Buzzing cities, tranquil beaches, enticing bays and coves, a rich cultural heritage and cuisine more than worth traveling for, not to mention unparalleled hospitality, Thailand has it all. Here’s a look at why meeting and event planners should look to “The Land of Smiles” for their next event.  

Why Thailand 

• In the heart of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Thailand is a terrific connection to the rest of Asia. 

• Annual and signature events enhance professional events and meetings. 

• Local experiences encourage your guests to immerse themselves in authentic Thai culture. 

• The average winter temperature is 65 degrees; winter is also dry, with cool breezes. 

What’s New in Thailand 

• Bangkok’s new BTS Visionary Park, which attained LEED Gold-certified status, features a co-working space, games area and open-air lounge on the 10th floor, with tempting food courts on both the 5th and 10th floors; the outdoor garden affords city and park views.  

• Also in Bangkok, Jurassic Park comes alive at Jurassic World: The Experience. It’s the closest you’ll ever come to living dinosaurs.  

• The new Amazing Thailand app will assist travelers in discovering places to eat, shop and explore, and more. 

There are plenty of options when it comes to things to see and do in Thailand, as well as places to grab a bite to eat, or host a power lunch or dinner. Here are a few spots around the country to pique your interest. 

SEE 

Mahanakhon SkyWalk 

Soar 74 floors in under a minute to the top of the King Power Mahanakhon building to the Mahanakhon SkyWalk for 360-degree views of Bangkok at your feet. For the daring, continue up another four floors and step out onto the Glass Tray, a glass-floored platform where you can walk more than 1,000 feet above the streets below. Visit at sunset and enjoy a drink at one of the highest rooftop bars in Southeast Asia. 

Big Buddha Phuket 

Standing nearly 150 feet tall and covered in of white and jade ‘Suriyakanta’ marble from nearby Myanmar, the Big Buddha in Phuket, or Phra Phuttha Ming Mongkhon Ek Nakkhiri, is a must-see when visiting the island. From the top you’ll find terrific views and photo opps of Chalong, Kata, Karon and other smaller bays. 

CoCo Tam’s Fire Show

When night falls on Ko Samui, the sky lights up with the iconic fire show at CoCo Tam’s on Bohput Beach. Twice a night, the beach bar’s fire dancers dazzle audiences with their fire moves – it’s certainly an experience you won’t forget. 

Hua Hin Railway Station 

A blend of Victorian and Thai architecture, the Hua Hin Railway Station is not only one of Thailand’s most beautiful train stations, but one of its oldest, too, originally built in 1911; the current iteration dates to 1926. The Royal Waiting Room, a Thai-style pavilion, was designed and built for King Rama VI and his court. 

The Sanctuary of Truth 

The largest wooden castle in the world, The Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya, built without nails, is filled with intricate hand carvings representing Buddhist, Hindu, Eastern philosophy and other Asian traditions. Group tours are available throughout the day and at night. Other activities include carving workshops and boating. 

For more activities and ideas, ask your ALHI GSO about working with Hosts Global Destination Services and REALM Thailand, a Hosts Global Member. 

DO 

Snorkeling in Koh Tao 

Warm, crystal clear waters and coral reefs teeming with marine life make snorkeling in the bays around Koh Tao ideal for novice and experienced snorkelers alike. You may even peep sea turtles! Tour operators can be flexible to meet your schedule or make a day of it by serving lunch on a beach. 

Kayaking In Phang-Nga Bay 

Dramatic limestone cliffs give way to natural sea caves, or hongs, in Phang-Nga Bay Marine Park. Hop into a canoe and paddle through the intricate network of hongs to not only get an up-close look at millions of years of erosion, but to reconnect with nature. Combined with the bay’s emerald green water, photo opps abound.  

Winetasting

Winetasting in Thailand? Yes! Monsoon Valley Vineyard covers more than 270 acres in Hua Hin; only rainwater is used to irrigate and collected to use during Thailand’s dry season in the summer. International grape varietals grown in Hua Hin include Shiraz, Chenin Blanc and Sangiovese, all of which are made into award-winning wines that are served not only at the vineyard’s onsite restaurant, but fine restaurants and five-star hotels and resorts throughout Thailand. Vineyard tours are available.  

Take a Walk 

Pattaya Walking Street is a cacophony of neon lights, street performers, music, food and people there to take it all in. Just over half-a-mile, the Walking Street is closed to vehicles from 7 p.m. late into the night, so grab a local beer, grab a bite to eat, stop to listen to a live band and enjoy the only-in-Thailand experience. 

Take a Food Tour 

The best way to experience a destination is through its food, and that’s certainly true in Bangkok. Book a tuk tuk night tour with street food tasting in Chinatown for a real treat. Not only will you feast on traditional street food like mango sticky rice, but some of the food stalls and restaurants are Michelin rated and recommended, so you know you’re getting all the best bites. Through it all you’ll experience the rich culture, history and flavors of Thailand. 

For more activities and ideas, ask your ALHI GSO about working with Hosts Global Destination Services and REALM Thailand, a Hosts Global Member. 

EAT

The Glass House 

Feel all your cares float away as soon as you take a seat at The Glass House BOHO, a boho-chic restaurant on Jomtien Bay in Pattaya. Whether with your toes in the sand, in the open-air dining room, or cooling off in the a/c, you’ll love digging into the sea-to-table dishes featured on the restaurant’s classic Thai menu, with an international twist. Thing spicy crab claws with mango salad, stir-fried prawns with chili and spaghetti kee mao seafood. 

Le Du Kaan 

Experience a culinary journey through Thailand during lunch or dinner at Le Du Kaan in Bangkok. Chef Ton blends the finest local ingredients with storytelling to present a meal you and your guests won’t soon forget. Main courses found on the two- and three-course lunch menu include fried chicken with Massaman curry, seabass with ginger and shallot, and Tajima beef cheek, while the a la carte dinner menu features grouper in a ginger broth, crispy pork belly and lobster phad Thai, among many other tantalizing dishes. Private dining rooms are available for six or eight guests, or for a more relaxed setting, book a table in the 56th floor Sky Bar, overlooking the twinkling city lights below.   

Baan Dum Oceanfront Seafood 

Known for its fresh seafood, oceanfront views and exceptional service, enjoying lunch or dinner at Baan Dum Oceanfront Seafood is a must when in Hua Hin. Enjoy the trade winds that waft through the open-air restaurant as you feast on the chef’s signature dish, Nam Prik Khai Pu: a spicy crab egg dip served with vegetables. The restaurant is available for private events. 

Pru 

Phuket’s first and only One MICHELIN Star and MICHELIN Green Star Restaurant, Pru is an open-kitchen concept restaurant with sweeping ocean views and a team that is eager to welcome you for a memorable lunch or dinner. Committed to community and sustainability, Chef Jimmy not only uses the finest local ingredients, but textiles and artisanal products made by locals. Pru serves a set tasting experience with limited seating – twice for lunch, and four dinner seatings. The entire restaurants is available for private events, as is a 10-seat private dining room. 

Baan Suan Lung Khai 

Take a seat on the veranda of Uncle Khai’s garden house on his coconut plantation for a home-style meal that will leave you feeling full, not just physically but spiritually. Choose from three Southern Thai set menus that feature home-style dishes highlighting the freshest ingredients from local fishermen and friends. The food is so good that the casual restaurant has been recognized by MICHELIN. 

For more activities and ideas, ask your ALHI GSO about working with Hosts Global Destination Services and REALM Thailand, a Hosts Global Member. 

STAY/MEET 

Just as Thailand has something for every meeting planner and attendee, from urban settings to beachside bliss, so does ALHI.  

Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld 

Business meets leisure at Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld, within one of Bangkok’s largest shopping destinations. Rising 55 stories, every one of the five-star hotel’s 505 luxurious guest rooms and suites boasts panoramic views of the city skyline, as does Red Sky, the rooftop European restaurant. Up to 6,000 guests can be accommodated in more than 87,000 square feet of meeting and event space, ranging from sweeping ballrooms to smaller suites and outdoor spaces like a terrace and garden.  

Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok 

In the heart of the city’s Ladprao business district, Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok welcomes guests to a place of timeless elegance and exceptional hospitality. Gather in the hotel’s 40,000-plus square feet of flexible meeting space, including 17 state-of-the-art boardrooms and suites, and enjoy flavorful and nourishing meals during the workday. Afterwards, relax in one of the 565 elegantly appointed guest rooms and suites, indulge in a treatment at SPA Cenvaree, or lounge poolside and soak in the Thai sunshine. 

Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin 

Originally known as The Railway Hotel when it first opened in the 1920s, Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin blends colonial charm with contemporary luxury in its 251 guest rooms, suites, villas and public spaces. Sweeping lawns add to the charm of its private oceanfront setting. Plan your event in the resort’s 3,600-plus square feet of meeting and event space that ranges from traditional ballrooms and boardrooms to more unique settings like a topiary garden, putting green and, of course, the beach. Dining ranges from traditional English afternoon tea to teppanyaki, international cuisine and beachside bites. 

Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket

 A five-star resort on Karon Beach, Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket blends Sino-Portuguese heritage with tropical charm for an unforgettable stay. Each of the spacious 262 guest rooms, suites and villas boast its own private balcony or terrace with garden, pool, sea, or beach views, providing the perfect setting to unwind. When work calls, the resort’s 8,300-plus square feet of meeting space can be modified to meet your needs, and the onsite team is at-the-ready to arrange team-building and ice-breaking activities that will get everyone in on the fun. 

Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya 

Treat your guests to endless fun at Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya. Not only is the resort a terrific place to host your meeting or event in its 18,000-plus square feet of space, but it’s expansive waterpark, The Lost World, is ripe for a splashing good time: think lazy rivers, waterfalls and thrilling slides. There’s also the family-friendly private beach, plenty of watersports and pools by which to sit and relax. Inside, the décor found within the resort’s 553 guest rooms, suites and penthouse blends nature and luxury with rich earthy tones and natural materials.  

Centara Reserve Samui 

Recently redesigned and reimagined, Centara Reserve Samui on Chaweng Beach is one of Koh Samui’s most sought-after stays with 184 guest rooms, pool suites and beachfront pool villas, all with private balconies or terraces to soak in the views. Welcome up to 250 guests in the resort’s 6,200 square feet of meeting and event space, from inside to the lawn, beach and pool decks outside. Afterwards, retreat to the pools, walk the beach, or setting in for a decadent meal at one of six onsite restaurants and bars. 

Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok 

A luxurious urban oasis, Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok is a five-star luxury resort-inspired hotel in the heart of the city. Traditional Thai design complements the 397 contemporary guest rooms and suites, many of which have private balconies overlooking lush gardens and the hotel’s swimming pools. Dine at MICHELIN Starred Sra Bua by Kiin Kiin, retreat to Kempinski The Spa Bangkok, or step outside and explore the culturally vibrant and bustling city right on your doorstep. When work calls, the onsite team can arrange nearly 16,000 square feet of meeting and event space to your liking. 

Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok 

A serene sanctuary awaits at Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok, a glamorous wellness destination close to Lumpini Park and awash with nature. The hotel’s nearly-4,000 square feet of meeting and event space is comprised of indoor venues that can accommodate up to 130 guests and a lush outdoor garden for up to 150. Afterwards, retreat to one of the 285 spacious and sumptuously appointed guest rooms or suites, all with private balconies for a breath of fresh air. The hotel’s 43,000-plus square foot wellness facilities will keep your guests as active as they want to be, and its two restaurants will keep them satiated with everything from international dining to plant-based fare. 

For more activities and ideas, ask your ALHI GSO about working with Hosts Global Destination Services and REALM Thailand, a Hosts Global Member.