Do you want to enjoy a peaceful and laid back vacation in Thailand without the chattering tourist crowds? If yes, discover the offbeat and unexplored places below in the blog to fulfil your travel dreams. Away from the loud and noisy tourist sites of Pattaya and Bangkok, places Koh Chang, Chanthaburi, and Koh Lipe present an entirely different side of Thailand—a side that not every tourist or traveller gets to experience.
5 Unexplored Places to Visit in Thailand in 2025
| Islands: | Koh Mak, Koh Chang, and Koh Lipe |
|---|---|
| Towns: | Chanthaburi and Kanchanaburi |
1. Chanthaburi
A quaint town in eastern Thailand, Chanthaburi, is best known for its tropical fruit orchards bearing fruits like longan, lycee, jackfruits, mangoes, and guavas. To buy and try the delicious fruits and orchards visit, travel to Chanthaburi in May and July. The town also celebrates the annual Chanthaburi fruit festival that is attended by many locals and tourists.
This town was occupied by the French at the end of the 19th century, hence the influence is still visible in the architecture. You will find the largest cathedral in Thailand—Cathedral of Immaculate Conception standing tall, here in Chanthaburi. If you have a fascination for gemstones, Chanthaburi is the place where you will find the largest trading of gems. The gems market is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and from here you can buy authentic gemstones. Explore shops for buying jewellery and souvenirs. For a cool and refreshing experience, go to Pliew Waterfall, a 3-level waterfall where you can relax and feed the cave fish.
When is the best time to visit Chanthaburi?
The cool season from November to March is the right time to plan a visit to Chanthaburi. However, for orchards visit, plan a trip between May and July.
How to Reach Chanthaburi?
The fastest way to reach Chanthaburi from Bangkok is to take a taxi that is readily available and charge between THB 2700 to THB 3500. Buses are a cheaper option to reach Chanthaburi. Buses operate every day and depart every two hours from Bangkok Mochit Bus Terminal.
2. Koh Mak
Koh Mak is an island in the Gulf of Thailand, in Trat province. If blissful solitude and peace is what your heart desires, ditch the mainstream Thai locations and get to Koh Mak. Beyond the chaos and clamour of overcrowded locations, let your hair down and breathe easy in the laid-back charm of Koh Mak. Situated in Marine National Park, you can also book snorkelling and scuba diving water activities. You can go explore the natural sights on the island riding a rental bicycle, go hiking, or simply laze on the beach, soaking in the sunlight and getting a healthy dose of vitamin D. Couples can enjoy cooking classes together, visit the lush coconut and rubber plantations or enjoy a romantic time with each other.
Don’t visit Koh Mak if you are expecting swanky bars, nightclubs, and shopping malls. This humble island is more about laid back cafes, dive schools, and biking trails. This island is still developing, follows the principles of eco tourism and has only 24 resorts.
When is the best time to visit Koh Mak?
The best time to visit Koh Mak is from December to April, featuring dry, sunny and warm weather. This time is perfect for biking, diving, and snorkeling. Avoid months between June to October due to excessive rainfall.
How to Reach Koh Mak?
To reach Koh Mak, take a flight from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport (BKK) to Trat airport (TDX). A taxi ride from Trat that will take you to Laem Ngop pier. Next, board a speed boat to reach Koh Mak. The first speedboat departs from 10:30 am and the last one at 4 pm. The price is 450 Thai Baht per person one way.
3. Kanchanaburi
Travel to west Thailand and explore the wonderful Kanchanaburi town, popular for “Death Railway”. This railway line connecting Thailand and Burma was built by POWs during World War II under Japanese Imperialism. If you are a history buff, there is a lot in this town to unravel and learn about the atrocities of imperialist forces. Besides historical sites, experience the quintessential Thai floating markets on River Kwai. The floating markets are a good opportunity to put your bargaining skills to test and buy fresh fruits and vegetables. As your boat glides on the river, eat delicious street food from the boat vendors. The main highlight of Kanchanabur is Erawan National Park and Erawan Waterfalls. This park gives an amazing hiking experience that will take you to the falls. Make sure to add Kanchanaburi in your Thailand tourism list.
When is the best time to visit Kanchanaburi?
The best time to visit Kanchanaburi is from November to February—the cool season in Thailand. The cool and pleasant weather is exactly what one needs to explore outdoor attractions like River Kwai and Erawan Waterfalls.
How to Reach Kanchanaburi?
Kanchanaburi can be reached either by road or train, if you are starting from Bangkok. The road distance between Bangkok and Kanchanaburi is 120.4 km. For road travel, you can board a bus, hop in a minivan or get a taxi.
- Taxi: A taxi ride will take 1 hour 45 minutes to reach Kanchanaburi. The cab fare could be anywhere from THB 950 to THB 1200 (fare may vary depending on the operator).
- Bus: Buses are another great choice to travel to Kanchanaburi. A bus departs every 30 minutes from Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal and reaches Kanchaburi in approximately 3 hours.
- Minivan: Minivan is the cheapest way to reach Kanchanaburi from Bangkok. A minivan departs every 30 minutes. They are much more comfortable than a bus ride and cost between THB 145 to THB 400.
- Train: The train journey from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi takes about 3 hours. A train leaves from Thon Buri station every day at 07:50 AM and 01:55 PM for Kanchanaburi.
4. Koh Chang
Skip the overcrowded beaches of Pattaya and Phuket, and head to Koh Chang. This breathtaking island in the Gulf of Thailand has everything one needs for a “beach vacation”. The white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, picture perfect tropical beauty, and more. If you have just 24 hours to spend on this island, you can do the following activities. Enjoy delicious street food, relax with a Thai massage, watch the “golden hour” on the beach and click photos with your loved ones. The fun in Koh Chang doesn’t end here. The highlight of this island is Koh Chang Marine National Park, which is a haven for marine life. You can go snorkelling in the park and watch a colourful school of fishes and beautiful coral reefs. Moreover, you can also go kayaking in the lagoon, trek in national park, and try ziplining.
When is the best time to visit Koh Chang?
Koh Chang has tropical weather which remains warm and humid throughout the year. The coolest month to visit Koh Chang is November and March. These months have a balmy weather that is ideal for outdoor activities.
How to Reach Koh Chang?
The journey from Bangkok to Koh Chang is in two parts. The first part is to take a bus or minivan to reach Ao Thammachart Pier at Trat. From Ao Thammachart Pier, a ferry ride will take you to Koh Chang. The total estimated travel time between Bangkok and Koh Chang is six to seven hours.
5. Koh Lipe
Did you know that Koh Lipe is called the “Maldives of Thailand”? Just like Maldives, this island has beautiful white beaches and scenic tropical beauty that captivates one’s heart. This island is located close to the Malaysian border. Offbeat explorers visit Koh Lipe for its unspoilt beaches, mesmerising blue waters, delicious seafood and nightlife. Such a small and underrated island is often not included in the bucket list of travellers. Take a walk down in the Walking Street of Koh Lipe and shop for souvenirs. The island has many beach bars where you can get many drinks from chilled beers to delicious cocktails.
When is the best time to visit Koh Lipe?
Visit Koh Lipe in the dry and cool season i.e. from November to March.
How to Reach Koh Lipe?
To reach Koh Lipe, you can take Long boats for a fixed fee of THB 50 or Speedboats.
Add the above unexplored destination in your Thailand travel plans or get customisation in Thailand tour packages. Discover the uncharted parts of Thailand and gain a unique travel experience.
