Thailand
Temples, islands, the world’s best street food, and a country that has been making travellers feel welcome for half a century.
Thailand is the practical hub of mainland Southeast Asia — cheap, easy, and well-connected. Visas are forgiving for most western passports, the rail and bus network is good, and the country splits cleanly into three regions: Bangkok and the central plain, the slower north around Chiang Mai, and the islands. The Andaman Sea side and the Gulf side have opposing weather patterns, which means there is always a beach in season somewhere on the map.
Cities & Regions
- Bangkok
- Pattaya
- Ayutthaya
- Kanchanaburi
- Sukhothai
- Chiang Mai
- Chiang Rai
- Mae Hong Son
- Phuket & Phi Phi Islands
- Krabi & Railay Beach
- Koh Samui & Koh Tao
More to Explore
A few singular sights worth a detour from the main loop — less-visited corners that still photograph beautifully. Phraya Nakhon cave at Khao Sam Roi Yot, Phanom Rung and Phimai in Isan, all rotate through the slideshow above alongside the rest.
When to Go
The cool dry season (November through February) is the marquee window — sunny, low humidity, and the high-season prices to match. March and April are hot enough that the locals slow down; the Songkran water festival in mid-April is either a reason to come or a reason to leave, depending on your tolerance for getting soaked. The southwest monsoon hits the Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi) from May to October, while the Gulf side (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan) has its rainier window from October to December — useful to know if you are picking which beach to fly to.