By Blaise Jaeger · Updated October 13, 2026

Thailand is the easiest country in Southeast Asia to travel, and one of the most varied: the temples and rooftops of Bangkok, the mountains and tea plantations of the north, and two coasts of islands, the Andaman Sea with Phuket and Krabi, and the Gulf of Thailand with Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. It is called the Land of Smiles, and after five trips I understand why.

This guide is the starting point of all my Thailand pages: where to go, how to combine the regions, when to go and what to know before you leave. Each destination has its own detailed guide, linked below.

Thailand at a Glance

• Capital: Bangkok, the gateway for most international flights.
• Currency: the Thai baht (THB). Cards work in hotels, malls and Grab; boats, markets and small restaurants are often cash only.
• Language: Thai. English is widely spoken in tourist areas.
• Regions: Bangkok and the centre, the mountainous north, the Andaman coast in the west and the Gulf of Thailand in the east.
• Getting around: domestic flights between the regions, ferries between the islands, Grab in the cities. See my guide to getting around Thailand.
• Best time: November to April for the Andaman coast and the north; the Gulf of Thailand has its own calendar, with the heaviest rain from October to December.

My Trips to Thailand

I have travelled to Thailand five times. In October 2022, I spent five days in Bangkok, with a trip to the temples of Angkor in Cambodia in the middle. In February 2024, I stayed in Rawai, in the south of Phuket, then flew to Koh Samui and continued to Koh Phangan. In October 2024, I went back to Bangkok and flew north to Chiang Rai for three days.

In February 2025, I crossed the Andaman islands by boat, from Phuket to Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta and Ao Nang. In March 2026, I came back to Phuket for a liveaboard diving trip to the Similan Islands and Richelieu Rock and a boat tour of Phang Nga Bay.

Where to Go in Thailand

Bangkok: temples, rooftops and canals

Bangkok is where most trips start, and it deserves three days: the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun along the river, the street food of Chinatown, the glass floor of the Mahanakhon SkyWalk, rooftop bars and the floating markets of Thonburi. Read my Bangkok travel guide.

Chiang Rai and the north

In the far north, Chiang Rai is a small, relaxed city surrounded by mountains, tea plantations and extraordinary modern temples: the White Temple, the Blue Temple and the nine-tiered pagoda of Wat Huay Pla Kang. The Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet on the Mekong, is an hour away. We spent three days there and rented a scooter. Read my Chiang Rai travel guide.

Phuket

Phuket, the largest island of the country, is much more varied than its reputation: quiet beaches in the south around Rawai and Nai Harn, the Black Rock viewpoint, the colourful Sino-Portuguese old town, and the busy nightlife of Patong. It is also the departure point for Phang Nga Bay, Koh Phi Phi and the diving trips to the Similan Islands. Read my Phuket travel guide.

Phang Nga Bay

Between Phuket and the mainland, Phang Nga Bay is the most spectacular landscape of the Andaman coast: hundreds of limestone towers rising from an emerald sea, sea caves explored by kayak, and Ko Tapu, the famous James Bond Island. I did it as a day trip by big boat from Phuket. Read my Phang Nga Bay guide.

Krabi, Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta

South-east of Phuket, the province of Krabi groups the most famous islands of the Andaman coast: Koh Phi Phi and its turquoise lagoons, Railay Beach below its climbing cliffs, the beach town of Ao Nang, and the quieter Koh Lanta. To choose between them, start with my comparison of Krabi, Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta, and for the boats, my guide on how to get to Koh Phi Phi.

Koh Samui and Koh Phangan

On the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Samui combines beautiful beaches, beach clubs and easy comfort, with boat trips to the sandbar of Ko Mat Sum and the dive site of Sail Rock. Next door, Koh Phangan is wilder, with Bottle Beach, reachable only by boat. Read my Koh Samui travel guide.

Diving in Thailand

Thailand is one of the best diving countries in Southeast Asia. On the Andaman side, the Similan Islands, Koh Bon and Richelieu Rock are reached by liveaboard from Phuket or Khao Lak, from October to May; on the Gulf side, Sail Rock and Koh Tao are diveable most of the year. Read my guides to diving in Thailand and to the North Andaman liveaboard.

Thailand Itineraries Based on My Trips

• One week, Bangkok and the north: three days in Bangkok, a flight to Chiang Rai for three days, and back. This was my October 2024 trip.
• Ten days, the two coasts: a few days in Phuket, a flight to Koh Samui, then the ferry to Koh Phangan. This was my February 2024 trip.
• One week of island hopping on the Andaman coast: Phuket, two nights on Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, Ao Nang and Railay, then back to Phuket by speedboat. This was my February 2025 trip, detailed in how to get to Koh Phi Phi.
• Two weeks: combine Bangkok and Chiang Rai with one of the two coasts. Fly between the regions to save days; see getting around Thailand.

Best Time to Visit Thailand

There is no single season for the whole country. Bangkok and the north are most pleasant from November to February, when it is drier and cooler; March to May is very hot, and in the north the burning season can bring smoke and haze around March and April. On the Andaman coast, the best months are November to April, while the southwest monsoon makes the sea rougher from May to October. The Gulf of Thailand, with Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, has its heaviest rain from October to December and good weather from January to August.

My own trips illustrate it: Phuket and the islands in February and March, under blue skies; Bangkok and Chiang Rai in October, at the end of the rainy season, with afternoon showers and the rivers still high after the September 2024 floods.

Getting Around Thailand

Fly between Bangkok, the north and the islands; take ferries, speedboats and longtails between the islands; and use Grab in Bangkok and Phuket. I detail all my journeys, with the routes and booking links, in my guide to getting around Thailand. Flights, ferries and transfers can be compared on 12Go.

Where to Stay in Thailand

• Bangkok: Silom and Sathorn for Lumphini Park, Sukhumvit and Thonglor for restaurants and nightlife, the riverside for the temples. See hotels in Bangkok.
• Chiang Rai: the city centre near the clock tower, or a lodge in the countryside. See hotels in Chiang Rai.
• Phuket: Rawai and Nai Harn for calm, Phuket Town for the old town, Patong for the nightlife. See hotels in Phuket.
• Krabi and the islands: Ao Nang for the mainland, Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta for the islands. See hotels in Ao Nang, Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta.
• Koh Samui and Koh Phangan: Chaweng and the hills around for Samui, Mae Haad and the north coast for Phangan. See hotels in Koh Samui and Koh Phangan.

Each destination guide gives the places where I stayed and the areas I recommend.

Practical Tips for Your Trip to Thailand

• Entry rules: many nationalities can enter Thailand without a visa for a short stay, but the rules have changed several times in recent years. Check the current conditions with the Thai embassy of your country before you book.
• Money: Thai ATMs charge a fixed fee on each withdrawal with a foreign card, so take out larger amounts less often. Keep cash for boats, markets and tuk-tuks.
• Phone: a local SIM card or an eSIM is cheap and makes Grab and maps much easier.
• Temples: cover your shoulders and knees, and take off your shoes before entering a temple hall.
• Respect: the monarchy is deeply respected in Thailand, and criticising it is a criminal offence.
• Scams: be wary of anyone who tells you that a temple is closed today and offers a cheap tuk-tuk tour instead.

Thailand Travel FAQ

How many days do you need in Thailand?

One week is enough for Bangkok and one region, such as Chiang Rai or the islands. With ten days to two weeks, you can combine Bangkok, the north and one coast.

Which is better, the Andaman coast or the Gulf of Thailand?

It depends on the month. From November to April, the Andaman coast, with Phuket, Krabi and Koh Phi Phi, has the best weather and the most spectacular limestone scenery. In the summer months, the Gulf of Thailand, with Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, is usually the better choice.

What is the best island in Thailand for a first trip?

Phuket is the easiest, with direct flights and every type of beach and hotel. Koh Phi Phi is the most spectacular, and Koh Samui the most comfortable on the Gulf side.

Is Thailand safe for tourists?

Yes, generally. The main risks are road accidents, especially on scooters, rough seas on small boats, and tourist scams in the busiest areas.

What is the cheapest way to travel around Thailand?

Overland by bus or train, but domestic flights booked early are often barely more expensive and save whole days. Between islands, the standard ferry is cheaper than the speedboat.

If you are travelling further in the region, see my top 5 destinations in Southeast Asia and my guide to Angkor.