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.

When to Go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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.

Cities & Regions

Bangkok & the Central Plain

The megacity and its day-trip belt of rivers, ruins and waterfalls.

Bangkok — Grand Palace at golden hourBangkokRooftop bars, street food and riverside skyline energy73 visual guides Ayutthaya — Wat Chaiwatthanaram at sunsetAyutthayaRiverside ruins an easy train ride from Bangkok Kanchanaburi — Erawan FallsKanchanaburiEmerald Erawan waterfalls and River Kwai history photoPattayaHigh-rise beachfront, water parks and neon nightlife Sukhothai — Wat Mahathat at sunriseSukhothaiCycle lotus-pond ruins of Siam’s first capital

The North

Cool mountains, café culture and slow hill-country road trips.

Chiang Mai — Doi Suthep at sunriseChiang MaiCafé culture and misty Doi Suthep viewpoints Chiang Rai — Wat Rong Khun, the White TempleChiang RaiWhite Temple art and Golden Triangle river views Mae Hong Son — Pang Oung lake at dawnMae Hong Son1,864 mountain curves to misty lakes and Pai

Andaman Coast

Limestone karst seascapes along the west-coast island A-list.

Phuket — James Bond Island in Phang Nga BayPhuket & Phi Phi IslandsPhang Nga Bay boat days and big-resort beaches Krabi — Railay Beach with longtail boatsKrabi & Railay BeachLimestone cliffs, rock climbing and longtail beaches

Gulf Islands

The east-side islands — in season when the Andaman is wet.

Koh Samui — Big Buddha at Wat Phra YaiKoh Samui & Koh TaoPool-villa luxury and world-class dive schools

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 below alongside the rest.

Tourist Map

Thailand tourist mapIllustrated Thailand mapsBrowse the full hand-drawn collection — every city and island, offline-friendly.

Plan Your Trip