Things to Do in Central Thailand – Activities in Areas Outside of Bangkok

Central Thailand is the country’s most dominant region and home to the bustling capital city Bangkok. The region brims with jagged mountains, stunning landscapes, historic ruins, and a myriad of cultural attractions that beckon visitors from all over the world. Travelers can find things to do in Central Thailand on Agoda, as well as luxury resorts and budget-friendly hotels.

Chai Nat

The city of Chai Nat is located on the shores of the Chao Phraya River. Chai Nat is famous for its handicrafts as well as attraction such as the following:

• Chainat Bird Park – Dating to 1983, Chainat Bird Park is a large bird sanctuary and aquarium. It’s home to more than 100 species of birds and features a small snake park, rabbit park, and wild animal exhibits.
• Wat Pathomathet Sana Aranyawasi – Visitors are sure to marvel at the size and golden grandeur of Wat Pathomethet Sana Aranyawasi, a stunning temple in the Chai Natvicinity.
• Wat Maha That Chainat – An historic temple, Wat Maha Than Chainat is roughly 700 years old, and while it’s been damaged, its structure still continues to attract cultural tourists from all over the globe.
• Sapphaya Old Market – The Sapphaya Old Market is an open-air market filled with stalls of food and handicrafts. There are often exhibits and entertainment for visitors.

Sing Buri

Sometimes referred to as Thailand’s spiritual heartland, Sing Buri and the surrounding region is well known for its temples and historic sites. It’s not as touristy as other areas of Central Thailand, which is why visitors will be able to soak up its authentic culture and unique attractions that include:

• Ban Rachan Old-Style Market / Banrachan Retro Market – Featuring riverfront views, Ban Rachan Old-Style Market is a friendly marketplace where visitors can come to mingle, enjoy street food, and purchase goods from vendors dressed in traditional garb.
• Wat Pikul Thong Phra Aram Luang – Wat Pikul Thong Phra Aram Luang is a popular temple that features one of the country’s largest Buddhas in the blessing posture. Surrounding gardens and traditional buildings add to the setting’s serene ambience.
• Bang Rachan Memorial Park – The Bang Rachan Memorial celebrates Thai warriors of the Ayutthaya era, which dates back to 1350. The memorial showcases seven heroes carved in stone.
• Wat Phra Non Chak Si Worawihan – Home to a massive reclining golden buddha, Wat Phra Non Chak Si Worawihan is a royal temple that Thai historians believe predates the Ayutthaya era.
• Mae La Maha Rachanusorn Park (Wang Pla Mae La) – A tranquil park, Mae La Maha Rachanusorn Park offers visitors a chance for quiet exploration of the park’s distinctive natural features like its lake and surrounding botanicals.

Ratchaburi

Located roughly an hour from Bangkok, Ratchaburi attracts many international travelers with its floating markets, mountains, and historic ruins. As a popular tourist destination, Rathaburi boasts a wealth of things for vacationers to see and do.

• Khao Ngu Stone Park – The Khao Ngu Stone Park is a unique natural and cultural attraction. The park is known for its large cave that contains a statue of a buddha as well as various sandstone images of buddhas and Sanskrit inscriptions. Some visitors come for a glimpse of the bats that fly near the cave.
• Khao Krajom Viewpoint – Located on Khao Krajom Mountain, the viewpoint provides stunning sights of the surrounding terrain. The trail to the viewpoint is regarded as challenging, but the trek is flanked by beautiful mountain scenery.
• The Khao Prathap Chang Wildlife Sanctuary – A wildlife and marine park, the Khao Prathap Chang Wildlife Sanctuary is home to a myriad of animals, including tortoises, civets, monkeys, and porcupines. The sanctuary is also a popular destination for its wide range of plants and natural beauty.
• Damnoen Saduak Floating Market – As one of Thailand’s most popular floating markets, the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market has been a popular water market for more than a century. Visitors come to eat, shop, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.
• Chom Phon Cave – A large natural cave, Chom Phon Cave is a popular tourist attraction with its large Buddha images and arresting stalactite formations.

Suphan Buri

Celebrated for its historic heritage, Suphan Buri has been an important border town since the 9th century. The town is not only known for its cultural sites but also its pristine natural attractions like its forests and mountains. The following are among the area’s best-loved sites.

• Sam Chuk Old Market – Located near the Tha Chin River, the Sam Chuk Old Market is a traditional market with wooden shops and local culinary treats. There’s also an onsite museum that preserves the history of the Chinese community.
• Museum of the Descendants of the Dragon (Heaven Dragon Park) – The Museum of the Descendants of the Dragon commemorates the friendship between Thailand and China. The park’s highlight is its massive gold dragon.
• Phu Toei International Park – Encompassing more than 120,000 square miles, Phu Toei International Park is home to indigenous villages and stunning mountain vistas. Visitors can expect to enjoy highlights like its caves and waterfalls.
• Wat Pa Lelai Worawihan – Wat Pa Lelai Worawihan is a buddhist temple near the shores of the Tha Chin River. The temple’s halls are filled with ornate artwork as well as decorative architectural accents.
• Thai Buffalo Conservation Village – A contemporary eco-tourist site that dates to 2002, the Thai Buffalo Conservation Village showcases traditional Thai agricultural life that includes rice farming exhibits and traditional arts and crafts.

Lop Buri

The Lop Buri province of Thailand is located roughly 90 miles northeast of Bangkok. Because of its long history, Lop Buri is known for its historic sites as well as its unique natural features like its world-famous sunflower field.

• Phra Prang Sam Yot – Phra Prang Sam Yot is a 13th century Kmer temple that’s world famous for its resident population of macaque monkeys.
• Floating Railway (Rot Fai Loi Nam) – Featuring a route from Bangkok to Pa Sak Jolasid Dam, the Floating Railway traverses Thailand’s largest reservoir.
• Pa Sak Jolasid Dam (green camping site) – A feature of Thailand’s largest reservoir, the Pa Sak Jolasid Dam has also become a renowned green camping site and popular ecotourism spot.
• Khao Chin Lae Sunflower Field – The world-famous Khao Chin Lae Sunflower Field is in bloom between November and February, the best time to visit. The sunflowers and backdrop of mountains make for one of the most arresting views in the country.
• Wat Tham Phrathat Khao Prang – Wat Tham Phrathat Khao Prang features a large statue of Buddha set within a mountain landscape. The area is also famous for its resident monkeys.

Ang Thong

Home to more than 200 buddhist temples, the province of Ang Thong is also famous for its traditional handiworks and folk music. Many visitors to Bangkok enjoy day trips to Ang Thong to enjoy its most popular attractions, which include:

• Wat Khun Inthapramun – Wat Khun Inthapramun features an ancient reclining Buddha statue that is 50 meters in length. The statue is a mere couple miles from Ang Thong’s center.
• Wat Muang – Also known as the Great Buddha, Wat Muang is the tallest statue in the country. As such, the golden monument attracts throngs of visitors every year.
• Ban Hun Lek – Ban Hun Lek, aka the Transformer Museum, pays homage to the popular Transformer toys. The museum is famous for its open-air larger-than-life Transformer statues.
• Ban Bang Sadet Court Doll Center – The perfect place to purchase traditional doll souvenirs, the Ban Bang Sadet Court Doll Center is a doll museum that features doll-making exhibits.
• San Chao Rong Thong Market – The San Chao Rong Thong Market is an historic market where visitors can purchase anything from locally made sweets like dumplings to traditional handicrafts like clay dolls and basketry.

Samut Songkhram

Birthplace of the famous Siamese twins Chang and Eng, the small province of Samut Songkhram is located about an hour away from Bangkok, making it a convenient region to visit. The province is known for its ecotourism, agricultural heritage, and popular floating markets.

• Amphawa Floating Market – Owing to its proximity to Bangkok, the Amphawa Floating Market is awash with visitors on weekends. The market is one of the region’s oldest and is a great place to find souvenirs or enjoy a meal.
• Don Hoi Lot – Don Hoi Lot is a sandbar that is situated at the mouth of the Mae Klong River. Its mudflats attract visitors in search of shells. There are also many restaurants nearby that cater to area tourists.
• Wat Bang Kung – Dating to the Ayutthaya period,Wat Bang Kung is an ancient temple situated within the root structure of a banyan tree. There is a statue of Buddha within the temple as well as picturesque carvings and relics.
• Maeklong Railway Market (Talad Rom Hub) – Dating back to 1905, the Maeklong Railway Market transports produce and seafood from one market to the next along the railway’s route.
• Cathedral of the Nativity of Our Lady – Built in the French Gothic style, the Cathedral of the Nativity of Our Lady is a place of worship for the area’s Christians. The church was constructed in 1890 and attracts many international visitors.