Photographs selected by Jeff Campagna

With beautifully ornate, centuries-old buildings as lovely as its serene shores and national parks, Thailand offers more Instagram-worthy photo opportunities than an old roll of film could ever handle. From royal palaces to ancient ruins, it would be nearly impossible to see this Southeast Asian country in one trip. Luckily, you don’t have to try, thanks to these spectacular shots of Thailand from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest.

2 - The multiday Songkran festival celebrates the Thai New Year. Water represents the washing away of old suffering.
The multiday Songkran festival celebrates the Thai New Year. Water represents the washing away of old suffering. Pyae Phyo Thet Paing, Bangkok, 2023
3 - A close view offers the details of this beautiful flower found under a tree in Thailand.
A close view offers the details of this beautiful flower found under a tree in Thailand. Diana Bachu, Thailand, 2023

4 -Golden ornamentation accents the colorful and intricate roofing of Wat Pho, a centuries-old temple.
Golden ornamentation accents the colorful and intricate roofing of Wat Pho, a centuries-old temple. Ziyuan Wang, Bangkok, 2022
5 - Long-tail boats, an icon of Thai culture, play a major role in ferrying tourists and carrying fishermen to their fishing ground.
Long-tail boats, an icon of Thai culture, play a major role in ferrying tourists and carrying fishermen to their fishing ground. Daniel Heilig, Ko Lanta, 2019
6 - The sun rises over a floating village on Panyee Island in Thailand’s Phang Nga Bay.
The sun rises over a floating village on Panyee Island in Thailand’s Phang Nga Bay. Vitaly Golovatyuk, Phuket, 2022

7 - A man performs a spectacular fire show on the beach.
A man performs a spectacular fire show on the beach. Eugene Reshetov, Ko Samet, 2020
8 - A bird’s-eye view captures the skyline of the country’s capital city as the sun peeks out from the clouds.
A bird’s-eye view captures the skyline of the country’s capital city as the sun peeks out from the clouds. Pyae Phyo Thet Paing, Bangkok, 2022
9 - An opera performer applies heavy makeup during celebrations of Thailand’s annual Vegetarian Festival.
An opera performer applies heavy makeup during celebrations of Thailand’s annual Vegetarian Festival. Gil Kreslavsky, Bangkok, 2022

10 - A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ruins of Ayutthaya, founded around 1350, are characterized by ornate reliquary towers and gigantic monasteries.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ruins of Ayutthaya, founded around 1350, are characterized by ornate reliquary towers and gigantic monasteries. Eric Newnam, Ayutthaya, 2019
11 - Fishermen prepare to launch into the sea on a cloudy, yet sunny, day.
Fishermen prepare to launch into the sea on a cloudy, yet sunny, day. Anna Boycova, Phuket, 2023
12 - Beautifully weathered doors, with stylish frames, and overgrown flora mark the entrance to a somewhat camouflaged home.
Beautifully weathered doors, with stylish frames, and overgrown flora mark the entrance to a somewhat camouflaged home.  David Fagerlie, Chiang Mai, 2023

13 - In Thailand, where elephants are revered as sacred, their remains are buried in cemeteries by monks who pray for them before they’re interred.
In Thailand, where elephants are revered as sacred, their remains are buried in cemeteries by monks who pray for them before they’re interred. Jim Codington, Chon Buri, 2022
14 - The view of a stunning temple delights diners at this vegetarian restaurant.
The view of a stunning temple delights diners at this vegetarian restaurant. Peter Mossman, Chiang Rai, 2021
15 - Sam Phan Bok, considered by some the Grand Canyon of Thailand, is a natural wonder.
Sam Phan Bok, considered by some the Grand Canyon of Thailand, is a natural wonder. Pyae Phyo Thet Paing, Ubon Ratchathani, 2023

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Tracy Scott Forson is a senior editor at Smithsonian magazine.

Jeff Campagna

Jeff Campagna is a photo editor at Smithsonian magazine. You can follow him on Instagram at @jeffcampagna.