Bangkok

central plains

If you want to get out of the city for a while, there are plenty of day trip options from Bangkok.

Amphawa — interesting floating market popular with the locals

Ayutthaya — ancient capital showcasing its many ruins, 1.5 hours away by bus or train

Bang Pa-In — its magnificent Summer Palace makes for a pleasant day trip

Damnoen Saduak — picture-perfect floating market on tourist steroids

Hua Hin — beach resort town popular with Thais and Scandinavians

Kanchanaburi — the famous Bridge over the River Kwai, the Erawan Falls and Hellfire Pass

Ko Kret — rustic little pottery island to the north of Bangkok, a pleasant day trip out of the concrete jungle

Nakhon Pathom — Thailand's oldest city and site of the world's largest stupa

Samut Prakan — mostly visited for the Ancient City open air museum