Need an excuse to go to Thailand? Try these fun activities and experiences on for size. Located all over the country, they’ll have you falling so head over heels for the Land of Smiles that it might just become your go-to holiday destination.

Get a taste of Thailand

One of the best things about Thailand is the food, so take advantage of all the different ways you can devour it. Street foods range from noodle dishes and pork skewers to fried chicken, papaya salads and curries. And don’t forget about the sweet stuff – sticky rice with fresh mango slices might just be the perfect way to round off a meal. Mouth-watering yet? You can try all these foods and more at night markets, shopping streets and beachside resort areas. Rest assured that you needn’t leave all that good food behind when you go home. Learn to cook your favourite dishes at one of the many cooking classes on offer and you’ll never order take-away Thai again.

Take to the water

A woman relaxes while floating on her back in the warm turquoise waters of Thailand.

You can find just about every water sport you can imagine around the 1,430 islands of Thailand, so be sure to try more than one. Kitesurfing off the beaches of Hua Hin or Phuket is one to get your adrenaline pumping, with rentals and lessons available to help you master this addictive sport. Under the water is just as exciting, so don your scuba gear or snorkel and get exploring. Koh Tao, Koh Phi Phi and the Similan Islands are known to be sensational for scuba diving, while Koh Samui and Koh Lanta are snorkelling hotspots. Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding are great ways to take in the stunning coastlines, but when you want to speed things up a bit, zoom around on a jet ski.

Watch a kickboxing fight

The popular martial art known as Muay Thai is huge in Thailand, so there are kickboxing stadiums and training gyms aplenty. To watch an authentic fight in Bangkok, book a ticket and head to Rajadamnern Stadium. There are a range of ticket prices but avoid the very cheapest ones if you want an unobstructed view of the ring. Kickboxing fights can be found throughout Thailand, but if you can’t find one to watch live, you can still soak up the atmosphere at one of the many bars or restaurants that show Muay Thai fights on TV. Fired up to try it yourself? Sign up for a kickboxing camp or try it out in a single class at one of the gyms.

Go wild for wildlife

Man feeding Elephants in a Elephant Sanctuary. Chiang Mai, Thailand.

It’s not all t-shirt shops and beaches in Thailand. There are some beautiful national parks to discover, and they’re home to some pretty incredible wildlife – elephants, tigers, leopards and gibbons to name a few. For a close encounter with elephants (because who doesn’t love elephants?), head to the ethical rescue and rehabilitation centre, Elephant Nature Park. You won’t ride elephants here (it’s a no-no), but you will be able to watch them play, bathe and eat.

Visit a temple

Visiting one of Thailand’s many Buddhist temples, or ‘wats’, is a great way to gain a deeper understanding of the local culture and main religion. In Bangkok, Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) is considered the most sacred temple in Thailand and Wat Pho is home to one of the country’s largest reclining buddha statues. Beyond Bangkok, put Wat Phra That Doi Suthep on your itinerary – its location in the hills of Chiang Mai is beautiful and the views from there aren’t half bad either.

Go out on the town

Whether you’re travelling with family, friends or going it alone, Thailand’s cities, towns and islands take on a whole new personality after dark. Stroll through the night markets, hit the clubs, or unwind at a rooftop bar and watch the sun set. The hottest spots for nightlife are Bangkok’s Khao San Road, Sukhumvit and Silom areas, but Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Koh Samui also come to life after dark with pumping beach clubs, bars and live music. Get amongst it!

Hit the beach

With so much to see and do, it’s easy to forget about taking it easy but unwinding and taking a break from all the rushing about back home is what Thailand is all about. Kick back by the pool or settle in on a sun lounger for a day on the beach – they’re some of the world’s best. Phra Nang Beach and Railay Beach are standouts for their stunning limestone cliff surrounds, but excellent beaches also abound on the islands of Phi Phi Leh, Phuket and Koh Samui.

Travel Insurance

Are you considering packing travel insurance for your trip to Thailand? Travel  Insurance Direct offers cover for things like:

• Cover for overseas medical expenses
• Medical repatriation if you’re severely injured or fall ill abroad
• Cover for lost, stolen or damaged valuables
• Cover for lost or delayed baggage
• Cover for cancellation or trip delay
• Cover for over 150 activities and sports.

You can find out more about the coverage available and get a quote here.

This is a brief summary of cover only and does not include the full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions. Read the PDS before purchasing.