Ayutthaya, Thailand

Ayutthaya served as the Thai capital for 417 years since its founding in 1350 by King U-Thong until 1767. Extending over 2,556 square kilometers and surrounded by three rivers (Chao Phraya, Pa Sak, and Lop Buri), Ayutthaya's architecture is a blend of Khmer (ancient Cambodian) and early Sukhothai styles. It features the ruins of the Old Royal Palace, Chankasem (Front Palace, which now exhibits historical relics), Phom Phet (Diamond Fort), Chao Sam Phraya National Museum, Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit (a huge bronze Buddha image), and ancient forts. There are also over 400 ancient temples, including Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wat Phra Mahathat, Wat Phra Ram, Wat Phanan Choeng, Wat Lokayasutharam, and Wat Ratchaburana.

50 Phahonyothin Road
Lat Yao, Chatuchak, Bangkok, Thailand

Founded in 1940, Bangkok Aquarium is the oldest facility of its kind in Thailand. Located on the campus of Kasetsart University, it is home to around 560 species of freshwater animals native to Thailand. Visitors can see a variety of carp as well as tarpon, alligator gar, catfish, bass, eels, croakers, bull sharks, snakeheads, tigerfish, and more. The aquarium also has about 100 species of freshwater plants. 

21/596 Soi Navamin 42 Navamin Road
Bungkum, Bangkapi, Bangkok 10240, Thailand

Bungsamran Fishing Park, Thailand’s most famous freshwater lake and recreational fishing spot, extends over an area of 8 hectares (20 acres) and boasts some of the world’s largest freshwater species of fish. The lake houses major species like the giant Mekong catfish, striped catfish, giant Siamese carp, Chao Phraya giant catfish, Amazonian arapaima, small scale mud carp, and giant snakeheads. Famous as a paradise for fishing enthusiasts and anglers, Bung Sam Lan Lake offers comfortable and traditional Thai bungalows, private huts, food services, restaurants, large fishing pontoons, rigging tables, weighing scales, and a supermarket for tourists.

Kampaengphet 1 Road
Chatuchak District, Bangkok, Thailand

Established in 1980 and encompassing nearly 31 hectares (75 acres), Chatuchak Park is one of the city’s largest and oldest public parks. It contains an artificial lake crossed by many bridges (including the Fish Watching Bridges), a train museum, clock tower, flower clock, Thai Literature Garden, herb garden, Health Plaza with many fitness stations, and sculptures from six Asian countries. Paths provide space for walking, jogging, and cycling, and boats are available for exploring the lake. There also are tennis courts and soccer fields. In addition, the park hosts the Weekend Market, which attracts large numbers of traders and shoppers.

ดอยสุเทพปุย

Mueang Chiang Mai District, Thailand

Established in 1987 and situated at altitudes ranging between 400 and 1,000 meters (1,312–3,281 feet), the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park is a natural habitat for a wide variety of flora and fauna. The prominent features include an over 600-year-old Buddhist monastery, Wat Prathat Doi Suthep, which attracts pilgrims from around the globe; a royal palace; and two Hmong villages. The terrain includes thick evergreen forests, waterfalls, streams, and cultivable land suitable mainly for wetland rice and cash crops. The park also facilitates mountaineering, hiking, biking, and watching of exotic wildlife, including numerous species of bird and butterflies.

Kanchanaburi Province, Western Thailand

Established in 1975 and extending over 550 square kilometers (212 square miles) at altitudes ranging between 165 and 996 meters (541and 3,268 feet), Erawan National Park is particularly famous for its seven-tired Erawan Falls, which is believed to resemble a three-headed white elephant of Hindu mythology called Erawan. Other major features include mixed deciduous forests, many tree and shrub species, varied fauna, mountains, limestone cliffs, caves with strange-shaped stalactites and stalagmites, important streams (including Mong Lai, Omtala, Khao Phang, and Sadae), rivers, and valleys. The fauna includes Indian elephants, tigers, Sambar deer, common muntjac, Siamese hares, white-handed gibbons, flying squirrels, Kalij pheasants, gray peacock pheasants, banded kraits, Asiatic rock pythons, king cobras, greater brook carps, and waterfall crabs.

Nakhon Ratchasima, Pak Chong 30130, Thailand

Founded in 1962 as Thailand's first national park and extending over an area of 216,800 hectares (535,725 acres), Khao Yai National Park is located at altitudes ranging between 400 and 1,000 meters (1,312–3,281 feet). Its prominent features include more than 2,500 species of plants, 320 species of birds, and 67 species of mammals (including Asiatic black bears, Malaysian sun bears, Asian elephants, tigers, leopards, gibbons, and Indian Sambar deer), evergreen forests, grasslands, many mountains, rivulets, and waterfalls (including Haew Narok at 80 meters/262 feet). The park also offers more than 50 kilometers (31 miles) of hiking trails, nighttime wildlife viewing, golf courses, private lodging, and a few hotels.

Rama IV Road
Lumphini, Pathum Wan District, Bangkok, Thailand

Encompassing 57 hectares (142 acres) in Bangkok, Lumphini Park is a popular place for families to spend an afternoon. It offers open green space, an artificial lake, playgrounds, and more. Pedal boats resembling swans are available to rent for exploring the lake and getting sprayed by the fountain. The park’s 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) of paved paths are used for a variety of activities, such as walking, jogging, and biking. Other options include birdwatching and picnicking. The park also hosts events such as live music on Sundays from January to April.

Central Plaza Bangna, 6th Floor, 587–589 Debaratana Road
Bangna District, Bankgkok, Thailand

On the sixth floor of Bangkok’s Central Department Store, Pororo Aqua Park is a water park featuring characters from a popular Korean cartoon series, Pororo the Little Penguin. Kiddos will have a blast splashing and playing in several different pools with a variety of waterslides and obstacles. For a more relaxing atmosphere, soak in the jacuzzi or float around the park in the lazy river. A restaurant and poolside bars serve refreshments, and a store sells souvenirs. 

100 หมู่ 9 Mae Raem
Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai 50180, Thailand

Founded in 1993, and covering 960 hectares (2,372 acres), the Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden is renowned for its varied collection of local and exotic tropical flora and for facilitating intensive scientific research and botanical education. The garden contains a large conservation and watershed zone area, which includes three major streams (Nawai, Phunsi, and Mae Sa Noi), fountains, pools, plains, interposing mountains, and stunning landscapes. The garden's attractive features include the Rock Garden, Orchid Nursery, Natural Science Museum, a herbarium, laboratory, library, arboretum, glasshouse, training and information center, ornamental beds, aesthetic displays for the public, and walking trails.

99 Panya Indra Road
Sam Wa Tawan Tok, Khlong Sam Wa, Bangkok, Thailand

Together, Marine Park and Safari Park make up Bangkok’s Safari World and encompass about 81 hectares (200 acres). Designed with an open-air concept, Safari Park visitors can see rhinos, tortoises, lemurs, zebras, kangaroos, elephants, orangutans, and more. There’s even an area where you can get up close with the giraffes and feed them. Marine Park is home to dolphins, walruses, manatee, hippos, seals, and other aquatic animals. Safari World hosts a variety of live entertainment, including performing animal shows. A variety of vendors sell refreshments and souvenirs.

555 Thai Ban Road
Mueang Samut Prakan District, Bangkok, Thailand

In the city’s southwest Samut Prakan District, Samutprakarn Crocodile Farm and Zoo is home to one of the world’s largest crocodiles. The 6-meter-long (nearly 20-foot-long) crocodile is named Yai, and it is one of more than 100,000 crocodiles that live on the farm. In addition, there are other animals, such as elephants, monkeys, lions, tigers, hippos, and horses. Guests can watch a crocodile show featuring daring performers interacting with the huge reptiles as well as shows where elephants dance, ride skateboards, and walk tightropes. There also are elephant rides, train rides, and paddle boat rides available. Don’t forget to explore the dinosaur museum. 

Siam Paragon Building, B1- B2 Floor, 991 Rama I Road
Pathumwan District, Bangkok, Thailand

Southeast Asia’s largest aquarium, SEA LIFE Bangkok is a 5-million-liter (1.5-million-gallon) aquarium that is home to hundreds of different species of marine life. Visitors can see sharks, sea turtles, penguins, seahorses, stingrays, octopuses, sea stars, otters, and other animals. They also can attend feedings and talks where they will learn more about specific species. Be sure to check out the ocean tunnel, shark shipwreck, glass-bottom boat, and 4D cinema. A shop and vendors sell refreshments and souvenirs.

203 Suan Siam Road
Bangkok 10230, Thailand

The largest water theme park in Bangkok, Siam Park is a favorite recreation center for most families. Its primary attraction is a giant man-made sea with sand, artificial waves, towering slides that include the Super Spiral Slide soaring 400 meters (1,312 feet), whirlpools, fountains, and swimming pools. Other features include fun rides (like the Double-deck Merry-go-Round, Mini Carousel, and Twin Dragon), children's playgrounds, landscaped gardens, an open zoo, an aviary, the Dinotopia (featuring animated dinosaurs and dinosaur bones), the Great China wax museum, Safari Adventure, and Mini Express. The park also provides swimsuit rental, changing rooms, and fast-food outlets.