When you think of the world's most romantic locations, you might not immediately mention Thailand, instead thinking of Paris, Venice, and idyllic islands like Bora Bora and Santorini. However, you should list Thailand right alongside those other romantic destinations. With its combination of gorgeous beaches, incredible food, lively cities, and fascinating history, it's a world-class destination for a honeymoon or romantic getaway. If you're considering a romantic vacation in the near future, set your sights no further than Thailand. It might be the world's most popular backpacker destination and the world champion in street food, but it's also a haven for romance. From the idyllic beaches of the Krabi Coast and Phuket, to the gorgeous northern cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, it's a country with romantic splendour to spare.
Experience Quintessential Beach Romance on the Krabi Coast and Remote Koh Lanta
If you're wanting romance on a Thailand vacation, you should consider the Krabi Coast as your first stop in the country. This picturesque coastline features the green-covered limestone karst islands and blue waters that you imagine when you think of Southeast Asian beaches. On the Krabi Coast, you'll find plenty of fine accommodations and fancy restaurants to provide for the essentials. Of course, the beach activities are the main draw in Krabi. Ao Nang is the most popular beach in the area. Lounge along its long strips of sand with your partner, or spend your day in the water, exploring the surrounding areas. You can easily snorkel through the crystal-clear waters to see marine life around Bamboo Island and Tonsai Bay. You can also take a canoe or kayak out to explore some of the natural cave formations along the coastline. Nearby Railay Beach is another great spot to spend the day lounging in the sun. As well, don't forget to take some time away from the coastline; an hour in Emerald Pool hot spring in the Khao Nor Chu Chi Forest, or a spa treatment at Aonang Haven Massage is a great way to spend an afternoon with your partner.
The remote island of Koh Lanta is also a great place to head to when you're on a romantic stay in Krabi. The island is relatively quiet compared to the other beach getaways of Thailand and offers a taste of luxury away from the rush of big tourist centres. In fact, it's the kind of place you may want to overnight to experience a bit of the castaway life. It's also an ideal place to scuba dive, as diving sites around Hin Daeng, Hin Muang, and Koh Haa are spectacular. Also consider heading to the nearby islands of Phi Phi to explore small stilted villages and enjoy local food stalls. With their flat landscape and good roads, they're relatively easy to traverse.
Indulge Yourselves with a Stay on Glamorous Koh Samui
Koh Samui, on the Gulf of Thailand, is the country's most glamorous romantic getaway. If you want to honeymoon alongside Hollywood celebrities who've recently won Oscars, or international pop stars taking a break from touring, Koh Samui is the place to be.
The island of Koh Samui is full of long beaches, incredible restaurants, and more spas that you could ever possibly visit. Spend your days taking advantage of its leisure. Spend your morning on the beach, before the heat of the day overwhelms you and draws you to shade for some refreshment. In the afternoon, pamper yourself and your partner with rejuvenating Thai massages and wellness treatments at one of the island's many spas. In the evening, retire to a world-class resort where you can soak in your private plunge pool. The island's many resorts also boast incredible restaurants where you can dine on the beach or enjoy a gourmet meal on the water by chartering a boat. If you want to experience a bit of the island away from the glamour, head to nearby coconut plantations or fishing villages to learn about the island's history. Alternatively, head to the waterfalls of Hin Lad or Na Muang to witness nature's spectacle, or spend the evening on the northern tip of the island on Bang Rak Beach, where you can watch the sunset from a beach bar or sitting alongside your partner on the warm sand.
Get Off the Beaten Path and Explore the Charm of Chiang Rai
It might not be on the radar like the beaches of the south, but Chiang Rai, in Thailand's northwestern corner, provides plenty of charm on a romantic Thailand vacation. The city was the capital of the Lanna Kingdom until the 16th century, and today, it's a great place to experience a bit of unique history and culture in between delicious meals and nature experiences. It's also where you can get a taste of the country away from the tourist crowds and feel like you've discovered a hidden treasure along with your partner. Chiang Rai is primarily known for its architecture, so you'll want to tour some of the temples alongside your partner. Wat Phra Singh and Wat Phra That Chedi Luang are particularly memorable, as is the incredible and bizarre Wat Rong Khun, the "White Temple." This whitewashed design project by renowned artist Chalermchai Kositpipat is famous for its monochromatic palette and dragon scaling; it might not be romantic, but you'd be remiss to skip out on this incredible building - one of the most unique the planet over. Of course, so much of the draw of Chiang Rai is the northern cuisine. Once the sun goes down, head to the Night Bazaar to peruse artisan stalls and feast on northern Thai dishes from over 40 restaurants. Then walk down Chiang Rai Beach along the Mae Kok River to experience a touch of the city's romance. As well, the resorts around Chiang Rai are lovely; the 2013 season of The Bachelor was filmed here, so if you want to experience some TV-style romance, you've come to the right place.
Experience the Country's Original Beach Getaway in Hua Hin
Hua Hin is where the beach getaway was born in Thailand. In the 1920s, the Royal Family built some summer residences in this fishing village south of Bangkok, and ever since, the city has been a popular summer getaway spot for Thai people and Globetrotters alike on their Thailand vacation. Unlike Koh Samui or Phuket (see lower down on this list), Hua Hin is not a castaway island or an undisturbed stretch of beach. Instead, it's a mixture of city and sea, old markets and new resorts. In short, it's a taste of Thailand's essential nature. In Hua Hin, you'll have no problem finding plenty of luxury hotels and resorts to stay at. The construction boom of international hotel chains began in the 1980s and never really stopped. There's a lot of money in this city and it's a busy place on weekends, but it's also a great place to get a taste of the country's historical opulence and indulge on incredible seafood.
While in Hua Hin, you'll want to visit some of the famous royal residences. Phra Ratchawang Klai Kangwon, around three kilometres north of the city centre, is the most famous and opulent of these mini-palaces. Of course, the beach itself is also a major attraction. It stretches along the coastline for five kilometres and you can engage in any watersport you want on its shores. Simply relax on the beach or take advantage of all the spas, restaurants, and shops that line the coast. If you want to take in some shopping, head to The Venezia, a shopping village modelled after Venice where you can find plenty of trinkets to take home with you.
Relax in Phuket, Where Beach and Jungle Combine to Glorious Effect
When it comes to Thai beach getaways, there's no place more famous than Phuket. This island on the Andaman Sea in Thailand's southwest is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations, second only to Bangkok and Chiang Mai. As such, it's got plenty of resort infrastructure to cater to you and your partner. The landscape here is the big draw. You can spend your time on the sandy beaches and explore the magnificent coves that make Phuket such a popular summer getaway. Spend your day lounging on the beach with a good book or snorkel through the coves to see marine life and enjoy the warm waters. You can also take a sunset cruise out onto the Andaman Sea on board a Chinese junk or canoe through Phang Nga Bay to experience the island from the vantage point of the water. You can also take advantage of the lush mountains and experience a taste of the jungle close to the comforts of a resort. The resorts in Phuket offer plenty of nature excursions, whether that means heading on a guided walk to learn about the region's plants or marine life, or learning how to tap a rubber tree at a local farm. Phuket is also a haven for wellness, so you should consider enjoying a couple's spa treatment or engaging in some meditation to relax your mind.
Experience a Cultural and Culinary Haven in Chiang Mai
As Thailand's de-facto northern capital, Chiang Mai attracts a lot of Globetrotters. It's one of the country's premier cultural centres and arguably the best place to eat in the country. And because sightseeing and good food are a great part of any romantic getaway, Chiang Mai is also a great place to include in your romantic Thailand vacation. You'll want to tour some of the city's main sights to experience its icons. The temple of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, which houses a relic of Buddha, is particularly appealing. You'll also want to leave the city limits and experience the surrounding countryside. A trip to the Elephant Nature Park, where you can engage with rescued elephants and contribute to their rehabilitation, is a must-do. It's the type of iconic nature experience that'll touch you and your partner's hearts. If you want something a little more exciting, you can experience the zip-line adventures through the jungles of Doi Chiang Dao or trek to Mae Kampong Waterfall. Of course, the primary appeal of Chiang Mai is the food. Northern Thai cuisine is incredible and you'll find no shortage of restaurants ready to serve you favourites like khao soi and yum jin gai. You can even take a cooking class along with your partner to learn how to make dishes like khao soi. You should also head to the Night Market at Chang Phuak Gate to indulge yourself in the flavours of street cuisine.
Thailand is a country that has nearly-endless opportunities for romantic vacations. From exploring the culture and cuisine in the northern cities of Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai to snorkelling through warm waters and enjoying world-class resorts in Krabi and Phuket, there are plenty of engaging and romantic options on a Thailand vacation.
You might say that Aren was destined to become a globetrotter after his family took him to Germany two times before he was four. If that wasn’t enough, a term spent in Sweden as a young teenager and a trek across Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand confirmed that destiny. An independent writer, director, and film critic, Aren has travelled across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and South America. His favourite travel experience was visiting the major cities of Japan’s largest island, Honshu, but his love for food, drink, and film will take him anywhere that boasts great art and culture.
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