The furious metropolitan centre of Bangkok has exploded to a population just over 8 million over the past 30 years and is the fast-paced beating heart of Thailand. The city’s sites, including the floating market and the grand palace, are jammed in amongst the traffic and endless rows of concrete houses, and though the places of interest are numerous the sheer frenetic tenacity of the city turns most off. Love it or hate it, most find themselves in Bangkok at least once during their stay in Thailand, so you may as well make the most of it.

Once you’ve had your fill of the “Big Mango” head west into the Kanchanaburi region to ride the famed ‘Death Railway’ and bathe in the spectacular Erawan Falls. Bangkok is full of tour operators ready to get you set up on your ride. The area is steeped with wartime history including the fabled ‘Bridge Over River Kwai’, made popular by the movie with the same name, and the museum at Hellfire Pass. There are numerous temples, or ‘Wat’, such as Prasat Muang Singh, to see, and the Krasae caves are worth a stop as well. Northeast of Bangkok you will find the Khao Yai Wine Trails, where Thailand’s premier wine growing region is beginning to leave its mark on the global wine market. The rolling wine trails are perfect for cycle touring; you make your way from winery to winery with the occasional stop at a wat, or at a roadside lunch spot. The road north from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is one of the most popular travel routes for those who want to fully understand the nation of Thailand. The River of Kings, Chao Phraya river valley, is where it’s said that Thai culture first began, in the cities of Lampang, Sukhothai, Khampheng, and the ancient capital of Siam Ayutthaya.

South of Bangkok towards the Kra Isthmus you’ll find empty country roads, where the only traffic you might see is a farmer moving his buffalo. The Damnoen Saduak floating market is a must-see, as the small canal is packed with everything you could imagine. East of Bangkok you cycle through endless farmlands, orchards, and plantations, stopping in small villages to refuel on your way to the border with Cambodia; Angkor Wat and Siem Reap lie just beyond. Central Thailand is vast and diverse, yet offers some of the most accessible cycling in all of Indochina.

Best Seasons:Nov - Apr
Popular Locations:Erawan Falls, Death Railway, Khao Yai Wine Trails

DIG DEEPER

Explore amazing destinations within Central Thailand.