THAILAND

WELCOME TO THAILAND!

"Where the world’s your oyster, the bars are temples but the girls ain’t free!"
(If you’re in Bangkok, definitely give One Night in Bangkok by Murray Head a listen—it’s a must!)

Now, back to the beautiful land of Thailand! From the stunning mountains in the north to the breathtaking beaches in the south, you could easily spend two months exploring this country and still not see everything. Thailand stands out for its incredibly friendly people—some of the kindest in Asia. It’s safe, offers unbelievably delicious food, and is packed with activities for every type of traveler. Unlike many other Southeast Asian countries, Thailand was never colonized, meaning you won’t find French or British influences here (aside from the tourists from those countries, of course!).On this page, you’ll discover the do’s and don’ts of traveling in Thailand, must-see spots, and places you might want to skip. Stay tuned to make the most of your Thai adventure!

PLACES IN THAILAND

| TABLE OF CONTENTS

  • Best time to visit

  • Weather

  • Itineraries

  • Accomodations

  • Food/Culture/Religion

  • Transportation

  • Safety

  • Budget

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The best time to visit Thailand is from November to February. This way, you can escape the winter months and enjoy the sunshine in Thailand. Additionally, the Yi Peng Festival takes place at the end of November, which is an incredibly amazing event to experience at least once in your life. You might recognize the festival from photos. At the festival, you can buy a wish lantern and release it into the sky. On a dark November evening, the sky is adorned with all these lights floating upwards. It’s one of the most special things I’ve ever had the chance to witness!

So, if you’re planning to visit Thailand in November, be sure to add it to your travel itinerary to be in Chiang Mai, Thailand, by the end of November. Dates may vary each year, so make sure to check the exact timing of the festival and book your accommodation in advance. Want to learn more about this festival? Be sure to check it out here!

WEATHER

Northern Thailand
Temperatures in Northern Thailand can rise quickly during the day but often drop significantly in the evening. April and May are the hottest months, so you might want to avoid visiting the north during this time. Unlike other regions, there are no beaches here to cool off, only mountainous landscapes. Due to the higher altitudes, it can also cool down quite a bit at night. The north doesn’t have a distinct rainy season, though you may experience occasional heavy showers that pass quickly. A positive aspect of these short rains is that they keep the scenery lush, green, and vibrant.

Central Thailand
The weather in Central Thailand is quite predictable, with constant temperatures around 30°C. This can feel stifling, especially if you plan to explore the city. A useful tip is to start your activities early in the morning to avoid the midday heat. This is especially relevant between May and October when heavy rainfall is common. However, these are typically tropical showers—intense rain for a short duration.

Southern Thailand
The weather in Southern Thailand varies depending on the region. In the southeast, it can still rain frequently in December, though you may also experience stunningly beautiful weather. On islands like Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao, the heaviest rain falls in November, with occasional rainfall lingering into December. The rest of the year is relatively dry.

In Phuket, Krabi, and Koh Phi Phi, the monsoon season begins in April and lasts until June. This can bring days of continuous rain, although it’s also possible to experience just one downpour before it clears up. Don’t let the potential for rain deter you from visiting Thailand. I personally visited Northern Thailand in November and Southern Thailand in December, and I didn’t experience a single drop of rain!

ITINERARIES

Thailand is a long country, and it's quite inconvenient that you often start in the middle, in the capital Bangkok. After spending some time in Bangkok, your first stop should be in the north. This way, you can enjoy an adventurous start with plenty of hiking and sightseeing before heading south to relax on the beach. Keep in mind that in Thailand, you might often need an internal flight. The distance from the north to the south is too large to cover by bus or train, especially if you have limited time.

    • Bangkok (2-3 days)

    • Fly to Krabi (2-3 days)

    • Koh Phi Phi (1-2 days)

    • Fly back to Bangkok

    • Bangkok (2 days)

    • Fly to Chiang Rai (2 days)

    • Pai (3-4 days)

    • Chiang Mai (2 days)

    • Fly to Koh Samui & Boat to Koh Tao (4 days)

    • Khao Sok National Park (2 days)

    • Koh Phi Phi (3 days)

    • Krabi (2 days)

    • Fly back to Bangkok

    • Bangkok (2-3 days)

    • Kanchanaburi (4 days)

    • Chiang Mai (3-4 days)

    • Pae Pae Living with the Monks (2-3 days)

    • Pai (3-5 days)

    • Chiang Rai (2 days)

    • Fly to Koh Samui & Boat to Koh Tao (3-8 days)

    • Koh Phangan (2-3 days)

    • Khao Sok National Park (2 days)

    • Koh Phi Phi (3 days)

    • Koh Lanta (2-3 days)

    • Krabi (2 days)

    • Flight back to Bangkok

ACCOMODATIONS

Hostels in Thailand are generally fantastic! They tend to be a bit more expensive compared to places like Laos or Vietnam, especially in Bangkok and on the islands, so keep that in mind. Thailand truly offers something for everyone. You’ll find lively party hostels where you can meet lots of social and fun people, as well as quieter hostels that cater to those who prefer their own space.

The best hostels I stayed at in Thailand were:

  • Backpack Hostel in Chiang Mai

  • Revolution Hostel in Koh Tao

  • The Pier 519 Hostel in Koh Phi Phi

FOOD / CULTURE / RELIGION

Food
Vietnam boasts one of the best cuisines in Let's start with the food in Thailand. You've probably heard a lot about it, and maybe even tried some already. But Thai cuisine is one of the best in Asia! From curries to delicious noodles, there’s something for everyone. What should you definitely not miss on your trip to Thailand? A mouthwatering Pad Thai, a variety of curries (Massaman, Panang, red, yellow, and green!), and also Tom Yum soup. If you're more into snacks and less into traditional dishes, I highly recommend trying the banana pancake with Nutella and the toasted sandwiches from 7-Eleven.

Culture
The Thai people are incredibly helpful and treat others with a lot of respect. Of course, there are always a few less kind people here and there, but overall, I look back on my experience in Thailand with a very positive and peaceful vibe. People are quick to bow as a sign of respect, for example, when you pay for something or when you leave a place. They are also extremely hard-working and always strive to do things well for tourists.

Religion
The majority of the population (94%) is Buddhist. At some point in their life, every Thai man retreats to live as a monk in one of the many monasteries for a few years. Everyone is very respectful towards the monks, so as a tourist, it’s important to accept and follow this tradition, as we are guests in their country.

TRANSPORTATION

Just like in many other countries, transportation in Thailand is super easy. You can book your transport through platforms like 12Go, but from my experience, this can often be quite a bit more expensive. A better alternative? Go to local tour operators. These tour companies are usually much cheaper and even better. These people ensure that you get from one place to another safely. The transport is often much smaller, which means you travel in a smaller group, making the experience much more comfortable. Because these local tour operators have to compete with larger companies like 12Go, they tend to be much friendlier and go out of their way to make sure you have a great experience.

How do you find these tour operators? Often, I would walk to the pier if I needed a boat and ask which spots they still had available. Alternatively, I’d head to the center of the town, and there’d usually be one on every corner. The people there provide the best information, give you a ticket, and tell you exactly where and when to be. Super convenient!

SAFETY

When it comes to safety, I’ve never felt unsafe in Thailand. In fact, I often felt safer walking the streets at night in Thailand than I sometimes have in the Netherlands. Even though some islands have a reputation for not being safe, I’ve noticed that this is often just propaganda from other islands, especially when one island receives more tourist attention than another.

The only thing to keep in mind in Thailand is if you want to rent a scooter. I think most accidents happen with scooters. Make sure you’re well-prepared, stay alert, and avoid accidentally getting on a scooter that's in poor condition, as this sometimes happens.

BUDGET

Even though people say Thailand is cheap, it can sometimes be surprising. I was a budget backpacker, but I still ended up spending quite a bit in Thailand. How come, you might wonder? Especially food. For a good, healthy breakfast, you can easily pay 4 to 6 euros. Dinner is similar, or maybe a bit less if you decide to eat locally. I personally only ate twice a day to keep costs down, and because, with good meals, two meals a day are usually enough.

For the northern part of Thailand, I spent around €1000 for 2.5 weeks.

For the southern part, I spent around €1800 for 4 weeks. Keep in mind, that this includes my diving certification and advanced diving certification (€600), as well as domestic flights (€380). I was really careful with my spending, but the south of Thailand turned out to be a more expensive period, possibly because I celebrated Christmas and New Year's there. So, be aware that the south might cost you a bit more.

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