Planning on staying in Southeast Asia for more time following your Thailand vacation? If you’re planning a vacation to Thailand and considering traveling to countries near Thailand, this blog will be the ultimate resource for enriching your experience!
Do you frequently visit Thailand like so many others? If you answered yes, you’ve probably traveled to some of Thailand’s most famous tourist attractions, the UNESCO world heritage site like the ancient city of Ayutthaya, the stunning Andaman Sea in the south, and the vibrant capital city of Bangkok. And you’ve likely picked up some amazing Thailand souvenirs. If you’ve seen everything there is to see in Thailand, it’s time to take your vacation to the next level and visit some of Thailand’s neighboring countries.
While we wait for your multi-entry Thai visa to be processed, perhaps you’d be interested in learning more about the ASEAN Union, which is an organization that unites ten nations in Southeast Asia. And then, we’ll introduce you to the neighboring countries where you can full-filled day trip!
Get To Know ASEAN Countries
Thailand, Myanmar, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam are the ten member countries of ASEAN or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, a regional organization to foster economic and security cooperation among them.
This blog, however, will focus on more basic topics, such as tourism and Thai vocabulary about countries, to help you better plan your trip to Southeast Asia for fun or for working in Thailand. The Thai names of the various countries will serve as our jumping-off point.
Thailand Is Surrounded By Several Countries
The Kingdom of Thailand shares borders with Myanmar (Burma) to the west and northwest, the Andaman Sea to the southwest, Laos, and Cambodia to the east, the Gulf of Thailand, which is an entry of the South China Sea to the south, and Malaysia to the south. Additionally, Thailand has maritime boundaries with India, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
ประเทศเมียนมาร์ (Pràthêet mianmaa) – Myanmar
As we mentioned, the country borders Thailand to the west, and the northwest is Myanmar or Burma. Therefore, if you find yourself in Chiang Mai province, take the time to explore the neighboring area, including Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, and Tak, all of which are within easy driving distance of the Myanmar border.
For example, within ten minutes, you may cross the Thailand–Myanmar friendship bridge in the city of Tak (ตาก,dtàak) by driving or walking and arrive at the Myanmar immigration checkpoint in the border town of Myawady.
Here are some ideal destinations in Myanmar to visit for the day.
The Thai-Burmese Border Gate In Chiang Rai Province
- ตลาดท่าขี้เหล็ก (talàat thâa khîilèk) – Tachileik Market
- เจดีย์ชเวดากอง ท่าขี้เหล็ก (ceedii daa kɔɔŋ thâa khîilèk) – Tachileik Shwedagon Pagoda
- วัดพระธาตุดอยเวา (wát phráthâat dɔɔy waao) – Phra That Doi Wao Temple
The Thai-Burmese Border Gate In Mae Hong Son Province
The Thai-Burmese Border Gate In Tak Province
- วัดเจดีย์ทอง (wát ceedii thɔɔŋ) – The Golden Temple or Shwe Myint Wan
- วัดมอญ พระยืน (wát mɔɔn phrá yʉʉn) – The Giant Standing Buddha
ประเทศลาว (Pràthêet laaw) – Laos
The Chao Phraya and the Mekong rivers play a significant role in Thailand’s thriving agricultural sector and are thus extremely important to the country’s economy. If you travel to Thailand often enough, you’ll remember it is located in the country’s geographic center and serves as a boundary between Thailand and Laos. Thus, the Mekong River is the waterway that separates Thailand and Laos.
Vientiane, the capital of Laos, combines French colonial architecture with Buddhist temples like the golden, 16th-century Pha That Luang, a national emblem, and is accessible by a bridge across the Mekong River from Nong Kai province.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for something more exciting to do, you can travel to Pakse. Ubon Ratchathani province is a gateway to Pakse, Laos forested mountains, where more bold travelers can go trekking.
ประเทศกัมพูชา (Pràthêet kamphuuchaa) – Cambodia
The largest and most well-known of Cambodia’s several ancient temples is Angkor Wat, which even appears on the flag. Consider how near Thailand is to Angkor Wat, Cambodia’s world-famous historical monument. You can cross the border in Sa Kaeo province to Krong Poi Pet and take a taxi to the ideal destination of Siem Reap. Ideally, you’d have two to three days for this trip.
ประเทศมาเลเซีย (Pràthêet maaleesia) – Malaysia
Hat Yai is a major shopping destination in southern Thailand, surpassing the attractions of Phuket in terms of popularity. In addition, it’s a popular destination for tourists from neighboring countries like Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. But, really, you know what? Minivans and trains take around 4 hours to go from Hai Yai, where the border is, to Penang, Malaysia.
Penang, the island is home to George Town, a World Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO. If you’re searching for a new vacation spot with sun, beach, and entertaining activities, go no further than Penang. The island’s rich historical attractions extend back to English colonial rule. So, if you enjoy visiting Phuket, why don’t you experience a similar kind but a different environment and language?
Are You Up To The Challenge?
Learn or review the Thai language now! You may recall that before this blog we shared several Thai words for different countries. Then why not try constructing the Thai phrase together? Now, then, shall we begin?
Thai Sentence 1
ฉันอยากไปประเทศลาว (Chǎn yàak pay pràthêet laaw) – I want to go to Lao.
Thai Sentence 2
เขามาจากประเทศไทย (Khǎw maacàak pràthêetthay) – He comes from Thailand.
Thai Sentence 3
เธอชอบประเทศสิงคโปร์ (Thəə chɔ̂ɔp pràthêet sǐŋkhapoo) – She likes Singapore.
Learn Thai With Ling Now
If a trip to Thailand helped you choose other destinations in Southeast Asia, the next step following your trip should be to study the local tongue!
Do you know that many people who reside in neighboring nations close to Thailand’s border also speak Thai? Therefore, having a solid grasp of Thai can help you get by in Thailand and its neighboring countries.
Let Ling helps you in your endeavor by providing a wealth of tools you can utilize to study whenever and wherever suits you best! In addition to reading about the Thai language and culture tips, you can also listen to local speakers and pick up their accents. In addition, we provide engaging resources, such as mini-games, puzzles, and a clever chatbot, to help you get used to speaking Thai in a natural setting. Doesn’t it just seem fascinating?
Most Thai learners chose Ling to help them succeed, so why not join them? Download the Ling App from Google Play Store and Apple App Store now, and prepare to be fluent in Thai soon!
Updated by: Gwyn
