Best Of Thailand Off The Beaten Path [2024]

Think Thailand is too crowded, or that it’s only for beginner travellers? Think there’s nothing new left to discover and no places in Thailand off the beaten path? Think again. 

There is so much more to Thailand than full moon parties, elephant pants and the Chiang Mai temple circuit. And while it may be one of the most visited countries on Earth, it doesn’t mean the entire country is overwhelmed with tourists. 

In fact, most travellers stick to a pretty well-trodden tourist trail and rarely venture off it. So while the big-name destinations like Krabi, Pai and Phuket get more than their fair share of visitors, the lesser-known spots see few, if any. 

What this means for all you adventurous travellers out there is this: there’s still heaps of Thailand that is unvisited and off the beaten path. Places you can go where no one speaks English and where foreigners are rarely seen.

Why haven’t you heard of these places before? Because no one goes to them. 

So if you’re keen to try something different in the Land of Smiles, keep on reading for our top recommendations for getting off the beaten track in Thailand. We guarantee you won’t find our version of Thailand’s hidden gems anywhere else. 

Southern Thailand Off the Beaten Path: Camp on a secluded paradise island

In the south of Thailand, there are exquisite, unspoiled islands with no development and very few visitors. These islands in Thailand are so off the beaten track that even longtime residents have never heard of them. 

Tarutao Marine National Park is comprised of 51 islands in the south Andaman Sea. They’re located in the Strait of Malacca off the coast of Satun province. Being a National Park, these islands are protected from all development and kept in a pristine state. Of these 51, you are allowed to stay on two of these: Koh Adang and Koh Tarutao.

Both islands are absolutely stunning. They’re blessed with gorgeous bays and wild interiors. Of the two, Koh Tarutao is wilder and great for adventurous exploration such as mountain biking, hiking and kayaking. Koh Adang has crystal-clear waters and fantastic off-beach snorkelling, and once you stay here, you’re never going to want to leave.

Infrastructure is limited on both, meaning you’ll have to stay in either a government-run bungalow or camp. But it is precisely this lack of infrastructure that keeps the crowds away, so you’re guaranteed to have the place almost all to yourself.

Read: The Complete Guide to Koh Tarutao and The Complete Guide to Koh Adang 

Northern Thailand Off the Beaten Track: Go camping in a National Park

The North of Thailand is an incredible place to explore, with rolling mountains, a fantastic climate, fascinating sights and a never-ending list of adventure activities. The best way to experience Northern Thailand’s off-the-beaten-track adventures is through a camping expedition via one of Thailand’s many national parks. 

Northern Thailand is a dream camping destination. The national parks are prolific, so you’re never far away from one and the set-ups are almost always incredible. You’ll find bathroom blocks, cooking facilities and comfortable places to set your tent up, usually with a great mountain view.

Don’t have your own gear? Don’t fret, because there’s always a bungalow around too, or you can rent the whole set-up, including a tent, sleeping mat and sleeping bag for a bargain. 

For those travelling on a budget, it doesn’t get much better than camping in Thailand. At a whopping 80 THB a night (just over $2 USD), you’re hardly going to break the bank here. The national parks are also accessible and it’s unlikely you’ll see any other foreign tourists around, making this a fantastic and easy way to get off the beaten path in Thailand. 

Read our Complete Guide to Camping in Thailand and The Top 5 Camping Spots in Thailand to find out more 

Do a Vipassana Retreat

While the masses head for the beaches, go in the opposite direction and try something really off the beaten track in Thailand – a meditation retreat. 

Being home to a very large Buddhist majority, Thailand is a great place to get an introduction to meditation. There are temples and retreat centres scattered throughout the country, making it easy to find one that’s a good fit. You can find courses for all levels and different durations of time. It’s a great way to try something new and gain a bit more personal insight.

Our tip: choose an authentic temple rather than a specific centre set up to profit from foreigners. Suan Mokkh International Dharma Heritage in Surat Thani and Dipabhāvan Meditation Center on Koh Samui are both excellent choices with high recommendations. 

Read: Vipassana Meditation Retreat in Thailand: What’s It Like? 

Get off the beaten path in Thailand with an alternative road trip

Almost everyone who visits Thailand will go on a road trip at some point, but instead of hitting up the tourist hotspots like Pai or Mae Hong Son, why not try somewhere else? Experience more of Northern Thailand off the beaten path on two wheels.

For a quick and easy trip through spectacular mountain scenery, try 4 days looping through Chiang Dao. 

The more intrepid should go east towards the border with Laos, where you’ll feel like you’re in Thailand’s wild frontier and you’ll pass through some of the most stunning mountain scenery in the country.

In addition to incredible views, you’ll get to experience remote Thai life and drive through various hill-tribe communities scattered throughout the mountains.

Don’t be shocked to arrive at places where no one speaks a word of English and you’ll be gaped at as the sole farang (foreigner) around for miles. This is as wild and off-the-beaten-track Thailand as it gets. 

Read: The Ultimate 7-Day Northern Thailand Road Trip and Chiang Mai Road Trip

Visit Lampang, Chiang Mai’s cool little sister

Don’t get us wrong, we love Chiang Mai. It’s undoubtedly fabulous and a great city to spend time in, but it’s also bursting with elephant pants and selfie sticks, and it’s definitely not off the beaten path in Thailand.

To experience Northern Thai culture, in a more authentic way, check out Lampang. 

Located 100 km southeast of Chiang Mai, Lampang is a great stop for visitors seeking a more undiscovered destination in the north. With fantastic (and uncrowded) temples, an excellent restaurant and cafe scene, and plenty of exciting day trip opportunities, there’s enough to keep you occupied for days. It’s super fun and easily one of Thailand’s hidden gems.

Read: 12 Awesome Things To Do In Lampang + Ultimate Travel Guide

Explore Isan, Thailand’s Last Frontier

In the far east of the country lies Isan, Thailand’s largest, yet least-visited region. Bordering Laos and Cambodia, this one of Thailand’s hidden gems has so much to offer the adventurous traveller: stunning landscapes, empty archaeological sites and probably the best food in Thailand.

Getting off the beaten path in Thailand here means you can watch the sunset over the mighty Mekong and Nong Khai rivers or ponder 1000-year-old Khmer ruins, without another tourist in sight.

Best yet, the travel here is still intrepid and adventurous. If you’re looking to really experience Thailand off the beaten path, this is it.

Chill Lakeside in Phayao

Coming in at probably our favourite city in Thailand, little-known Phayao is Thailand’s own version of Geneva. Set on beautiful Phayao Lake and surrounded by rolling mountains, we think Phayao ranks highly on the list of Thailand’s hidden gems.

There are plenty of things to do and see in Phayao, but really, the appeal here is just the town itself. It’s authentic, beautiful and has a super cool vibe. It’s the kind of place you just want to hang out in – for days.

And the best part? No one knows about it, so you’ll definitely be off the beaten path in Thailand and have it all to yourself.

Read: 12 Awesome Things to Do in Phayao + Essential Travel Guide

Get Waaay Off The Beaten path at Thailand’s Thi Lor Su Waterfall

This UNESCO World Heritage site is truly one of Thailand’s hidden gems. While Thi Lor Su waterfall is Thailand’s largest waterfall, we’d be impressed if you’ve ever heard of it.

So why is Thi Lor Su waterfall so unknown? It’s because it is very hard to get to – which explains why it wasn’t discovered until 1985! But like so many other things in life, the greater the challenge, the bigger the reward.

You can read more about Thi Lor Su waterfall here.

While you’re in the region, it’s worth spending a few days in the lively Burmese border town of Mae Sot. It’s a fascinating place and the closest you’ll get to visiting Myanmar without physically entering the country. You can’t get more off the beaten path in Thailand than this.

Want to see a different side of Bangkok? Read Bangkok’s Top 5 Coolest Neighbourhoods

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