The hub of South East Asia’s booming tourist industry, Thailand offers serene beaches, party vibes, busy bric-a-brac markets and rolling jungles sheltering elephant farms and eco lodges.
You could spend several weeks meandering around Thailand and find many interesting pockets with their own sights and vibe.
TIME FRAME?
If you love to laze about on the beach drinking from fresh coconuts and having daily massages, Thailand’s islands and coastline are ready and waiting for you.
Two to three days is a good amount of time in Bangkok in my opinion, any more time and you end up lying by your hotel’s pool when you could be on the coast.
If you have just one week I would hire a beach bungalow and lap up the beach life for a week. You could also spend two days in Bangkok and head down to the beach resorts or town for five days.
Heading north with one week to ten days up your sleeve, take an overnight bus from Bangkok up to Chiang Mai, making your way over to Chiang Rai and Pai.
Two to three weeks is enough time to see the beaches, Bangkok city and up north if you are happy to move at a good pace.
TRAVELLING THAILAND?
Bangkok airport receives all international and regional Asian flights so getting around Thailand itself and the surrounding countries is too easy from this busy hub. With 16 million tourists a year, there are direct flights to Phuket from Bangkok and international cities.
To head down the East coast to Koh Chang and surrounding islands, there are minivans that will pick you up from Bangkok Hotels and drive you down to the island’s ferry and on to your hotel.
I would fly directly to Phuket from Bangkok if you are relaxing on Thailand’s Western coast.
Heading to northern Thailand I found the overnight buses very comfortable. You are given clean blankets and pillows and even dinner. As a solo female traveller I felt very safe on these buses despite it being the middle of the night.
Many tourists brave the potholed roads and hire scooters, I wouldn’t recommend this for Bangkok city but outside of the capital life slows down somewhat and you should be fine if you have ridden a scooter before.
TRAVELLING THAILAND?
Bangkok airport receives all international and regional Asian flights so getting around Thailand itself and the surrounding countries is too easy from this busy hub. With 16 million tourists a year, there are direct flights to Phuket from Bangkok and international cities.
To head down the East coast to Koh Chang and surrounding islands, there are minivans that will pick you up from Bangkok Hotels and drive you down to the island’s ferry and on to your hotel.
I would fly directly to Phuket from Bangkok if you are relaxing on Thailand’s Western coast.
Heading to northern Thailand I found the overnight buses very comfortable. You are given clean blankets and pillows and even dinner. As a solo female traveller I felt very safe on these buses despite it being the middle of the night.
Many tourists brave the potholed roads and hire scooters, I wouldn’t recommend this for Bangkok city but outside of the capital life slows down somewhat and you should be fine if you have ridden a scooter before.
MY BEST ADVICE?
Thailand isn’t only about 18 year olds partying all night at moonlight parties in Phuket and Koh Panang. For serenity I prefer to head down the Eastern coastline on the Cambodian side of the bay where there is less partying and more tranquillity under the swaying palm trees.
Northern Thailand with Pai, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai as the hot spots, brings a completely different feel to the capital and southern beaches.
My favourite place in Thailand is Pai, it is a sleepy little northern town surrounded by green rolling hills and boasts an incredible night food market down the main street. There is a special vibe in Pai that you must experience yourself!
Travelling isn’t always about you and your instagram shots, I believe we should all be morally conscious travellers that consider their effect of places and the companies they support. There are many popular tourist sites that are violating animal and human rights for money in Thailand. I choose not to support these companies and you will have to decide for yourself when you are there.
Thailand boasts 1,430 islands!
WHERE SHOULD I GO?
NEED MORE ADVICE? KEEP READING…
So who am I…? Hi! My name is India.
I am a nomadic Australian who has wandered the world full time exploring over 60 countries and 5/7 continents.
After ten years on the road, I have launched my own website – Travelling Notebook – to share the knowledge I have gained on the road and the images I have collected over the years with fellow adventurers. Keep reading…
I am a freelance travel writer, photography and videographer, based in London. If you need specific travel advice or would like to collaborate please send an email my way!
Always say yes to adventure!
x India
