The best new things to do in Thailand, from bustling Bangkok restaurants to Koh Samui beach resorts

The Land of Smiles shines again: after two years of border closures, lockdowns and COVID outbreaks, ThailandThe US government recently announced that it will finally make visits (almost) as seamless as before the pandemic: since May 1, fully vaccinated Americans are no longer required to test or quarantine upon arrival, and no longer only need an approved certificate. Thailand pass (which requires a COVID-19 vaccination certificate and proof of an insurance policy covering at least $10,000) to enter the country.

And fortunately, the pandemic has not stopped all development: from a wellness retreat on an island of bangkokfrom the Chao Phraya River to the local creative hubs that have sprung up in the far south, the past two years have seen dozens of exciting new projects spring up across the country. Below, the best novelty hotelsspas, restaurants and things to do in Thailand – from Bangkok and Chiang Mai to the southern beaches – to mark for your next visit.

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bangkok

Do not head straight for the beach after landing at bangkok: With hordes of tourists still a thing of the pre-pandemic past, there’s never been a better time to stay in the capital for a few days.

Last year’s most popular hotel openings were CapellaBangkok and Four Seasons Bangkok, who share a marble-walled estate along the Chao Phraya River. Capella’s main asset is its riverside villas, the first of their kind in the city, which open onto private pools in a waterside lounge garden. Right next door, the seven bars and restaurants of the Four Seasons are worth a detour even if you are not spending the night there. Highlights include Yu Ting Yuan’s real Cantonese dim sum and Argentinian-inspired BKK Social Club drinks that taste straight out of Buenos Aires.

To get rid of pandemic-induced jitters, RAKxa offers many remedies. At this next-gen wellness retreat on a jungle-covered island just outside Bangkok’s city limits, you can hop between cryotherapy cabins, crystal healing sessions, rich intravenous infusions in vitamins and traditional Thai therapies (Tok Sen hammer massages and herbal burn treatments) performed by a doctor whose ancestors practiced in the court of King Rama II.

In June, the city’s range of already starred hotels will shine even brighter with the arrival of The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon, which will transform the upper floors of the historic Mahanakhon Tower into a boldly patterned retreat led by Spanish artist Jamie Hayon. It comes just after the brand’s debut in Thailand three hours south, where The Norm, Hua Hin (a Hot List 2022 winner) channels Miami-meets-Hollywood vibes like a sun-kissed yellow beach retreat.

After more space? Splurge on the four-bedroom SiriSala for full access to a stunning riverside villa just a short ferry ride from the Grand Palace. Other perks include a private chef, a 65-foot saltwater pool, and a guided cruise around the khlongs (canals) of Bangkok Noi.