From its enchanting rainforests, rambling mountains and lumbering elephants to its far-flung islands, heavenly beaches and kaleidoscopic marine life, not to mention its frenetic cities strewn with glittering Buddhist temples, cloud-piercing skyscrapers and honking traffic, Thailand will impress you at every turn. And then there’s the food. A symphony of flavours and zingy fresh local ingredients — tangy lemongrass, sweet coconuts, chillies that will give you double vision, seafood plucked straight from the ocean — which varies from region to region.
Having honed its place as Southeast Asia’s leading tourism destination over the last 50 years, the Land of Smiles has the widest variety of attractions in the region. Get your big city kicks — temple tours, bargain shopping, eating and drinking at riotous night markets, rooftop bar-hopping — in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Venture into the countryside — Chiang Rai, Surin, Khao Sok National Park — for supersized jungles, rolling rice fields, fascinating hill tribes and wondrous wildlife. Explore, swim, snorkel and go scuba diving along a coastline that stretches over 3,000 kilometres, from the Andaman Sea in the west to the Gulf of Thailand in the east, peppered along the way with more than 1,400 palm-painted islands. Sail through the emerald karst-studded waters of Phang Nga Bay. Practise yoga along Krabi’s sea cliffs. Catch a Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan. Recuperate a spa retreat on Koh Samui. One thing that Thailand can guarantee is that you will not be bored.
Main photo: Railay Beach (Getty Images)
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What to do
Begin by taking a big juicy bite out of the Big Mango. While it’s possible to find the odd flight going direct to Phuket or Chiang Mai, it’s more fun to bookend your trip with a few days in Bangkok, the Thai capital, freewheeling between the Grand Palace, Wat Pho Temple and the Chao Phraya River, and downtown’s shopping malls, street markets, sleek cocktails bars and sensational restaurants.
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From here, hop on a luxury river cruise to the beautiful Buddhist ruins of Ayutthaya, (one of six Unesco world heritage sites in Thailand), before taking the train north to Chiang Mai, a creative hub that’s home to hundreds of lavishly decorated temples, art galleries, down-the-generations artisans and — at the top of almost everyone’s Thailand’s wishlist — elephants. Just be sure to do your research to ensure you visit an ethically run sanctuary.
If you’ve a few days to spare, venture to northern Thailand’s bucolic countryside to meditate with monks, float down lazy rivers and marvel at the sun rising above the Golden Triangle’s cloud forests, before flitting south to the tropical island delights of Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi on the southwest Andaman Sea coast, or Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Ang Thong National Marine Park in the Gulf of Thailand.
There’s still plenty more to see — Thailand is enormous — from some of the world’s oldest rainforests set in national parks, to the vast varied landscapes of the little visited northeast, to sea gypsy enclaves in the far south.
Where to stay
Thailand has no shortage of accommodation options, from backpacker hostels and family-friendly hotels to stilted wooden homestays, swish heritage hotels and five-star skyscrapers. All of the major international brands have a presence in the country but there are also plenty of homegrown design-led hotel operators worth seeking out, such as Sala, Akyra and 137 Pillars.
Bangkok has a head-spinning choice of places to stay. Lining the banks of the Chao Phraya River are some of the country’s most glamorous luxury hotels, including the glorious 145-year-old Mandarin Oriental. While downtown is awash with creative and affordable accommodation within easy reach of markets, malls and rooftop bars. Chiang Mai has a fantastic line of small independently owned hotels, both in the city and the surrounding countryside. Phuket and Koh Samui excel at beautiful beach retreats, although staying in the country’s most popular beach destinations does come at a premium.
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• Best hotels in Thailand
• Best family hotels in Thailand
• Best hotels in Bangkok
• Best hotels in Phuket
Don’t miss
Thailand’s festivals are a sight to behold and catching one will add an extra cultural dimension to any trip. Songkran, the Thai New Year celebrations, kicks off on April 13 every year and lasts for three days. It’s an occasion for family gatherings, temple visits and massive laughter-fuelled water fights from one end of the country to the other.
The Phuket Vegetarian Festival falls according to the lunar calendar but usually happens in September. Not one for the faint-hearted, this event is bloodier than it sounds, made up of 11 dramatic days during which devotees perform ritual self-mutilations involving vegetables and sharp instruments. Google it at your peril.
And then there’s Loy Krathong, when Thailand’s skies fill with lanterns and its waterways turn into rivers of candlelight. The festival of lights usually falls in November and the best places to see it are the ancient capital of Sukhothai (where the festival is thought to have originated) and Chiang Mai, where thousands of lanterns are released into the night sky.
When to visit
Rainy season varies across the country but you’ll find clear skies and sunshine everywhere from December to March.
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FAQs
How much should I budget for a trip to Thailand?
A mid-range budget of £100 per day will cover stylish accommodation, meals and some tours.
Where should I avoid in Thailand?
Only Pattani, Yala, Natirthwat and parts of the Southern Songkhla province, close to the border with Malaysia, are off-limits to tourists, having been subject to terrorist attacks.
What’s the best month to visit?
January
Currency
Thai baht
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