I have found little that I would call special or spectacular while here in Thailand. True, some of the islands and beaches in the south are very nice as long as you don't go too far inland.

I agree.

The inland islands and beaches in the south aren't that much chop at all...

The most amazing thing I can see in Thailand and for only the price of one Coke is a whole stage full of the most beautiful young women, all naked and dancing. That, in the great scheme of the whole world ...THAT... is truly spectacular.

Otherwise, seven on one motorbike is up near the top ranks of spectacular.

Sukhumvit Soi 4 for wildlife.

I'm told Koh Tao is spectacular, and has been known to take some tourists' breath away!

Thailand has nothing to match Yosemite, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Everglades & Keys, Muir Woods, Crater lake.

It just isn't that special, once you've lived in the US.

Weathers good ........

(Dam_n, HJ beat me to it, in post #6)

Edited February 6, 201511 yr by AnotherOneAmerican

thailand has lots of spectacular places- just google the fotos of any of the following-
khao sok nationalpark
angthong marine park
viewpoint phi phi
maya bay, phi phi
railay beach ,krabi
hong island in krabi
ti lo su waterfall
Phang Nga bay,
ayutthaya at night

koh kood island
sirocco sky bar bangkok

Ignoring some of the dumb comments made already - (it's about Thailand, guys, not the UK or US: most of us left that behind and chose to come to Thailand, so let's stay on topic, eh?) - I'd say you should get off the beaten track. Get away from the cities, although I would recommend Ayutthaya and an evening boat trip round the old city. Spend a few days exploring the far north: the Fang through to Mae Sai area is peppered with small villages of various ethnicities along the Myanmar border, each quite different from the last, and make sure you include Ban Nor Lae and Ban Huey Mak Liam on Doi Angkang. The hill scenery is refreshing, pleasant and who cares if it isn't as high / dramatic / steep as anywhere else. If it helps, go read my blog of short trips in the north at highland2thailand.blogspot.com.

Avoid the touristy crap like elephant camps, but explore around Mae Taeng, where you'll see elephants out in the forests and people eking out a living on the farms. Get to know what REAL life is like for Thai people, not just the cities and temples.

Further south....beaches...Krabi, and the town itself is kind of quirky if you take some time to explore.

One good way to see the countryside is to get hols of a bike - I use a Honda PCX, which gets me everywhere, on road and occasionally off too.

I'd also agree that the Mae Kok boat trip is worth a shot, a smaller version of the Chiang Khong to Luang Prabang two-day ride, which is a good deal too.

Good luck in your quest, anyway!

Mae Salong - superb.

Mekhong boat trip - Chiang Saen to Chiang Khong.

Nan province.

The plain around Phetchabaun.

Loei.

Krabi.

Trat province.

Mae Hong Son loop.

There's several more - the natural beauty of this country is something to behold.

.

Trat province?

You mean, Koh Chang?

Back when I first came here, there was plenty of wild life on Koh Chang. Now, in any given evening, it is very, very difficult to catch more than a few sightings per night of the elusive Isaan Double-Breasted Mattress Thrasher.

There are thousands, however, of wild soi dogs to be found.

though this was impressive . havent seen it dont know where it is for sure. ok so i am not that interested in going but a dedicated rubber neck might think otherwise

Edited February 6, 201511 yr by rabid old goat

Ignoring some of the dumb comments made already - (it's about Thailand, guys, not the UK or US: most of us left that behind and chose to come to Thailand, so let's stay on topic, eh?) - I'd say you should get off the beaten track. Get away from the cities, although I would recommend Ayutthaya and an evening boat trip round the old city. Spend a few days exploring the far north: the Fang through to Mae Sai area is peppered with small villages of various ethnicities along the Myanmar border, each quite different from the last, and make sure you include Ban Nor Lae and Ban Huey Mak Liam on Doi Angkang. The hill scenery is refreshing, pleasant and who cares if it isn't as high / dramatic / steep as anywhere else. If it helps, go read my blog of short trips in the north at highland2thailand.blogspot.com.

Avoid the touristy crap like elephant camps, but explore around Mae Taeng, where you'll see elephants out in the forests and people eking out a living on the farms. Get to know what REAL life is like for Thai people, not just the cities and temples.

Further south....beaches...Krabi, and the town itself is kind of quirky if you take some time to explore.

One good way to see the countryside is to get hols of a bike - I use a Honda PCX, which gets me everywhere, on road and occasionally off too.

I'd also agree that the Mae Kok boat trip is worth a shot, a smaller version of the Chiang Khong to Luang Prabang two-day ride, which is a good deal too.

Good luck in your quest, anyway!

CORRECTION.... Not Ban Huey Mak Liam..... I meant Ban Khop Dong, a Lahu village on the top of Doi Angkang.

No comparison to the Grand Canyon, Death Valley, and Olympic National Parks.

Yosemite, Yellowstone, Sequioa...

No comparison to the Grand Canyon, Death Valley, and Olympic National Parks.

Yosemite, Yellowstone, Sequioa...

.

The Everglades, The Adirondack Trail ….

What are the truly spectacular must see attractions in Thailand?

Please read the title of this thread again.

It is about Thailand, not your home country, or mine ( USA )

There are many great attractions in many countries.

The OP is asking about Thailand.

Maybe a good topic for your new thread could be:

"My Countries Spectacular Attractions and Why I Am not There Enjoying Them"

I really liked the Erewan NP and Koh Lipe. There are a lot of nice places in Thailand to visit which in it self not spectacular but are worth the visit.

Koh Phangan and Koh Tao

Krabi and Phang na Bay

Daytrip to islands surrounding Koh Lanta, http://youtu.be/qngtawbJzqM

Just travel through Bangkok city and try to avoid the touristic places, Koh Kret for example.

There is so much to visit!

While not a National Park, I think swimming at Karon Beach on Phuket, when it is not crowded, and looking up and seeing the giant Buddha is one of the most impressive sights I have seen. The Buddha statue stands out among the green hills. I found that very surreal and exotic.

Actually, a lot of the national parks are very nice for anyone with an interest in nature. Sure, it is hot and humid but I guess that has something to do with it being SE Asia.

Hala Bala and Huai Kha Khaeng are outstanding with very few visitors and wildlife thick on the ground, 400 THB is an absolute bargain. I even like Kaneg Krachang and Khao Ya though I will avoid them on weekends.

Overall, I find Thailand a very beautiful country with a wide range of attractions from the mountains in the North to the islands in the South.