Thailand is one of the world’s most popular holiday destinations, welcoming over one million British tourists in 2025. But beyond the busiest beaches, city breaks and island party routes, there are still places that feel calmer, more spacious and more local – especially if you choose to travel in the low season.
From riverside stays in Kanchanaburi to quiet southern beaches and slow northern towns, these five lesser-known hidden gems reveal a more peaceful side of Thailand.
1. Khanom: The Southern Coastal Town
Khanom on Thailand’s southeast coast is the perfect place for a relaxed seaside escape. It’s a quiet beach town opposite Koh Samui – and is a great alternative to the islands if you don’t want to catch a ferry.
Khanom feels much less developed than the nearby islands, with none of the big beach clubs or crowds. The beaches are quiet, with super-soft sand and clear water. Plus the vibe is more authentic, so you get to experience local Thai culture with fewer tourists around.
If you’re after a real escape, opt for the off peak season where it can easily just be you, the sand and the waves!
Things to do
One of the things Khanom is best known for is its boat trips. You can even find boats that take you to see pink dolphins, especially around Laem Prathap – although I’d advise seeking out a company that organises its tours in an ethical way. Plus there’s the natural landscape to explore – waterfalls, jungle caves and impressive rock formations. Eat at popular beach bar CC Beach Bar & Restaurant or try Terrace @ the Beach.
Where to stay
Accommodation-wise, you can stay at the very unique Khanom Station 549, which is designed like a railway station, from around £27 per night. You can stay in studios and rooms that are like actual train carriages – this is like my perfect stay! If you want to go bougie, somewhere slick like the beachfront Villa AoKhanom will set you back about £90 per night.
You can reach Khanom by flying from Bangkok to Nakhon Si Thammarat, or by bus from Surat Thani or Krabi. Or, if you’re a train lover like me, you can take a sleeper train all the way from Bangkok to Surat Thani from just £17 in second class, or £27 each when sharing a first class cabin. Then it’s simply a case of booking a taxi to take you the last 1 hour and 20 minutes.
We had a great adventure getting the train from Nakhon Pathom to Surat Thani and even managed to bag ourselves a first class air conditioned train carriage for £27 each. Once we arrived in Surat Thani, we simply used Grab to order a £20 taxi to take us all the way to Khanom Station 549, a new train-themed hotel which only cost us £21.50 a night!
During our stay in the off peak season we decided to challenge ourselves to find a remote beach, and it turned into more of a challenge to find people at all!! If you’re hoping for a much more relaxed vibe than the popular neighbouring islands, Khanom is for you. Of course, it does liven up a little in the peak season too and I’d recommend checking out Ao Tong Yee Beach as there was a restaurant and campsite there that looks like it would be amazing!
2. Koh Yao Noi: The Island Escape
Koh Yao Noi is a peaceful island in Phang Nga Bay, between Phuket and Krabi. It’s really easy to reach – only about half an hour by speedboat from Phuket – but feels calmer and more low-key than those two hotspots.
There are no big beach clubs or loud nightlife here – this is a lesser-developed spot. Enjoy exploring the local villages, chill beaches, rice fields and mangroves, and of course the stunning bay views. Much of the accommodation here faces east, so you get incredible sunrise views of the limestone karsts.
Things to do
Rent a scooter or bike to explore at your own pace – there’s little traffic here so it feels especially peaceful. Do a boat trip around the bay to visit nearby islands, lagoons and beaches, or you can kayak or snorkel if you fancy something a bit more active.
Food-wise, you’ll find relaxed eateries as well as some more polished restaurants attached to hotels. Tha Khao Bay View Restaurant has impeccable views and delicious fresh food; there’s also island institution Pradu Seafood.
Where to stay
Accommodation ranges from simple guesthouses to boutique resorts. For something more affordable, look at small bungalows like the beachfront Ban Tha Ton Do from £29 per night. If you want to splurge, try the 5 star Cape Kudu Hotel from £93 per night.
3. Kanchanaburi: The National Park
Kanchanaburi is a peaceful province in western Thailand. It’s a two-and-a-half-hour train ride from Thonburi Railway Station. It costs 100 baht – which is around £2.28 – and offers you somewhere much more green and calm.
It feels worlds away from the Thai capital – this area is best known for the scenic River Kwai and its WWII history, but it generally has a nice slower pace and is a perfect stop if you want to mix nature and culture.
Things to do
The headline here is probably Erawan National Park and its waterfalls. It’s a bit of a trek to get to the higher levels, but worth it – and there are fewer people the higher you go! And even fewer if you choose to travel in low season. You can pay 20 baht (40p) for a golf buggy to take you the first part of the way.
You can also see some beautiful temples like Wat Ban Tham – a cave temple that you enter through a dragon’s mouth – and learn an important history lesson by visiting the Death Railway and Hellfire Pass. This is a historic railway between Thailand and what is now Myanmar, built during WWII using forced labour by Allied prisoners of war and Asian labourers.
For eating, try Keereetara Riverside, where you get relaxing riverside views alongside your freshly prepared meal, or keep things traditional at local spot Na Kanda Grape Farm & Restaurant.
Where to stay
You can stay in some cool floating accommodations here like VeeVaree Riverkwai Resort from around £76 per night. We stayed at Xcape River Kwai in a Luxe Cabin, which was a bit of a treat at around £140 per night. It came with its own kayak so we could paddle straight out onto the River Kwai. It was such a serene experience, especially after the bustle of Bangkok. You can also stay in a camp inside the National Park itself – Hilltop Erawan Camp has posh bell tents from around £57 per night.
After a busy three days in Bangkok, we jumped on the 2.5 hour train to Kanchanaburi – which only cost us £2.28 each. On arrival, we hopped in a 19 minute taxi and arrived at Xcape… and wow. At £144 a night, I was apprehensive that it would live up to that cost but it more than did. To be out on the water in our own private cabin, complete with kayak, with all the luxuries of a 5 star hotel was the ultimate treat.
It was also easy for us to hire a car in the town, and we loved exploring Erawan National Park and the nearby temples – though make sure you wear your sportswear if you want to climb the many stairs into the dragon’s mouth at Wat Ban Tham!
It was also interesting – though incredibly sobering – to learn about the railway and the many thousands of prisoners of war and civilian labourers who died during its construction at the Death Railway Museum. The train is a significant part of the tourism of the area, but I think it’s really important to understand the historical context as to why it’s even there.
4. Koh Mak: The Island Retreat
Koh Mak is another peaceful island that’s in between Koh Chang and Koh Kood. Koh Mak is less developed and commercial, so it’s another great option if you want to properly switch off.
There are no big resorts or clubs here – instead you’ll find more empty beaches, coconut trees and a local vibe. This is somewhere where your main activity is doing nothing at all. Koh Mak is for exploring by bike or scooter, so you can spend slow easy days beach hopping and enjoying the nature and views.
Things to do
The beaches are calm and uncrowded, so you can swim, read, nap or just enjoy having space to yourself. Try Ao Kao beach on the southern shore of the island – there’s a scattering of beach bars here – try Krua Tonhom for delicious fresh seafood or TableTales for an authentic Massaman curry. Alternatively head to Ao Suan Yai beach on the northern coast which is stunning – and from here you can catch a boat to Koh Kham, a tiny island that feels truly unspoilt.
Where to stay
Accommodation on Koh Mak is small-scale and relaxed; the best place to stay depends on whether you want to be right on the beach or tucked away. Ao Kao is a popular choice for beach access and sunsets – Miss You Beach Resort has bungalows with a sea view starting at £16 per night. Alternatively, stay at Seavana Koh Mak Beach Resort for a more premium experience on a completely stunning beach, with doubles from £62 per night.
5. Nan: The Green Northern Town
Up in northern Thailand is the laid-back town of Nan, surrounded by mountains and rice fields. Here you’ll find a much slower pace than the country’s more popular northern hotspots like Chiang Mai, so it’s a smart choice if you want calm, not crowds.
In Nan, there are also cultural traditions that celebrate the Tai Lue heritage of the area – this is an ethnic minority group that comes from this part of Asia. You’ll come across traditional handwoven textiles, and they also have folk singing and other musical traditions.
Things to do
Discover Wat Phumin, the most famous temple around here which has some beautiful murals inside. There’s also Wat Phra That Khao Noi, where a huge golden Buddha looks out over the valley – this is one to come to at sunset for the views. If you prefer early mornings, you can catch beautiful sunrises in Sri Nan National Park, and check out the impressive limestone scenery.
When you want to refuel, Huean Phukha is a traditional roadside spot that serves up classic Nan and northern Thai dishes, like pork belly and local vegetables. There’s also Nan City Night Market for cheap eats on the go, and the interestingly named Sober Coffee House for coffee and sweet treats.
Where to stay
There are plenty of small and boutique hotels and guesthouses in Nan, where you can kick back and savour the relaxed local atmosphere. If you’re on a budget, book into Pua Panorama Resort, a cheap and cheerful stay costing from £18 a night. Spend a bit more and you get cosy comforts at Nantrungjai Boutique Hotel, which has spacious rooms and lush gardens, costing from £27 per night. For a more luxurious hotel in a lovely rural setting, go for Nan Seasons Boutique Resort, which has lots of traditional wooden decor and beautiful nature views, costing from £52 per night.
Discover Thailand’s Hidden Gems on a Quieter Holiday
Thailand will always be popular for its stunning islands, beautiful beaches and thriving cities – and exploring lesser known destinations can be really rewarding. There’s time to slow down, relax and feel more connected to the country and its culture.
Whether you’re planning an island escape, beach break or a nature-filled adventure, these hidden gems in Thailand show that choosing spots with fewer crowds can lead to even more memorable stays. Add in a trip in the low season, and you’ve got yourself the ultimate hidden gem holiday.
