There's so much to discover and explore in Thailand beyond Bangkok, Phuket, Samui and Pattaya.
How many of Thailand's 77 provinces have you visited and which is your favourite?
Here are the slogans of Thailand's diverse 77 provinces in alphabetical order to encourage you to visit secondary destinations on your next adventure:
1. Amnat Charoen: "Land of the Sacred Buddha Image, Phra Mongkhon Ming Mueang, and the Mekong River"
2. Ang Thong: "The Land of Heroes, Arts and Crafts"
3. Ayutthaya: "The Ancient Capital, World Heritage City"
4. Bangkok: "City of Angels, Great City of Immortals"
5. Bueng Kan: "Land of the Mekong, Phu Thok, and Rubber Plantations"
6. Buriram: "City of Volcanoes, Land of Silk, and Home of the Thunder Castle"
7. Chachoengsao: "The City of the Luang Pho Sothon Buddha Image and Riverside Charm"
8. Chai Nat: "City of Bird Gardens and Crops"
9. Chaiyaphum: "Land of the Phaya Lae and Beautiful Scenery"
10. Chanthaburi: "City of the Moon, Fruits and Gems"
11. Chiang Mai: "The Rose of the North"
12. Chiang Rai: "The Northernmost Province of Thailand, the City of Beautiful Mountains"
13. Chonburi: "Land of the Eastern Seaside Paradise"
14. Chumphon: "Gate to the Southern Region, Land of Tropical Fruits"
15. Kalasin: "Land of the Phu Thai People and Dinosaurs"
16. Kamphaeng Phet: "City of the Fortresses, Ancient Heritage"
17. Kanchanaburi: "City of the River Kwai and Historical Monuments"
18. Khon Kaen: "Land of Dinosaurs and Silk"
19. Krabi: "Land of the Emerald Sea, White Sandy Beaches, and Paradise Islands"
20. Lampang: "The Horse Carriage City of the North"
21. Lamphun: "Land of Haripunchai, Ancient City of the North"
22. Loei: "Land of Sea Fog, Beautiful Mountains, and Cold Weather"
23. Lopburi: "Land of Monkeys and Sunflowers"
24. Mae Hong Son: "City of Three Mists"
25. Maha Sarakham: "Takka City, the Heart of Isaan"
26. Mukdahan: "City of Mountains and the Mekong River"
27. Nakhon Nayok: "Land of Waterfalls, Brave Soldiers and Virtue"
28. Nakhon Pathom: "The First Civilization of Thailand"
29. Nakhon Phanom: "City of Phra That Phanom on the Mekong Riverbank"
30. Nakhon Ratchasima: "Gateway to the Northeastern Region"
31. Nakhon Sawan: "Heavenly City, Origin of the Chao Phraya River"
32. Nakhon Si Thammarat: "Land of the Phra Borommathat Chedi and the Ancient Kingdom"
33. Nan: "The Land of Lanna Serenity"
34. Narathiwat: "Land of the Noble Budu Sauce"
35. Nong Bua Lam Phu: "Land of the Nong Bua Lotus and the Legendary Phu Phan Range"
36. Nong Khai: "Land of the Naga and Gateway to Indochina"
37. Nonthaburi: "Land of Durian Orchards and Abundant Waterways"
38. Pathum Thani: "City of Lotus and Education"
39. Pattani: "Land of Three Cultures"
40. Phang Nga: "The Land of Phang Nga Bay and Stunning Islands"
41. Phatthalung: "Land of the Shadow Play and Songkhla Lake"
42. Phayao: "Land of the Phayao Lake, an Ancient Kingdom"
43. Phetchabun: "City of the Crops in Fertile Valleys"
44. Phetchaburi: "Land of Royal Palaces and Sugar Palm"
45. Phichit: "Land of the Legendary Crocodile"
46. Phitsanulok: "City of Phra Buddha Chinnarat, the Great King Naresuan"
47. Phrae: "Land of Ancient Temples and Teak Forests"
48. Phuket: "Pearl of the Andaman"
49. Prachinburi: "Land of the Ancient Dvaravati Civilization"
50. Prachuap Khiri Khan: "City of Three Bays and Kings"
51. Ranong: "Land of the Rains and Hot Springs"
52. Ratchaburi: "City of the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market"
53. Rayong: "Land of Beautiful Beaches and Fruits"
54. Roi Et: "Land of the Eleven Gates"
55. Sa Kaeo: "Land of the Gateway to Indochina"
56. Sakon Nakhon: "City of the Phu Thai People and Indigo Dye"
57. Samut Prakan: "City of Crocodiles and the Ancient City"
58. Samut Sakhon: "City of Seafood, Salt Farms and Fisheries"
59. Samut Songkhram: "City of the Mae Klong River and Ampawa Floating Market"
60. Saraburi: "Land of the Phra Phutthabat Footprint"
61. Satun: "Land of the Tarutao Archipelago and Islands"
62. Sing Buri: "Land of Heroes and Famous Foods"
63. Sisaket: "Land of the Khmer Civilization and Cross-Cultural Heritage"
64. Songkhla: "Land of the Mermaid, Samila Beach"
65. Sukhothai: "City of the Dawn of Happiness"
66. Suphan Buri: "Land of Heroes, Thai Folk Culture, and the Buffalo Festival"
67. Surat Thani: "City of Good People and Beautiful Islands"
68. Surin: "Land of the Elephants and Silk"
69. Tak: "Land of Waterfalls, Historical Routes and Forests"
70. Trang: "Land of the Dugong and Delicious Cuisine"
71. Trat: "Gateway to Koh Chang Archipelago and Fruit Paradise"
72. Ubon Ratchathani: "Land of the Candle Festival and Phra That Phanom"
73. Udon Thani: "Land of the Red Lotus Sea and Ban Chiang"
74. Uthai Thani: "Land of the Crystal Temple and Unspoiled Nature"
75. Uttaradit: "City of Teak Forests and Durian Orchards"
76. Yala: "Southern Borderland of Tranquillity and Beauty"
77. Yasothon: "Land of the Rocket Festival"
Feel free to reach out if you'd like help in exploring more and begin your journey deeper in to Amazing Thailand.
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Comments
I love Thailand - it has been my home for 22 years and I will never tire of exploring and discovering the wonders this country has to offer!
Part of my commitment to sustainable practices and responsible travel is to encourage corporate travel and regular tourists to avoid the overcrowded well known spots and seek adventures and immersive experiences in lesser known locations.
Get in touch if you'd like to find out more about why you should be choosing secondary destinations for your next corporate retreat, MICE experience or sustainable team building activities.
Enjoy 💙
Thanks Gili, this is a great resource and I agree that Thailand has so many places to explore.
Having a look at the map, I've been to about 12 or so provinces (excluding those that I transited through on a train / bus).
On one of my first visits to Thailand I visited Nong Khai, where I worked on my first travel startup (in around 2008) at a guest house by the river. I can't remember the name of the guest house but their claim to fame was a few travel writers hung out there, and they had decent WiFi. I then traveled in Laos (another fantastic country) and after a few weeks heading north I entered into Thailand via Chiang Rai.
Thanks for sharing Ian. You'd be surprised how much Nong Khai has changed since I was first there in 2004, but like many of the towns and villages along the Mekong still has something magical about it.
I'd love to know the name of the guesthouse you stayed in.
I used to stay at Mut Mee Garden which has been around for 3 decades -does that ring a bell?
What was your first start up?
Yes! Mut Mee Garden was the place. With a small bar on the river.
My first travel startup was called "travellr" and was a question and answer service for people to ask travel questions and get answers from locals or people who have traveled there. It was acquired by World Nomads and we built it into their online community.
Awwwww 🥰 Mut Mee is still going and is as friendly and welcoming as ever.
I gotta go back there! It's kinda where this all started!
Do it.... Maybe you'll come up with your next big start up idea whilst watching the squirrels and drinking a Chang!
Last fall I spent 11 great days in Isaan, driving from Nakhon Phanom to Bung Khla (Bunloed's Homestay) to Nong Khai (Mut Mee! Loved it!) to Phu Kradeung National Park (hiked up to the plateau and spent 2 nights in a bungalow there) to Udon Thai. I hesitate to use phrases like "the real Thailand" -- it's all real -- but I've previously been to the more touristy spots and this was the perfect complement.
Sounds like a fun trip.
What was your favourite?
Completely agree that real Thai experiences that are immersive and inspiring are the ones away from the tourist spots that have been most travelers focus for decades.
Nakhon Phanom is fascinating. So many ethnic communities rich with culture and traditions that differ from other parts of Isaan.
The homestay and Phu Kradueng.
Chiangmai, ChiangRai, Pai