Thailand is a relatively low-cost, easy to navigate, safe and sunny tourist destination with thousands of years of history -- making it increasingly popular amongst the spring breaker and backpacker crowds. Travelers looking to get off the beaten path of Thailand's most frequented stops, like Bangkok or the shores of Thailand's many islands, can explore some of the country's less-trodden towns. Here they will be rewarded with a different view of Thailand, one exemplary of rural Thai life and less focused on tourism.
Loads of History in Lamphun
- A convenient day trip from Chiang Mai -- just 30 minutes south along a scenic country road, the sleepy town of Lamphun calls to history lovers. With pre-Thai origins dating back to the A.D. 750 to 1281 Mon Dvaravati kingdom, visitors to modern Lamphun can marvel over the ancient fortress wall, temples and other relics from the Hariphunchai era. Inside the town center, wander amongst local rickshaws, perhaps grabbing a ride out to the banks of the Mae Kuang for a peaceful riverside stroll.
Play It How You Want in Pai
- The town of Pai is one of Thailand's most popular small towns -- for both foreigners and the Thai. Nestled within an agricultural mountain valley and sporting lush green rolling hills, the scenery surrounding Pai is remarkable. The town's numerous restaurants, budget-friendly accommodations and laid-back vibe make it a choice location to relax and regroup. However, its growing energy, parties and live music venues are quickly making it a favorite in the northern Thailand small town party scene. Note that the town becomes congested and accommodations fill quickly during the cooler months of December and January when Thai tourists flood the village.
- Check Out Art in Chiang Rai
- Chiang Rai has been a bit of a struggling underdog throughout Thai history. The northern town has seen many of its boast-worthy attributes come and go -- including the holy figurine known as the Emerald Buddha, which is now in Bangkok, and possibly losing its 30-year title as capital of the north to nearby Chiang Mai -- but the small Kok River town is becoming a a great place to discover Thai art. The Rai Mae Fah Luang has an impressive collection of 13th- to 18th-century art from Thailand's Lanna kingdom, and the town's night bazaar is full of local crafts, including silver and cotton wares, as well as handmade goods from the area's hill tribe communities.
Nature Awaits in Nan
- More adventurous travelers should trek up toward the Laotian border to Nan. Under the rule of various historical kingdoms and countries, including Siam and nearby Burma, Nan has a unique and diverse cultural history separate from the rest of Thailand. Accommodations and facilities in this area are much more basic and sparse compared to other more tourist-worn areas in Thailand, but its hillside location makes it an excellent starting point for treks or visits to one of the many hill tribe communities. Other active options in Nan include whitewater rafting or elephant treks.
