Thinking of traveling to Thailand but not sure how to start planning? Planning a getaway to Thailand is easier than you think. First, imagine yourself lying on a hammock set in between palm trees with a coconut in hand. The sun is blazing and the water is crystal clear.
Sounds too good to be true? Well, between its many beautiful beaches, delicious local food, and the warm friendly people, Thailand has a lot to offer. Here are some tips on how to plan your next holiday to Thailand.
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Thai Visas… What You Need to Know
Thai Visas are relatively easy to obtain. Most of it is available upon arrival, or if coming from an ASEAN country, you get a free 30-day visa. For those that are planning to stay longer, consider applying for a 6 month visa in the Thai embassy in your home country before leaving.
This will save you from having to leave the country every 30 days. Most countries nowadays will ask for proof of an onwards flight exiting the country to consider this as the airport staff can refuse your entry.
What to Pack
Take a look at our tried and tested Thailand packing list featuring everything that we recommend taking with you during your trip.
Travel Insurance
Obviously not required but we recommend it. Thailand is home to some of the best scuba diving in the south and best motorbike rides in the north, so travel insurance is generally a good idea.
Travel Must: At the risk of sounding like your parents, make sure you get travel insurance before hitting the road. Trust us, it’s one of those things you don’t want to leave home without. We recommend either World Nomads or Safety Wing, depending on the type of traveler you are.
World Nomads cover a lot of adventure activities while Safety Wing is great for frequent travelers as they have monthly plans.
Whatever you do, make sure that you have the right insurance policy that will cover you for all the activities that you decide to do. Most insurance policies won’t cover you for motorcycle accidents if you don’t have a valid bike license at home so be cautious of that clause.
Editor’s Note: Check out our Full Thailand Travel Guide featuring our top tips
Where to Go and What to See in Thailand
When traveling on a limited time, do your research beforehand and plan which places you really want to see during your holiday. Book your flights in advance to get the best deals and make a list based on things you want to do.
Interested in island hopping? Possibly doing your scuba diving certification? Or maybe immersing yourself in the hustle and bustle of Bangkok’s organized chaos. For a relatively small country, there are loads of activities and things to do. Make a shortlist and plan your route according to what you want to see and do.
Insider Tip: Look into the schedule of holidays and big celebrations such as Songkran (a really awesome water festival) and Loy Krathong and try to fit it in your trip. There are also the monthly full moon festivals to look out for.
Bangkok
This crazy city is bound to be your first destination upon arrival in Thailand. Bangkok is loud, busy, vibrant, and full of energy. There are temples, shopping areas, and pretty much everything that you can imagine under the sun. Visit the famous Wat Pho and the Grand Palace.
Shop in the widely diverse Chatuchak weekend market or many malls and eat some delicious street food available all over the city. As for street food, our general rule of thumb, the more local the better! Be wary though as food in Thailand can get spicy! Not sure what to eat? Check out our guide on what to eat in Thailand.
Read: 10 Awesome Things to do in Bangkok
Northern Thailand- Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai and Pai!
If the hustle and bustle of Bangkok is getting to be too much for you, move on over to cities in the Northern part of Thailand. Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Pai are a few of my favorite destinations. Make the most out of the mountains in Northern Thailand and indulge in a few days of epic Chiang Rai, and Pai are a few of my favorite destinations. Make the most out of the mountains in Northern Thailand and indulge in a few days of epic trekking, white water rafting, and other adventurous activities.
The White Temple in Chiang Rai is a sight to see while Chiang Mai is a big cultural hub for wanders and digital nomads alike. A lot of tourists flock to the Tiger temple in Chiang Mai, an activity we strongly discourage as tTigersers are often drugged up and mistreated.
Be warned that even if these places have the words sanctuary or rescue center on it, a lot of them are still exploiting the animals, which is the case for a lot of elephant “sanctuaries” in Thailand. Do your research if you really must see them, or better yet-just avoid any activity which involves animals.
Insider Tip: Rent a motorbike and ride the Mae Hong Son Loop for a scenic drive around Northern Thailand. This trip may take a couple of days depending on how fast or slow you want to go. The scenery is amazing and is definitely worth doing if you have time.
The Thai Islands
Between the many islands to choose from, there is no shortage of beautiful beaches and underwater life in Thailand. Head over to Koh Tao to do your Open Water Scuba Diving Course or even better, why not go diving with Bull Sharks in Koh Phangan.
Popular places to visit are Koh Samui, Koh Lanta and of course, Koh Phangan for the full moon parties- just remember to party responsibly and clean up after yourselves. We personally prefer the quieter islands without the many crowds which is still possible to find! The Similan Islands are supposed to be a haven for divers and is a place to check out if you want to get your underwater fix.
Looking for Adventurous Things to do while on the Thai Islands? Check out these adventure reviews!
- Ultimate Guide to Thailand’s Best Beaches
- Scuba Diving in Koh Tao, Thailand
- The Best Dive Spots in Thailand: Must Dive Places!
Food in Thailand
Thailand is the holy grail of good food where everywhere you go serves delicious cheap meals! If you are in large cities like Bangkok or Chiang Mai, you also have access to a ton of Western meals so you are spoilt for choice.
If you want to learn more about Thai cuisine, you can also take cooking classes all over Thailand. Here are some of our top picks!
Getting Around Thailand
Transportation is one thing that you don’t need to worry about in Thailand as getting from point A to point B is easily arranged through your hostel, hotel, or neighborhood travel agent…and believe me, there is no shortage of them in Thailand!
Buses are cheap and convenient with many routes to different places while train travel is also a good way to get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. Remember book your flights in advance to get the best deals!
Transportation: We recommend downloading the Skyscanner App and using Bookaway or 12Go website to view bus, boat, and train schedules ahead of time. We’ve used these websites all over Asia and it saves us the hassle of lining up in travel agencies or bus stations.
Sa Wat Dee What?
Do yourself a favor and learn some basic Thai while you’re there. Although English is widely spoken, especially since Thailand is built up for tourists, it still won’t hurt to learn some basic phrases. Learn how to say hello, thank you, and other salutations will not only bring a smile to your trusty Pad Thai vendor but is also a sure way to earn some extra street cred.
Related: Basic Thai for Travelers: Essential Phrases You Need to Know
| Hello & Good Bye | Sa-wat dee (kha,krab) |
| Thank you | Khorb koon |
| How much? | Gee baht |
| Where is ……? | ……. yoo tee nai |
| I don’t want | Mai tong gaan |
| Sorry | Khor toat |
| Not Spicy | Mai Ped |
Cost of Traveling Thailand
Budget Backpacking is at its best in Thailand as there are so many reasonably priced, if not cheap accommodations available everywhere. You can generally easily survive on $25-30 a day, which covers your accommodation, food, and one or two beers at night.
The food in Thailand is delicious and cheap and is one of my favorites in the entire South East Asia! (One dollar Pad Thai’s for the win!)
So there it is! Whether you plan on spending your time sitting on a beach sipping cocktails, going on hikes, or exploring temples, Thailand has a little bit of everything for everybody.
Read on about other exciting activities to do in Thailand
- 10 Crazy Extreme Adventures to do in Thailand
- Cycling around Koh Yao Noi, Phuket
- Best Tuk Tuk Tour: Touring Chiang Mai
