24 Beautiful Photos from Thailand

After the lockdown, I was grounded at home in Thailand for the first time in 8 years. While the world suffers from the pandemic, Thailand was doing rather well compared to the rest of the world, with no domestic cases for many months.

As my feet got itchier and itchier over time, I decided to make the best out of what I had and travel in my own country. For the first time in my 30+ years of life, I saw Thailand from a traveler’s perspective. Now, I know why people love Thailand so much.

As I spent 2020 exploring my own country with my trusty camera, I was able to integrate into the lives of the locals (since I speak the language) and capture some truly beautiful moments I had in Thailand. So, I decided to compile a list of those beautiful photos here.

Without further ado, let’s begin with the first photo on the list and, by far, one of my favorite photos I took of Thailand: the Journey into Khao Sok Lake. I called this photo “Long-Tail Thailand”.

Looking for a complete backpacking itinerary to Thailand?10 Days Itinerary for Thailand

Long-Tail Thailand
The Empty Grand Palace
The New Normal
The Buddha Head of Ayuthaya
The Yi Peng Celebration
At the Roof of Thailand
The Misty Siriphum Waterfall
Our Love Letter to the Elephants
Pay it Forward
Mae Hong Son Twilight
Baan Rak Thai
Nan’s History Illustrated
Stargazing in Thailand
The Dreamy Phu Langka
Phu Chi Fah
In the Middle of the Tobacco Field
The White Temple
The Stunning Erawan Falls
The Morning Alms Giving Ceremony
The Grand Buddha of Ang Thong
The Temple in the Sky
The Buddha Statue of Sukhothai
Thailand’s Amazing Marine Life
Thailand’s Sea
Further Reading for Thailand

1. Long-Tail Thailand

I love Khao Sok Lake. There is something about being disconnected from the outside world and being around true nature for a day or two that is just so addicting. It is probably one of my most favorite places to visit in Thailand, and I highly recommend you travel there if you are in Thailand.

I think this photo captured the essence of Khao Sok National Park very well, with the simplicity that comes with traveling on a longtail boat, the calmness of the water, and the mysterious-looking forest and mountain on the horizon. If I have to pick one photo to represent Thailand, I would pick this one.

Looking for a complete travel guide to Khao Sok Lake?A Complete Backpacking Guide To Khao Sok National Park

2. The Empty Grand Palace

Never in a million years would I ever think I would see an empty Grand Palace, and that is exactly what I saw at the Grand Palace after the 2-month lockdown. The last time I was here, it was so crowded that it was hard to actually enjoy the place.

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Now, I can actually enjoy the beautiful architecture of the Grand Palace at my own leisure and capture this photo, which would have been unthinkable a year ago. I can finally see the colors of the temple grounds’ tiles, which is something I didn’t notice until now.

Looking for a complete travel guide to Bangkok?16 Best Things to Do in Bangkok

3. The New Normal

This photo was taken right after the 2-month lockdown period in May at Bangkok’s Chinatown. I thought it would be empty like the other tourist attractions in Bangkok that I visited after the lockdown, but to my surprise, people were out and about like nothing happened.

They were all masked up, thank God, but social distancing was nowhere to be seen, and it was as if nothing had ever happened here. I guess you can’t take away our desire to eat street food .

4. The Buddha Head of Ayuthaya

Ayuthaya is one of the most beautiful ancient capital cities in Thailand, and you can find many stunning and well-preserved ruins here. One of the most unique sites you can see here is the ancient Buddha head that is embedded in an overgrown Banyan Tree. This iconic shot is a must-take for everyone visiting Ayutthaya, and it is as beautiful as people say.

Looking for a complete travel guide to Ayuthaya?12 Best Things To Do In Ayutthaya For Backpackers

5. The Yi Peng Celebration

One of the best times to visit Chiang Mai is during the Yi Peng Festival, which happens around the 1st of November every year. I attended the event in 2020 after COVID-19, and with the festival scaled down to accommodate the lack of international tourists, the festival went back to its tradition and displayed the ancient Lanna culture in an extravagant way.

This is an example of the beauty of the people in Chiang Mai and the traditional attire of the Lanna culture that influenced this region of Thailand in the past.

Looking for a complete travel guide to Chiang Mai?20 best things to do in Chiang Mai according to the locals

6. At the Roof of Thailand

Doi Inthanon is the highest mountain in Thailand, and one of the best things you can do there is to hike the balcony trail of Kew Mae Pan, which will take you along the ridge of Doi Inthanon, allowing you to see an expansive view of the landscape around the mountain.

This photo was taken in the early morning at a viewpoint on the Kew Mae Pan Trail. The sea of fog is often witnessed during the wintertime in Thailand, and there is no better place to experience the phenomenon than at the roof of Thailand.

Looking for a complete travel guide to Doi Inthanon?A Complete Backpacking Guide To Doi Inthanon

7. The Misty Siriphum Waterfall

Doi Inthanon is home to many beautiful waterfalls, and one of the most stunning among them is the Siriphum Waterfall, which towers over the Doi Inthanon Village. You can actually see this mighty waterfall from the road.

I took this photo when I was sipping coffee at the Inn Lhaikhow Cafe, which is located right off the road, not too far from Dong Son Campground where I camped the night before.

8. Our Love Letter to the Elephants

One of the things you should definitely do when you are in Thailand is to interact with elephants. They are intelligent, cute, and often playful, and they love playing with visitors. That said, there are many places in Thailand that mistreat the elephants for the enjoyment of tourists, so be very picky about which nature park you visit.

Thankfully, I found one that is not just ethical; they also educate you about the mistreatment elephants receive when they are forced to do things. At Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, you are only allowed to observe and feed them.

They roam in this large area with mountains and a stream running through, and they can do whatever they want. If you are looking to visit an elephant sanctuary, make it this one.

9. Pay it Forward

When I was in Chiang Mai, I found this Karen guy who came all the way from the mountain to sell coffee every week at Jing Jai Farmer’s Market in Chiang Mai.

What makes him so unique is that he uses the concept of pay-it-forward, where he will make your coffee and you can pay whatever you want. It is one of the coolest ideas, and he has become quite a popular face at the Jing Jai Market.

If you are around in Chiang Mai at Jing Jai Market, be sure to pay him a visit and try his locally-made drip coffee. He often sits on the ground with his makeshift bamboo yoke, and you will often find him surrounded by many people.

10. Mae Hong Son Twilight

Mae Hong Son City is located right at the heart of the Mae Hong Son province, and it is home to some really beautiful temples and cultures. It is also one of the stops on the grand Mae Hong Son Loop, which is one of the best road trips you can do in Thailand.

This is a photo I took when I was sitting at the night market in Mae Hong Son City, watching the sunset behind Wat Chong Klang as it lit up during twilight. It was quite a sight to behold.

Looking for a complete travel guide to Mae Hong Son City?15 Best Things To Do In Mae Hong Son City

11. Baan Rak Thai

Yup, this is Thailand, not China. This photo was taken at Baan Rak Thai, a remote Thai town in Mae Hong Son with deep Chinese roots that go way back before the place was first settled.

Baan Rak Thai has really taken advantage of its interesting history and turned their little town into a Chinese-inspired town with beautiful Chinese architecture surrounded by a tea plantation where you can buy locally-grown tea as a souvenir. It’s a unique place that you can only experience if you explore the Mae Hong Son Loop.

Looking for a complete travel guide to the Mae Hong Son Loop?10 Days Itinerary For The Mae Hong Son Loop

12. Nan’s History Illustrated

Nan is another offbeat travel destination in Northern Thailand that offers you a different look at the northern culture from the perspective of another prominent city. One of the most important sights that you have to check out in Nan is the beautiful murals inside Wat Phumin.

The murals were painted many decades ago during a transitional period of European colonization, and the content of the murals reflected the life of the people during that time. It is extremely detailed and stunning to look at, just as the woman’s eyes in this photo were so fixated on the beauty of the murals.

Looking for a complete travel guide to Nan?16 Best Things to Do in Nan

13. Stargazing in Thailand

It’s not often we get a beautiful clear sky at night here in Thailand. With all the rain and smog that often appear throughout the year, I was so glad to be able to witness these beautiful starry bodies finally when I was camping at Doi Samer Dao in Nan.

Doi Samer Dao is located in the remote mountains of Nan, and with its uniquely balded mountain ridge where I camped, the night sky is extra stunning from here, as you can see. It is so pretty that I had to take a photo of myself just to commemorate the fact that stargazing in Thailand is indeed possible and as beautiful as ever.

14. The Dreamy Phu Langka

Can you believe that this dreamy landscape in the photo above was taken in Thailand? The place is called Phu Langka, and it is located in a northern province that you may probably have never heard of, Phayao.

Phu Langka and its stunning pool-shaped valley, with an iconic rock in the middle, are already beautiful in themselves. However, when you combine that with the beautiful light at sunrise and the fog that descends into the valley in the morning, it’s perfection!

Looking for a complete travel guide to Phayao?12 Best Things to Do in Phayao

15. Phu Chi Fah

No, we are not done with mountains yet. This one is from the northern province of Chiang Rai, and this iconic peak that looks like it is piercing the sky is Phu Chi Fah, which is translated to “the mountain that points at the sky”.

This iconic mountain is one of the highlights of visiting Chiang Rai, and not many know about it. Chiang Rai is truly one of the best travel destinations to visit in Thailand. It is located near the border between Laos and Thailand, and this beautiful shot was taken at sunset from Doi Pha Tang, which is another mountain you can hike in Chiang Rai.

Looking for a complete travel guide to Chiang Rai?16 Best Things to Do in Chiang Rai

16. In the Middle of the Tobacco Field

This photo is a great example of why you should not plan your trip to a tee. This aerial shot of the infinite tobacco field was taken from a random stop along the road between Chiang Rai City and Mae Sai.

It was totally random, as I wanted to stop to check it out, and it turned out to be one of the prettiest places I visited in Chiang Rai. I ended up staying there until sunset and watching as the sky dialed down and nightfall began – a truly magical, random moment that deserves a spot on this list.

17. The White Temple

The White Temple, or as it is known locally, Wat Rong Khun, is the most popular landmark in Chiang Rai for a reason. Its uniquely designed structure is full of extremely detailed sculptures and carvings, and unlike any other temples, it is all covered in glass and painted in blinding white.

This photo was taken at the beginning of the second wave of COVID-19 that spread in Thailand at the beginning of 2021. Hence, it was empty and without the throngs of tourists that often descend upon this place every hour. I was able to capture this photo only because of COVID-19.

I’m not sure what to think about that, but the photo is nice and surely captures just how beautiful and unique the White Temple is compared to the other temples in Thailand.

18. The Stunning Erawan Falls

Thailand is home to many stunning waterfalls, and one of the most impressive ones in the country is the Erawan Falls in Kanchanaburi, which is only around 140km away from Bangkok.

Erawan Falls is a 7-tier waterfall where you can hike from bottom to top, swim in one of these stunningly blue waters, and enjoy the beautiful cascades as the water flows from the high mountain above. It is easily accessible and can be done as a day trip from Bangkok if you wish.

This photo was taken right after the end of the first wave of COVID-19; hence, nobody was allowed to swim. So, I was able to capture this beautiful and calm version of Erawan Falls, which, in my opinion, is the best version of all.

Looking for a complete travel guide to Erawan Falls?A Complete Hiking Guide To Erawan Falls

19. The Morning Alms Giving Ceremony

One of the things that you have to experience when you are in Thailand is the morning alms-giving ceremony, where people would line up and the monks would walk from the temple to the village to collect the alms. There is no better place to participate in this daily ceremony than at the Mon Village in Sangkhlaburi.

This photo was taken in the early morning in Sangkhlaburi, where over 20 monks came from the main Mon Temple in the Mon Village to participate in the morning alms giving ceremony with local tourists. It is one of the most unique sights you can see in Thailand, and you should participate in it at least once in your life.

Looking for a complete travel guide to Sangkhlaburi?Top 10 Things To Do In Sangkhlaburi, Thailand

20. The Grand Buddha of Ang Thong

Ang Thong is home to over 200 Buddhist temples, and one of the most beautiful Buddha Images is located in a province you have never heard of. The Buddha Image at Wat Muang is 92 m high, and it is considered to be one of the largest in the country.

With such height, the Buddha Statue dominates most of the skyline of Ang Thong. Since it is not too far from Bangkok, you can easily make a day trip out of it. It is surrounded by rice paddies, making it one of the most photogenic spots in Thailand.

Looking for a complete travel guide to Ang Thong?Top 10 Things To Do In Ang Thong, Thailand

21. The Temple in the Sky

This is by far one of the most photogenic attractions in Lampang, a small province in Northern Thailand. Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat, or as it is known, the temple in the sky, is a temple built on top of a mountain peak, overlooking the landscape of Lampang’s countryside.

What is amazing about this temple is all the white pagodas they have built that are scattered throughout the limestone jagged peaks, which totally live up to their name. I took my drone up and was able to capture this beautiful scene before the clouds covered the peaks.

Looking for a complete travel guide to Lampang?11 Best Things To Do In Lampang

22. The Buddha Statue of Sukhothai

Sukhothai is another ancient capital city of Siam that began in the 13th Century, and you will find many beautiful ruins that predate even those in Ayuthaya. One of the most beautiful and well-preserved ruins is the 15 m high Buddha image at Wat Si Chum in Sukhothai.

This photo was taken from afar, using a zoom lens, and with a person walking in front of the Buddha Statue. It should give you the true scale of the Buddha image and show just how beautiful the ruins in Sukhothai are. If you have the time, I highly recommend visiting Sukhothai.

Looking for a complete travel guide to Sukhothai?14 Best Things To Do In Sukhothai

23. Thailand’s Amazing Marine Life

One of the reasons why you would want to visit Thailand is the beautiful beaches we have here, but what is more attractive is the marine life that you encounter beneath the ocean.

This photo was taken with a GoPro while I was snorkeling at Koh Lipe, Thailand, which is one of the best snorkeling spots in Thailand. I highly recommend you dive down and explore what the Andaman Sea has to offer.

Looking for a complete travel guide to Koh Lipe?A Backpacking Guide To Snorkeling In Koh Lipe

24. Thailand’s Sea

Last but not least, I am going to leave you with this photo of my German friends standing on a rock, looking at the infinite view of the ocean at Koh Phangan in Thailand, which is exactly what the article is all about: to show you the infinite beauty of Thailand.

Want to know how I was able to take great pictures of myself while I travel solo?How To Take Great Pictures of Yourself

That is it for the 24 Beautiful Photos from Thailand. Let us know in the comments below! Have you found the guide useful? Have we missed anything?

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Further Reading for Thailand

Looking for more information for your trip to Thailand? Here are a collection of articles about Thailand that you might find useful:

– Looking for a complete travel guide to Southeast Asia? – For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page. – Learning a bit of Thai phrases will go a long way for you when you visit Thailand. – For all articles about Thailand, visit the Thailand Travel Guide page. – Want to explore other parts of Thailand? – Looking for an itinerary for Thailand? Check out: 10 BEST Temples to Visit in Bangkok. – Looking to go off the beaten path in Thailand? Here are the 20 best things to do in Chiang Mai according to the locals. Check out our One Day in Bangkok Itinerary. Here are 10 Tips for Traveling in Thailand. – Wondering when the best time to visit Thailand is? – For a complete backpacking itinerary for Thailand, check out the 10 Days Backpacking Itinerary for Thailand. Here are the 16 Best Things to Do in Bangkok. – Looking to travel to Southeast Asia? Check out the 10 Best Hidden Gems to Visit in Thailand. – One of the best road trips you can make in Thailand is traversing the Mae Hong Son Loop. – Don’t have a lot of time in Bangkok? – If you are traveling to Thailand, it is important for you to know what you should and shouldn’t do. Here is a complete guide on picking The Best Time to Visit Thailand. – Visiting a country like Thailand, you are going to need a comprehensive packing list to ensure that you bring everything you need for your trip. – Want to spend a day outside Bangkok but not sure where? How about continuing on to Malaysia, Myanmar, or Indonesia? Here are the 9 Best Day Trips To Make From Bangkok. – Have more than one day in Bangkok? – Wondering where to go after Thailand? – Thai Street Foods are among the best in the world, and to help guide you through the street food cuisine of Thailand, be sure to check out the 15 Best Street Foods in Thailand to Try. Here’s a complete backpacking guide and 10-day itinerary for the Mae Hong Son Loop. – You can see all my Asia-related articles here: Asia Travel Guide page. Here are the 11 Best Places to Visit in Thailand. – More often than not, your journey in Thailand will begin in Bangkok, and there are a ton of things you shouldn’t miss in this city. How about exploring Northern Thailand, Central Thailand, or Southern Thailand? – Wondering which temples are worth visiting in Bangkok? – For the best areas and neighborhoods to stay in Bangkok, check out: 7 Best Areas to Stay in Bangkok. You should check out our 3 Months Backpacking Itinerary for Southeast Asia. Here is a complete 3 Days Itinerary for Bangkok. I highly recommend spending at least 3 days in Bangkok. Check out: What to Pack for Thailand – The Essential Packing List. Check out all of my articles about Southeast Asia here: Southeast Asia Travel Guide page. – Planning a trip to Thailand? Check out 10 Days Itinerary for Thailand. Here are 15 Thai Phrases You Should Know. – There is no need for an introduction to the renowned old capital city of the Lanna Kingdom, Chiang Mai.

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My name is Pete R., and I am an avid solo traveler, travel blogger, and photographer with over 10 years of experience. I’m here to help you make your dream trip come true.

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