Thailand’s tropical and coastal charms, historical monuments, and extensive cuisine, fashion and wellness offerings make it a tourist magnet. Apart from its cultural and geographical diversity, the country also houses certain endemic attractions that are incredibly one-of-a-kind.
Here are a few top picks of such experiences that need to be on your Thailand bucket list.
Village adorned with umbrellas and parasols – Bo Sang
Themed cafes, restaurants or parks are quite common worldwide, but a village decorated with umbrellas is undoubtedly rare. Bo Sang, a village located approximately 10 km east of Chiang Mai City, has received the moniker of Umbrella Village due to its penchant for producing hand-made bamboo umbrellas and parasols.
The Umbrella Making Centre in the village is the best place for tourists to witness and learn this art from local artisans as well as get handicrafts and local souvenirs. To celebrate their unique heritage, the villagers organise the Bo Sang Umbrella Festival every year in January. During this period, the entire village is adorned with different colours and sizes of parasols creating a rare and mesmerising sight for visitors.
Market on Railway Tracks – Mae Klong Railway Market
Spread over a 100-metre stretch on the tracks of Mae Klong Railway Station, the Mae Klong Railway Market, also known as Hoop Rom Market, is one of the world’s most unusual and interesting sights!
Based in Samut Songkhram Province of Thailand, this enigmatic market lies in the centre of an active railway track and operates in sync with trains’ schedules. Tourists from around converge to witness the local vendors open and retract their shops with daring precision as a train bisects the market every three hours from morning till evening. Open for business daily from 6 to 6, the market curates seafood, pulses, fruits, fresh and dried foods, meats and valuable goods making it a great spot to purchase local produce.
A 50-year-old meat broth – Wattana Panich
Thailand is easily one of the best food destinations in the world. In fact, tourists entering the country are often overwhelmed by its endless menu of tantalising local cuisines which are not only delicious but also highly affordable.
At Wattana Panich, one of the most renowned food stops in Thailand one can try a special meat soup that has been cooking for about 50 years! A buzzing restaurant with delivery riders, this unique broth made from beef and goat is known for its rich flavour and aroma, owing to which it attracts a large pool of customers every day. To preserve the soup’s edibility and taste, the owners of this Bangkok-based restaurant keep it simmering round-the-clock and add fresh ingredients, meat, and water periodically.
Chicken Shaped Island – Koh Kai
The small island of Koh Kai stands out among Thailand’s many iconic and beautiful islands. Koh Kai is widely known for its unique appearance that oddly resembles a Chicken’s head, therefore referred to as Chicken Island. Nestled in the southwest of Krabi, it attracts the gazes of tourists and sea sports enthusiasts who venture into the waters for snorkelling. Due to its peculiar feature, this island is one of the prominent Instagrammable locations in Thailand.
