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Escape the crowds in Thailand at these 10 gorgeous locations
Photo courtesy of Dave Stamboulis
While many first-time or even third-time visitors to Thailand head to the famous spots like Phuket, Koh Samui, Pattaya and Chiang Mai, there are so many other places that you can escape the masses and see a side of Thailand you hadn't imagined existed. Thai tourists know these spots, but foreign visitors usually don't. Here's a list of some of the top escapes.
Photo courtesy of Dave Stamboulis
Sea of mist and sunrise from Phu Chi Fa
With the main peak here leaning up towards the heavens, it's no surprise that the meaning of Phu Chi Fa is "mountain pointing at the sky." Located up in the far north of Thailand near the Laos border, you can look out at the Mekong River from here, as well as surrounding mountains and forests.
It's especially breathtaking during the cooler winter months from November to February. As a "sea of mist" forms in the valley below, created by cold air rushing down the mountain slopes, it feels like you're walking on a carpet of clouds. You can camp just below the summit and there's also a small village 15 minutes below the peak where you can find homestays and small hotels for the night.
Photo courtesy of Dave Stamboulis
A sea of pink lotus flowers on Talay Bua Daeng
This unique spot is called Talay Bua Daeng, which means red lotus sea. From December through February each year, the Nong Han Kumphawapi Lake in northeast Thailand's Udon Thani province sees thousands of lotus flowers in full bloom, and the entire lake is bathed in pink and red hues. Boatmen await visitors and for a small fee will take you out on a one-hour tour through the heart of the open lotus blossoms.
It's pretty magical to come out here at sunrise, when you'll have the lake almost to yourself, and trips stop at a small island in the middle where there is a watchtower overlooking the lake, as well as a local temple. You can base yourself in nearby Udon Thani if you prefer the big city or stay in a hotel in tiny Kumphawapi, near the lake.
Photo courtesy of Dave Stamboulis
Solitude on pristine Ao Son beach, Ko Tarutao Island
Most Thai islands have been rabidly overdeveloped in the past few decades, and other than the fancy resorts, they can leave visitors far underwhelmed. Instead, make for Ko Tarutao, one of the last real island national parks in the country. You'll only find a set of park bungalows on the main beach near the ferry port, and further down the island, nothing but camp spots where you can rent a tent or a small hut for a fee. It's also where locals will cook basic meals for you. It's like the Thailand of 20 years ago.
In the 1930s, Ko Tarutao was used as a penal colony and later inhabited by pirates in the Malay Straits. These days, you can visit the ruins of the old prison, go mountain biking and enjoy being on the island location for "Survivor: Thailand."
Photo courtesy of Dave Stamboulis
Phraya Nakhon Cave and throne pavilion in Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park
It only takes a few hours to get from Bangkok to Pranburi, near where you'll find Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, named for the 300 small limestone mountains that make up one of Thailand's nicest and most diverse national parks. From the start of the beach side of the park, you can walk or take a boat, and then you'll have to climb up a small mountain to find the entrance to this sinkhole cave. Inside, you'll find a stunning golden throne pavilion with a four-gabled roof, constructed in 1890 for the visit of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V).
In the early morning, sunlight shines into the sinkhole, creating a surreal effect, with the throne bathed in golden light. As most visitors here come down from Bangkok, if you camp out on the beach and head into the cave early, you may be the only one here.
Photo courtesy of Dave Stamboulis
Chalermprakiat Prajomklao Rachanusorn: "Unseen Thailand" temples
Try saying "Chalermprakiat Prajomklao Rachanusorn" a few times. You might need to in order to ask for directions, as this remains one of Thailand's most hidden sights. It was selected by Thai Tourism for the "Unseen Thailand" campaign as a top spot a few years ago, but still lies tucked away in the mountains of northern Lampang and unknown to most.
A group of Buddhist temples have been constructed here on top of some sharp limestone pinnacles, built to commemorate 200 years since the birth of King Rama IV. To get here from the parking lot, you've got to take a communal pickup truck up a winding steep road and then climb a vertical staircase about half a mile to reach the base of the pinnacles and temples, which give phenomenal views to the hot plains below.
Photo courtesy of Dave Stamboulis
The hidden Emerald Cave (Tham Morakot) on Koh Mook island
Forget about Maya Bay (famed for "The Beach"), which has recently reopened after being closed several years due to over-tourism. Instead, head down to small Koh Mook (meaning "pearl") Island in the Andaman Sea. Not only will you find nice beaches and a low-key vibe, but you will also find Tham Morakot, known in English as the Emerald Cave. It's a sinkhole cavern where the roof of an underwater cave has collapsed, allowing light to come in.
To get here, you've got to follow a 300-foot pitch-black tunnel from the sea, which only can be reached at low tides. If you come with a tour group, they'll give you a flashlight as well as provide a rope to hold to get through the tunnel, but it's even better to rent a kayak and paddle out here on your own. Once inside, there's a beautiful white sand beach surrounded by lush jungle to enjoy.
Photo courtesy of Dave Stamboulis
Bamboo rafts in the morning mist, Pang Ung Lake
The Thais call Pang Ung the "Switzerland" of Thailand, as this northern gem in Mae Hong Son province up on the Myanmar border is home to pine forests and cool weather. Thais flock here from December through February to go camping and take bamboo raft rides on the beautiful alpine lake. It's especially atmospheric early in the morning when the mist from the valley rises off the lake surface.
The Karen and Shan people inhabit the communities around the lake, some offering homestays as well as local food. Just make sure to bring a decent vehicle as the roads in are wildly steep.
Photo courtesy of Dave Stamboulis
Climbing to the summit of Khao Lom Muak
The town of Prachuap Khiri Khan is a wonderful alternative to the islands if you're looking for a sleepy Thai beach escape. There's good seafood, a temple full of monkeys and an army base where you have to sign in for access (but are allowed to visit its gorgeous white sand beach, the best in the area).
If you're here on a long weekend (check in advance as the army base limits numbers/dates for this), you can sign in again and climb Khao Lom Muak. This steep pinnacle is accessed by a less-than-one-hour trail where you have to pull yourself up with ropes to get to the top, from which there are stupendous views of the bay below. You'll also see dusky langurs in the trees and a slice of Thailand that few visitors ever do.
Photo courtesy of Dave Stamboulis
Field of wild Siam tulips in the mist, Sai Thong National Park
Sai Thong National Park sees most of its visitors during the rainy season (June-August), when the dok krajiaow or wild Siam tulip blossoms are in abundance. The pink flowers really stand out in the misty drizzly weather, delighting amateur botanists and photographers.
Even more entertaining, head out to the park's flat rock that juts out hundreds of feet above the valley floor for a selfie (see the first photo in this article). The rock is named Pha Ham Hod, which translates to "shrunken balls cliff," so named for what happens when fear strikes the man who dares walk out on the edge. Sai Thong boasts 34,000 acres, has abundant waterfalls, hiking trails and camping, and few non-Thais make it to this lovely park.
Photo courtesy of Dave Stamboulis
Wild Himalayan cherry blossoms, Khun Chang Khian
You don't need to go to crowded Kyoto to see the cherry blossoms. If you happen to be in Chiang Mai in the cool months, head up past Doi Suthep to Khun Chang Khian, part of the Highland Agricultural Research Center. Noted for its abundant wild Himalayan cherry blossom trees, the hillsides turn blazing pink in the January and February blooming season.
The area is inhabited by the Hmong people, who sell handicrafts in the small villages. And despite being less than an hour from Chiang Mai, the valley here is on the opposite side of the mountain, so there is little haze to block the wonderful views. Note that the road in here is rutted and not suitable for a rental car, but there are shared pickup trucks to take just after you leave the paved road after the Phuping Palace on Doi Suthep.
