Thailand – quick travel guide

Low-cost Asian country with well-developed tourism spread across vibrant cities, tropical beach paradises, and peaceful nature.

Thailand is well-known nowadays thanks to its tourism being developed since the 1970’s, ahead of many other Asian countries. And it’s no surprise…nice people, amazing food, and plenty of familiar things already known to foreigners…thai food, muay thai boxing, marijuana-friendly, jungles and elephants, tropical beaches and islands, and yes X-rated debauchery and prostitution (yuck*).

Thailand has somehow managed to sustain its high tourism without losing too much of its authentic culture. Many locals speak some degree of English (even older ones). Reliable internet and mobile data throughout, accommodations with western-comfort, easy motorbike rentals or cheap Grab rideshare. All added together to make Thailand fun and adventurous, but also comfortable and easy.

Most people put a month in Thailand because there’s so much to see, but also offers many places to chill and do nothing. You could certainly see 3 or 4 key spots in 2 weeks, but travelers usually spend around 3-5 days for each place. It’s hard to rush your days through vibrant cities, adventure-filled jungles, and picturesque beach islands. So many places are worth staying longer in.

General tips for traveling in the Thailand:

• Mobile carrier – AIS is #1 and True is #2, both reliable and cheap. Buy from official store with your passport, don’t buy at airport. Prices are cheaper at official store than online. I got the lower-speed unlimited plan and it was fine. Get unlimited because most hotels/hostels in Thailand have crappy internet speed so you’ll rely on your mobile data.
• Cash preferred – places do take card but charge 5% extra. So better to pull cash from ATM.
• Transportation:
  • 12go.asia – used to book transfers, buses, trains, ferries in Thailand. Very cheap and easy. Take note of the contact WhatsApp and message them near pickup time. Never happened to me, but a friend mine missed her transfer one time because they simply forgot to pick her up.
  • Rideshare – Grab is the one. Has motorbikes, cars, larger vehicles for up to 10 passengers.
  • Flights – domestic flights are cheap enough and abundant. Can even wake up the morning of and decide to fly somewhere.
  • Bus – lots of buses available within the city and between cities.
• Weather:
  • Burning season – March and April is burning in the north. Don’t go as air is so badly polluted. But I’ve also heard of people going to Chiang Mai in March and saying it’s not so bad, or not noticeably worse than Bangkok. I went myself in mid-March and it was fine to me.
  • Hot season – March to June is considered best time to visit Thailand.
  • Wet season – aka monsoon season is Jul-Oct. Lots of rain, more intermittent in the beginning and consistent at the end. Rain will definitely affect your tours and overall experience (especially in beach areas).
  • Weather varies between north vs south, mountain vs beach regions. Research areas before you go.

Miscellaneous tips:

• Tap water – generally not drinkable, but most places have filtered water.
• Food delivery – Grab.
• Events:
  • Songkran Water Festival (April 13-15) – big annual new years festival officially on the 13th but festivities last from 13-15. It’s celebrated in traditional and modern ways to pay respects to the elders. But for the young folks, it’s a big water fight and celebrating and praying for water gods.
  • Full Moon Parties – beach island rave during full moon with thousands of people. The most popular “official” island for this is Koh Phangan, but I’ve heard many people who said they preferred the rave on other islands more.

Safety tips:

• Tuktuk scams:
  • Free tuktuk rides – there is no such thing as a free tuktuk ride! They will get charged, and probably a crazy price.
  • “Temple is closed” – they take you to the back of the temple (where it seems closed), or tell you before the ride that the temple is closed and offer to take you to another one or do other things that are probably farther and make them more money.
• Crime
• Street dogs
• Wild animals – elephants, venomous snakes and insects, poisonous plants, stinging jellyfish, aggressive monkeys (wanting your food).

Activities & Tours:

Foods to try:

• rice
  • fried rice
• noodles
  • paid thai
• soap
  • boat noodle soup
• meat dishes
  • dsf
  • dfd
• curry
• seafood
• street food
• desserts
• drinks
  • thai tea aka “milk tea” or thai milk tea

Customs & Language:

• Languages spoken – Thai, and though many locals speak some basic English (especially in tourist areas) most of them will speak none.
• Hello & Bye – sa wa di kaa
• Yes & No –
• Thank you – “khop khun” is most basic. To be more polite, “khop khun krub” (if you’re a male) or “khop khun ka” (if you’re a female)
• Dress code at temples – dress modestly. Everybody cover shoulders, females cover knees as well. They usually have some garments to lend you at the front if you need to cover up. Might also be a good idea to buy those big airy elephant pants to stay modest, respectful, shaded, and protect your legs from mosquitos.

Thailand cities (* = recommended, ** = must see):

• Bangkok** (CENTRAL) – incredible big city with many things to do. Many foreigners love it and stay. Others spend only 3-4 days to get the hang of Thailand before running north to Chiang Mai mountains/elephant area or south to beach/islands area.
  • Ayutthaya – old city with tons of ruins and historical sites.
  • Koh Samet* – beautiful island. Equally beautiful as Phuket, but not as busy. Popular getaway for Bangkok people.
  • Pattaya – my friend Gaz and many people hate it. Used to be fishing city but now a city sex stop for foreigners. Full of sex tourists and hookers, bad reputation of just alcohol and sex. US military came during Vietnam War as breakspot.
  • Kui Buri National Park – considered best place to see wild elephants in Thailand. Don’t come too early (when it’s hot), 3pm to sunset are best hours to see them (park closes 6pm). However still requires luck and some people are disappointed.
• Chiang Mai** (NORTH) – fav spot for many foreigners. Mountain region of north Thailand. Old capital of thailand with many temples, and more chill vibe. Avoid monsoon season may-oct (sudden rains ruin day plans), and be cautious of burning season late-feb to apr (bad air quality).
  • Chiang Rai – place with iconic White Temple and Blue Temple.
  • Pai – most hippie town in Thailand. Full of backpackers coming from Chiang Mai. Jungle, mountain, cave, hiking, weed, yoga, parties.
  • going further northeast is the deep country real thailand that nobody goes. would be interesting to see, from the usual southern islands that everyone has gone already.
• Phuket (SOUTHWEST)– nice but crazily touristy and crowded, everybody says go to Krabbi instead…which I feel is too touristy as well. With that said, Phuket is so touristy for a reason. Some recommend north Phuket as a less touristy area, actually nice rather than just bearable.
  • Khao Sok National Park – amazing nature destination with many activities. 2.5hr drive north of Phuket or Ao Nang. 1-day trip too short to see its real beauty, 3 days can everything you want, 5 to cover even more and relax. Must stay on lake or other good area near gate to really appreciate. Many complaints that it’s over-touristy, guides and sellers and taxis colluding to ripoff tourists, and that while the park is nice there are others equally beautifully without the prices and hassle. Guides 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
  • Ko Yao Noi – chill quiet, dead.
  • Koh Phi Phi* – party island. Beautiful but over-touristy, full of tourists and trash, ruined by over-tourism. Well worth visiting for a couple days. Don’t need more than 2 days. Don’t do tours, have local fisherman drop you off on quiet beach for the day. Let them know you’ll bring food and drinks, so they won’t have to work and can just hang out with you for the day (maybe even bring their family).
  • Ranong – some say this is the last of the old-days underdeveloped islands area.
    • Ko Phayam – another chill, not so touristy, less crowded. Nice snorkel spots. Tropical Hostel has amazing reviews.
  • Krabi* 3-5 days – must go for many people, beautiful and less touristy than Phuket (but still very touristy). Many beautiful islands and nature activities. Closed down for part of the year to protect turtles and sharks, etc. Popular area is Ao Nang beach (many things to do), Krabbi Town also nice, common trips from Ao Nang to Railay and Koh Phi Phi island, also Tonsai Beach.
    • Koh Lanta – nice and chill, peaceful quiet. not so touristy. but still has some restaurants and bars.
    • Koh Jum – highly recommended since it’s more chill. many people like it. pretty but not crowded, no backpackers and loud bars, laidback and no traffic, beautiful beach with clear blue water. even smaller and emptier than ko lanta. feels like the thailand of 20 years ago, limited infrastructure, some small villages, some places without electricity.
      • Koh Haa
      • Koh Rok
  • Ko Libong – Ko Mook & Ko Libong are good for dugongs. Watch out for jellyfish.
    • Ko Muk – beautiful but more rustic and local vibe, small and walkable…but dirty with trash everywhere, sewage smell, burning plastic smell, loud street dogs at night. Tours are very expensive as not enough tourists come to have shared group costs. Muk, Libong, Sukorn are less beautiful and that’s why less crowded.
      • Ko Kradan – most beautiful of that area but many boat tours, hike west to avoid.
      • Ko Ngai
      • Ko Waen
  • Koh Yao – got curious after reading reviews of Annie Meen’s Place.
  • Ko Lipe – already got crowded because so beautiful, has nice snorkel spots. Just like other typical gulf islands. very pretty. First-timers love it. Those already there hate that it changed.
• Koh Samui (SOUTHEAST)
  • Koh Samui* – nice spot, super touristy but still not as bad as Phuket.
  • Ko Pha Ngan* – known as THE party island, developed and full of backpackers. full moon parties here. 20-30k ppl on beach during full moon party…alcohol & mushrooms. lots of fun but overstimulated. the parties happen from 2 days before to 2 days after a full moon. then becomes a quieter and more chill town…quieter than koh samui. got expensive over time with higher standard of living. Fav for many ppl.
  • Koh Tao – beautiful island here, known as Thailand’s best scuba diving spot. Only place in Thailand to see whale sharks if you take boats out, can swim with them as well. scuba and snorkeling (Tenote), nice to live. Fav for many ppl. Where to stay.

Itinerary suggestions:

• 2 WEEKS – (4) Bangkok, (4) Chiang Mai, (2) Phuket, (2) SW island, (2) SE island. Or swap Krabi for one of the last three. Or choose only one island to spend more time.
• 1 MONTH – (4) Bangkok, (4) Chiang Mai, (3) Chiang Rai, (2) Pai, (3) Phuket, (4) Krabi, (2) sw quiet island, (4) Ko Pha Ngan, (4) Koh Tao.

Most common Thailand travel route is start in big city Bangkok, then go north to jungle Chiang Mai area, fly rom the north to south…arriving at southwest base coastal Phuket/Krabi, or southeast base of island Koh Samui. From there, you explore more islands before exiting the country. You can go the opposite direction but all friends you make are going the other way and you won’t run into them again.

Nearby countries:

• Vietnam** – most similar country to Thailand, especially from western perspective. Their landscapes are similar (mountain, jungle, not so many islands though), language might sound similar (although more Chinese-ish), food is also unique and edible for western palate, different cultures and architecture to take photos of, vibrant cities but also raw nature.
• Cambodia* –
• Laos* – another big backpacker favorite. Lots of raw jungle to explore.

Unfiltered notes:

• How does my 1 month Thailand itinerary look? – reddit
• Trang Islands & Surrounds – Which Island to Skip?! – reddit
• Real ethical elephant sanctuary? – reddit
• The Truth About Elephant Sanctuaries in Thailand – Your Travel Flamingo
• Is Ao Nang worth a few days over spending it in Bangkok? – reddit
• Thailand’s Hidden Gems – reddit