Thailand, the most popular travel spot in Asia

A trip to Thailand? Here is all you need to know to go

A trip to Thailand is affordable for most and within reach for most countries in Europe. From the US a trip to Thailand is often part of a touring Asia trip with selected countries. We have some Tour suggestions below for all tastes.

Located in Southeast Asia, Thailand is one of the exotic tourist destinations that attract tourists and travel enthusiasts from around the world, not only for Thailand´s natural serenity. This is a country full of old culture and natural beauty offering the tranquility and relaxation that tourists seek. Or party beach life depending. Known for hospitality, breathtaking natural beauty, beaches and islands and also the many sacred temples, all in all, make a trip to Thailand something everyone should do at least once.

See Thailand´s spectacular country from South to North

Thailand is known for its spectacular landscapes, hospitality, historical monuments and traditions dating back thousands of years. A visit to this fascinating country will leave you wanting to repeat a vacation in Thailand.

A trip to Thailand has something to offer everyone. Northern Thailand offers hiking, hill tribes and ethnic groups with colorful dresses and unique customs and culture. Eastern Thailand has incredible islands and beaches (“The Beach” was filmed here) and water sports including paragliding and snorkeling. Thailand’s eastern coastal land runs from east of Bangkok a long way down to the Cambodian frontier at Hat Lek. The area encompasses the coastal provinces of Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat, and the further you go from Bangkok the better the beaches are.

Phuket, Thailand, Longtale boat

A trip to Thailand often goes to Phuket, her the famous longtail boats

South Thailand offers even more spectacular beaches (including Phuket and Koh Samui), waterfalls, water sports such as snorkeling, kayaking and beach parties that last for three days. In Western Thailand, you can see elephants, tiger temples and the famous “bridge over the Kwai River”. Central Thailand offers the bustle of Bangkok, with quirky nightlife, squares, malls, and 1000-year-old temples.

Thailand is gradually opening up for tourism

When is the best time to visit Thailand?

When to go on a trip to Thailand should also be determined by choosing the right season. The climate in Thailand is mostly tropical, with an average annual temperature of 28 ° C. It is usually hot in the central and southern plains but cooler in the north, such as Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, where visitors to the Kingdom can cool off. If you prefer a colder period to visit the best time is November to March, when the days are mostly dry and humidity is lower, though Koh Samui Island is the most visited from June to September.

Cultural influences from nearby countries Thailand’s rich culture has been influenced by Cambodia, Laos, China, Burma and the rest of Southeast Asia. Thailand’s national religion is Theravada Buddhism and has become the center of modern Thai identity. The Buddhist religious lifestyle in Thailand has remained almost unchanged for centuries, and many Thais honor and respect it. This way of life can be seen daily from floating markets to meditation and religion ceremonies. The quiet and peaceful nature of the Thai means that you will receive the best of welcome and leave many more holidays in Thailand.

Grand Palace Bangkok, Thailand

What to do on your trip to Thailand

Here a number of more or less must-see places.

The Grand Palace in Bangkok

The most famous landmark in Bangkok is undoubtedly the sparkling, majestic Grand Palace. It’s a must-see sight without which no city visit would be complete. Built-in 1782, it was the home of the Thai King, the Royal Court, and the government’s administrative seat for 150 years.

Indeed, Bangkok’s Grand Palace is a grand old lady, who continues to awe visitors with its beautiful architecture and intricate detail, all of which is a proud greeting to the Thai people’s creativity and craftsmanship. The Thai war ministry, state departments, and even the mint were also inside its walls. Today, the complex remains the Thai Kingdom’s spiritual heart.

There are several impressive buildings within the palace complex, including Wat Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha Temple), which houses the small but well-known and highly revered Emerald Buddha dating back to the 14th century.

HM The King of Thailand is changing the robes on the Buddha with the seasons–an important practice in the Buddhist calendar. Thai Kings stopped living in the palace around the turn of the 20th century, but the complex of the palace is still used to mark many ceremonial and auspicious occasions of all kinds.

There is a strict dress code. The Grand Palace, along with the Emerald Buddha Temple, is the most sacred site in Thailand. Upon entering the temple, guests must be properly dressed. Men have to wear long-sleeve pants and shirts (no tank tops).

View of Nang Yuan island of Koh Tao island Thailand

Nang Yuan island of Koh Tao island Thailand

Chill out on Koh Nang Yuan  Island

Koh Nang Yuan is not an ordinary island. Koh Nang Yuan is the solution to all your tropical, jungle-covered, sand-strip resort fantasies if you’re wearing sandals or flip-flops. The beautiful Nangyuan Island resort, which is accessible by a private boat from Koh Tao, connects two beautiful mountainous mini islands. The Island Viewpoint is a must-see and gives you the most amazing views of the fairytale islands and enticing turquoise waters.

Tea plantations on angkhang mountain, chiang mai, thailand

Tea plantations on Angkhang mountain, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Watch the sunrise over Chiang Mai from a hot air ballon

Seeing the sunrise as you blissfully float over Chiang Mai’s sky in a hot air balloon is absolutely glorious. Chiang Mai is breathtaking from any angle, but it’s really very romantic floating above the mountain city as the sun starts to tickle the magnificent temples below! Choose a group or private balloon and let the engine fire keep you warm and toasty while glowing in the calming early morning. The tour starts at 6 am and lasts about an hour.

Thai massage

Have a Thai Massage?

Thai massage is famous all over the world, the massage style is unique as it stretches your body and works on the pressure points of your body. You should feel invigorated and relaxed throughout the journey. Every little town and city is guaranteed to have a lot of massage parlors and the prices are very cheap compared to what you’d pay home.

Floating markets in bangkok

The floating market boats

Through the ubiquitous images in tourist guides and travel books, many are familiar with the vibrant floating markets of Bangkok. Even though transactions are more about visitors than local people these days, the floating market boats are still piled high with tropical fruit and vegetables, fresh, ready-to-drink coconut juice, and local food cooked from floating kitchens right on the boat.

Try to relax on a guided boat tour of the Damnoen Saduak market to enjoy the atmosphere without haggling about costs. Taling Chan Market, Bang Ku Wiang Market, Tha Kha, and Damnoen Saduak are other floating markets to visit.

The Bangkok Flower market

Pak Khlong Talad is a bright and colorful spectacle unlike what most tourists have ever seen before. Usually, so many flowers in one place mean you stumbled into a garden, but that overflowing flowery scene is actually a market. Most Thais are visiting this stretch of folly to buy cheap, plastic packages of multicolored roses, orchids, and more, but for those traveling on a budget, this is a great place to meander and kill for a while without losing your account.

Koh Tao Snorkeling

The cheapest way to enjoy Koh Tao’s popular underwater delights is to snorkel your way around Koh Tao Snorkelling. Tours are relatively cheap, but if you’re on a really tight budget, you can buy or borrow a cheap snorkel and go it alone–just check the weather and sea conditions in advance and let someone know where you’re going and when you’re going back. Be sure to visit the exceptionally beautiful Lighthouse and Mango Bays, where rainbow fish schools and crystal clear waters will treat you.

Nana Plaza Bangkok

Nana Plaza Bangkok

An Evening in Nana Plaza

No trip to Bangkok could be complete without a trip to Nana, the main road that passes through Bangkok is called Sukhumvit road and when you get to Soi 4 you have arrived at a spot you don’t want to skip. Nana Plaza is said to be the world’s largest sex complex, full of gogo bars and seductive girls that guarantee an interesting night.

Take a seat at any of the Plaza’s different bars and just sit back and watch the girls apply their company to many tourists visiting.

Death Railway and Bridge of Death at River Kwai, was built by the Empire of Japan in 1943, on World War 2 in Kanchanaburi, Thailand.

Death Railway and Bridge of Death at River Kwai was built by the Empire of Japan in 1943, in World War 2 in Kanchanaburi, Thailand.

Death Railway Bridge,  known from the movie Bridge over the Kwai River

The most famous of all Kanchanaburi sites is the Death Railway Bridge, which really came into the minds of people after filming the film ‘ Bridge over the Kwai River here in 1957. The bridge itself was constructed in Japan in a place called Java and carried over by the Japanese in World War II. Once the bridge was here, the prisoners of war held here were then to reassemble the bridge. The bridge has played an important role in the rail link between Thailand and Burma and is really Kanchanaburi’s star attraction.  it has to be top of your list in the province.

Old ruined temples, rocks and remnants of structures from

Old ruined temples, rocks and remnants of structures from Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya

In 400 years, Ayutthaya went from a thriving commercial and political capital to a totally defaced city–plundered, burnt and destroyed. The city was in a constant power struggle with neighboring Burma, yet it remained a vibrant regional trade hub and a flourishing metropolis where art and culture merged. The architectural heritage of Ayutthaya is a combination of Lopburi, Sukhothai, Dvaravati, U-Thong, and ancient Khmer and Persian styles with advanced techniques and designs. Today, the temple and palace ruins of Ayutthaya serve as a powerful reminder of the glorious past of Siam as well as haunting memories of one of Thai history’s darkest times.

Explore Ayutthaya, an ancient royal capital with rich history, beautiful architecture, and iconic buildings. Visit Bang Pa-In Palace’s former royal palace, marvel at the temples of the Wat Mahathat and Wat Na Phra Men, and ride the waters of the Chao Phraya River for a delicious lunch.

This city’s preserved ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage Site full of archeological wonders— palaces, temples, and statues.

Cave in Heo Suwat Waterfall Khao Yai National Park in Thailand

Cave in Heo Suwat Waterfall Khao Yai National Park in Thailand

Khao Yai National Park

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Khao Yai is the second-largest park in Thailand (2,168sqkm) and one of the most visited national parks. It covers four provinces: Saraburi (west), Nakhon Nayok (east), Nakhon Ratchasima (north), and Prachinburi (east). Khao Rom’s highest peak is 1,351 meters above sea level. Khao Yai is a year-round getaway destination just three hour drive from Bangkok, blessed with a lush, mountainous landscape, fertile valleys, pounding waterfalls and rich biodiversity. With 320 species of birds, 67 species of mammals and thousands of different plant forms, Khao Yai is also home to a rich diversity of animal life

Tuk - tuk on Chinatown street Bangkok, Thailand

Tuk-tuk on Chinatown street Bangkok, Thailand

Tuk Tuk Hop

Hop on board a tuk-tuk, an automatic rickshaw, and enjoy some of the top attractions in Bangkok. The elegantly simple Tuk Tuk Hop app lets you book a tuk-tuk at numerous locations throughout the area, so you don’t have to think about transportation between the city’s top spots. This on-demand, hop-on-hop-off service makes it easy to fly to the top attractions of Bangkok Old Town in the areas of Rattanakosin, Khao San, Dusit, and Phahurat.

Chiang Mai Sunday Night Walking Street

Chiang Mai is known as the “Rose of the North.” Expats from all over the world are seduced by the laid-back culture of Chiang Mai, stunning Buddhist temples, ample restaurants, and lively nightlife. Even if you’re not planning to move here, you certainly should check out the busy shopping community of Chiang Mai. The city holds its night bazaar every evening–a favorite among shoppers in the bargain.

Clothing, street food stalls, DVDs, jewelry, Thai silk, hats, and shoes can be browsed along Chang Khlan Street, east of the walled city’s old side. Each night, the atmosphere is almost the same, with locals and tourists turning up for some tasty street food and watching people. But the Sunday Night Market, or “Walking Lane,” is the best shopping night in Chiang Mai. This market is the biggest of the week and extends one kilometer down Ratchadamnoen Avenue.

Amulet Market

The streets, known as the Amulet Market, are lined with stalls, the only items of which are thousands upon thousands of sacred trinkets covered. Each amulet’s exact protections vary, offering to ward off evil spiritually and physically in all ways. Everyone is here, packed with locals and tourists alike, to search through the products of the vendors for the perfect medallion or figurine that will do the trick for them: protect the harvest, bring good health, bless a new home.

There aren’t many hard and fast rules when it comes to the amulets themselves. Few items for sale are larger than, say, a baseball, while most easily fit in one’s hand’s palm. Many are supposed to contain particles from far away sacred temples, such as inciens spent, monk blessings, etc. Amulets can take the form of Buddhas with a variety of expressions, bone shards, medallions, chunks of wood from sacred spaces with different expressions, brass phalluses, or even real human parts–such as hair. All of these elements combine to create tokens of good luck that have saved generations of working Thai people from horrible fates of all kinds.

Namtok Bua Tong (Sticky waterfall) in Northern Thailand

Namtok Bua Tong (Sticky waterfall) in Northern Thailand

Bua Tong Sticky Waterfall

Bua Tong Waterfall is a low, picturesque waterfall tumbling through the surrounding forest. It slides over rocks with a peculiar bubble-like appearance at an angle of around 45 to 50 degrees. If this was any regular waterfall, sliding down the slippery rocks would be perfect. Yet people are not sliding down Bua Tong, known by local people as the Sticky Waterfall. They’re walking up waterfall instead.

A calcium-rich spring at the top feeds the cascade, plunging down over the rocks. Mineral deposits have given a pumice-like texture to the rocks over time. The wet rocks along the Bua Tong Waterfall are in reality very rugged and therefore easy to walk over — and up— even when muddy, rather than being extremely slippery.

You can walk barefoot over the “sticky” rocks that are rough but not so rough that your feet will be cut or hurt. You still have to look out for some sneaky rocks that offer less traction and are potentially slippery as a result. They appear to be more brown in color than the rocks around them.

Landscape of River in Bangkok city in night time with bird view

Landscape of River in Bangkok city in night time with bird view

Where to stay on your trip to Thailand

VIE HOTEL BANGKOK, the MGallery Award-winning VIE Hotel Bangkok-MGallery Collection is situated just 160 meters from Ratchatewi BTS Skytrain Station, offering 5-star luxury and convenience. It features an outdoor swimming pool, spa and stylish rooms. This specially designed hotel features works of art, luxurious furniture, soft shades and bold colours. The hotel is located just 1 train stop from MBK and Siam Paragon, 3 km from Chinatown and Golden Mount Temple. Suvarnabhumi International Airport is a 30-minute drive away. Elegantly furnished in warm colours, spacious rooms overlooking the cityscape with floor-to-ceiling windows. Both rooms provide modern comforts such as a flat-screen TV, minibar and 24-hour room service. Located on the rooftop of its Annex Building, VIE Hotel Bangkok’s outdoor swimming pool offers a relaxing environment where guests can swim and sunbathe. The hotel also has a well-equipped fitness center and spa treatment. With a fine selection of innovative French cuisine and a luxury wine list, the luxurious La VIE provides a high-end dining experience.

SO SOFITEL is sleek, elegant and minimalist, with plenty of glass and furniture to frame the fantastic views of Lumpini Park and the rest of the city. There is a rooftop infinity pool and a number of dining and drinking choices, as well as moments from Lumpini Park’s green.

Rayawadee Resort, Thailand

RAYAVADEE; Krabi is surrounded by the most beautiful sights of nature-a lush foliage that opens onto a white, sandy beach or a calcareous cliff. And neither does this five-star hotel disappoint when it gets to the indoors. The main hotel has private villas or rooms and suites-most of them with large bathrooms and some with private pools. If you have them, there’s plenty to entertain your girls, and if you don’t, there’s an air of romance-helped by choosing four restaurants. The ship of the hotel will take you on tours and you can walk the nearby trails and don’t have to leave the immediate vicinity.

Rayavadee resort

KATA ROCKS  Phuket offers stunning sea views from its spacious rooms and villas, as well as trendy, modern decor. There is a Mediterranean restaurant on deck, small and isolated, and access to a chaser yacht.

THE AMARI WATERGATE BANGKOK is a five-star hotel giant with 570 suites, a massive fitness center, a luxury spa and plenty of dining and drinking facilities. And it’s in a great place-especially if you’re looking for great value accommodation to increase your spending on shopping. Here the rooms start at less than £ 80 a night.

Offering views of the Chao Phraya River, the AVANI PLUS RIVERSIDE BANGKOK HOTEL offers rooms with a mix of architectural and classic designs. At one of the hotel’s restaurants, visitors will enjoy stunning views from the 28-meter infinity pool on the rooftop. There is free WiFi in public areas. The hotel offers a free shuttle service to and from Sathorn Pier, which connects to BTS Skytrain Station Saphan Taksin. Guests will reach some of Bangkok’s top shopping destinations and attractions in a couple of minutes from the skytrain station. The international airport of Suvarnabhumi is about a1-hour drive away.

Avani + hotels Thailand terrasse

The air-conditioned rooms at the Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel come with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a minibar and a lock. A seating and dining area are available in suites and some have a separate bedroom. The bathroom is fitted with a bath or shower, a hairdryer and free toiletries. The 24-hour reception desk will be delighted to provide advice on what to do in the field. There is ample on-site parking and it is possible to arrange shuttle services. Skyline offers a buffet breakfast and a la carte menu, while SEEN Restaurant and Bar serves international cuisine and cocktails. In The Pantry or the Living Room Restaurant, you can find snacks and fast bites. The hotel is also linked to the Riverside Plaza, providing a wider range of dining and shopping options.

Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel

IBIS STYLES BANGKOK KHAOSAN VIENGTAI. Bangkok Khaosan Viengtai Ibis Styles is a great option for mid-budget travelers who want to live in a central location. The hotel offers air-conditioned rooms with a minibar and equipment for making tea and coffee. Guests can use the swimming pool at their leisure.

De Lanna hotel Chiang Mai

De Lanna hotel, Chiang Mai

HOTEL DE LANNA. Hotel De Lanna in Chiang Mai is a good option for hotels. De Lanna Hotel is a hidden gem with inexpensive rooms and a high level of service. Guests can relax in an outdoor saltwater swimming pool. There’s also an on-site restaurant and bar.

 

Bowls of Asian noodle soup with chicken,mushrooms, sweetcorn and chilli

What to eat on your trip to Thailand

GUAY TEOW (NOODLE SOUP)

Guay Teow is one of Thai’s most popular dishes and can be found nearly everywhere. Guay Teow defines noodle soup of any kind. Chicken, pork, or beef (rarely vegetarian-friendly) as well as rice noodles or egg noodles can be made. Sellers often add wontons or meatballs to the broth most of the time. The best way to top the dish is to choose condiments including sugar, dried chili peppers, lime juice, and fish sauce. Guay Teow can be eaten at any time of day and as a late-night snack is particularly good.

Thai food. Top 15 Thai food dishes

Thai food. More than 20 Thai dishes, you simply must taste

 

KHAO SOI

Khao Soi, a northeastern Thailand soup called Isan, takes a number of beautiful ingredients and mixes them with incredible effectiveness. The broth itself, by adding turmeric powder, is an elixir of red curry paste and coconut milk stained black. Basking in the sweet, luxurious depths is a tender bone-in chicken piece––often a leg––sitting amid sturdy yellow egg noodles ‘ ribbons. Cilantro leaves and a nest of crispy fried noodles crown the entire enterprise. It’s a concoction that can’t-miss that marries sweet with heat and smooth and crispy tender.

HOR MOK MA PROW AWN food Thailand

HOR MOK MA PROW AWN, food from Thailand

HOR MOK MA PROW AWN

Hor Mok is a mixed seafood variety cooked with coconut cream and coconut flesh parts before being put into a young coconut to serve. From the coconut, the sauce is slightly sweet but completely scrumptious.

Hor Mok ma plow awn is at the top of the list as far as Thai dishes go, something you shouldn’t forget when you eat in Thailand!

GANG KEOW WAN

Thai green curry is one of the most famous and sought-after Thai dishes.

Green curry paste, coconut milk, bamboo shoots, meat, Thai basil, Thai eggplant and Thai cuisine’s ever-present herbs and roots (lemongrass, galangal, lime leaves, etc.) render this curry an unparalleled mix of delights.

It is usually prepared very soupy, so every intricate drop needs to be sopped with a plate of rice.

SOM TAM (SPICY GREEN PAPAYA SALAD)

Som tam is northeastern Thailand’s Isaan and is one of Thailand’s most popular dishes. But the traditional som tam is made up of shredded green papaya, tomatoes, carrots, peanuts, dried shrimps, runner beans, palm sugar, tamarind pulp, fish sauce, lime juice, garlic and lots of chilies. Using a mortar and pestle, the ingredients are combined together to intensify the flavors into a super-moreish bowl.

LARB

A dish made of finely chopped or ground meat (such as chicken) with chopped herbs such as mint and cilantro, onion, chilis and spritzed with a heavy dose of lime juice is simple in its core larb. While it’s a humble dish that uses very common ingredients, it’s so well loved that it’s literally the national dish in Laos, Thailand’s funkier northern neighbor. It’s flexible, too, and while it’s mostly made with chicken, having it made with other meats is also not unusual. It’s a wonderful meal, eaten with rice or scooped with lettuce, and you’ll find yourself searching for it again and again.

THAI ROLLED ICE CREAM

Rolled ice cream is now a global phenomenon, but this Instagram-friendly treat has been born on Thailand’s streets. Medium, near-liquid ice cream is spread over a super-chilled metal surface that looks like a standard crepe pan and is then sliced and spread using putty knives made of flat steel. Cooled down it forms an ice cream crust that is delicious when scraped into tightly coiled rolls. Sure, it’s super touristy, but it’s great for cooling you down on a sultry Thai night as well as a tasty dessert.

pad-thai food, Thailand

Pad-thai, food, Thailand

PAD THAI

Pad thai is one of the national dishes of Thailand and is a go-to for visitors beginning their discovery of Thai cuisine. Pad thai is a shrimp or chicken fried noodle dish, but the vegetarian option is also popular. Pad thai is available nearly every corner of the street and is an inexpensive and delicious meal.

PAD KRAPOW (FRIED BASIL)

Pad krapao is usually made with chopped pork or chicken (which is also perfect with tofu) stir-fried with Thai basil and lots of chilies. Pad krapow is definitely not a dish for picky eaters: Thai basil has a very sharp, peppery flavor, while chilies add a heavy dose of spice. By telling the vendor to make it “pet nit noi” (only a little spicy) you can always take the heat down a notch. The dish was served with white rice and accompanied by an oozing running buddy egg “kai dao” that blends for an unforgettable taste sensation throughout the rest of the meal.

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