Travel Map of Thailand and Laos

Thailand and Laos are neighboring countries. Understanding the geographical relationship between the two countries can effectively help you design your journey.

You can observe that, first of all, their overall outlines are very different. Thailand resembles the head and long nose of an elephant, while the map of Laos resembles a coconut tree. Secondly, Thailand has a significantly larger land area than Laos. But Laos is no less beautiful than Thailand!

Today, we’re going to introduce you to the travel map of Thailand and Laos, including their locations, tourist attractions, and recommended routes between the two countries. Take a look at the following text. We hope you’ll get the useful information that you want!

Where Are Thailand and Laos on the Map

Thailand
On the Indochina peninsula of Southeast Asia, Thailand (the Kingdom of Thailand) is one of the most popular travel destinations in Asia. It is southeast to Myanmar, southwest to Laos, northwest to Cambodia, and north to Malaysia. Thailand has long coasts on the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, with many islands, such as Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Samui, etc.

The relaxing beaches and crystal blue oceans of southern Thailand attract millions of tourists from all over the world. Also, the elephant experience and hill-tribe culture in north Thailand, as well as the delicious food of Thailand are the amazing attractions that Thailand has.

Laos
Laos, officially known as the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, is famous for its simple lifestyle, Buddhist culture, and natural scenery. Sharing borders with Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south, Thailand to the west, and Myanmar and China to the north, Laos is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia.

The Mekong River enters Laos from Thailand runs through the whole country from north to south and finally enters Cambodia. The main tourist destinations of Laos, such as Luang Prabang, Vientiane, and Vang Vieng are mainly located in the Northern and Central areas of Laos.

Detailed Tourist Map of Thailand and Laos

Thailand Tourist Map
Thailand is located in the heart of Southeast Asia, with Bangkok as its capital and a permanent population of approximately 10 million people.

Bangkok and Chiang Mai are major tourist destinations when having a classic Thailand tour, as well as Phuket and Pattaya on the east coast. There are different scenic spots in its northern, central, and southern regions. Continue reading for more travel references!

Northern Thailand: Suitable for Exploring History and Culture
Northern Thailand, sharing the border with Myanmar and Laos, consists of 5 parts, namely Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, Northern River Valleys, and Lower Northern Thailand from north to south. Among these, there are three important tourist cities in Thailand:

1. Chiang Rai, one of the oldest towns in Thailand, is located at the northern tip of Thailand. It is the gateway to the Golden Triangle. And it takes only 1.5 hours to drive.
2. Chiang Mai is the second largest province of Thailand. Because many minority ethnic villages are living in the hills, it is also a stunning place to explore colorful ethnic cultures.
3. Sukhothai was once the capital of the first kingdom of Siam in the 13th - 15th centuries. Many people would pay a visit to the Sukhothai Historical Park to learn about the amazing past of this city.

Central Thailand: Suitable for the Discovery of Buddhism and Nature
Central Thailand, sharing the border with Myanmar and Cambodia, has 4 main tourist cities, namely Capital Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi, and Pattaya:

1. Bangkok, the largest capital city in Thailand, is the center of the Thai economy and culture. It is located in Central Thailand. Visit the Grand Palace and Wat Arun for sure to enjoy the beauty of Buddhist temples.
2. Ayutthaya is the second Siamese capital of Thailand. It is about 89 km north of Bangkok. Visit the site of temples and structures here for its worth of UNESCO’s world heritage.
3. Kanchanaburi is the largest of the central and western provinces of Thailand. Tourists are attracted by the history of its ancient civilization and the World War II Bridge over the River Kwai.
4. Pattaya is located in central and eastern Thailand. It is known as the “Hawaii of the East”. Visit Big Buddha Temple for sure and get the best view of Pattaya on the Big Buddha Hill.

Southern Thailand: Suitable for Beach Leisure and Jungle Vacation
In southern Thailand, the most popular destinations are islands or beaches: Phuket, Phi Phi Islands, and Koh Samui. Besides, Khao Sok National Park is also a nice place to visit.

1. Phuket Island is the largest island in Thailand. Here you can see the amazing mountain range extending from the north to the south. And of course for its relaxing sandy beach!
2. Phi Phi Islands are an island group in Thailand. Among them, Ko Phi Phi Don and Ko Phi Phi Le are the most famous ones. People who like quiet vibes can choose to go on a vacation there!
3. Koh Samui, as part of Surat Thani Province, is an island off the east coast of Thailand. There you can enjoy your trip freely such as surfing and wandering around, or sunbathing!
4. Khao Sok National Park, located also in Surat Thani Province, is the largest area of virgin forest in southern Thailand! Here you can see various flora and wild animals.

Two Weeks In-depth Thailand Historical Tour Package

Bangkok - Ayutthaya - Sukhothai – Doi Inthanon – Chiang Mai – Pai – Chiang Rai – Golden Triangle - Hua Hin - Bangkok

Laos Tourist Map
Laos, the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia without a coastline, has over 60 ethnic groups and a population of approximately 6.68 million.

Luang Prabang and Vientiane are major tourist attractions in Laos, as well as Vientiane in central and northern Laos and Pakse in southern Laos. Read the following text to get more reference information about Laos tour!

Northern Laos: Suitable for Buddhist Enthusiasts and Adventurers
Northern Laos shares the border with Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, and China. Luang Prabang, Vientiane, and Vang Vieng are the most popular cities.

1. Luang Prabang was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. You can visit the sacred Royal Palace Museum to appreciate the traditional Lao and French Beaux-Arts styles and the refreshing Kuang Si Waterfall to cool you down.
2. Vientiane is the capital and largest city of Laos. The top attractions to visit in Vientiane are Buddha Park, Patuxay Monument, Pha That Luang Stupa, Wat Si Saket, and the National Museum.
3. Vang Vieng is very popular with visitors around the world, specifically backpackers, seeking adventurous sports and the Karst Topography. Here you’ll have a chance to take a hot air balloon ride around 800 meters high!

Southern Laos: Suitable for Venturing into Niche Destinations
For tourists, southern Laos is a less traveled place, which is covered by mountains and the Mekong River runs through this area and goes south to Cambodia.

Pakse, the most populous city of the southern Laotian Champasak, is the fourth city of Laos. It is a jumping-off spot to visit nearby attractions like Vat Phou, the Bolaven Plateau, or Si Phan Don (4,000 Islands).

Among them, Si Phan Don is a group of islands located within the Mekong River. Most tourists come to appreciate the picturesque scenery and cultural landscape here, such as the spectacular Li Phi Waterfall and the historical significance of the Old French Railway Bridge.

9 Days Best of Laos Tour

Luang Prabang - Pakse - Vientiane

How to Travel between Thailand and Laos?

Different travel routes can be designed based on the map of Thailand and Laos. There are many travel routes here to explore Thailand and Laos.

Here are two of the most popular routes, one is a classic route and the other includes a cruise ship route. You can choose one according to your ideal routes or destinations based on your preferences.

The Most Classic Route for Thailand and Laos Tour
Tour Route: Luang Prabang – Vientiane – Bangkok – Chiang Mai - Phuket This classic tour lasts for 12 days. You’ll spend 6 days in Laos and 6 days in Thailand.

In Laos, you’ll visit the UNESCO city of Luang Prabang and the capital city of Vientiane. You can expect to visit the city and nature in Luang Prabang, such as the Royal Palace Museum and Kuang Si Waterfall. In Vientiane, go to see Patuxay Monument, the famous landmark.

In Thailand, you’ll visit the three most important tourist cities, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. The highlights are included such as visiting the Grand Palace in Bangkok, encountering the rescued elephants in Chiang Mai, and relaxing on the soft beach in Phuket.

Overall, if you want to travel between Thailand and Laos classically, this tour is suitable for you to enjoy the main attractions across these two countries completely.

12 Days Highlights of Thailand Laos Tour

Luang Prabang – Vientiane – Bangkok – Chiang Mai - Phuket

Most Recommended Thailand Laos Cruise Tour
Tour Route: Bangkok – Chiang Mai – Chiang Rai – Chiang Khong – Huay Xai – Pak Beng – Luang Prabang – Vang Vieng - Vientiane

This 15-day tour travels north from Bangkok, passing through Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and the Golden Triangle, to Chiang Khong, the border between Thailand and Laos, and then travels to Huay Xai, Laos. Continue heading towards the middle and upon arriving at Pak Beng, begin the Mekong River cruise to Luang Prabang.

During the trip, you can look forward to the Damnoen Saduak floating market in Bangkok and street food at the night market in Chiang Mai; Enjoy bathing in the hot springs and hanging around the Golden Triangle areas of Chiang Rai; During the Mekong River cruise, visit traditional riverside villages and experience their ancient rice cultivation and fishing techniques.

Then you’ll arrive in Luang Prabang, Laos, and you can look forward to attending the alms giving ceremony in the morning and riding an exciting hot air balloon in Vang Vieng. Finally, you can expect to go on a city stroll to the capital of Laos, Vientiane, and visit famous attractions such as Buddha Park and Patuxay Monument.

15 Days Classic Heritage and Nature Tour of Laos Thailand

Bangkok - Chiang Mai - Chiang Rai - Chiang Khong - Huay Xai - Pak Beng - Luang Prabang - Vang Vieng - Vientiane

Conclusion

Get your trip to Thailand and Laos ready now after knowing the travel map of Thailand and Laos and popular routes in the upper text. We’re here to help you customize your itinerary if you need. Always feel free to contact us for a further consultation!