Chiang Mai International Airport is the international airport serving Chiang Mai, the capital city of the Chiang Mai Province, and the major gateway to Northern Thailand. Click here for a list of airlines that offer direct flights to Chiang Mai. The mountainous, northern part of Thailand is less humid and experiences the greatest variation in temperatures. Throughout the cool and dry season, evenings can be chilly here due to the lack of cloud cover, with temperatures occasionally approaching the freezing level on the higher slopes. However, this region is often hotter than the rest of the country between March and May, when it is not unusual for the mercury to break into the 100s Fahrenheit . The hot and wet season, which lasts from June to August, is marked by daily heavy downpours, which bring relief for the sticky, humid weather.

The town comes alive for the Lanna boat races, usually held in late October or early November. Ko Pha NganIn recent years, backpackers have tended to move over to Ko Samui’s fun-loving little sibling, which still has a comparatively simple atmosphere. The most popular activities on Ko Pha Ngan are round-island boat trips, from Hat Rin and Hat Yao, and trips to Ang Thong National Marine Park. Other activities include learning to cook Thai food, bicycle tours, yoga, meditation and kiteboarding. Chiang RaiIn the last few years Chiang Rai has acquired several genuine sights of interest, notably the Mae Fah Luang Art & Cultural Park, a beautiful storehouse of Lanna art. Gulf CoastSouthern Thailand’s gently undulating Gulf coast is famed above all for the Samui archipelago, three small, idyllic islands lying off the most prominent hump of the coastline.

Essential Thailand Travel Tips

Couchsurfing connects you with locals who will give you not only a free place to stay, but also a local tour guide who can introduce you to all the great places to see. Stick to travel agents who are selling on the ground (they’re easy to find, and your guesthouse will probably have someone). https://knnit.com/thailand-travel-guide/ If the first travel agent won’t negotiate with you, move on to the next. Activities – Day tours cost 500-1,200 THB (15-36 USD) depending on the activity. Jungle trekking costs 1,000-1,685 THB (30-50 USD) per day. Keep in mind, you have more bargaining power if you go with a group.

This is one of the most popular tourist islands in Thailand. From the famous of Maya Bay to the monkeys on the aptly named Monkey Beach to the diving and nightlife, there are reasons people flock here. Destroyed by the tsunami in 2004, the island has been rebuilt and developed to an even greater extent than before. Sure you can come to Thailand and ride an elephant, but so many of them in this country suffer from abuse.

Top National Parks In Thailand

Islands with multiple Internet cafés include Ko Phi Phi , Ko Lanta , Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan, Ko Tao, Ko Chang , Ko Samet , Ko Si Chang , and of course Phuket. If you plan to travel long distances by motorbike, purchase a good quality helmet, which you can do in Thailand. Last but not least, pack your stuff in plastic bags to stop them from getting wet, especially when travelling in the rainy season or on boats. You will only need a couple of changes of clothes since you can get washing done anywhere cheaply. Sandals for when your hiking shoes are too hot can be bought cheaply in Thailand, although large sizes for women are harder to come by.

thailand travel guide

However, there are a few things that will blow your budget . If you’re on a really tight budget , here’s how to save even more money during your visit. If you’re looking to stay in Western hotels or expensive resorts, eat mostly Western food or in tourist areas, drink a lot, do a lot of tours, and fly a lot, you should budget 3,300–5,000 THB (100–150 USD) per day. If you’re backpacking Thailand, plan to budget between 825–1150 THB (25–35 USD) per day. This range will get you your own room with a shared bathroom , food from the street stalls, a couple of drinks per day, a few tours here and there, and local transportation. Pai has grown as a tourist destination in more recent years, but it is still a great place to escape some of the craziness of your larger cities.

Around Bangkok

The general low cost of travel in Thailand itself makes the country ideal for cost-efficiency minded tourists. Also, many of the golf courses in Thailand have been designed by top names in the game such as Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Greg Norman. Bangkok is at the start of many visitors’ itineraries, and while a modern city, it has a rich cultural heritage.

  • Everything is perfectly prepared for tourists, and we usually just say that in Thailand tourists seem to be packages that arrive at the destination without even putting to much effort in it.
  • Everything in this list is explained in detail along with this post.
  • Welcome to your one-stop-shop for all you need to know about visiting the tropical island of Thailand.
  • Portions aren’t too generous, but at that price you can get two!

Bar girls, go-go girls and freelancers are all professionals, who are far more likely to be interested in money you can give them than in any continuing relationship for its own sake. Cases of visitors falling desperately in love and then being milked out of all they are worth abound. Thailand has a high rate of STD infection, including HIV/AIDS, both among the general population and among prostitutes.