Sometimes taking a break means escaping everyday life. Since many people struggle with traffic and crowds in their daily routines, it's no wonder they long for peace and quiet on vacation. While Thailand offers numerous opportunities to visit vibrant cities, popular beaches, and famous historical sites, it also boasts many destinations off the beaten track.

Whether you want to relax on a quiet beach, go on a peaceful hike or visit a picturesque village – Thailand offers many opportunities to recharge your batteries without being distracted by crowds.

Khao Sok National Park

The sprawling Khao Sok National Park in Surat Thani province is one of Thailand's best-kept secrets, far from the tourist crowds. This 739-square-kilometer national park is home to the world's largest evergreen rainforest, refreshing lakes, and fascinating plants and animals, including Rafflesia, sun bears, and the white-crested hornbill.

The national park is also home to Cheow Lan Lake, which stretches across a vast area and features over a hundred limestone formations that were once mountain peaks. You can swim, kayak, or even take a guided boat tour through its emerald-green waters. If you'd like to stay overnight, you can stay in a stilt house right by the lake, comfortably situated on the water.

500 Rai Resort and Tours

The 500 Rai Resort and Tours in Khao Sok National Park offers floating huts on the majestic Cheow Larn Lake. The resort's motto is "Switch off to reconnect." To allow guests to fully experience the magic of the surrounding natural landscape, the 500 Rai Resort and Tours deliberately forgoes Wi-Fi and internet access.

The 500 Rai Resort and Tours is an eco-friendly and sustainable resort that promotes the beauty and protection of Khao Sok National Park. Guests can relax in their bungalows and enjoy the gentle sound of flowing water, hike through the forest and reach breathtaking viewpoints, explore caves, or take a boat trip to observe wildlife.

Packages are offered for guests who want to enjoy the whole experience, or guests can explore the national park on their own.

Chiang Dao

Chiang Dao is a small village about 80 kilometers from Chiang Mai. This remote mountain village is home to the hospitable Dara-Ang (Palong) hill tribe, who pride themselves on sharing their unique culture and cuisine with visitors. Traditional Dara-Ang dishes include locally grown and roasted coffee, lychee, honey, and, on special occasions, Isaan cuisine, including pork and buffalo dishes.

The Dara-Ang migrated to Thailand in the 1980s. The tribe that settled in Chiang Dao is known as the Silver Palung or Pale Tribe. They are recognizable by the silver hoops they wear as belts over their bright red clothing. They believe these hoops offer them protection. Today, the Dara-Ang live in bamboo longhouses scattered throughout the village, with several families sharing a single house.

Chiang Dao itself is surrounded by limestone peaks, ideal for climbing. The name Chiang Dao translates to "City of Stars," a reference to its high altitude. This elevation also results in a cooler climate than in other parts of Thailand, making outdoor activities more pleasant for many adventurers.

Tran

Despite its diverse offerings, this seaside resort in Trang still provides peace and relaxation thanks to its secluded location in Krabi. Trang is known for its strong coffee, beautiful beaches, and delicious cuisine.

The town of Trang has a strong Chinese influence, from the wide variety of noodle dishes and grilled pork to the impressive architecture. If you're looking for a quiet seaside holiday and want to connect with friendly locals, the lesser-known town of Trang is the perfect place.

Lampang

Just 90 minutes from Chiang Mai lies the beautiful town of Lampang, one of Thailand's lesser-known gems and therefore quieter than other destinations with similar attractions. You can visit Wat Phutthabat Sutthamat temple in Lampang without encountering many other tourists. The temple sits approximately 1,000 meters above the Thung Valley, offering visitors a 360° panoramic view of the valleys and rice paddies. The hike to the summit takes about 90 minutes. Alternatively, you can hire a vehicle at the base of the mountain and be driven halfway up, then hike the rest of the way.

Lampang is home to the 592-square-kilometer Chae Son National Park, the Chae Son Waterfall, and soothing hot springs. The national park boasts caves, mountains, scenic viewpoints, and the beautiful dok siew flowers that bloom there every year from January to February. The Chae Son Waterfall is a six-tiered waterfall with a refreshing pool at each level, easily accessible via a path that leads up to the limestone hill from which it cascades. Chae Son National Park has numerous hot and warm springs—ideal if you're looking for water warm enough to boil an egg. While the hot springs may be too hot for bathing, some of the cooler springs offer a relaxing blend of warm and cool stream water, making them perfect for a soak.

Ban Chiang Archaeological Site

Have you always wanted to visit an ancient city and explore ruins dating back to 2000 BC? The Ban Chiang archaeological site is home to the remains of Southeast Asia's oldest known civilization. It's located in Udon Thani province, which is easily accessible in Thailand. You can fly to Udon Thani International Airport, which is served by many Thai airports. From Bangkok, you can also take one of the numerous trains to Udon Thani railway station or an overnight bus (approximately an 8-hour journey) into the city.

Ban Chiang was discovered in the 1960s by a student who found a fragment of ancient pottery during his research. The site is open to visitors and is home to the fascinating Ban Chiang National Museum, which displays many of the artifacts found there. The museum is only a ten-minute drive from the archaeological site. Visitors are advised to hire a driver to travel to both locations.

The archaeological site of Ban Chiang was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. This special distinction was awarded to it because of its importance to Southeast Asia. According to UNESCO, World Heritage sites are protected sites that belong to everyone and should therefore be made accessible to the world to educate about our shared origins.

Diploma

A holiday in Thailand can be tailored entirely to your wishes. Whether you're looking for an adventure in a big city or your curiosity leads you to a lesser-known, more remote place – Thailand has something to offer everyone.

Your off-the-beaten-path Thailand adventure awaits – from historical archaeological sites and remote villages to secluded beaches and pristine national parks. Find more travel inspiration and tips for even more hidden gems in Thailand on our region page.