- Ideal trip length
- 10 to 14 nights
- Best time to go
- November to April; Koh Samui January to August
- Time zone
- GMT+7 (Indochina Time)
- Currency
- Thai baht (THB)
Entry update15 September 2026
Since 15 September 2026, visa-free stays are 30 days for tourism, down from 60. The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is still required before you land. A tourist entry fee is planned but has no start date yet.
About Thailand
Thailand does hospitality with real grace. Bangkok is the place to begin, with riverside hotels, temples, rooftop bars and one of Asia's most exciting dining scenes. Street food and tasting menus are equally worth your time. It is easy to stay three nights and still leave plenty unseen. From there, the country opens up in every direction, with islands to the south and mountains to the north.
Phuket and nearby Krabi face the Andaman Sea, with limestone islands and long sunsets. Koh Samui, in the Gulf of Thailand, has a gentler, villa-led feel and a different weather pattern, which makes year-round beach trips possible. In the north, Chiang Mai brings temples, crafts and cooler air. I match the beach to the month first, then build the rest of the trip around it.
When to go
December to February is cool and dry across most of the country. From May to September the Andaman coast around Phuket is wetter, so I lean towards Koh Samui, which stays drier until October. October is wet almost everywhere.
Places to go
Bangkok
Riverside hotels, grand temples and an exceptional food scene, from street stalls to tasting menus.
See hotelsPhuket
Andaman beaches, island boat days and polished resorts; best from November to April.
See hotelsKoh Samui
Gulf island of private pool villas and calm bays, usually drier than Phuket from May to September.
See hotelsChiang Mai
Northern temples, craft villages and cooler mountain air, ideal for a few slower days.
Ask me about hotels hereKrabi
Limestone cliffs and secluded beaches near Phuket, reached by car or boat.
Ask me about hotels hereMy picks in Thailand
The hotels I'd start with, and who each one suits.
2 MICHELIN Keys
Rosewood Elite
Rosewood Phuket
Phuket, Thailand
3 MICHELIN Keys
Virtuoso
Amanpuri
Phuket, Thailand
2 MICHELIN KeysForbes Four-Star
Four Seasons Preferred Partner
Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui
Koh Samui, Thailand
2 MICHELIN KeysForbes Recommended
IHG Destined
Six Senses Samui
Koh Samui, Thailand
3 MICHELIN KeysForbes Five-Star
Mandarin Oriental Fan Club
Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok
Bangkok, Thailand
1 MICHELIN KeyForbes Five-Star
The Peninsula PenClub
The Peninsula Bangkok
Bangkok, Thailand
3 MICHELIN KeysForbes Five-Star
Virtuoso
Capella Bangkok
Bangkok, Thailand
2 MICHELIN KeysForbes Four-Star
Rosewood Elite
Rosewood Bangkok
Bangkok, ThailandBefore you go
Arriving
Getting there
Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport is the main long-haul gateway. Phuket and Koh Samui have their own airports, with Samui served mainly by Bangkok Airways.
Getting around
Short domestic flights link the regions. In Bangkok, river boats, the BTS Skytrain and Grab help you avoid the worst traffic.
Visa and entry
Singapore, UK, US and Australian passports, among others, get 30 visa-free days; file the free TDAC arrival card in the three days before arrival. Check the official source before you travel.
Checked November 2026
Money and culture
Money
Cards work in hotels, malls and good restaurants; carry baht for markets and small shops. Thai ATMs charge foreign cards a fee, so withdraw less often.
Tipping
Not obligatory but appreciated. Many hotels add a service charge; small tips for guides, drivers and spa therapists are a kind gesture.
Local customs
Dress modestly at temples, covering shoulders and knees, and remove shoes before entering. The monarchy is deeply respected, and criticism is a serious offence.
On the ground
Language
Thai. English is widely spoken in hotels and tourist areas, and a few words of Thai go a long way.
Plugs and power
Sockets usually take flat two-pin Type A and round two-pin Type C plugs. Many hotels fit universal sockets.
Safety
Thailand is generally safe for visitors. Use licensed boats with life jackets, respect red flags on monsoon beaches, and avoid tuk-tuk gem-shop tours in Bangkok.
Thailand: quick answers
When is the best time to visit Thailand?
November to April; Koh Samui January to August. December to February is cool and dry across most of the country. From May to September the Andaman coast around Phuket is wetter, so I lean towards Koh Samui, which stays drier until October. October is wet almost everywhere.
How long should I spend in Thailand?
10 to 14 nights is a good length for a first visit. Tell me what you enjoy and I'll shape the route around it.
Which luxury hotels do you recommend in Thailand?
My picks are Rosewood Phuket, Amanpuri (Phuket), Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, Six Senses Samui (Koh Samui), Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, The Peninsula Bangkok, Capella Bangkok and Rosewood Bangkok. Each hotel page has my write-up, what guests say and the benefits I can add.
Do I need a visa for Thailand?
Singapore, UK, US and Australian passports, among others, get 30 visa-free days; file the free TDAC arrival card in the three days before arrival. Check the official source before you travel.
Updated November 2026
More ways to experience Thailand
Silversea
All-suite ocean and expedition voyages, with wide coverage across Japan and Southeast Asia.
Explore Ultra luxurySeabourn
Intimate all-suite ships, with winter seasons in Japan and Southeast Asia.
Explore Ultra luxuryThe Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Yacht-style voyages with Ritz-Carlton service, including winter seasons in Southeast Asia and Japan.
ExploreI choose the coast by the month first, Andaman or Gulf, then add Bangkok and, time allowing, a few cooler days up north.
- Benefits arranged before you arrive.
- One point of contact from start to finish.
- Hotels matched to how you travel.