Bangkok skyline at sunset

South-East Asia

Thailand

Temples, islands, and street food — built for first-time backpackers and seasoned travellers alike.

Capital Bangkok
Language Thai
Currency Thai Baht (THB)
Best time to visit November – February

Thailand sits at the heart of South-East Asia, bordered by Myanmar to the west, Laos to the north and east, and Cambodia to the southeast — with Malaysia and the Andaman Sea further south. It's a country of contrasts: misty mountains and hill-tribe villages in the north, the relentless energy of Bangkok in the centre, and the turquoise water of the Andaman and Gulf coasts in the south.

It's also one of the easiest countries in the region for first-time backpackers — cheap, well-travelled, and set up for every budget, without losing what makes it worth visiting in the first place.

What to do

Tuk-tuk on the streets of Bangkok at night

Bangkok & Culture

Bangkok rewards a slower pace than most first-time visitors give it. Spend at least three days here before heading south or north — there's more to it than the airport-to-island layover most people plan.

Temples worth the queue

  • Wat Phra Kaew & the Grand Palace: home to the Emerald Buddha and the most photographed rooftops in the country. Arrive at opening (8:30am) to beat both the heat and the tour buses.
  • Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn): best seen from across the river at sunset, ideally with a drink in hand at one of the rooftop bars on the opposite bank.
  • Wat Pho: the 46-metre reclining Buddha, and one of the oldest and largest temple complexes in Bangkok — also home to the original Thai massage school.

Markets & street food

  • Chatuchak Weekend Market: over 8,000 stalls — go early, wear comfortable shoes, and don't try to see all of it.
  • Yaowarat (Chinatown): the best street food in the city after dark — follow the queues, not the guidebooks.
  • Damnoen Saduak or Amphawa floating markets: Damnoen Saduak is more touristy but easier to reach; Amphawa (weekends only) feels more local and is best visited in the evening.

Getting around

The BTS Skytrain and MRT subway cover most of the areas visitors need, and are the easiest way to avoid Bangkok's traffic. Use the Grab app for anything the trains don't reach — it's metered, so there's no haggling.
Longtail boats on a beach in Krabi

Islands & Diving

Thailand's islands split roughly into two coasts: the Andaman Sea (Krabi, Phuket, Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi) in the west, and the Gulf of Thailand (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao) in the east. Each has its own season, so check the weather before committing to one side.

Best islands for diving

  • Koh Tao: the cheapest place in the world to get PADI certified, with calm, shallow bays that are ideal for beginners.
  • Similan Islands: liveaboard trips from Khao Lak or Phuket reach some of the best visibility and marine life in Thailand — whale sharks are a possibility between February and April.
  • Koh Phi Phi: good day-trip snorkelling at Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon, though it's the busiest spot on this list.

Railay Beach

Only reachable by longtail boat (no roads in), Railay is Thailand's rock-climbing hub — hundreds of bolted routes on limestone cliffs right above the beach, with schools offering half-day intro courses for complete beginners.

Getting between islands

Longtail boats handle short hops; ferries connect the bigger islands to the mainland. Book ferry tickets a day ahead in high season (December–February), when the popular routes sell out.
Sunset on a beach in Phuket

Beaches & Sunsets

The Andaman coast has some of the best beaches in South-East Asia — here are the ones worth building a few days around.

Best beaches

  • Railay West: calm water, dramatic limestone cliffs on both sides, and arguably the best sunset view on the Andaman coast.
  • Freedom Beach, Phuket: only reachable by boat or a steep jungle trail — quieter and cleaner than Phuket's main beaches.
  • Klong Dao, Koh Lanta: long, laid-back, and shallow enough for swimming well out — a good base for a few slow days.
  • Koh Lipe: further south and harder to reach, but closer to Malaysia-clear water and far fewer crowds.

Best sunset spots

Promthep Cape on Phuket's southern tip is the island's most famous sunset viewpoint — arrive 30 minutes early to get a spot on the rocks. On Koh Lanta, any beach bar along Klong Dao does the job just as well, with a lot less company.

A note on Full Moon Parties

Koh Phangan's Full Moon Party (Haad Rin beach, monthly) is a rite of passage for a lot of backpackers — worth doing once, but book accommodation well ahead and keep valuables locked up.

Currency & costs

Thailand's currency is the Thai Baht (THB). Cards are accepted in most cities, but cash is still king at markets, small restaurants, and in rural areas — carry small bills, especially for tuk-tuks and street food.

ATMs charge a fixed withdrawal fee on top of your own bank's charges, so it's usually cheaper to take out larger amounts less often. Budget roughly €25–35 per day for backpacker-style travel (hostels, street food, local transport), or more if you want private rooms and the occasional resort.

Suggested routes

Northern Loop

2 weeks

Bangkok → Chiang Mai → Pai → Chiang Rai → Bangkok

Mountains, hill-tribe villages, night markets, and Thailand's best coffee. A slower, cooler alternative to the islands.

Andaman Island Hopper

10 days

Krabi → Railay → Koh Phi Phi → Koh Lanta

Beaches, rock climbing, and snorkelling by longtail boat. Easy to combine short hops without much planning.

The Grand Tour

4 weeks

Bangkok → Chiang Mai → Pai → Bangkok → Krabi → Railay → Koh Phi Phi

North and south in one trip. Fly between Bangkok and Krabi to save time, then travel overland the rest of the way.