Think of Thailand and you’ll no doubt conjure up images of fabulous beaches and the odd Buddhist temple. But did you know there are a host of adventure activities to take in during a trip to the Golden Land? Perfect for all the family, Thailand offers a wealth of fun pursuits surrounded by fantastic scenery and beneath a warming sun. Okay, so mostly I love to promote Scotland as the outdoors heaven,  but just occasionally it’s good to try a different country, culture and sun!

The other thing I imagined was that a holiday in Thailand would be on the pricey side. Apparently not. These days (and according to a good source) flights to Thailand can cost as little as £400 return. Remember, too, that this expense is very quickly recouped thanks to a much cheaper cost of living while on holiday, including good food and drink for just a few pounds each time.

Seven adventure ideas for Thailand

Caverns and caves: Explore the caverns and ancient caves spread throughout the Mae Hong Son Province and the Pang Mapha District. Hire a guide so that you can walk the labyrinths amid collapsed and vertical caves. Our top tip is to take a flashlight so you will not miss a thing.

Elephant trips: Whether it’s a shorter half-day ride or a week-long trek, Northern Thailand is the place to head for elephant adventures. Dedicated guides will show you some of the most beautiful destinations that most tourists do not get to see, taking in amazing forests and fabulous jungles on the back of an elephant.

Mountain biking: Rent a bike and explore the great outdoors on two wheels. Why not pedal your way through Bangkok and the surrounding cities, or explore the great outdoors and visit Kanchanaburi?

White water rafting and abseiling: One of the newest adventures in Thailand is not for the faint hearted. Ride the rapids in Southern Thailand for thrills – and occasional spills! If you want to try something a bit more challenging then make the most of amazing waterfalls for a spot of abseiling the waterfalls. Abseiling down a 40ft waterfall will get the adrenaline pumping.

Snorkelling and scuba diving: Even if you have never strapped on a tank before, you can learn how to scuba dive in Thailand. Take a diving programme and you will be exploring the reefs in no time. If you would rather see the tropical fish from the surface, go snorkelling in Phang-Nga.

Kayaking: One of the best ways to take in the stunning beauty of Thailand is by kayak.  Tarutao, Trang and Khao Sok offer the chance to travel by sea kayak, where the wildlife will be undisturbed as you paddle your way through the lush and tropical jungle.

Sky diving: Take in a bird’s eye view and make the most of the great weather conditions by sky diving. Get it off your bucket list and jump out of a plane!

And once you have had your fill of thrilling adventures, you can always head to one of Thailand’s utterly gorgeous beaches for a bit of a chill out.