Central Thailand

The central plains around Bangkok, linking the ancient capital of Ayutthaya, floating markets, the River Kwai in Kanchanaburi and the seaside of Hua Hin, and the first stop for most visitors.

This region is based on the Central region as defined by the Tourism Authority of Thailand and is defined by whole provinces, 19 in total: Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Nakhon Pathom, Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, Lopburi, Sing Buri, Chai Nat, Saraburi, Suphan Buri and Nakhon Nayok, plus Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin), which are western provinces included following common travel practice.

Highlights: in Bangkok, the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, the Chao Phraya River, Chinatown and Chatuchak Weekend Market; Ayutthaya Historical Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site); Damnoen Saduak and Amphawa floating markets and the Maeklong Railway Market; Phra Pathommachedi in Nakhon Pathom; Phra Prang Sam Yot and the monkeys of Lopburi; the Bridge over the River Kwai, the Death Railway and Erawan Falls in Kanchanaburi; Khao Wang Palace in Phetchaburi, the seaside at Hua Hin and Cha-am, and the Phraya Nakhon Cave in Sam Roi Yot National Park.

Classic itinerary: 3–4 days in Bangkok, plus one-day trips to Ayutthaya and a floating market; 2 days in Kanchanaburi; 2–3 days in Hua Hin; 7–10 days in total.

Getting around: Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports have many international flights; in Bangkok you can use the BTS Skytrain, MRT subway and Chao Phraya river boats; Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi and Hua Hin all have train and bus services, with journeys of 1.5–4 hours.

Good to know: cover your shoulders and knees when visiting the Grand Palace and temples; beware of scams in which someone tells you an attraction is “closed today”; accommodation in Hua Hin is tight on weekends in the cool season.

Destinations

Itineraries