Often dismissed as a sleazy holiday destination, Thailand can surprise you with its diverse experiences. With glorious beaches, delicious food and plenty of activities to do, this is one place where there’s really more than meets the eye.

On Koh Kood, take things slow and escape the hustle of the bigger islands like Koh Samui. Loll in a hammock, bathe in a waterfall or wriggle your toes in the sand.

On Koh Yao, an island that seems to have consciously gone back in time, seek out the country’s mountainous backbone, meet the friendly fisherfolk and spend your days gazing at the birds and karst outcrops that make up the scenery.

With a thick jungle interior that’s as enchanting as its beaches, Koh Samet is great for any kind of traveller. Fire dancers light up the beaches on the northern shores of the island at night, but the southern parts offer a different kind of quietude. Koh Phi Phi, made up of two sister islands, offers yet another experience. White sand beaches are set against jagged cliffs that rise dramatically out of the water. Cosy resorts hide among the pandanus trees, and although the island can get crowded, solitude is never more than a longtail boat ride away to a secluded cove or mini island.

On the popular islands of Krabi and Phuket, brace yourself for a whirl of hedonism that can be intoxicating. But they have a lot more to them than meets the eye, and with a little coaxing they’ll happily reveal their secrets.

Three hours away from Bangkok, Kanchanaburi holds its own against the allure of idyllic beaches and seaside shenanigans. The location for a host of WWII activity, most notably the building of the bridge over the River Kwai, Kanchanaburi provides a glimpse into another side of Thailand. The JEATH War Museum and War Cemetery are touching tributes to a past that the locals don’t want the world to forget. Other draws include the magnificent, limestone encrusted Phra That cave and Erawan National Park, famed for its dazzling stepped waterfalls. Seven levels of clear turquoise pools cascade into one another, creating a truly magnificent sight.

And don’t forget Thailand’s temples - glittering pagodas of towering gold, seemingly poking a hole through the veil between this realm and the next. Chiang Mai has some of the country’s best specimens, and with its long, leafy boulevards, makes for a refreshing change from the beaches.

Thailand is a real mixed bag of experiences, and the best part is you don’t need to dig too deep to come up a winner.