Suzi
- 8 min read

Thailand

Located within Southeast Asia, Thailand is far and away Asia’s best-loved holiday destination. Those who’ve visited Thailand will tell you about its stunning beaches, amazing value and friendly people.

For those with a ‘been there done that’ attitude, Thailand is constantly reinventing itself to offer new ways to amaze. New hotels regularly spring up across the country in a variety of price brackets and often within undiscovered emerging destinations, meaning there's always something new to recommend.

Thailand’s location at the centre of Southeast Asia, sharing borders with the four countries of Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar with Vietnam in close proximity, has made it the obvious hub for travellers looking to undertake multi-destination itineraries.

Thailand is defined by six regions:

*Central

*North

*North-East

*East

*Southern Thailand: Andaman Sea

*Southern Thailand: Gulf of Thailand

The majority of first-time visitors to Thailand take in two or three of these regions within their itinerary.

Just a selection of many places to visit when exploring Thailand:

Bangkok Districts:

Sukhumvit: Visitors in the Sukhumvit area are spoilt for choice with many accommodations, shopping, eating and nightlife options.

Banglampu: Home of the famous Khao San Road, many people know Banglampu simply as the Khao San Road District. An area with an abundance of backpackers and hostel accommodation options, this area has a vibrant nightlife scene and an abundance of markets.

Siam District: The centre of shopping in Bangkok, home to some of the city's most popular shopping centres like MBK, Siam Centre, and Siam Paragon.

Riverside Area: Bangkok’s riverside is beautiful and very scenic, especially after dark, with its glittering temples, shrines, and the Royal Palace.

Kanchanaburi

Located 130 kms. west of Bangkok, just a two-hour drive away, the small town of Kanchanaburi is the capital of Thailand's third largest province, which covers almost 20,000 square kilometres and stretches as far west as the border with Myanmar.

* Known for beautiful waterfalls and caves, Kanchanaburi's Erawan National Park, Chalern National Park, Khao Lam National Park, Sri Nakarin National Park, Sai Yok National Park, Thong Pha Phum National Park and Lam Klong Ngu National Park are a must see.

* Visit Elephant's World. Elephant's World is a sanctuary for sick, old, disabled, abused and rescued elephants who are well cared for. Visitors can help take care of the elephants by feeding and bathing them.

Hua Hin and Cha Am

Lesser-known resorts Hua Hin and Cha Am – about 25 km apart - are recommended for quiet beaches, culture and history and total indulgence. They are most famous for being the holiday destination of choice for the Thai royal family.

* Culture lovers can see the ornate royal waiting room at the station, the Khao Luang cave temple, hilltop cultural park Phra Nakhorn Kiri and two palaces.

*The notorious Bridge over the River Kwai built by allied prisoners of war at Kanchanaburi is a great day trip and closer to Hua Hin than Bangkok.

Chiang Mai

Often described as the country's cultural capital and is the jumping-off point for sports such as hiking, biking and white-water rafting. Chiang Mai, also known as the Rose of the North, is one of the most charming destinations you will ever visit

*Chiang Mai is famous for its plethora of golden temples and its daily night market which is an opportunity to taste regional cuisine and buy hill tribe handicrafts.

*The city and surrounding area is known for its distinctive cuisine and there are many cooking schools which teach its secrets.

Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai is the northernmost province in Thailand and its eponymous city is dedicated to the history and culture of the region and its people. Chiang Rai is steeped in the romance of centuries-old traditions and myriad temples.

*Chiang Rai is considered part of the Golden Triangle region. Separated by the Mekong River, the Golden Triangle is an area which overlaps the mountains of three countries of Southeast Asia: Myanmar, Laos and Thailand.

*Chiang Rai is a great base from which to plan excursions and treks to the more remote corners of the province.

Sukhothai

The ancient city of Sukhothai Kamphaeng Phet and Si Satchanalai was home to the legendary Kingdom of Sukhothai in 1238. Today, much of its impressive architecture still stands.

*The site has numerous temples and Buddhist monasteries. The city walls form a rectangle about 2 km east-west by 1.6 km north-south. There are 193 ruins on 70 square kilometres of land.

*Sukhothai is a six-hour drive from Bangkok by car, or seven hours by bus. There is also a train station 50km from the city. The easiest way to access Sukhothai is by air.

Isaan

Isaan in Thailand’s undiscovered. You can relax in riverside towns, experience Lao and Vietnamese-influenced cuisine and explore fine Khmer ruins.

*Isaan is home to Thailand’s best national parks and most ancient temple ruins.

*In Nakhon Ratchasima (also called Khorat) is Phimai Historical Park, a Khmer Empire temple, similar in style to Cambodia's iconic Angkor Wat.

Pattaya

Pattaya's great central location, close to Bangkok. Party people will love South Pattaya's vibrant nightlife and entertainment.

*Wat Phra Khao Yai watches over Pattaya and Jomtien Beaches from a position on the hill dividing the two.

*Visit the Sanctuary of Truth, an all-wood building filled with sculptures based on traditional Buddhist and Hindu motifs.

Phuket

Phuket is an island in the Andaman Sea, often referred to as the ‘Pearl of the Andaman’. Phuket is internationally known for its astonishing beaches, exquisite off-shore diving and stupendous water activities.

*In-between and around Phuket and Krabi are a huge selection of smaller islands and quiet mainland resorts like Khao Lak and Trang.

*Visit Phi Phi Island on a day trip and see the Maya Beach where Leonardo DiCaprio starred in the ‘The Beach’ movie.

*Explore nearby James Bond Island (Ko Tapu) and Ko Hong.

Some of Thailand’s best romantic and awe-inspiring idylls are in the south, such as the island of Koh Samui, in the Gulf of Thailand, which is just one hour’s flight from Bangkok. Koh Samui is Thailand's third largest island, after Koh Chang. The island is easy to travel around, as there is just a 51 km ring road to travel around the entire island.

Koh Samui

Best known for its white sand beaches, jungles, intimate boutique luxury hotels and effervescent nightlife. The centre of the island is mostly jungle and mountainous area with its highest peak 635m above sea level. Dirt roads lead up to the mountains which can be accessed only by 4x4 vehicle.

*Koh Samui is a great base for island hopping including to smaller islands like Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.

*Ark Bar is a beach-front venue that offers dining, drinks and dancing to DJs plus fire dancers, fire shows and a relaxed atmosphere which makes it suitable for families.

Climate

Thailand has three weather seasons: the dry season (November – March), the green season (July – October) and the hot season (April – June). British travellers tend to enjoy the dry season as it is slightly cooler and has less rainfall than other months. The green season has more rainfall than any season. This is a great time to get a discount with cheaper airfares and hotel nights on offer. The hot season is very humid.

Currency

The currency in Thailand is the Thai baht. Purchase when you arrive in Thailand for a better rate.

All major credit and debit cards are accepted in large businesses, hotels and restaurants in Thailand. However, you might find that smaller stores and cafes don't take cards, so carry some cash on you at all times.

Cuisine

Thailand is known not only for its hospitality but also its delicious food. Thai dishes offer detail, variety and balance. Thai food has become immensely popular in the UK but there is no better place to taste and experience distinctive Thai food than in Thailand. The best way to get to know Thai gastronomic culture is to eat Thai food the way locals do, or even better, learn to cook like a native. Cooking classes are normally conducted in outdoor kitchens due to the smokiness of the spices used to create the flavours. A cooking class often includes visiting a local market to self-pick the fresh produce. Most meals involve several dishes prepared and shared amongst family and friends in Thai culture.

Thai food is notorious for its fresh herbs and spices particularly lemongrass, mint, galangal, lime and chili. These ingredients give each dish layer upon layer of zingy freshness and intense aroma. Thai cuisine is quite healthy and largely based on vegetables, lean proteins, and fresh herbs and spices.

Phat Thai

Invented in the 1930s by a Chinese-Thai chef, this dish of thin rice noodles stir-fried with egg, tofu and shrimp, and seasoned with fish sauce, sugar, tamarind, vinegar and dried chilli.

Tom yam

This herb-forward broth is often referred to in English-language menus as 'sour Thai soup'. The shrimp version – tom yam kung – is the most lauded, and justifiably so: the combination of fatty prawns and a tart/spicy soup result in an unusual but delicious and distinctly Thai amalgam.

Laap

Thailand’s northeast in one rustic dish; laap (also known as larb or larp) takes the form of minced meat seasoned with roasted rice powder, lime juice, fish sauce and fresh herbs. Be sure to eat it with sticky rice, short, fat grains of rice that are steamed and eaten by hand.

Khao soi

When in Thailand’s north, don’t miss this unique, curry-based noodle soup. Typically revolving around chicken or beef, the optional sides of lime, sliced shallots and crunchy pickled greens provide a pleasing contrast with the rich, spice-laden, coconut milk-based broth and soft, squiggly wheat-and-egg noodles.

Som tam

Although its origins lie in Thailand’s rural northeast, this dish of strips of crunchy unripe papaya bruised in a mortar and pestle with tomato, long beans, chilli, lime and fish sauce, has found a foothold in virtually every corner of the country. Couple the dish with a basket of sticky rice for a light yet piquant Thai meal.

Phat kaphrao

This street food staple combines meat flash-fried with holy basil (the eponymous kaphrao) and a generous helping of fresh chilli and garlic. Served over rice and often crowned with a fried egg, it’s the epitome of the Thai-style one dish meal.

Green curry

For Thai food novices, there’s probably no better starting point than this intersection of a piquant/herbal spice paste and rich coconut milk. Remember to do as the Thais and couple the curry with a plate of jasmine rice – it’s not meant to be eaten on its own as a soup.

Yam

As a side dish or drinking snack, you’re bound to encounter this ubiquitous Thai 'salad' that combines meat or seafood with a tart/spicy dressing and fresh herbs. A good introduction to the genre is yam wun sen,slinky glass noodles paired with minced pork and shrimp.

Kai yang

Thai-style grilled chicken owes its fame to the people of the country’s northeast, who marinate the bird in a unique mixture of fish sauce, coriander root and garlic. Couple the bird with sticky rice and green papaya salad, and you have one of Thailand’s most legendary meals.

Khao phat

For many Thai people, fried rice is comfort food. The variations are endless, and the dish is often the result of improvisation, but a staple at seafood restaurants across the country is the simple but delicious khao phat puu, rice fried with hearty chunks of crab and egg.