Thailand Travel Guide: Every Destination, Season & Practical Tip
I have lived in Thailand for over twenty years. This guide is the practical result of that time, not a list scraped from other travel sites, but an honest account of where to go, when to go, and what you actually need to know before you arrive. The links below go to full destination guides for every major region.
Quick Reference: Thailand by Region
Bangkok
Bangkok is the entry point for most visitors and the most complex city in Southeast Asia. The Grand Palace and Wat Pho are the obvious starting points; the BTS Skytrain connects most of what you need; Chinatown, Silom, and the old Rattanakosin island are all worth serious time. From Bangkok, nearly every corner of Thailand is accessible — see the Day Trips section below.
Northern Thailand
Chiang Mai is the gateway to the north — temples, night markets, trekking, cooking classes, and the best digital nomad infrastructure in the country. From Chiang Mai, the mountain circuit extends outward: Pai (135 km of switchbacks, 762 curves, a valley town beloved by backpackers), Mae Hong Son (Burmese temples, mountain fog, the end of the road), and Chiang Rai (the White Temple, the Black House, the golden triangle).
For national parks, Doi Inthanon — Thailand’s highest peak — is a day trip from Chiang Mai with waterfalls, hill-tribe villages, and cloud forest. For history, Sukhothai Historical Park is the first capital of Thailand, best explored by bicycle at sunrise.
Central Thailand
Ayutthaya, 80 km north of Bangkok, was the capital for 417 years before the Burmese sacked it in 1767. The ruins — headless Buddhas, crumbling prangs, and river-wrapped wats — are among the most atmospheric in Asia. A full day from Bangkok.
Kanchanaburi is 2 hours west of Bangkok, on the River Kwai. The Death Railway, Allied war cemetery, and the bridge itself are the main draws. The town also has jungle waterfalls and a more relaxed pace than Bangkok.
Isaan (Northeast Thailand)
Isaan is the least-visited and most authentically Thai region — a plateau of rice paddies, ancient Khmer ruins, and a cuisine that is the foundation of what most of the world calls «Thai food.» Key stops: Khao Yai National Park (elephants, gibbons, waterfalls — 3 hours from Bangkok), Korat (Nakhon Ratchasima) as the regional hub, and the Mekong towns of Nong Khai and Chiang Khan for river sunsets and the crossing to Luang Prabang in Laos.
Gulf of Thailand Islands
The Gulf coast offers the most consistent weather year-round. The main island chain runs north to south: Koh Samet (3 hours from Bangkok, national park, clear water), Koh Samui (the resort island with airports and everything that comes with them), Koh Phangan (Full Moon Party, yoga, quieter beaches on the north coast), and Koh Tao (the best-value place on earth to get a PADI diving certification).
On the mainland east coast: Pattaya (2 hours from Bangkok; Koh Larn day trips, the Sanctuary of Truth, and yes, Walking Street), Hua Hin (3.5 hours south; the royal resort town, kitesurf capital, golf), and Koh Chang (near the Cambodian border; jungle, waterfalls, very good diving off Koh Rang).
Andaman Sea (West Coast)
The Andaman coast is the postcard Thailand: limestone karsts, turquoise water, longtail boats. The trade-off is the monsoon — May to October brings heavy swell and many operators close. November to April is the season.
Phuket is the largest island, with international airport, full infrastructure, and the widest range of accommodation and activities. Patong is the center of nightlife; Kata and Karon are better for beach; Surin and Bang Tao for the more expensive resort strip.
Krabi is the mainland base for the most famous scenery — Railay Beach (only by boat), the Four Islands tour, and Tiger Cave Temple. Koh Lanta offers 27 km of quieter beaches and the best dive sites in Thailand at Hin Daeng and Hin Muang.
Practical Thailand: When to Go
Thailand has three seasons: hot (March–May), rainy (June–October, earlier on the Andaman side), and cool-dry (November–February). The cool season is universally the best time to visit, with low humidity, clear skies, and comfortable temperatures. However, the Gulf islands (Samui, Phangan, Tao) follow a reversed pattern — their dry season runs February–September.
Visas and Entry
Citizens of most Western countries receive a 60-day visa exemption on arrival (as of 2025 rules — check the Royal Thai Embassy website for current policy). The 60-day exemption can be extended once at an immigration office for 1,900 baht. Long-term options include the Thailand Elite Visa, the LTR (Long-Term Resident) Visa, and a range of non-immigrant categories. The expat resources page covers long-stay options in more detail.
Getting Around Thailand
The train network connects Bangkok to Chiang Mai (overnight, 12–15h), the northeast (Korat, Udon Thani, Nong Khai), and south to Surat Thani (for Samui/Phangan/Tao). Trains are slow but comfortable and dramatically scenic. Budget airlines — AirAsia, Nok Air, VietJet — connect Bangkok to all major cities for 500–2,000 baht. Buses serve everywhere trains don’t. Intercity minibuses (from Victory Monument in Bangkok) are faster but less comfortable.
Within cities, Grab is reliable. Songthaews (shared pickup trucks) are the local solution in Chiang Mai, Pai, and smaller towns. Motorbike rental is the standard approach for islands and mountain areas where roads are too winding for buses to be practical.