The "Land of Smiles" is one of Southeast Asia's crown jewels. Thailand is well-developed and provides all kinds of contemporary amenities thanks to a growing tourism sector, yet it's still wild enough to offer off-the-beaten-path adventure and once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences. Thailand will not fail you, whether you come for the world-class beaches in the south or the mountain communities in the north.

Here's a list of top tourist sites in Thailand to get you started planning your vacation.

1. Ko Phi Phi

The Phi Phi Islands are one of Thailand's most popular resort areas for a reason: the clear blue waters, soft sand, and endless views.

You can get to Phi Phi Don, the largest of the islands and the only one that is permanently inhabited, by renting a kayak or hiring a small wooden boat to take you there.

Monkey Beach, where you'll come face to face, literally, with plenty of macaques ready to steal your lunch, is one of the most fun places on Koh Phi Phi.

Long Beach is another nice spot on the island; while it is not a secluded spot where you can expect privacy, it is ideal for watching the sunset. It's a beautiful walk back towards the main part of the island if the tide is out.

Packages for snorkeling and diving expeditions to the islands, as well as excursions to the famous Maya Bay, where the Leonardo DiCaprio film The Beach was filmed, are available from tour operators. Because Koh Phi Phi attracts so many visitors, several tour firms provide tickets to other beach locations including Phuket, Koh Chang, and Koh Lanta.

2. Bangkok

Bangkok, Thailand's capital and by far the largest city, is a buzzing cosmopolis of high rise buildings, magnificent palaces, ancient temples, glittering nightclubs, bustling markets, and streets lined with vendors selling souvenirs and tantalizing foods.

Khao San Road, the famous tourist street, is a good place to start because of its interesting sites, cheap shopping, and nightlife. The city is well-known for its numerous temples. Zoos, water parks, and amusement parks all provide family entertainment. Bangkok's shopping is spectacular, with numerous shopping malls and markets, including the must-see floating markets. Thai boxing matches are held at sporting venues.

Because of the city's congested traffic, the Skytrain, metro, and tuk-tuks are the best ways to get around Bangkok. A boat ride through the canals is a memorable way to experience Bangkok.

3. Railay Beach

Krabi province is home to some of Thailand's most renowned beach resorts, with Railay Beach being one of the most beautiful beaches. Widely regarded as one of the best beaches in Thailand, Railay Beach promises white sand, turquoise blue water, and the impression that you have found a piece of paradise even before your feet touch the sand.

Railay Beach is known for ocean rafting and kayaking, snorkeling and scuba diving, but visitors can also try to relax with a cooking class or a massage.

While beaches are the main reason to visit the island, Rai Rai is also a hotspot for rock climbing, with karst peaks attracting both experienced and inexperienced adventurers eager to scramble up the towering limestone cliffs.

There's also the tourist-favorite Diamond Cave, accessible via a beautiful trail, which offers breathtaking views and readily welcomes curious visitors to explore in between sunbathing sessions.

4. Kanchanaburi

Kanchanaburi, located in western Thailand, is admired for its beautiful scenery and proximity to national parks and waterfalls. It is best known for its iron bridge, which connects with the historic Death Railway to Burma, on which thousands of Asian laborers and POWS died during WWII construction under Japanese occupation.

While Kanchanaburi is a thriving city, the main attractions are related to WWII, most notably the iron railroad bridge depicted in the Academy Award-winning 1957 film "Bridge over the River Kwai."

Several museums and war cemeteries all provide information about the city and its bridge during Japan's occupation in the 1940s. The city also has many spas and temples, the most well-known of which is the Tiger Temple.

Outside of Kanchanaburi, there are several national parks to visit, including Erawan and Srinakarind, which all offer beautiful scenery, waterfalls, caves, and visits to tribal villages.

5. Khao Sok National Park

Khao Sok National Park, surrounded by towering limestone mountains and lush tropical forests, contains some of Thailand's most spectacular landscapes. Khao Sok National Park is 160 million years old, making it much older than the Amazon rainforest.

Cheow Lan, a sparkling turquoise lake dotted with floating raft houses and colorful long-tail boats, is at the heart of the park. Notably, the national park also contains the largest virgin rainforest in Southern Thailand. Visitors will come across cascading waterfalls, hidden caves, and groves of wild fruit trees while exploring the forest. Other activities available on the Sok River include ziplining, kayaking, and tubing.

Aside from the beautiful scenery, many people come to Khao Sok to see the diverse wildlife. It is estimated that the park is home to more than 5% of the world's species. Small animals such as Malaysian tapirs, wild boars, and pig-tailed macaques are common, but larger animals such as Asian elephants and tigers are rare.

The park is also known for its eco-luxury camps, which feature tents with en-suite bathrooms, deluxe bedding, their own kayak, and some of Thailand's best meals.

6. Phuket

Phuket is Thailand's most popular tourist destination, known for its beautiful beaches, excellent diving, and abundance of luxurious spas. Phuket, Thailand's largest island, is located in southern Thailand and is connected to the mainland by two bridges.

The beaches, with their white sands, blue lagoons, and water sports, are the main draw of Phuket's many attractions. Patong Beach is the most popular beach, with resorts, hotels, shops, restaurants, and a vibrant nightlife. With its beautiful caves, aquatic grottoes, and limestone islands, Phang Nga Bay is a memorable place to visit.

Phuket is also a destination for ultimate relaxation and pampering, with options ranging from massage tents on the beach to world-class spas in stunning settings. From aquariums and seashell museums to national parks with whitewater rafting, sea kayaking, scuba diving, jungle trekking, and other activities, there is something for everyone.

7. Pai

Pai, once a quiet village in northern Thailand, is now a thriving town on the Mae Hong Son Loop, which connects Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son. Pai is a popular destination for backpackers and tourists looking to explore the region, thanks to its picturesque valley and relaxed atmosphere.

Pai's tourism facilities have grown in response to the city's growing influx of tourists, with numerous guesthouses, restaurants, souvenir shops, and bars. Pai's Wednesday Market is a popular draw for visitors from other villages in the Pail Valley.

Because of Pai's location in the mountains' foothills, many tourists use the city as a base for exploring natural attractions, trekking tours, and visits to the hill tribes of Lisu, Karen, Lahu, and Hmong. Spas, elephant camps, hot springs, and beautiful waterfalls are also located just outside of the city. The Pai River also provides tubing and whitewater adventures. Other must-see attractions in the area include Pai Canyon, the WWII Memorial Bridge, and a Chinese village where visitors can buy tea and ride a human-powered Ferris wheel.

8. Beaches of Koh Samui

Koh Samui is the country's second-largest island and home to some of Southeast Asia's most beautiful golden coastline. Each beach on Koh Samui has something unique to offer: some are ideal for peaceful solitude, while others are packed with activities, water sports, and large crowds.

Chaweng Beach is the island's largest and busiest beach, as well as the best shopping, a variety of attractions, and some of the best restaurants. The turquoise blue waters and dancing palm trees in the ocean breeze may explain why some of the island's best resorts are located here.

If you want to be alone, the 250-meter-long Silver Beach is hidden behind forested hills and offers beautiful open views of the water as well as excellent snorkeling.

Long Beach is another nice spot on the island; while it is not a secluded spot where you can expect privacy, it is ideal for watching the sunset. It's a beautiful walk back towards the main part of the island if the tide is out.

9. Khao Yai National Park

Khao Yai National Park, located in the Sankamphaeng Mountain Range, is Thailand's third largest park. Despite its high elevation, the park has a diverse landscape of evergreen rainforests and billowy grasslands.

There are several waterfalls hidden among the tree-lined forests in Khao Yai National Park. The 260-foot-tall Haew Narok waterfall is the largest in the park and a must-see. Haew Suwat, which appeared in Leonardo DiCaprio's film The Beach, is even more famous.

One of the main reasons to visit Khao Yai National Park is the abundance of wildlife. The park is home to a variety of animals, including pig-tailed macaques, sambar deer, freshwater crocodiles, and Asian black bears. It's also one of the few places in Thailand where you can see larger mammals like elephants and tigers in the wild on a regular basis.

10. Sunday Walking Street, Chiang Mai

Every traveler to Thailand hopes to enjoy affordable and good cuisine, which they will find in abundance on Chiang Mai's Sunday Night Walking Street. Vendors serve a variety of foods here, including pad Thai and chicken satay, as well as samosas, fried bananas, sweet roti, and fresh fruit shakes–all for less than $2 a piece.

After you've satiated your appetite, browse around hundreds of stalls selling a variety of unique items such as all-natural soaps, hand-dyed textiles with local hill tribe patterns, incense and essential oils, musical instruments, paintings, wall hangings, and more.

Every week, no matter what time of year you visit, the market is packed, so prepare yourself and try to enjoy being a part of the exciting pandemonium. This is one of Chiang Mai's must-see attractions and a must-do for anybody visiting Thailand. Check out the Saturday Night Walking Street or the Night Bazaar on Chang Klan Road, a daily event, if you can't make it to the Sunday market or just want a taste of various market experiences in Chiang Mai. Head to the midday Warorot Market near Mae Ping River for something less touristic.

Every week, no matter what time of year you visit, the market is packed, so prepare yourself and try to enjoy being a part of the exciting pandemonium. This is one of Chiang Mai's must-see attractions and a must-do for anybody visiting Thailand. Check out the Saturday Night Walking Street or the Night Bazaar on Chang Klan Road, a daily event, if you can't make it to the Sunday market or just want a taste of various market experiences in Chiang Mai. Head to the midday Warorot Market near Mae Ping River for something less touristic.