A popular travel destination for business people (Bangkok), backpackers (Chiang Mai/Pai), beach lovers and families (Phuket and the south) – there is just no end of options for great places to visit in Thailand. An affordable country, with mostly exceptional service, incredible food and lovely people. Of any southeast Asian country to visit, Thailand has to be one of the most common.
My featured Thailand blog posts:
- Let’s get tropical: Koh Samui
- Full moon festivities
- Diving into fun in Koh Tao
- Where the culture is alive: Chiang Mai
- Finding our inner #hipster selves in Pai
- Onwards and upwards, to say nothing of Bangkok
- En route to Laos (also features in my Laos posts)
- Finding Paradise in Phi Phi
- Video: SE Asia Part 1
- Video: SE Asia Part 2
- Capital: Bangkok
- Population: 69 million
- Currency: Thai baht
- Language: Thai (with its own beautiful script)
- Highlights:
- Bangkok: for big city lovers, Bangkok is the definition of CRAZY. Big, bustling, humid, dirty, loud, fun, alive… the list goes on!
- Chiang Mai and Pai: for the adventurous, these northern, mountainous spots are chilled but vibrant, slow but interesting – and there are loads of things to do (temples, waterfalls etc)
- Phuket: not afraid of an ol’ package deal, Phuket is probably one of the most popular travel destinations for families. Packed with resorts and beaches, it makes for an easy & cheap escape.
- Koh Phangan/ Koh Samui / Koh Tao: grouped together, these islands are popular for full moon parties, diving and just beach hangin’ generally.
- Koh Phi Phi: my favourite place in Thailand!!! A tiny wee island that was devastated by the 2004 tsunami, it has rebuilt itself to be touristy, cute and beachy. Also, the diving is incredible.
- Did you know?
- Thailand is the only southeast Asian country that was not colonised by a European country.
- Thailand is home to the world’s biggest fish (the whale shark) and also the world’s smallest mammal (the bumblebee bat).
- It is a very religious country – a strict dress code applies across its 35,000+ temples.
- Siamese cats originated from Thailand back when it was called Siam.
- Useful tips:
- Thailand has really cheap domestic flights. This can be useful when travelling, for example we bussed across the border to Udon Thani (from Laos) and then caught a really cheap flight to Bangkok.
- Make sure you book well in advance at peak seasons. Full moon party down in the islands is exceptionally popular – most accommodation options on Koh Phangan require a minimum seven night stay.
- Slowly but steadily, Thailand was the country where I learnt to like chilli. It’s hard if you don’t, chilli is in almost everything! Bit by bit I worked to increase my tolerance.
