It's hard to summarize the diversity of travel to Thailand. Its capital, Bangkok, is a teeming metropolis with gilded temples and palaces, while the two coastlines, on the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, have postcard-perfect beaches. In the mountainous interior, hill tribes live as they have for millennia. And wherever you travel in Thailand, there's the food: fresh seafood, countless curries, and noodle dishes so delicious you'll never want to return to your local Thai take-out. Your most lasting impression, however, will be the friendliness of the locals - calling Thailand the "land of smiles"; may seem cliché, but it has a foundation in truth. Read our Thailand travel guide to make the most of your visit to this beautiful nation.
Things Not to Miss in Thailand
You may not be able to cover the whole country in one vacation, but here are the cities, islands and activities you absolutely can't miss when you travel to Thailand:
• Shop in Bangkok's Siam Square, and enjoy the city's nightlife
• Relax on the tropical beaches of Phuket and Koh Samui
• Visit the temples and churches of Chiang Rai
• Take in the lush greenery and ancient cities of Chiang Mai
When to Go to Thailand
When you plan to visit Thailand, remember that there are three seasons: summer, winter, and the wet season. The rainy season runs from May until November in most of the country, meaning Thailand travel during that time will bring rainy days. In the South, however, the monsoonal rains fall from April to October along the Andaman Sea coastline, and from September to December along the Gulf of Thailand coast.
-
This Elephant in Thailand Decided to Greet a Driver by Kneeling on Their Car
Anyone who has had a friendly encounter with an elephant can tell you how magnificent they are, but of course they can also have a destructive side.A... Read More
-
The Best Places to Travel in January
If the end of December leaves you with post-holiday blues, a trip, even just for a long weekend, might be the antidote you need. Once you decide to... Read More
-
These 10-Day Bike Tours Were Inspired By Climate Activist Greta Thunberg
Climate change is an urgent issue impacting all aspects of our lives, including how we travel. Teen activists, like Greta Thunberg, are... Read More
-
I'm a Vegetarian Who Has Traveled to 45 Countries — and These Are the Food Trips I'd Take Again and Again
There’s no better way to experience a local culture than through its food. You can discover so much about a country’s history and values by how people... Read More
-
A Thai Airways Plane Was Forced to Abort Its Takeoff After an 'Explosion' Left a Huge Hole in One of Its Engines
This article originally appeared on BusinessInsider.com.A Thai Airways plane was forced to abort its takeoff after one of the plane's engines suffered... Read More
-
Tourists Are Paying People to Scare Pigeons to Get the Perfect Instagram Shot
We’ve all probably scrolled through our Instagram feeds and passed by a well-orchestrated travel photo with just the right colors, right angles, and... Read More
-
The Demand for Vegan Food Tours Is Growing — and These Are 9 of the Best Around the World
The rise in plant-based eating has inevitably led to more demand for vegan food tours around the world. From 2014 to 2017, the United States alone saw a... Read More
-
The Best Places to Travel in November
This is the month when you hear everyone asking, “Where did the year go?” There’s a chill in the air, and the holiday season is fast approaching. If you... Read More
-
One of Chiang Mai’s Most Popular Spas Gives Women Released From Prison a Second Chance at Life (Video)
The streets of Chiang Mai, Thailand are littered with signs for massage centers offering traditional Thai massages, oil massages, foot rubs, and more —... Read More
-
These Are the World's Best Restaurants: Asia, Australia, and Europe
y express the culture of each country, city, or region.The list was curated by James Beard Award-winning writer Besha Rodell, who has been reporting on... Read More
-
Bangkok’s Old Town Offers Art, Culture, Shopping, and Plenty of Great Food
Nang Loeng Market is a must-visit in Bangkok — but the immediate sois (that’s Thai for streets) surrounding the market are dotted with unremarkable... Read More
-
The Top 10 Cities in Asia
Spanning more than 17 million square miles, the world’s largest continent is home to over half of the earth’s population. This is Asia: a beautiful,... Read More
-
The Top 15 Cities in the World
When it comes to urban charms, Travel + Leisure readers just can’t get enough of Mexico. San Miguel de Allende, which topped our list for the past two... Read More
-
The Top 10 Islands in Asia (Video)
The flight time (and resulting jet lag) required to get to Asia from the U.S. is no joke. But the heaps of praise readers bestowed on the best islands... Read More
-
The 10 Best City Hotels in Asia
There are endless reasons to visit Asia’s dynamic, culture-rich cities, from the centuries-old Forbidden City grounds in Beijing to the cutting-edge... Read More
