Thailand's minor cities are becoming popular travel destinations

[snoop1130]

 

Tourists in Thailand are increasingly exploring lesser-known cities, particularly during the rainy season. The online travel platform, Agoda, found a significant increase in hotel searches for these often-neglected locations. This suggests a rising trend among both local and overseas tourists, who are keen to experience the many distinct areas of Thailand.

 

The most popular lesser-known city is Chanthaburi, followed by Nakhon Si Thammarat. However, it is Nakhon Nayok, in third place, that has witnessed the most notable growth in interest with twice as many searches. Other in-demand destinations include Ratchaburi and Chiang Rai. In general, these off-the-beaten-path cities have seen a 23% increase in searches compared to the previous year, emphasizing their growing charm.

 

Pierre Honne, the Thailand Country Director at Agoda, explained that the interest in less-visited Thai cities is a reflection of travellers wanting to dig deeper into Thailand’s diverse offerings. “Teaming up with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to spotlight these destinations is clearly working well, as shown by their growing attraction,” said Honne. “Agoda is thrilled to contribute to TAT’s initiative to show off the cultural, historical, and scenic highlights of Thailand’s lesser-known cities.”

 

This trend has not gone unnoticed by overseas travellers. The most popular cities for overseas visitors are Chiang Rai, Udon Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Chanthaburi, and Trang. This growing interest from international travellers underscores Thailand’s cultural and geographical richness and demonstrates that tourists worldwide are seeking unique and genuine experiences.

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-06-19

 

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[KhunLA]

I can relate, as we travel around a lot, and usually to Nakhon Nowhere. 

 

This present O&A, one night we stayed in Lampang, and not even in the main.  Went out for a munch, and we couldn't get close to the restaurant, let alone find a parking spot.  7-11 to the rescue 

 

The only place, city/tourist spot we'll bother with of late, is Krung Thep, and only because our daughter lives there and they have barely OK public trans.   That's coming to a halt also, as she's moving to her townhouse at Rangsit.  Even better, as now we can simply stay with her.

[dinsdale]

3 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Nakhon Nayok, in third place, that has witnessed the most notable growth in interest with twice as many searches.

This is the problem with this nonsense. The figures mean absolutely nothing. Last month 4 searches this month 8? And of course a search is just that. A search. Having said this, away from the tourist spots means away from the tourists and this I highly recommend.

[lordgrinz]

Probably because their "major" cities are dumps.

[spidermike007]

I have found traveling around Thailand to be delightful, and I totally agree about the smaller towns, and regional cities. Especially when traveling with a Thai woman who is a good translator, and a good and clever traveler.

[Pouatchee]

16 hours ago, dinsdale said:

This is the problem with this nonsense.

 

wasnt there an article last week about TAT or something else trying... to increase interest in off the beaten pad destinations... and now this?

Quote

Thailand's minor cities are becoming popular travel destinations

 

gotta agree... nonsense... one day it is this, the next it is that...

 

[thaiowl]

I enjoy travelling to the lesser known towns of Thailand. Last week, we went to Chainat and Nakhon Sawan and found some interesting places to visit/eat/stay. For Bt990/night, we got a great hotel in Nakhon Sawan. You have to take to rough with the smooth when doing this type of trip.

[Bday Prang]

No doubt as a result of the TAT recently announcing that this was one area of tourism which they were specifically going to promote. Just goes to show how efficient they actually are 

[digger70]

Thailand's minor cities are becoming popular travel destinations 

 

Me think that people are smarting up and avoid the Expensive tourist places looking for more acceptable costing places.

[Lancelot01]

10 hours ago, Pouatchee said:

 

wasnt there an article last week about TAT or something else trying... to increase interest in off the beaten pad destinations... and now this?

 

gotta agree... nonsense... one day it is this, the next it is that...

 

With a 1 Billion Baht drawdown from the 'emergency' fund. 

[stoner]

On 6/19/2024 at 10:04 AM, KhunLA said:

I can relate, as we travel around a lot, and usually to Nakhon Nowhere. 

 

This present O&A, one night we stayed in Lampang, and not even in the main.  Went out for a munch, and we couldn't get close to the restaurant, let alone find a parking spot.  7-11 to the rescue 

 

The only place, city/tourist spot we'll bother with of late, is Krung Thep, and only because our daughter lives there and they have barely OK public trans.   That's coming to a halt also, as she's moving to her townhouse at Rangsit.  Even better, as now we can simply stay with her.

 

rangsit is great they even have disney world.....wat dhammakaya. 

[still kicking]

9 minutes ago, stoner said:

 

rangsit is great they even have disney world.....wat dhammakaya. 

Rangsit is just the northern part of Bangkok not really a small town.

[AnotherOneHere]

8 minutes ago, still kicking said:

Rangsit is just the northern part of Bangkok not really a small town.

 

What could you know? You don't even live in Thailand.

[still kicking]

1 minute ago, AnotherOneHere said:

 

What could you know? You don't even live in Thailand.

Ah my stalker again I lived longer in Thailand as you ever will 

[stoner]

33 minutes ago, AnotherOneHere said:

43 minutes ago, still kicking said:

Rangsit is just the northern part of Bangkok not really a small town.

 

What could you know? You don't even live in Thailand.

 

he's right. i lived just up from rangsit (khlong 3) for a number of years. population is about 80k but it is actually part of pathum thani province which boasts over a million people. 

[still kicking]

6 minutes ago, stoner said:

 

he's right. i lived just up from rangsit (khlong 3) for a number of years. population is about 80k but it is actually part of pathum thani province which boasts over a million people. 

Yes my nephew attended the Uni for many years and yes, it is Pathum Thani province 

[still kicking]

59 minutes ago, AnotherOneHere said:

 

What could you know? You don't even live in Thailand.

Just to add to your BS about your

1or 2 words posts BMI  Will Advice

[bendejo]

1 hour ago, still kicking said:

Rangsit is just the northern part of Bangkok not really a small town.

 

I realized long ago that in LOS getting away from the tourist areas is a completely different experience, even within Bkk just a ten minute walk from a heavily touristy area.  I usually am alone, and sometimes get these puzzled looks "what is that farang doing here?"  This is much more common than getting the stink eye for invading their neighborhood, but it does happen.  Out in the smaller towns you can be an outright oddity; once I was a standing watching a procession then a realized a lot of the people were looking at me instead of the parade, like it was the first time they've seen an Occidental.  Or maybe they thought I was Brad Pitt .  On the other hand not being anywhere near fluent with the language has probably saved me from saying the wrong thing and getting myself in trouble.

IMO for a foreigner in LOS the worst places to be are the areas developed for tourism.  But I would say that for nearly every place I've been.

 

[RobU]

Because in general these smaller cities are unspoilt by commercialism, prostitution and stupid 'resort' building ( which essentially means that tourist money goes to the resort owners in Bangkok not the people of the city because the tourists rarely leave the resort). These are the family friendly places of Thailand, no need for theme parks and amusement parks just decent infrastructure and footpaths where families can walk and gawk safely. 

[saintdomingo]

13 hours ago, digger70 said:

Thailand's minor cities are becoming popular travel destinations 

 

Me think that people are smarting up and avoid the Expensive tourist places looking for more acceptable costing places.

In Thailand moreso than anywhere one beach resort is much the same as another. And today's tourist crowd don't add pleasure to the experience. Small towns don't have those and there is usually enough there to justify a few days stay. Especially if your pleasure comes from nosing around and relaxing in caffs and restos. 

Somebody mentioned Nakhon Sawan which is a good example, get a hotel near the park/lake have a wander around and also by the river and see Thailand not tourists.

 

Of course the wandering is pleasanter in the evening hours out of the heat.

[MalcolmB]

19 hours ago, Pouatchee said:

 

wasnt there an article last week about TAT or something else trying... to increase interest in off the beaten pad destinations... and now this?

 

gotta agree... nonsense... one day it is this, the next it is that...

 

Yes, TAT does a very good job and have developed Thailand into one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. 
I will be traveling off the beaten path in the near future so this information will come in handy.

[Pouatchee]

16 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

I will be traveling off the beaten path in the near future so this information will come in handy.

 

don't forget your insurance, and a reliable map. dont trust the gps... i remember reading here that many chinese tourists here have driven cars into rivers or lakes relying on their gps...

[bendejo]

27 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

I will be traveling off the beaten path in the near future so this information will come in handy.

 

If backpacking, you'll learn that many of them tend to follow each other around, go to the same places, etc.  I started off-the-beaten-path in the 1970s, and the goal (for many) was to find a places away from the tourist stuff, but that seems passe.  For many in the under-35 (app.) set it's like an international pub crawl.  My advice to is go wherever you find interesting, don't worry you'll always find a food and a place to stay.