Scale up the side of a cliff, bounce through white-water rapids or cling on to the back of an elephant – outdoor pursuits take all shapes and sizes in Thailand.

An hour or so from Bangkok in Kanchanaburi sit jagged-edged mountain ranges and thick jungle that hides endangered species such as the tiger. Day trips or overnight stays can be arranged at all leading hotels. The beach may seem like a relaxing place to stay, but at Railay, in Krabi, many prefer to climb the limescale cliffs that surround the beach. To see an entirely different world, pull on a wetsuit and dive into the Andaman Sea, which has some of the world’s top dive sites and all kinds of marine life, from turtles to whale sharks.

Up north, treks take visitors through dense forests and often sleepover in remote hilltribe villages, which are keen to welcome guests and show them their way of life. Other options include kayaking, bicycling, motorbike and elephant treks. If you want to keep in shape while you’re away, check in at a Muay Thai boxing camp for a day’s training.