The Best Weekend Escapes from Bangkok
Need a break from Bangkok? These four destination are closer than you think.
Bangkok is a city you could spend months in and still not cover, but every so often, the heat, the traffic and the sheer pace of it all make a weekend away a necessity. The good news is that Thailand has some exceptional escapes within a few hours of the capital, and none of them require a flight.
Hua Hin
About three hours south of Bangkok by car, Hua Hin has long been where the city goes to decompress. The beach stretches for five kilometres, the seafood at the night market is outstanding and we guarantee you’ll feel your blood pressure drop immediately.
If you take the train from Bangkok, you'll pull into one of the most beautiful railway stations in the country: a red-and-cream royal waiting pavilion that has been welcoming travellers since the 1920s.
For a luxury stay, there’s only one place to go: Chiva-Som. One of the most respected wellness retreats in the world, it sits right on the beachfront and runs programmes that range from a weekend detox to a full reset over several weeks that will expunge all traces of pad thai from your body.
And if wellness isn't your focus, InterContinental Hua Hin and Centara Grand Beach Resort both sit along the coast with pools, spas and direct beach access.
Khao Yai
Head northeast for about two and a half hours to where the greenery thickens and you arrive at the edge of the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Thailand's most important protected areas.
The national park is home to wild elephants, gibbons, hornbills and an astonishing density of birdlife, with well-maintained trails that range from gentle walks to full-day hikes.
What some don’t expect from the region is its wine: Khao Yai has developed a small but impressive wine reputation, with GranMonte and PB Valley both producing internationally recognised bottles. A morning in the park followed by an afternoon tasting at one of the estates makes for a weekend that feels a long way from Bangkok.
For accommodation, InterContinental Khao Yai Resort is a Bill Bensley creation built around upcycled heritage Thai train carriages, with railway-themed suites, seven lakes and a Michelin Key. Sala Khaoyai offers a more intimate alternative with private villas and a strong spa.
Kanchanaburi
Two and a half hours west of Bangkok, Kanchanaburi is best known for the Bridge on the River Kwai and the sobering history of the Death Railway, built by prisoners of war during the Second World War.
The JEATH War Museum and the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery are where to learn more about this chapter of history, and you can still ride a section of the original railway line along the cliffs above the river.
If you take the slow train from Bangkok, be prepared for a hot and dusty ride, but it's one of the best ways to watch the Thai countryside chug past through an open window. The journey takes around three hours and costs very little.
Beyond the history, the natural landscape here is extraordinary. Erawan National Park is one not to miss, with a seven-tier waterfall cascading through dense jungle and turquoise pools at each level that are swimmable in the dry season.
Go on a weekday if you can, as weekends bring crowds from Bangkok. For somewhere to stay, the floating raft hotels on the River Kwai are a uniquely Kanchanaburi experience.
Just one day: Ayutthaya
If a full weekend isn't on the cards, Ayutthaya is the easiest day trip from Bangkok. Thailand's former capital sits about 90 minutes north by car or a scenic two-hour train ride, and the ruins of the ancient city are a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 14th century.
Cycling through the Ayutthaya Historical Park, past crumbling prangs, headless Buddhas and the famous stone head entwined in fig tree roots at Wat Mahathat, is one of the most fascinating half-days you can spend outside the city.
