Thailand travel guide
Thailand travel guide: cities, islands, and the right route
Thailand remains Southeast Asia’s most accessible adventure – world-class beaches, exceptional food, two-month visa-free for most nationalities, and an infrastructure that handles 40 million tourists yearly without losing its texture.
Destinations we cover in Thailand
Country overview
Thailand is a tropical-monsoon country with a clear November-February dry season window and a separate northern hill region with distinct climate. The new TDAC (Thailand Digital Arrival Card, free, takes 3 min online) is required from mid-2025.
- Language
- Thai. English common in Bangkok, Chiang Mai tourist areas, and at major hotels; limited elsewhere.
- Currency
- Thai Baht (THB). ATMs widely available; SuperRich exchange booths offer the best rates.
- Best time to visit
- November-February for cool dry season. Avoid March-May extreme heat. June-October monsoon is workable in Bangkok but tougher in the north (haze can be severe).
- Trip highlights
- Bangkok’s temples + rooftop bars + street food, Chiang Mai’s mountain villages + ethical elephant sanctuaries, the Songkran (April) + Yi Peng (November) festivals.