criticized, some say that the tribes people are made to feel like animals in a zoo. Many of the tribes do rely on tourism though, and many tourists find the hill tribes fascinating, haven’t done it myself but its on my Thailand Bucket List.
Eat Thai Street Food
When you get back home your friends are going to ask you, did you eat the street food ?, then they’ll ask you if you ate bugs ?, if you answer yes to both of those questions they will then ask you which bugs you ate. For most people a cricket or grass hopper is no problem, but if you want to impress the folks back home, tell the them you ate a Giant Water Bug.
Loy Krathong Festival
You can’t not do Loy Krathong if you’re in Thailand, the once a year cleansing of bad karma might be just what you need.
Thailand’s Songkran Festival
Songkran, you either love it or you hate it, but you’ll never see a festival like this anywhere in the world, Songkran is the worlds biggest water fight. It should also be added that Songkran is the Thai New Year, which fortunately or unfortunately makes it a once a year event. You won’t know if you love it or hate it until you try it, but if you are in Thailand during Songkran there will be most likely no way to avoid it, so it’s going on your Thailand Bucket List, like it or not.
Go and see a Ladyboy Show
You might think it’s strange that a man instinctively knows that he should have been born a woman, you might think it’s even stranger that he is so open about it, and that he has decided to make the physical transformation from man to woman, so it’s goodbye Fred, and hello Frederica. You know what, it’s not really considered to be strange in Thailand, Ladyboys (Kathoeys) are accepted as the Third Gender in Thailand. You might also find it hard to believe that Ladyboys can be stunningly beautiful, so much so you would never guess that they born a man. It’s not unusual for Ladyboys to have flamboyant personalities, and there is no better place to see for yourself than at a ladyboy cabaret show or beauty pageant at Tiffany’s in Pattaya.
Elephant Trekking
There are many arguments for and against elephant trekking in Thailand, for many visitors to Thailand it’s a priority so I’m not going to try and talk you out of it. I myself have been elephant trekking, and I also wrote an article titled why do elephants cry on the blog, suggesting people should find an alternative to elephant trekking. The alternatives are few and far between but you should consider organizations such as the Elephant Nature Park and the popular Elephant Jungle Sanctuary in Pattaya.
More things you must do in Thailand
- Take a ride in a Tuk Tuk.
- Take a ride in a Long-tail Boat.
- Visit a Temple.
- Go shopping at a night market.
- Go and watch a Go Go Show.
- Have a Thai Massage.
- Have a soapy foot massage
- Eat Somtam.
- Watch a Muay Thai Fight.
- Go to a Full Moon Party.
- Have a Tattoo.
- Buy original Thai Silk.
- Wear a sarong.