
Thailand is one of the most visited countries in Southeast Asia. According to its Tourism Ministry, the Land of Smiles welcomed 17.75 million foreign tourists from January 1 to July 13, 2025.
What makes people want to visit this country? What keeps visitors coming back? The answer is simple. There’s so much to see and do for singles and couples alike.
With that said, where are the best places to travel in Thailand? Read on for our recommendations.
What Draws People to Visit Thailand?
Thailand is a tourism hotspot. According to an ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) report, several factors contributed to its success in this area.
Complete Tourism Market
What’s your dream vacation? Do you want to relax on beautiful beaches? Do you want to explore temples and historical sites? Regardless of what it is, Thailand has something for you. Even better, you can check multiple things off your bucket list in one go.
It’s a naturally well-endowed tourism destination and strongly supported by its hospitality, infrastructure, and related industries.
Well-Implemented Rules and Regulations
In 2009, the Thai government added tourism to the national agenda. Since then, there have been visible efforts to renovate tourist spots, build infrastructure, improve human capital, and adopt appropriate policies.
Thailand is also relatively lenient on visa cases, making it easier for tourists to enter the country.
High-Quality Infrastructure
Infrastructure is a significant player in Thailand’s tourism industry. Air travel, for example, accounts for a huge chunk (80%) of tourist arrivals. With this, the government has been upgrading the country’s airports and boosting connectivity to regional destinations.
The infrastructure improvements don’t stop on land. Thailand has also been developing river tourism to promote underrated areas.
Welcoming Locals
This isn’t included in AMRO’s report. But Thailand is the “Land of Smiles” for a reason.
Locals are welcoming to tourists everywhere. Since Thai culture emphasizes politeness and respect, hospitality is second nature to the country’s people.
For some, that warmth goes beyond friendly interactions. They gradually develop into romantic relationships. Many travelers call Thailand their home, settling in the country after meeting the loves of their lives during their visit.
The Best of Thailand | Sights and Stops
Thailand has 77 provinces and 33 cities. Given the numbers, it can be a struggle to come up with a dating itinerary. So, here are a few recommendations:
Around Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand. It’s a commercial and cultural hub, meaning it has more than enough sights and activities to satisfy travelers.
Khao San Road
Address: Khwaeng Talat Yot, Khet Phra Nakhon, Bangkok, Thailand
This 410-meter road is one of the most popular places in Bangkok. It’s the go-to spot for single travelers because of its bustling atmosphere. Businesses, from affordable accommodations to countless street food options, line the main street.
While others might want to avoid the crowd, Khao San Road is where you can safely meet new faces to date. Its proximity to many Bangkok tourist attractions is a plus.

Bangkok Art and Culture Centre
Address: 939 Rama 1 Road, Wang Mai, Pathum Wan, Bangkok
Operating Hours:
10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Tuesdays to Sundays)
Closed on Mondays, New Year’s, and Songkran
Many people say that travel is one of life’s greatest teachers. It pushes you into the unknown and reveals new perspectives and experiences.
If you’re dating a Thai woman, such knowledge proves useful. It promotes understanding, sets expectations, and fosters acceptance, strengthening your relationship. Fortunately, in every country, museums exist to serve as intellectual assembly points.
In Bangkok, there’s the Art and Culture Centre. It showcases the best of Thailand in nine floors of painting, photography, modern art, and sculpture exhibitions, shops, and restaurants. It’s also where you can enjoy a range of activities, from movie screenings to seminars on film and literature.
The museum is directly adjacent to the National Stadium BTS Skytrain station, so distance and transportation shouldn’t be an issue.
Lumphini Park
Address: 192 Wireless Road, Pathum Wan, Bangkok
Operating Hours: 4:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily
Bangkok is a metropolis with a landscape of skyscrapers and bustling marketplaces. But it also has its fair share of green spaces. One of them is Lumphini Park.
According to It’s Better in Thailand, Lumphini is reminiscent of New York’s Central Park. It’s a recreational tourist spot in the middle of the concrete jungle. But here’s one major difference: wildlife.
Lumphini is full of water monitor lizards. They’re either hanging out in the trees, sunbathing on the grass, or swimming in the lake. They co-exist with humans, but if you see one, try not to get too close. If you feel the urge, busy yourself with the activities that the park offers.
Most of them are especially great for a date. You can rent a swan boat or go paddle-boat cruising to see the best wide-open view, enjoy a picnic on the lawn, or go taste-testing at the nearby food stalls.
If you’re single, the park is where you can meet and interact with locals. Join them for a walk or a run, compete in Chinese checkers, or participate in their dance classes.
Bangkok Canals
Imagine you and your date are on a boat ride. You’re seated together and getting a glimpse into the various communities. Romantic, right? Well, you can make it a reality in Bangkok.
The city is also nicknamed “Venice of the East,” and for good reason. While most people take cruises on the Chao Phraya River, you can take the off-beaten path and cross Bangkok’s canals.
The city’s centuries-old khlongs (canals) may not have gondolas, but they’re beautiful nonetheless.
You’ll see the old and the new converge as you traverse through the canals. Skyscrapers become a picturesque backdrop to the wooden houses standing along the riverbanks.
Outside Bangkok
Bangkok is a popular tourist spot because that’s where most of the action happens. But the cities and islands outside of it are also worth exploring. They tend to have fewer crowds, meaning you can have more authentic interactions with the locals.
So, go beyond the capital. Here are other places to travel in Thailand:
Phuket
When you’re overseas, it’s natural to want to belong with the locals. Fortunately, you can find your community in Phuket, a beach town with a big city feel.
Getting there is easy. Its international airport makes it accessible for global tourists. Once you’re there, go where the bright lights are—the Patong district. It’s known for its party scene, where you can meet and connect with locals.
Music and dance create a sense of community. When you move together with the shared goal of having fun, your brains release oxytocin (the love hormone), leading to authentic, long-term connections.
Chiang Mai
This northern Thailand destination is a pleasant departure from Bangkok. Chiang Mai runs at a slower pace compared to other cities. In a world where it’s easy to get caught up in the noise, peace and quiet can do you good.
Whether it’s new dates or new approaches, there’s no pressure to keep up. When you’re not chasing excitement or stressing over filling the silence, you create space for meaningful conversations and observations.
“When we're constantly moving at full speed, we can miss the small, yet important details that make someone truly special. The quiet life in dating allows us to see beyond the initial attraction, to appreciate the depth of a person,” states Medium author LSD.

Koh Kood
Thailand’s beautiful beaches understandably draw huge crowds. If you want your seaside paradise without the chaos, Koh Kood’s your best bet.
This remote destination is located on the southernmost island of the Trat archipelago and is near the Cambodian border. It takes effort to reach it, but it’s worth the trip.
Moreover, with mass tourism at bay, Koh Kood's village lifestyle remains untouched. If you want to experience your match/partner’s slice of life, this is the place to be.
Since there aren’t any major supermarket chains, you can shop for your daily necessities at small shops or stalls and chat it up with the locals. You can also rent a scooter and experience their mode of transportation and driving conditions. Or, you can head off to the forest trails near Ao Tapao Beach and sip fresh coconut juice under the palm trees.
Chanthaburi
This last stop isn’t a primary destination on many people’s Thai tour bucket lists. It’s more of a stopover between Bangkok and Koh Chang.
But a visit to this city will make you want to settle in with your match/partner.
Chanthaburi is a small town with cute cafés and colorful shops that sell knick-knacks. Some of its buildings even go as far back as the 19th century. Locals live a quaint lifestyle, going about their chores and rarely insisting that you buy something.
It may not be as glamorous as the major cities, but its welcoming atmosphere pulls you in.
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Are you single and looking for new, authentic connections?
Or are you in a relationship and searching for destinations that offer various romantic experiences?
These places to travel in Thailand await you. Go and book that trip to the Land of Smiles.
References:
Staporncharnchai, Thanadech. 2025. “Thailand Tourist Arrivals Drop 5.62% Y/Y So Far in 2025.” Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/markets/asia/thailand-tourist-arrivals-drop-562-yy-so-far-2025-2025-07-15/.
Lee, Jae Young, and Laura Grace Gabriella. 2019. “Decoding Thailand’s Tourism Success Story.” ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office. https://amro-asia.org/decoding-thailands-tourism-success-story/.
It's Better in Thailand. n.d. “Lumpini Park Bangkok: Our insider's guide.” It's better in Thailand. Accessed August 21, 2025. https://itsbetterinthailand.com/activities/lumpini-park-bangkok-insiders-guide/.
Heshmat, Shahram. 2021. “How Music Brings People Together.” Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/science-choice/202111/how-music-brings-people-together.
LSD. 2024. “The Power of A Quiet Life In Dating.” Medium. https://medium.com/deeply-yours/the-power-of-a-quiet-life-in-dating-dcfb6d7c9ea1.