Everything you need to know about Thailand, sorted by topic, from Bangkok and Chiang Mai to the southern islands.
Sky lantern releases around Chiang Mai are restricted to permitted zones and hours, the famous mass releases are ticketed private events, and flights get moved. What you can actually do, and what the festival leaves behind.
The float on the water and the lantern in the sky are different festivals that happen to coincide. What each one is, where each is best, why the famous mass releases are ticketed events, and what the dates depend on.
Mountains and temples in the north against white sand beaches in the south: an honest comparison of Thailand's two halves by trip type, cost and season, so you choose well or combine both.
Fish sauce and shrimp paste hide in dishes that look meat-free by default. Here is how jay food actually works, which phrases help at a stall, and how to eat well as a vegetarian or vegan in Thailand.
Which sea suits which month, how the romantic islands actually differ, when a private pool villa earns its price, and a route that mixes a quiet island with a few days somewhere with a pulse.
Shallow water with a gentle shelf, short transfers, a walkable strip and no party scene: which Thai islands genuinely suit young children, and which ones do not.
A realistic three-week Thailand itinerary: Bangkok, the north around Chiang Mai and Pai, and one island group, week by week, with what to leave out and why.
How to move in a city with legendary traffic: the skytrain and metro and where they do not reach, why the ride app beats a street taxi, the boats, and the one journey to avoid at rush hour.
Bangkok or Phuket? City energy, temples and street food versus beaches, islands and boat trips: an honest comparison, a table, and a clear verdict for every traveler.
When to visit Thailand: the cool, hot and green seasons explained, how the monsoon differs by coast, plus Songkran, Loy Krathong and how to pick the perfect travel dates.
Thailand or Vietnam? An honest comparison of beaches, scenery, food, cost, ease of travel and weather, with a clear verdict for every type of traveler.
Do you need travel insurance for Thailand? Yes, and here is why: motorbike accidents, private hospital costs, diving add-ons, dengue and evacuation, plus what a good policy must cover.
The emergency numbers every Thailand traveller should save: 191 police, 1155 tourist police, 1669 medical, plus the best hospitals, road safety facts and what to do if things go wrong.
How entering Thailand works in 2026: the 60-day visa exemption and the proposed cut to 30 days, the TDAC digital arrival card, passport validity rules, extensions, proof of funds and onward travel.
Planning your first trip to Thailand? Here is when to go, how the visa works, how to get around, where to base yourself, what to book ahead, and the rookie mistakes to skip.
A calmer, more established beach town two to three hours from Bangkok, built around a royal summer palace, a long beach, golf courses and an easy train ride rather than a party scene.
A canalside market that only really runs on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, with grilled seafood cooked straight from the boats and firefly tours after dark.
Wild elephants and gibbons within three hours of Bangkok, a UNESCO forest, waterfalls, and the country's best-known wine region on its doorstep. What a day trip or overnight actually looks like.
What Khao San Road actually is behind the reputation: the backpacker history, how the street changes from a quiet market by day to a party strip after dark, the food stalls, the calmer parallel on Rambuttri, and whether it is worth sleeping there at all.
The far southern island of Thailand: three beaches, a Walking Street, some of the clearest water and best snorkelling in the country, a genuinely hard journey, and a season that shuts much of it down.
Mountains and temples in the north against white sand beaches in the south: an honest comparison of Thailand's two halves by trip type, cost and season, so you choose well or combine both.
Mountain jungle down to a quiet sea, waterfalls you can swim under, a short hop from Bangkok, and a wet season that shuts down half the island: what sets Koh Chang apart.
Rows of headless Buddhas among lotus ponds, a moated old city with almost none of the crowds of Ayutthaya, and why it is worth the extra distance from Bangkok.
The former capital an hour north of Bangkok: which three temple ruins are essential, the head in the tree roots, how to get there by train or boat, and why to go early.
Not all of them are for tourists: the famous one that is largely staged, the markets locals actually shop at, what the boat ride really costs, and how to avoid the worst version of this day.
The city after dark beyond the cliches: rooftop bars and their dress codes, the craft beer and cocktail streets, night markets, and how to have a great evening without going near the strips.
The best eating in Bangkok is on the pavement: the dishes to start with, how to read a stall, Chinatown at night, the markets worth the journey, and the hygiene question answered honestly.
Where to stay in Bangkok: Sukhumvit, Silom, Riverside, the Old City and Khao San compared, which suits which trip, and the one rule about transport that decides everything else.
How to visit the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun without the heat and the crowds: the dress code enforced at the gate, the order that works, the scam at the entrance, and what each is actually for.
Three hundred temples in one city and one on a mountain: which four are worth your morning, the staircase of nagas, and the dress code that turns people away at the door.
West of Bangkok: the bridge over the River Kwai and the museums that give it meaning, the war cemeteries, the seven-tier waterfall, and whether it works as a day trip or needs a night.
A small town in a valley three hours north of Chiang Mai, reached by a famously winding road: what to do there, how long people actually stay, and whether the drive is worth it.
Bangkok or Phuket? City energy, temples and street food versus beaches, islands and boat trips: an honest comparison, a table, and a clear verdict for every traveler.
Your complete Chiang Mai guide: the old city temples, the famous night bazaar, ethical elephant sanctuaries, the best day trips, and where to eat khao soi in northern Thailand.
How to get from Bangkok's airports to the city: Suvarnabhumi vs Don Mueang explained, the Airport Rail Link, metered taxis, Grab, buses, and the shuttle between the two airports.
Your complete Bangkok guide: the temples worth your time, the best markets, the neighbourhoods to explore, how to get around, and what to eat in Thailand's wild, wonderful capital.
How the night at the most famous beach party in Thailand actually runs: getting in and the wristband, where to stay and how far it is, what the buckets cost, the safety risks worth taking seriously, and getting back safely at dawn.
The far southern island of Thailand: three beaches, a Walking Street, some of the clearest water and best snorkelling in the country, a genuinely hard journey, and a season that shuts much of it down.
The cove made famous by The Beach was loved into serious trouble, closed for years to let the reef recover, and reopened under rules that keep changing: what a visit actually involves today, and where to go instead if swimming is the point.
The Andaman marine park that shuts for half the year: when it opens, how day trips and liveaboards differ, what the granite underwater landscape actually looks like, and why nobody stays overnight.
Shallow water with a gentle shelf, short transfers, a walkable strip and no party scene: which Thai islands genuinely suit young children, and which ones do not.
Mountain jungle down to a quiet sea, waterfalls you can swim under, a short hop from Bangkok, and a wet season that shuts down half the island: what sets Koh Chang apart.
One legendary beach party and a whole quiet island around it: how Koh Phangan actually works, where to stay for which experience, and how to stay safe on the big night.
Combination tickets, speedboats against big ferries, the seasons that stop crossings, and the one rule that stops a cancelled boat from costing you a flight.
Long west-facing beaches, a road down the spine, no nightlife to speak of and a season that shuts half of it: the quiet alternative on the Andaman coast.
Big beaches, big resorts and a ring road: what Samui is actually like, which coast to choose, and why its season is the opposite of the Andaman.
Chaweng, Lamai, the north coast or the quiet south: what each Samui bay is like to wake up in, what the ring road costs you, and where the noise is.
One of the cheapest places in the world to get certified, and one of the busiest: how the courses work, how to choose a school, and what the island is like beyond the tanks.
A peninsula reachable only by longtail boat, with climbing routes on vertical limestone and four beaches: how Railay works, where Ao Nang fits, and which to sleep on.
The most photographed islands in Thailand, and the most oversubscribed: how the day trip works, what an overnight actually gets you, and where the quiet is.
Thailand's largest island holds a party strip, quiet family beaches, an old Sino-Portuguese town and a national park: which end suits which trip.
The party strip, the family bays, the quiet south and the empty national park coast: which Phuket beach matches which holiday, and what each costs you in transport.
Bangkok or Phuket? City energy, temples and street food versus beaches, islands and boat trips: an honest comparison, a table, and a clear verdict for every traveler.
Andaman or Gulf? Compare Phuket, Krabi and Phi Phi against Koh Samui, Phangan and Tao: the scenery, the seasons, the vibe, and how to pick the right Thai island for your trip.
A canalside market that only really runs on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, with grilled seafood cooked straight from the boats and firefly tours after dark.
Sky lantern releases around Chiang Mai are restricted to permitted zones and hours, the famous mass releases are ticketed private events, and flights get moved. What you can actually do, and what the festival leaves behind.
Wild elephants and gibbons within three hours of Bangkok, a UNESCO forest, waterfalls, and the country's best-known wine region on its doorstep. What a day trip or overnight actually looks like.
The float on the water and the lantern in the sky are different festivals that happen to coincide. What each one is, where each is best, why the famous mass releases are ticketed events, and what the dates depend on.
The cove made famous by The Beach was loved into serious trouble, closed for years to let the reef recover, and reopened under rules that keep changing: what a visit actually involves today, and where to go instead if swimming is the point.
The Andaman marine park that shuts for half the year: when it opens, how day trips and liveaboards differ, what the granite underwater landscape actually looks like, and why nobody stays overnight.
Rows of headless Buddhas among lotus ponds, a moated old city with almost none of the crowds of Ayutthaya, and why it is worth the extra distance from Bangkok.
The former capital an hour north of Bangkok: which three temple ruins are essential, the head in the tree roots, how to get there by train or boat, and why to go early.
Not all of them are for tourists: the famous one that is largely staged, the markets locals actually shop at, what the boat ride really costs, and how to avoid the worst version of this day.
How to visit the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun without the heat and the crowds: the dress code enforced at the gate, the order that works, the scam at the entrance, and what each is actually for.
Three hundred temples in one city and one on a mountain: which four are worth your morning, the staircase of nagas, and the dress code that turns people away at the door.
A seven-tier waterfall of turquoise pools a day from Bangkok, and a jungle lake among limestone towers in the south: what each is, and how to visit without a rushed day.
A contemporary artist's temple in white glass and plaster, a blue hall next door, and a long day from Chiang Mai: what is worth the drive and what to skip.
No riding, no shows, no bathing scrums: the questions that separate a genuine sanctuary from a rebranded camp, and what a good visit actually looks like.
West of Bangkok: the bridge over the River Kwai and the museums that give it meaning, the war cemeteries, the seven-tier waterfall, and whether it works as a day trip or needs a night.
Fish sauce and shrimp paste hide in dishes that look meat-free by default. Here is how jay food actually works, which phrases help at a stall, and how to eat well as a vegetarian or vegan in Thailand.
The best eating in Bangkok is on the pavement: the dishes to start with, how to read a stall, Chinatown at night, the markets worth the journey, and the hygiene question answered honestly.
The tiers above the pavement: shophouse kitchens, old Chinese-Thai family restaurants, regional specialists and the rooftop dining rooms, and how to order in each.
The Thai food guide: the dishes to order from pad thai to green curry, how to eat street food safely, the best night markets, and the etiquette that makes locals smile.
How the night at the most famous beach party in Thailand actually runs: getting in and the wristband, where to stay and how far it is, what the buckets cost, the safety risks worth taking seriously, and getting back safely at dawn.
What Khao San Road actually is behind the reputation: the backpacker history, how the street changes from a quiet market by day to a party strip after dark, the food stalls, the calmer parallel on Rambuttri, and whether it is worth sleeping there at all.
One legendary beach party and a whole quiet island around it: how Koh Phangan actually works, where to stay for which experience, and how to stay safe on the big night.
The city after dark beyond the cliches: rooftop bars and their dress codes, the craft beer and cocktail streets, night markets, and how to have a great evening without going near the strips.
Which sea suits which month, how the romantic islands actually differ, when a private pool villa earns its price, and a route that mixes a quiet island with a few days somewhere with a pulse.
Where to stay in Bangkok: Sukhumvit, Silom, Riverside, the Old City and Khao San compared, which suits which trip, and the one rule about transport that decides everything else.
Inside the moat, along the river, in the hip quarter south of it, or up in the hills: what each part of Chiang Mai is like to sleep in and who it suits.
Chaweng, Lamai, the north coast or the quiet south: what each Samui bay is like to wake up in, what the ring road costs you, and where the noise is.
The party strip, the family bays, the quiet south and the empty national park coast: which Phuket beach matches which holiday, and what each costs you in transport.
How to move in a city with legendary traffic: the skytrain and metro and where they do not reach, why the ride app beats a street taxi, the boats, and the one journey to avoid at rush hour.
Combination tickets, speedboats against big ferries, the seasons that stop crossings, and the one rule that stops a cancelled boat from costing you a flight.
The most useful and most dangerous thing a visitor does here: what licence you actually need, why most travel policies exclude motorbikes, and the deposit rule that prevents disputes.
How to get around Thailand: cheap domestic flights, scenic trains, comfy buses, island ferries, the Grab app, tuk-tuks and BTS, and when to use each one to save time and money.
How to get from Bangkok's airports to the city: Suvarnabhumi vs Don Mueang explained, the Airport Rail Link, metered taxis, Grab, buses, and the shuttle between the two airports.
The most useful and most dangerous thing a visitor does here: what licence you actually need, why most travel policies exclude motorbikes, and the deposit rule that prevents disputes.
What a Thailand trip really costs: where the money goes on beds, food, transport and boat days, the three lines that break budgets, and how to travel well without spending much.
A very safe country with a small set of well-rehearsed tourist scams: the closed temple, the gem shop, the jet ski damage claim and the rental passport, and how each one ends.
Do you need travel insurance for Thailand? Yes, and here is why: motorbike accidents, private hospital costs, diving add-ons, dengue and evacuation, plus what a good policy must cover.
The emergency numbers every Thailand traveller should save: 191 police, 1155 tourist police, 1669 medical, plus the best hospitals, road safety facts and what to do if things go wrong.
How entering Thailand works in 2026: the 60-day visa exemption and the proposed cut to 30 days, the TDAC digital arrival card, passport validity rules, extensions, proof of funds and onward travel.
The route that fits without rushing: three nights in Bangkok, three in the north, four on an island, and why a cheap domestic flight beats every overland option.
A five-day route through Thai religious art and history: the Grand Palace and river temples in Bangkok, the ruined capital at Ayutthaya, an older capital's serene Buddhas, and the modern artist-built temples of Chiang Rai.
A five-day itinerary built entirely around the food: Bangkok's Yaowarat street kitchens, a dawn fresh market, a hands-on cooking class, Chiang Mai's northern noodle soup, and the pounded, fiery flavours of the northeast.
A five-day plan for the Gulf side: Koh Samui's beaches and viewpoints, a day trip across to Koh Phangan, a ferry on to Koh Tao for diving and snorkelling, and a final unhurried beach day back on Samui.
A five-day plan for the Andaman coast: Phuket's old Sino-Portuguese town, a proper beach day, paddling into a hidden lagoon in Phang Nga Bay, a Phi Phi or Krabi island day, and Railay's cliffside peninsula.
A realistic three-week Thailand itinerary: Bangkok, the north around Chiang Mai and Pai, and one island group, week by week, with what to leave out and why.
A five-day plan for the cooler, slower north: old city temples and a monk chat, the climb to Doi Suthep, a morning at a genuine elephant sanctuary, a hands-on cooking class, and a day trip to Chiang Rai's artist-built temples.
A realistic two weeks in Thailand itinerary: Bangkok, Chiang Mai and one island group, with the internal flights to book and where to do nothing at the end.
A slower, smarter five-day plan for Bangkok: the Grand Palace and river temples, canal longtails, Yaowarat street food, a rooftop night and a day trip to Ayutthaya or Amphawa.
A ready-made 10-day Thailand itinerary: temple-filled Bangkok, cool and cultural Chiang Mai, and a beach finale on Koh Samui, planned day by day with one wow moment each.
The site has 67 guides covering all of Thailand: Bangkok, Chiang Mai and the north, the southern islands (Phuket, Koh Samui, Koh Phi Phi), temples, food, nightlife and practical info. All are updated regularly.
Start with the general planning guide and "when to visit Thailand", then decide between the north and the islands, and move on to the Bangkok guide, the islands guide and the ready-made itinerary that matches your number of days.
It depends on the trip. The north (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai) is strong on nature, temples, elephants and culture; the southern islands are for beaches, diving and beach life. A classic trip combines a few days in Bangkok, then the north, then the islands.
Yes. Vegetarian and vegan dishes, tropical fruit and fresh food are easy to find everywhere, though it is worth asking for no fish sauce (nam pla) if you avoid it. In Bangkok and the bigger islands you will also find a wide range of international restaurants.