The Land of Smiles: floating markets, 7-Eleven toasties, Muay Thai, and the iconic Tom Yum Soup. It’s no wonder my culinary hero, Anthony Bourdain, described Thailand as “a whole new crayon box full of colors.” Every moment here is an adventure, regardless of whether you’ve been here a bunch of times or it’s your first visit; it grabs hold of you and never lets go.
For most people making the long journey to Southeast Asia, Thailand is the first stop, specifically Bangkok. But what comes next? The stunning beaches along the Gulf (trust me, Ao Taphao Beach will blow you away), the rugged mountains of the north in Chiang Mai (fun fact: I used to live there), or fascinating places you’ve probably never heard of, Chiang Dao certainly springs to mind.
A Thai adventure might just be the best holiday you can have in Southeast Asia. Okay, maybe I’m a little biased, but you’ll realize what I mean after you get there. But believe me, there’s a lot to do. You won’t get to go everywhere on one trip, so that’s why I’m going to help you plan accordingly. Let’s get started!
Best Beaches in Thailand
Koh Lipe North Point, Koh Lipe
Sitting at Koh Lipe’s northernmost point, North Point Beach could easily be mistaken for somewhere in the Maldives with its creamy sands and turquoise waters; it’s gorgeous on every level. The speedboat ride from Pak Bara pier is enough to deter many travelers, which is why you won’t find large crowds at North Point Beach compared to the beaches in Phuket.
If you visit during the day, you might spot some colorful fish, even just a few hundred meters from the shore. Sunset draws more people, so it may not feel as untouched, but just grab a Chang from Zodiac Sea Sun Beach Bar (around THB 100 or €2.86) and soak up the views.
Lonely Beach, Koh Chang
Palm trees and crystal-clear waters; Koh Chang’s Lonely Beach is where your worries disappear. Located on the island’s west side, it’s slightly smaller than the well-known White Sand Beach, which gives it that extra bit of secluded charm. That said, it’s not entirely remote, as a few establishments have set up shop there, but we can all agree that Mimo’s Beach Bar is a welcome addition.
I recommend visiting in the evening, either at 6:00 pm or 8:00 pm, to catch one of the fire shows; you won’t be disappointed. As for swimming, Lonely Beach is among the best, but avoid entering the water from the first access point, as the area is rocky.
Koh Nang Yuan Island Beach, Koh Tao
Koh Nang Yuan Island Beach is the iconic cover photo of Koh Tao; it’s a magical strip of sand connecting two islets covered in lush jungle just next to the main island. While it’s not directly connected to Koh Tao, it’s only a short 15-minute boat ride away, which will set you back between THB 300 (€8.59) and THB 400 (€11.45) for a round trip.
Be sure to arrive early; after 10 am, it fills up rapidly as it’s when the tours set out, so you’ll want to get there before they come and ruin the mood. If you wait until 1 pm, high tide will have already rolled in; you’ll be lucky to see any sand at all. Also, keep in mind there’s a THB 250 (€7.16) entry fee, which I think is fair when you see just how beautiful this place is.
Ao Taphao Beach, Koh Kood
Ao Taphao Beach is a paradise waiting on Koh Kood. Despite being relatively close to the island’s main pier, it still feels cut off from everywhere else. Unlike some of the busier beaches, you’ll be lucky to find a handful of people here staying from one of the very few nearby resorts. Don’t leave without strolling out to the wooden pier with the swings and snapping a photo; you’ll definitely want to share it on the Gram.
A word of advice: When you arrive, avoid lying down your towel near the resorts. Instead, walk further down the beach, and you’ll have the entire place to yourself.
Street Food in Thailand
Pad Thai
A tourist favorite, Pad Thai is a rite of passage for everyone visiting Thailand. No matter where you are, you’ll find it sold on a stall, from the streets of Bangkok to the corners of Isaan. This stir-fried noodle dish is made with thin rice noodles, chives, bean sprouts, fish sauce, tamarind, sugar, crushed peanuts, and prawns, although many versions are also available with chicken or tofu.
Khao Soi
The famous northern dish, Khao Soi, is a curried Thai noodle soup prepared using wheat-based noodles, coconut milk, red onions, lime wedges, and one or two chicken drumsticks added to the mix. Many people who visit Thailand refer to Khao Soi as ‘Chiang Mai noodles,’ but some say the dish was actually brought to the country by Chinese Muslim traders. One clue that hints at its origin is the absence of pork, a common ingredient in many Thai dishes.
Mango Sticky Rice
Mango sticky rice is a Thai street food that might sound strange on paper, but it’s absolutely delicious. Regardless of the time of day, you’ll find plastic containers of it stacked on the side of every vendor’s food cart. The dish has three main ingredients: sliced mango, white glutinous rice (the sticky rice), and coconut syrup. The syrup often comes in a small plastic bag; you simply bite it open and squirt it over the rice, and what you get is an absolute treat for the taste buds.
Tom Yum Soup
Nothing screams Thailand like a big bowl of Tom Yum Soup. It’s a full mouthful, so I would only tackle it if you’re really hungry. I could spend all day listing the ingredients, but the main components include prawns, mushrooms, onions, coriander, fish sauce, chili, garlic, ginger, and lemongrass. Approach this one with caution; it can be quite spicy. When you order it, be sure to ask for “little spicy” or let them know if you’d prefer none at all.
Top Destinations in Thailand
Bangkok
Bangkok, Thailand’s concrete jungle, is one of my favorite cities in the world. Many people just pass through on their way to other parts of Thailand, but I’m not kidding; if you give it a few days, you’ll enjoy it more than you expect once you look past the tuk-tuk horns and the heavy humidity.
Visit famous temples like Wat Arun (THB 200 (€5.73)), take a boat ride along the Chao Phraya River (public ferry tickets from (THB 14 (€0.40)), snap a photo of the reclining Buddha (THB 300 (€8.59)), check out the monitor lizards, and make sure to spend at least one night in the chaos that is Khao San Road.
Pai
Pai is a major stop on most backpackers’ itineraries when visiting Thailand. This sleepy mountain town has a bit of a party reputation, and while the nightlife is fun, there’s much more to Pai than just late-night bars.
An hour spent by the Bamboo Bridge (THB 30 (€0.86)) will fill up your photo album before you know it, and a dip in the Sai Ngam Natural Mineral Spring (THB 400 (€11.45)) is a must after a few hours on a moped. Sunset at Pai Canyon is truly special, and you’ll have time to make it back just in time for the night market, which, in my opinion, is one of the greatest in Thailand.
Chiang Mai
Sleepy and charming in so many ways, I have a soft spot for Chiang Mai because I lived here, but I know you will, too. Maybe you might even fall for the Chiang Mai curse, where you plan to come for a day or two and end up staying for a few weeks; it happens to the best of us.
Life in Chiang Mai City is slow; it’s all about chilling in cafes (Fohide is the best!) and eating rings around yourself in low-cost restaurants like Kat’s Kitchen, where the food is five-star. If you want to get your sightseeing hat on, take a trip up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep (THB 30 (€0.86)) or venture out to see the Sticky Waterfall (Buathong Waterfall).
Hidden Gems in Thailand
Chiang Dao
An easy day trip from Chiang Mai, Chiang Dao might just be northern Thailand’s best-kept secret. Nestled beneath the towering Doi Luang Chiang Dao, it promises ultimate seclusion; it’s even quieter than Chiang Mai, and that’s saying something.
When visiting Chiang Dao, it’s a good idea to plan ahead, as many of the main attractions are spread out. The Chiang Dao Cave is definitely worth a visit; for a small fee of THB 40 (€1.15), you can walk right inside and see some fantastic Buddhist monuments. The Sri Sungwan Waterfalls are another lovely stop (THB 100 (€2.86)). And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can trek up to the top of Doi Luang Chiang Dao.
Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta is an island in the Andaman Sea that doesn’t get near as much attention as some of the others in the region, but that’s part of the beauty. Minimum tourism with a far more local vibe; music to anyone’s ears looking to escape for a while and unwind on the beach without disturbance.
There are many beaches in Koh Lanta, from Klong Nin Beach to Bamboo Beach; take your pick. For a dose of nature, venture out to Mu Ko Lanta National Park (THB 200 (€5.73)) to get your step count up. Lanta Old Town is also well worth spending some time in; it’s a nice way to get some insight into the local way of life and pick up some souvenirs before heading back to the mainland. Reggae Bars are also hugely popular in Koh Lanta; some of the main ones are the Sound Shack Bar, Rasta Baby, and Reggae Bar Lanta.
Chumphon
Seen as the gateway to exploring Southern Thailand, Chumphon is often just a stopover for tourists heading to the islands in the Gulf. However, little do they know there’s plenty of beauty hiding away in this province if you dig deeper.
The coastline in Chumphon is enough to rival that of Samui and Koh Phi Phi, especially when you see Thung Wua Laen Beach. Up in Khao Matsee, you’ll get an amazing panoramic view of Chumphon, including the river delta and some nearby floating villages. Mu Ko Chumphon National Park (THB 200) is home to nearly 40 islands and features an amazing mangrove forest with a quaint wooden suspension bridge. Just be careful of the monkeys; they can appear out of nowhere.
Best Time to Visit
When is the best time to visit Thailand? Good question. Thailand is a tropical country with two seasons, so the weather is quite predictable. Generally, the dry season lasts from November to May. That’s not to say it won’t rain at all; there’s still a chance of showers, but they’re much less frequent. During this time, temperatures usually range from 28°C to 34°C, though April is the hottest month, with temperatures sometimes reaching the high 30s or even over 40°C. Many of Thailand’s national parks are open during this season, so if you’re planning to explore the outdoors, this is the ideal time to visit.
Next is the rainy season, which runs from June to October. The rainfall isn’t too heavy in the beginning, but by August, it can pour down quite a bit. Humidity is also higher during these months, so even though the temperature averages around 30°C, it will feel much more intense. However, if you prefer traveling when things are less crowded, this is a great time to visit, as tourism numbers tend to drop.
From Temples to Street Food, Get Out There and Experience Thailand!
You’re all set for Thailand. The Land of Smiles is calling; get your itinerary in order, list out the extra-long list of plates you want to try (because there will be many), and pack your bags; see you in Bangkok.