Explore these offbeat places in Thailand for an unforgettable detour

Thailand is a country located at the central part of the Southeast of Asia which is highly favored by tourists in terms of vibrant cities, exotic beaches, and ancient temples. However, there is one more side of the country, the place of unexplored treasures, rural areas, enigmatic ruins, and unreal phenomena of nature, which tell another tale of the beauty in Thailand. All these undiscovered destinations have a certain element of wonder and mystery, and cultural enrichment, which can make any trip of yours truly remarkable.

In case you are a person who does not feel like going to tourist centers or there are many people and prefers experiencing the real world, offbeat Thailand is your heaven. Here, adventure is coupled with calmness and the tradition and untouched scenery are united. Starting with prehistoric ruins that are whispering about some empires that once existed, going to misty mountains where the sunrises seem as a dream coming true, all of these places have more than sightseeing to offer, they have a connection.

Be it ancient relics, green forests, or weird spaces of art, the offbeat spots in Thailand are bound to put the adventure in your heart and leave the lifetime of tales.

Consider these listings of less known though memorable destinations that should be included in your Thailand itinerary.

1. Phimai Historical Park

Phimai historical park is one of the most spectacular but neglected archaeological sites in Thailand located in the Nakhon Ratchasima Province. Phimai is often compared to the one of the Cambodian Angkor Wat and it was built earlier and is said to have been its inspiration. An enormous compound of sandstone temples, complex carvings and high sanctuaries of the park send you back to the zenith of the ancient Khmer civilization.

The courtyards are vast, and one wanders through them, with lotus ponds and banyan trees, almost hearing the echo of the prayers and rituals that were conducted here several centuries ago. The main temple, the Prasat Hin Phimai is so grandiose as a symbol of spirituality and craftsmanship. There is no rush, no crowds here (like with the popular tourist attraction sites) and you can sit back and admire Phimai, capture photographs and just be overwhelmed by the history of the place.

You can not forget the Phimai National Museum where you can see the artifacts found in the area, and this will provide you with a better insight into how Thailand was historically related to Khmer architecture and Buddhism. It is most pleasant in late afternoon when the golden sunlight is washing over the temples in a warm, ethereal light.

2. Pai Canyon

Pai Canyon is a spectacular geological phenomenon that will be an adventure and awe inspiring site, and which is hidden in the mountains of Northern Thailand. It is a maze of small ridges and deep ravines which are created through natural erosion and provide exciting hiking paths and magnificent places to see the Pai Valley.

The Pai Canyon is a more intimate experience as compared to the grand one in the U.S. You may pass by its rocky trails, climb steep slopes, and there can be silent places where one observes the horizon extend indefinitely over the green forest. The feeling of this place changes drastically as the day goes by, the morning is always calm with mist and the evening is always filled with pink, amber, and gold of the sunset.

This is a destination that adventurous travelers find very addictive with repeated visits in search of new angles of light or a strong focus on the wind-swept silence to meditate. Sturdy footwear, water and a spirit of adventure and you will be walking away with one of the most gorgeous memories of your Thai adventure.

3. Lopburi Monkey Temple

The Phra Prang Sam Yot Temple, better known as the Monkey Temple, is a place that can never be compared to any other experience when it is located in the ancient city of Lopburi. This is a Khmer-style old temple that is centuries old and has complex carvings in it, which are infested by hundreds of playful macaques that have established it as their home.

There is a harmony of history and chaos. You will find monkeys swinging and stealing snacks across the ruins of the temples and even taking selfies with the interested passersby. The locals consider them to be part of the city identity and they even set up a Monkey Buffet Festival every November where the macaques are served with a sumptuous spread of fruits and delicacies in their honor.

Although it is prudent to keep a distance between your belongings and have a friendly space, the visit is very entertaining and cultural. It is a peep into the Thai spirituality and appreciation of nature even to these well-behaved robbers.

4. Erawan Museum

The Erawan Museum is a monument to Thai culture, spirituality, and art to say the least and it rises high on the outskirts of Bangkok. The museum is located within a huge three-headed statue of an elephant, which in turn is the mythical Airavata of Hindu and Buddhist cosmology.

You will not believe your eyes when you enter inside because of its complex design. The three levels of the museum represent the underworld, earth and heaven with beautiful religious objects, ancient sculptures, and cosmo-based art pieces. The central spiral staircase is also lighted up by the stained-glass ceiling and it gives the impression of heavenliness that contributes to the spiritual atmosphere.

Reach the highest floor to the “heavenly realm” with peaceful statues of Buddha in the swirl of light and quietness. Erawan Museum will leave anyone in awe whether you are an art lover, a spiritual searcher or an expert in architecture.

5. Wat Rong Khun (White Temple)

The White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) is also one of the most bewitching contemporary temples in the world found in Chiang Rai. This temple was designed by a Thai artist, Chalermchai Kositpipat, as a combination of the traditional Buddhist symbolism and the surrealist and contemporary art.

The all white edifice symbolizes purity and the mirror mosaics that have been deposited throughout the surface reflect light which represents wisdom that has to be spread throughout the earth. The grounds of the temple are crowded with complex sculptures, bridges and murals which reenact the war between the good and the evil and use unexpected pop culture elements – superheroes and movie icons to teach something about morality using modern images.

The temple is both philosophical and spiritual in nature to the visitors. It is not just a monument, it is a dialogue between ancient religion and modern innovation and thus it is a place that we should visit if we have any interest in art that has a purpose.

6. Phu Chi Fa

Phu Chi Fa is a nature and photography paradise located in the Chiang Rai province and is hidden. The mountain peak is one of the best places to witness the sunrise in Thailand. The landscape is awakening as the sun rises, clouds are passing like the waves in the valleys and the initial rays of the sun are transforming the mist into the golden silk.

The adventure to Phu Chi Fa is as wonderful as the place itself. There are winding roads, ethnic villages of Hmong and fertile tea plantations and wildflowers growing in the fields. Being very welcoming and hospitable, the locals usually sell local snacks and handmade crafts to the passersby hiking to the peak.

You can also spend one night in a local guesthouse to get a glimpse of the calmness of the Thai countryside and then wake up early in the morning to see this amazing sight. It is something that cannot be described in words, it is a lesson that the beauty of nature can be so humbling and soul-endering all at the same time.

Final Thoughts

The offbeat destinations in Thailand provide the opportunity to see the real face of the country, crude, spiritual, and never-ending fascinating. Beyond the bustle of Bangkok or the beaches of Phuket lies a Thailand which is somehow untouched by the times – one which is full of secluded temples, ancient myths, and scenery that is painted like a dream.

You may be walking the silent ruins of Phimai, or looking at the sunset out of Pai Canyon, or standing up there in the clouds at Phu Chi Fa and you will realize that the real beauty of Thailand is not in its well-known sites, but in the story that is written between them.

Next time when you are coming and making a journey, dare to take a detour and the less known Thailand will win your heart in a way you never thought.