Thailand holidays

A bold city of contrasts, Bangkok presents ancient temples and neon nightclubs, lively markets and mega malls, all focused around Chao Phraya, the ‘River of Kings’.

Ringed by rolling hills, dense jungles and dazzling temples, Chiang Mai’s beauty lies in the tranquillity on its doorstep. But don’t miss its food scene, one of the best in Thailand.

Powder soft beaches, wildlife rich jungles and a sea studded with limestone islands — Krabi caters to all your tropical holiday fantasies. Come experience southern Thailand at its best.

The nightlife on Thailand’s biggest island is legendary. But stick around in the morning for surf breaks, rainforest hikes and a visit to an elephant sanctuary.

Koh Samui is Thailand’s beachy dream. Come for its sun-drenched sands, but stay for its sprawling night markets, majestic temples and mango sticky rice.

If your ideal getaway involves going from the beach to the bar, meet Pattaya. Beyond its sparkling shores, explore floating markets, botanical gardens and the world’s largest wooden castle.

A perfect balance of sweet, sour and spicy flavors, Thai food is world-renowned for good reason. This can be seen in pad thai, flat noodles cooked with fish sauce, palm sugar and tamarind, typically with chilli flakes on the side. But there’s a world of flavours beyond this national dish, from southern seafood curries to northern staples like ‘khao soi’, a fragrant coconut broth topped with crispy fried noodles.

From Wat Rong Khun’s ornate white spires to Wat Pho’s famous Reclining Buddha, Thailand’s temples show off the nation’s spiritual heritage. You’ll find some of the country’s most impressive Buddhist monasteries in the UNESCO-listed historic city of Ayutthaya, the former Siam capital. Phanom Rung Historical Park features ornate Khmer architecture, while Wat Chantaram boasts a dazzling interior filled with mirrored columns and golden Buddhas.

Island hopping is one of the best things to do in Thailand. Koh Tao is a diver’s paradise with colourful coral reefs and affordable scuba diving courses, while Koh Pha Ngan hosts legendary full moon parties. Couples love Koh Lipe’s pristine shores and romantic resorts. Koh Samui offers Buddhist temples, night markets and easy access to the gorgeous Mu Ko Ang Thong Marine National Park.

Framed by towering limestone cliffs, Railay Beach in Krabi is one of the most striking beaches in Thailand. Phuket, the country’s largest island, offers vast stretches of sand, from party-centric Patong to surfers’ haven Kata Noi. The Koh Yao islands boast some of the country’s most tranquil shorelines, while Ko Samet is a dreamy beach getaway a few hours from Bangkok.

Thailand’s diverse national parks include Chet Sao Noi’s tumbling waterfalls, Khao Sam Roi Yot’s labyrinth of caves, and Ang Thong’s dense jungles teeming with monkeys. A popular day trip from Chiang Mai, Doi Inthanon National Park has ornate pagodas tucked among rolling hills. For utter tranquillity, stay in a floating hut on Cheow Lan Lake, surrounded by limestone formations and some of the world’s oldest rainforests.

Street food is the heart and soul of Thai dining. Explore colourful markets for staples like fresh ‘som tam’ (papaya salad), hot and sour ‘tom yum’ (soup), or ‘pad kra pao’ (basil stir-fry). Try mango sticky rice or sweet ‘roti’ (pancakes) for dessert. Some of the best restaurants in Thailand are in Bangkok, from swanky rooftops with panoramic views to Michelin-starred Indian restaurants and Thai–Chinese fusion joints.

Bangkok’s Grand Palace is one of the most impressive museums in Thailand, home to a complex of ornate Thai and European-inspired buildings. The Bangkok National Museum features Buddhist statues, traditional handicrafts and a stone pillar engraved with one of the earliest examples of Thai writing. Temples in Chiang Mai, Bangkok and Ayutthaya showcase centuries-old architecture and Buddhist traditions.

The best time to visit Thailand is between November and February, when you’ll experience warm temperatures and minimal rainfall. The monsoon season runs from May to October, although rainstorms are often short-lived, especially before July. This is a great time to find lower hotel prices. March to May brings high temperatures along with cultural celebrations like Songkran, when locals cool off with huge water fights.

It’s easier to have a cheap holiday to Thailand if you eat street food, visit free temples and monasteries, and travel outside of peak season. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs around 100 Thai baht (฿), while a pint of domestic beer is around ฿70. Short taxi rides start at ฿40.