The home of Siamese cats, monkey festivals, and breathtaking world heritage sites — Thailand is an absolute melting pot of vibrant culture, people, and stunning scenery with countless vacationers across the planet aiming to cross it off from their bucket list. Travel planning itself isn’t always easy or straightforward, especially if you’re considering somewhere you haven’t set foot before. Regardless, there are useful tips that you can always leverage. Thinking about Thailand? Use this as your guide as a first-time visitor.
Best Time to Travel
Thailand’s weather consists of hot tropical climates all year round. As weather insights highlight cooler breezes during winter (October to January), even locals themselves will suggest planning your trip anywhere between November to February. During winter, post-monsoon winds from the Northern Hemisphere reduce humidity by almost half and lower temperatures, resulting in average daytime highs remaining below 30 degrees Celsius. The flip side however is that since Christmas and New Year are during winter, thousands of both local and expat visitors will also be arriving for their holidays, resulting in packed hotels and beaches. Early bookings in advance for accommodation and activities can ensure this won’t affect you.
Extreme humidity during the summer from around March to June is expected, hence try scouting for accommodations with swimming pools, or beaches nearby. On a positive note, prices generally dip during these times. So while winter provides a friendlier climate, you will likely encounter more affordable hotels with less packed beaches, bars and attractions in summer.
Transportation
Getting around Thailand is relatively straightforward, thanks to the reliable frequency of its public transport network. For those wishing to book personal air-conditioned minivans for instance, a large and well-established array of transfer companies operating private vehicle hire services are available. In Bangkok, scooter taxis are a popular option for getting around the city and are cheaper than other ride-hailing and taxi services. Although either way, you will still spend the exact amount of time in traffic.
Most international visitors will arrive at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport. If you’re continuing on to another city by plane, consider transferring to Don Mueang Airport, which facilitates most of the domestic flights and is a primary hub for low-cost airlines. Despite the age of Thailand’s railways, trains are still useful for taking those long journeys to the peninsula or up north. Information on schedules and ticketing is available on the Thai Railways Website should you wish to travel this way. Public and private-run coaches frequently serve routes throughout the county both day and night and are available through in-person bookings at bus stations, as well as online through third-party platforms. Online platforms such as 12Go provide very useful assistance in planning routes beyond Bangkok.
Accommodation
Thailand offers a diverse range of accommodation options that can suit different types of budgets and needs, hence, your likelihood of finding a place that facilitates your preferences is always promising. When touching down in Bangkok, you can expect to find the majority of all major hotel brands here as well as local high-end authentic accommodation. Almost all of these have the essentials of swimming pools and indoor air-conditioned rooms that can provide relief from Thailand’s heat and humidity.
Looking to stay somewhere near the beach? Phuket is highly recommended. With wide stretching sandy shorelines and crystal clear waters, this island is home to some breathtaking beaches. Chiang Mai may also make a great alternative for you if you wish to leave Bangkok but remain in city surroundings. With great accommodation deals and packages ranging from budget to luxurious resort stays, the array of options will certainly not disappoint. You’ll come to realise that most of Thailand’s budget stays consist of guesthouses and bungalows — not bad for price-conscious travellers.
Must-See Attractions
An attribute that further sets Thailand apart from most holiday destinations is the vast iconic heritage sites and landmarks that are scattered across the country. Here’s a list of those you don’t want to miss.
Baiyoke Sky Tower
Towering 88 stories high, the Baiyoke Sky Tower in Bangkok is the third tallest building in Thailand and is an iconic tourist attraction for first-time visitors wishing to access stunning panoramic views of the metropolis. You will also find luxury restaurants on floors near the top such as Crystal Grill and Bangkok Sky. The Rooftop bar at the summit is also a must-visit for those night lovers who enjoy a musical and romantic atmosphere. This building also serves as a hotel for those wanting to make the most of the building’s offerings.
Wat Arun Temple
Described as a missile-shaped temple, The Wat Arun is named after the Indian God of Dawn, Arun and was built in the 19th century by Rama II (King Phraphutthaloetla Naphalai; r 1809–24). Located in Bangkok, it is one of Thailand’s most prized and iconic sites, with steep stairs leading all the way to the top. Whilst the hike is not an easy workout, you will be rewarded with the incredible views of the Chao Phraya River below. Enshrined and crafted with ancient artistry and symbolism, at Wat Arun’s summit sits a gold statue of Buddha.
Sukhothai Historical Park
Situated in the Sri Suchanalai district, Sukhothai Historical Park is a World Heritage Site consisting of 21 historical ancient remains and large ponds, and is spread out over 70 km2, with more landmarks within a several kilometre radius. Although motor vehicles are not allowed inside the park, bicycles are permitted. Electric buggies with seating capacities of two to four people are also available to hire on-site, giving you more than one convenient option for getting around the park.
Learning about all that Thailand has to offer, you will quickly realise why it’s such a popular tourist destination, especially with its stunning scenery of ancient heritage sites, beaches and tropical weather. As a newbie, the vast, effective transport options and tourist attractions highlighted in this guide will help ensure you arrive in paradise stress-free and in holiday mode.
