Thailand

Classic routes

• 🛕Chiang Mai, Bangkok & Phuket10 days · Chiang Mai → Bangkok → Phuket
• 🏝️Andaman Island Hop10 days · Phuket → Krabi (Ao Nang & Railay) → Koh Phi Phi → Koh Lanta
• 🌃Bangkok, Singapore & Kuala Lumpur9 days · Bangkok → Marina Bay → Kuala Lumpur

⛰️ Northern Thailand

Mountains, old Lanna temples and cooler air: Chiang Mai and its night bazaars, the White Temple at Chiang Rai, the valley town of Pai, the Shan temples of Mae Hong Son at the far end of the loop road, and Sukhothai, the first Thai capital. November to February is the season; March and April bring smoke from crop burning.

• Chiang MaiOld Lanna Capital of Temples, Night Markets and Hills3 days · best November – February
• Chiang RaiThe White Temple, the Blue Temple and the Golden Triangle2 days · best November – February
• PaiLaid-Back Mountain Valley Town3 days · best November – February
• SukhothaiThe First Thai Capital, Best Seen by Bicycle2 days · best November – February
• Mae Hong SonMisty Border Town of Shan Temples, at the End of the Loop2 days · best November – February

🌾 Isaan (North-East)

The north-east plateau, a third of Thailand and the part foreign visitors see least: Udon Thani's Red Lotus Sea (December to February), the Bronze Age site of Ban Chiang and the rock shelters of Phu Phrabat, and the Mekong at Nong Khai across from Laos. Flat roads, cheap rooms and the spiciest food in the country.

• Udon ThaniThe Red Lotus Sea, Bronze Age Ban Chiang and the Mekong2 days · best December – February

🛕 Bangkok & Central Thailand

The capital and the river plain around it: the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, the ruined royal city of Ayutthaya, the River Kwai at Kanchanaburi, the old royal seaside at Hua Hin, and the wild elephants and waterfalls of Khao Yai National Park on the edge of the north-east. Most flights from abroad land here or connect through here.

• BangkokTemples, River Life and Street Food in the Capital3 days · best November – February
• AyutthayaRuined Royal Capital on the River Island1 day · best November – February
• KanchanaburiThe River Kwai Bridge and Jungle Waterfalls2 days · best November – February
• Hua HinThe Royal Seaside Town Closest to Bangkok2 days · best November – April
• Khao Yai National ParkWild Elephants, Gibbons and Waterfalls Three Hours from Bangkok2 days · best November – February

🏝️ Eastern Gulf Coast

The coast and islands south-east of Bangkok: Pattaya two hours away, then Koh Samet, Koh Chang and Koh Kood for quieter beaches near the Cambodian border. The easiest beaches to reach by road from Bangkok.

• PattayaBeach City Two Hours from Bangkok2 days · best November – March
• 🐚Koh SametWhite-Sand Island Closest to Bangkok2 days · best November – May
• Koh ChangJungle-Covered Island near the Cambodian Border3 days · best November – April
• Koh Kood (Koh Kut)Undeveloped Island of Clear Water and Quiet Resorts3 days · best November – May

🌴 Gulf Islands (Samui, Phangan, Tao)

Three islands in the Gulf of Thailand, reached by flight to Samui or by bus and boat through Surat Thani and Chumphon: resort beaches on Samui, the Full Moon Party on Phangan, diving on Koh Tao. Driest from January to August, wettest October to December.

• Koh SamuiPalm-Fringed Resort Island of the Gulf4 days · best January – August
• Koh PhanganFull Moon Parties and Hidden Jungle Beaches3 days · best January – August
• Koh TaoDive Island of the Gulf3 days · best March – September

🏖️ Andaman Coast

The west coast and its islands: Phuket, Krabi's limestone cliffs, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, quiet Koh Yao Noi in Phang Nga Bay, Khao Lak and the Similans, the Khao Sok rainforest, and the Trang islands (Koh Mook's Emerald Cave) and Koh Lipe in the far south. Calm seas November to April; the south-west monsoon makes the boats rough from May to October.

• PhuketThailand's Biggest Island and Beach Hub4 days · best November – April
• Krabi (Ao Nang & Railay)Limestone Cliffs, Island-Hopping and Railay's Beaches3 days · best November – April
• Koh Phi PhiMaya Bay, Turquoise Lagoons and Viewpoint Sunsets2 days · best November – April
• Koh LantaLong, Quiet Beaches for Families and Slow Travel3 days · best November – April
• Khao LakQuiet Beaches and the Gateway to the Similan Islands3 days · best November – April
• Khao SokAncient Rainforest and Floating Raft Houses on Cheow Lan Lake2 days · best December – April
• 🐚Koh LipeRemote Island of Clear Water near Malaysia3 days · best November – April
• 🛶Koh Yao NoiQuiet Island Life in the Middle of Phang Nga Bay3 days · best November – April
• 💚Koh Mook (Koh Muk)The Emerald Cave and the Quiet Trang Islands2 days · best November – April