Thailand Map For Aussies

Hop on a party boat and take in the idyllic surroundings while partying on deck with other adventurous revellers, bopping along to live music next to an open bar, while a guide takes the cruise around the islands’ popular spots like Monkey Beach and Maya Bay Park. Just make sure you choose a reputable tour operator (perhaps ask a travel agent), and don’t partake in risky behaviour. Why? Because travel insurers may not pay out claims if you were under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

You won’t be drinking with flies aboard a party boat in the Phi Phi Islands. In fact, on the deck it’s parties galore, live music, an open bar and a screaming good time. The vessel will sail to hotspots like Monkey Beach and Maya Bay Park, which both go off. These trips are perfect if you can’t be bothered to do something other than to sail around one of Thailand’s greatest places. Just be sure that your tour operator is sweet (ask ya travel agent), and don’t do anything risky after hitting the turps. Why? You might void your travel insurance claim if you were drinking or on drugs.

Have bananas ready because Monkey Beach is home to a colony of monkeys keen to get up close and personal with tourists for a peel. This white sandy beach is on the main island of Phi Phi Don, fringed by turquoise waters, lush jungle and limestone cliffs; the ideal habitat for its furry residents. Monkey Beach is also a good spot for diving and is popular with day-trippers.

The banana benders (and the rest of you) will feel at home on Monkey Beach as heaps of the furry critters get up close and personal. The white sandy beach on the main island of Phi Phi Don is surrounded by clear waters, dense rainforests and limestone cliffs. If you’re into a bit of diving or if your mates are keen to get away for a day – then this is for you.

The Phi Phi Islands are an archipelago of six islands, each offering something unique, and the best way to see them all is to hire a long-tail boat and island hop for a day. Phi Phi Don Island is the main hub where you can find hotels, restaurants and other tourist attractions. Maya Bay should also be on your bucket list and is renowned among travellers since gaining fame in the 2000 movie The Beach.

Hire a long-tail boat and take your better half around the islands where the views are spectacular. Phi Phi Don Island is the busy spot where hotels, pubs and other tourist attractions are on your doorstep. Go to Maya Bay if you want to see the set for that Leonardo Dicaprio flick, The Beach in 2000. Just don’t forget the Esky.

Take a charter boat tour around the pristine 42-island archipelago of the Ang Thong National Marine Park. The islands offer over 100 square kilometres of unspoilt white-sand beaches, lakes, mangroves, waterfalls, hidden coves and cliffs. The park is also a paradise for wildlife lovers as exotic animals like spectacled langurs and hairy-nosed otters can often be spotted pottering about in their natural habitats.

Charter boat, what charter boat? Nah, yeah but seriously, jump on board a boat tour and hit up the 42 islands of the Ang Thong National Marine Park. You’ll be in heaven as you stumble on the sandy beaches, lakes, mangroves, waterfalls, hidden coves and cliffs. If you’re a bit of a greenie, then the wildlife here is amazing as you’ll come face to face with spectacled langurs and hairy-nosed otters.

The Bophut's Fisherman’s Village is the bustling center of Koh Samui, once home to a fishing community. Old wooden fishing shacks were converted into market stalls that now sell clothing, accessories and all types of wares at low prices. The boutique village also offers a plethora of eateries, bars and other chilled out venues for tourists.

While you might not find any yabbies around here, the Bophut’s Fisherman’s Village is the busy centre and former fishing home of Koh Samui. There are old wooden shacks that are now markets where you can grab clothes and knick knacks for a bargain. The village has a smorgasbord of tucker options and is a decent spot for a cold one after a long day.

Take a jungle safari tour and explore Koh Samui’s most iconic landmarks and sights like the Mummified Monk, Namuang Waterfall and the Secret Buddha Garden, on an off-road trip with your mates on the back of a jeep.

Jump in a four-wheeler and explore Koh Samui’s on a safari tour around spots like the Mummified Monk, Namuang Waterfall and the Secret Budhha Garden. Head off-road in a jeep with ya mates and you’ll be stoked.

The Secret Buddha Garden is hidden in the hills of Koh Samui but well worth a visit. Tourists will transition into a mystical world, as they wind through the landscaped gardens, miniature waterfalls and clusters of statues arranged to depict animals, deities and personas of Buddhist folklore. A local farmer began construction of the garden in 1976 around his family's verdant land.

Go walkabout to the Secret Buddha Gardens in the hills of Koh Samui. It’s nothing like anything you’ve ever seen before, with gardens, tiny waterfalls and a bunch of statues that look like animals, gods and Buddhist legends. The story goes that a local farmer constructed the gardens in 1976 around his family’s yard.

The Gulf of Thailand’s underwater world is a paradise for diving fanatics. Tours and dive courses are available every day with reputable certified instructors. The best dive sites are a few kilometres away from Koh Samui at Ang Thong National Marine Park or Sail Rock, so hiring a boat will be the best way to get there. However, most diving for novices is only a short boat ride away.

The Gulf of Thailand is a heaven for keen divers. Tours and dive lessons are on every day with fair-dinkum certified instructors. For a great dive, head out a few clicks off Koh Samui at Ang Thong National Marine Park or Sail Rock. You’ll probably need to hire a boat to get there. Most diving spots for rookies are not far away.

Sail Rock is a prime dive site of the Gulf of Thailand and famous for its underwater rock tunnel dubbed the ‘chimney’, which divers can enter at six metres. The rock pinnacle drops almost 30 metres below the sandy surface and is abundant with marine life, schools of barracuda, giant grouper, queenfish, batfish and sometimes whale sharks.

It can be considered an advanced dive, however, so consider snorkelling instead if you’re just a beginner.

Sail Rock is the bee’s knees diving spot in the Gulf of Thailand and well-known for its underwater rock tunnel, nicknamed the ‘chimney’, which can be entered six metres below the surface. All in all, the rock formation is 30 metres below the surface and is packed to the rafters with marine animals like barracuda, grouper, batfish and the odd whale shark.

If you’re a bit green at going underwater, you might wanna ditch the diving suit and go snorkelling instead.

The Amsterdam Bar is all that Koh Phangan has to offer in one sensational spot perched on a pier. It’s a popular ‘dig’ to kick back poolside on wooden decks covered in Thai mats, grab a beer or cocktail, eat authentic food and enjoy good music while watching the sunset over the ocean.

The Amsterdam Bar is your one-stop shop for grog, good times and a place to chill out. It’s by the pool on wooden decks that have been covered in Thai mats overlooking the ocean, giving you that sweet sea breeze while you’re downing a frothy or cocktail, as well as some delicious tucker.

Doi Inthanon National Park is home to the highest peak in Thailand, Doi Inthanon, the famous twin King and Queen Royal Pagodas and various small hill tribes. It’s an elevated nature park with boundless natural beauty, cascading waterfalls, lush forests and superb vantage points.

Doi Inthanon National Park is a bottler of a destination and has the tallest peak in the country: Doi Inthanon, including two spires called the King and Queen Royal Pagodas. This nature park is like a chockers with waterfalls, forests and lookouts. Just make sure you slap on some sunscreen!

Bargain your way to a great deal at the Night Bazaar, the hub of evening commerce. Shoppers will find a wide variety of imitation designer goods, clothing, accessories, DVD's, CD's, local Thai handicrafts and artefacts. There are also a number of restaurants, burger joints, pizza shops and other food street stalls along the strip.

Bargain hunters won’t know what to do with themselves at the Night Bazaar, a large open marketplace. This is the place to buy Chrissy presents for rellies back in Aus because you’ll spend small but look like a high roller.

Tourists looking for a bargain and cheap bite to eat will find both and more at the Sunday Market in Chiang Mai. Food vendors sell authentic Thai fares like crab cakes, fried bananas, sweet roti and pad Thai for as little as $2, as well as local arts and crafts. The markets provide entertainment after dark with street musicians, puppeteers and Thai dancers.

Travellers on the hunt for a cheap tucker box should check out the Sunday Market in Chiang Mai. The local fellas and sheilas sell crab cakes, fried bananas, sweet roti, and pad Thai for as low as $2. That’s cheap as chips! The markets bang on after the sun sets, with live music, puppeteers and dancers.

The Thung Teao Forest Natural Park is a nature lover’s paradise and home to the famous Emerald Pool, waterfalls and hot springs where you can swim and revitalise. You can also hike the nature trail and try spotting some of the park’s exotic wildlife, including the Gurney’s pitta bird, once thought to be extinct.

The Thung Teao Forest Natural Park is a greenie’s paradise with heaps of waterfalls and hot springs to see, plus an Emerald Pool to swim in. Whether you’re wearing your boardies or bathers, you can hike the trail and try your luck at spotting some of the park’s craziest wildlife, like the Gurney’s pitta bird, which people used to think had carked it.

The Tiger Cave Temple is a sacred Buddhist site, buried in the foothills where monks live and worship. The temple is a labyrinth of natural caves once used for mediation and still houses statues and other religious artefacts dating back to the Golden Age. Once you’re ready for your elevation, you can climb the 1,200 plus stairs to the big golden Buddha at the top of the temple and be rewarded with panoramic views.

Reckon you can climb 1,200 plus stairs to see a giant golden Buddha at the Tiger Cave Temple? Course you can mate! This temple is packed with caves, statues and religious artefacts going way back to the Golden Age. The site is housed by monks where they continue to live and worship today. It’s pretty chill.

Fancy taking a bath in nature’s hot tub? The Krabi Hot Springs cascade into natural hollows of smooth stone, where you can sit and let mineral salts wash over you. The water originates from thermal springs from underground volcanic chambers and is diverted into larger man-made bathing pools for visitors.

Time to whip out the budgie smugglers or bathers and tip toe into a natural hot tub. You won’t be knocking the Krabi Hot Springs, as the watering holes wash mineral salts all over you. The story goes that these thermal springs are formed by volcanic chambers. Crikey!

The Krabi Town Night Market offers the most authentic Thai culinary experience on the island. Visitors can tuck into hot curries, fresh seafood, skewered meat, fruits and even fried or seasoned bugs. Once you’re full, you can wash down your meal/s with a few cold ones for less than $2. It’s also a treasure trove for shoppers looking for local steals.

Ready to chow down on some local Thai tucker? The Krabi Town Night Market will have your tastebuds jumping for joy as you get stuck into hot curries, fresh seafood, meat kebabs, fruit, and even seasoned bugs (no, not the Moreton Bay kind mate!). Once you’ve had enough, head to a boozer to wash it down with a beer for as little as $2. There’s also shopping and much more to do too.

Pattaya’s Walking Street is the island’s party and entertainment district. Located on Beach Road, it comes alive with neon signs, food vendors, street performers and thumping music every night from dusk until dawn. Nightclubs, beer bars, sports bars, hotels and go-go bars line the kilometre long drag where crowds flock for a night to remember.

Dust off your dancing shoes and head out to Pattaya’s Walking Street – the island’s party district. Down by Beach Road, you and your mates will find tucker boxes, neon lights, pounding music venues, go-go bars, hotels, pubs and nightclubs. You’ll have a grouse time here.

See the world in miniature and visit all the great landmarks of the world like the Statue of Liberty, Leaning Tower of Pisa and Eiffel tower. Mini Siam literally brings the world to your feet, with over 100 miniature replicas of historical architectural wonders built at a scale of 1:25, to gallivant through in one convenient location.

Wanna see some of the world’s most famous sights, but can’t be stuffed to travel there? No worries mate! Go to Mini Siam and check out miniature landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, Leaning Tower of Pisa and Eiffel Tower. The scale and detail of this place will smack you right in the gob as over 100 replicas are on display all over the grounds.

Take the kids and relive your own childhood for a day at Cartoon Network Amazone in Pattaya. It’s one of Thailand’s largest water parks, themed around characters of the Cartoon Network TV channel like Johnny Bravo, Ben 10, and the Powerpuff Girls.

Take the ankle biters to Cartoon Network Amazone in Pattaya if you need a little R and R. Your little nippers will go crazy at one of Thailand’s biggest water parks, based on Cartoon Network TV channel heroes like Ben 10, Johnny Bravo and Powerpuff Girls.

Do you dream to dive with sharks? Shark Bay is the best snorkelling spot, on the fringe of a stunning white beach. Blacktip reef sharks can be spotted criss-crossing the bay just off shore, so getting close to the ocean’s most misunderstood predator can be just a short swim away.

Ever wanted to dive next to a shark? Here’s your chance to get up close and personal with some Blacktip Reef Sharks, which is definitely not something you’d want to do if you’re a bit of a wuss. At Shark Bay, you can do all of this just offshore, and it is deadset worth every cent.

Sairee Beach is Koh Tao’s nightlife hotspot and where most of the action happens. Crowds stroll along the beach, lounge on sun chairs drinking cocktails or play volley ball during the day. Sairee Beach also provides the perfect backdrop for sunset drinks or a pub crawl of local bars and venues.

Put a leg up in Sairee Beach as you lounge around on sun chairs knocking the froth off a coldie. Crowds head along the beach with cocktails in hand or play beach volleyball during sun up. This beach spot is great to rage on with mates as there’s heaps of pub crawls, local watering holes and entertainment venues.

The Grand Palace is a former royal residence (once home to the Thai King) and administrative seat of government, only used on ceremonial occasions today. The palace grounds feature historical buildings spanning over 214,000 square metres sectioned into different courts, one of which houses the Temple of the Emerald Buddha or ‘Wat Phra Kaew.’

The Grand Palace is where the Thai King used to live back in the day. Nowadays, it’s the administrative seat of government, and can only be used for special ceremonies these days. The grounds are full of ridgy-didge buildings spanning over 214,000 square metres cut off into different sections, with one housing the Temple of the Emerald Buddha or ‘Wat Phra Kaew.’

With over 8,000 stalls to browse through, the Chatuchak weekend markets attracts nearly 200,000 visitors. It’s a paradise for wholesalers, traders and bargain hunters looking to strike deal on clothing, accessories, ceramics, homewares, antiques, artefacts and plants.

Rock up to the Chatuchak weekend markets to shop at more than 8,000 stalls. If you’re chasing a tucker-bag or a bargain on clothes, souvenirs or knick-knacks, then you’ll be happy as a pig in mud.

The eight-storey MBK Center is renowned for its shopping. Shoppers can get their hands on some great items at heavily discounted prices. From jewellery and clothes to crafts and souvenirs, this shopping metropolis will excite the inner shopaholic in you.

The eight-storey MBK Center is where you go to get all those exy-looking handbags or clothing for a fraction of the price. You’ll find brands like Tiffany & Co, Adidas and Burberry, but they won’t cost you much moolah!

Siam Park City is Bangkok’s largest amusement water park, featuring the world’s biggest wave pool recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records. This attraction is particularly popular with families and divided into four sections to cater for children of every age. Kids can slide down water slides, ride roller coasters and drop towers, while parents can relax poolside with Thai massages, or grab a bite to eat from a selection of food stands. After dark, the park comes alive with a spectacular light show.

You’ll be grinning like a shot fox at Siam Park City, Bangkok’s largest water park. The park has the biggest wave pool in the world and is good day out for the ankle biters as it’s split into four sections according to age. The little tackers can slide down water slides or ride rollercoasters, while the adults can sunbake poolside with a massage or bottle of plonk. There’s heaps of grub and once the sun sets, the park has a light show that’s worth a squiz.

Khao San Road is the Vegas of Bangkok, with neons galore and music blasting at all hours of the night. This party hub offers cheap stays, eats and drinks served in buckets. You can find all types of venues from swanky bars to cocktail shacks, beer bars and more. It’s also the place to taste all sorts of creepy crawlies like crickets, silkworms, tarantulas and even scorpions, and then wash it down with the finest one litre beer served in a plastic ‘tallie’!

Dust off your pluggers and visit Khao San Road, the Vegas of Bangkok. It’s great for a buck’s or hen’s night out, as the party never stops here. There’s also cheap eats and swags, plus bars full of the amber fluid and cocktails. Bog in to some of Thailand’s creepy crawlies like crickets, silkworms, spiders and scorpions, then wash it all down the hatch with a one-litre tallie.

Escaping Bangkok’s daily hustle and bustle is sometimes only a corner away. Spas and massage parlours can always be found near popular attractions or busy strips. A one-hour Thai massage can be had for less than $10 in some salons and are offered in shopping centres, beauty salons and in little shacks on certain side streets.

Veg out at one of Bangkok’s massage parlours and spas. One-hour-long Thai massages can cost as little as a schooner ($10) in some places around town, and are perfect when you’re feeling stuffed. These shops are almost everywhere, down alleyways, in shacks and in shopping centres.

The biggest festival in Thailand is during Chinese New Year around January or February, depending on the Chinese Lunar Calendar. Worshippers and locals ring in the New Year dressed in red and take to the streets with drums, firecrackers, Chinese lanterns and floating dragons to scare away evil spirits. New Year festivals are hosted all over the country for three days of celebrations.

Take a stickybeak at Thailand’s biggest festival during the Chinese New Year in January or February, depending on the Lunar Calendar. Local worshippers draped in red whip up some entertainment on the street with drums, firecrackers, lanterns and even floating dragons to scare off the evil spirits. It’s defo worth a visit and festivities are normally hosted all over Thailand for three days of partying.

It’s the world’s biggest water festival and Thailand’s New Year festivity celebrated in April. In the Buddhist tradition, Songkran is about purification and washing away the bad by sprinkling water on worshippers, but travellers and locals tend to take ‘blessings’ to another level with water cannons and buckets!

Make sure you sus out the world’s biggest water festival and Thailand’s New Year party celebrated in April. The Buddhist tradition, Songkran is about a bunch of worshippers washing away their bodies to purify themselves, but you can jump in and hose your mates with water cannons and buckets.

Haggle with vendors and strike a bargain wherever you shop in Patong. The beach stretch is home to the island’s best markets, who offer some knock-off designer goods like Channel bags, Gucci belts and designer watches, jewellery, wallets, shoes and anything else you can fit in a shopping bag. If you’re looking for a more up-market shopping experience, the popular Jungceylon Shopping Complex and Banana Walk are just a short walk away.

Get amongst it and grab a bargain with locals when you’re chasing mate’s rates in Patong. The beaches are home to some cracker shopping at the markets, where you can find jewellery, wallets, runners, sunnies, and anything else you can squeeze in your luggage. If this doesn’t cut the mustard, you can try your luck at the Jungceylong Shopping Complex or the Banana Walk, which is only a breeze away.

Let your inner Tarzan out and traverse Phuket’s thick jungles and hillsides from above, zip lining from tree to tree while you hang from wire ropes and make your way into the wilderness, suspended between platforms. This aerial adventure is for children and adults alike. The Flying Hanuman Tour is well-known among tourists and some tours even offer a quad bike ride component.

Go full Tarzan and carve through Phuket’s jungles and hillsides from high above, swinging from tree to tree while you dangle from high ropes. Just make sure you’ve used the dunny beforehand! This aerial swing goes off, and is great for any age group, even the little grommets. The Flying Hanuman Tour is unreal for tourists and some tours even let you go off road on a quad bike.

Explore the sea caves in Phang Nga Bay by kayaking through limestone caves and secret lagoons. You can choose between self-paddled tours or let an expert guide do the work while you enjoy the crystalline views and capture the moment on camera. Most tours also treat guests to a Thai seafood lunch and drinks aboard their escort boats.

You wouldn’t be true blue if you didn’t slap on some sunscreen and go kayaking around these gorgeous limestone caves. Paddle out yourself or go with a pro – the choice is yours. Just don’t forget your camera or you’ll be spewing as there’s some hectic views to see. Once you’ve had enough, you can normally grab a feed aboard a local vessel.

Phuket is the Bondi of Thailand and famous for its collection of high-end beach clubs, including the iconic Café del Mar and Dream Beach Club. Enjoy signature cocktails and fine dining on a lounge chair tucked under a private cabana and the best poolside vibes while the DJ sets the ambience and you overlook the island’s most popular beaches at sunset.

If you’re itching to hit the clubs after a few tinnies, Phuket has some cracker spots. There are good times to be had at the Café del Mar and Dream Beach Club, with cocktails and glasses of cab sav on tap. Grab ya mates and soak up the atmosphere as a live DJ pumps hot beats next to the beach.

Bangla Road is the party precinct of Phuket and comes to life every night at sundown. It’s where you can drink buckets of beer, eat street food and pub crawl around all types of bars (and we do mean all), live music venues, clubs and shows - until the sun comes up! Be warned though, this area isn’t for the faint of heart or prudish.

Reckon you can handle the party scene after slogging it around Phuket during the day? Picture slabs of beer, good tucker and even better times as you crawl to bars, live music gigs, clubs and shows – until you’ve almost carked it and the sun comes up! If you’re a bit of a dag or not into that sort of thing, then that’s fine.

One cannot go to Phuket and truly experience the ‘island life’ without chowing down on a fresh seafood platter, whether from exclusive beachfront restaurants or local haunts. If you’re willing to go the extra mile for the freshest seafood, you can always take a long-tail boat ride to one of Phuket’s floating seafood restaurants.

Forget Maccas and meat pies. Whatever you’ve heard about the grub in Phuket aren’t furphies. The food is the real deal, the bee’s knees, with some of the restaurants dishing up local seafood that’ll make your tastebuds sing! If you want the fair dinkum freshest of the fresh, take a long-tail boat ride to a floating restaurant.

Loi Krathong is Thailand's 'festival of lights' held on the evening of the 12th lunar month (usually in November.) Worshipers make a wish, release lanterns into the sky and float woven baskets full of incense and candles (or “krathong”) down waterways and canals to wash away their sins.

You’ll be gobsmacked at Loi Krathong, Thailand’s festival of lights held at night on the 12th lunar month. Watch worshippers make a wish, unleash lanterns and float baskets full of incense and candles down the drink to wash away their sins.

The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is a nine-day celebration of the belief in the Chinese community that abstaining from meat during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar will bestow good health and peace of mind. During the celebrations, worshippers attempt all sorts of feats like walking barefoot on coals, piercing their faces and body, or climbing razor blade ladders to purify their souls.

Get stuck into the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, a nine-day get-together of the Chinese community members who give meat the flick during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar. During the festival, worshippers walk barefoot on hot coals, pierce their faces and bodies, and even climb onto razor blade ladder to purify their souls – strewth!