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Thailand Vacation: The Dream Destination in Southeast Asia
Thailand has been a top dream destination for many backpackers and globetrotters. Thailand is also the most visited travel destination in the Southeast Asia region.
If you are traveling to Thailand for the first time, you should do a little research on the country and prepare for your trip well. That's why we have all the useful information here and of course, the best offers for your Thailand vacation, whether it's the last-minute flights, vacation packages, or an all-inclusive resort. Just have a look around and spend a few days with us in the Land of Smiles and, as always, at pirate prices!
Information About Thailand
With an area of approximately 200,000 sq miles and a population of approximately 69 million, Thailand ranks 50th among countries in the world in terms of size and 20th in terms of population density. Almost 95 percent of Thais are Buddhists, and only in the deep south lives a significant Muslim minority. Thailand is a hereditary monarchy and the royal family is held in the highest regard.
If you want to know how many islands Thailand has to offer, you only have to consider how many Thai regions have a "Koh" in their name. Because this " Koh " in English means nothing more than "island". About Twenty such islands can be experienced in the course of a weeklong getaway to Thailand. Thailand has islands ranging from large islands that alone justify a two to three-week stays such as Koh Phuket or Koh Samui to uninhabited islands such as Koh Kram, which can only be visited with a tent to offer everything that can make a Thailand vacation distinctive and absolutely unique.
Before you leave, it is best to take a look at the information from the travel.state.gov on Thailand.
Arrival to Thailand
Many roads lead from the US to Thailand. Large airlines such as Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, and Thai Airways just to name a few. The cheapest tickets can be bought out of international west coast airports, such as Los Angeles International (LAX) and San Francisco International (SFO) which will connect travelers to Thailand's capital city Bangkok at a great price. Sometimes there are even great deals from East Coast airports such as New York City (JFK) and Boston (BOS).
Entry into Thailand
No visa is required to enter Thailand provided you stay no longer than 30 days. Upon arrival, you will receive a stamp on your passport. Important: The passport must be valid for at least six months.
Accommodation in Thailand
From a simple beach bungalow with a ceiling fan to a five-star hotel, you can find accommodation in Thailand for every budget. Bargain hunters only pay a few dollars per night for a bed in a hostel dormitory.
A very special experience is a homestay stay with a local family in one of the rural provinces like Isaan in the northeast: Here you can experience genuine Thailand and enjoy genuine hospitality.
Hotels in Thailand
Hotels in Thailand are often very cheap by American standards and for little money, you can get a super night in a resort with a spa, first-class service, and great reviews. If you are thinking of a road trip or island hopping when planning a vacation in Thailand, we every so often have really cheap Thailand flights for you.
The Best Time to Travel to Thailand
The climate of Thailand is tropical with two rainy seasons that affect the south more than the north. The southwest monsoon in summer brings rainfall across the country, while the northeast monsoon in winter only affects the north. If you want to go on a beach vacation in Phuket or in the southern regions around Khao Lak and Krabi, you can hope for dryness from November to March. These regions are therefore also very popular for the Christmas breaks. From April to October, it rains relatively regularly*. In Bangkok and further north, however, the rainy season is limited to the time between May and October.
In the months of March to May/June, it is sometimes very hot in the bathing regions. Here the temperatures can rise up to 110 degrees. The best time to travel to Thailand is between November and February, as the temperatures here are between 78 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. and the rainy season is generally over.
Only in the mountains in central and northern Thailand can it get quite cool at night. If you are planning a road trip to the north, you should definitely consider this. Here is the best travel time for Thailand, at least for the north, rather a little later.
Our pirate tip: In the tropics, "rain" doesn't mean the almost endless drizzle of our latitudes. Instead, it keeps pouring out of buckets before the sun comes out for a few hours. Since hotels are much cheaper in the rainy season, you can go on vacation in Thailand for very little money.
Where to Go in Thailand: The Most Beautiful Travel Destinations
If you are more interested in the culture and history of the country, a Thailand tour is the best way to get to know Thailand in detail. The most popular stations for this are:
The capital Bangkok with grandiose sights such as the Grand Palace, historic temples, and ultra-modern shopping malls, other must-dos in Bangkok: visit a sky bar, for example in the Lebua at State Tower (known from Hangover 2) on the 63rd floor with a unique view and a stroll at the Bang Nam Phung Floating Market, which is located in the "lungs of Bangkok".
Chiang Mai, the gateway to the jungles of the north - ideal for trekking tours, ziplining, and more
The historical sites of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, the former capitals of the Kingdom of Siam
The bridge on the River Kwai in the province of Kanchanaburi, made famous by the Hollywood film of the same name
Islands like Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Chang, and Koh Tao invite you to a relaxing bathing vacation with warm, crystal-clear, blue water and paradisiacal beaches. Phuket is also a popular destination for a package tour for many travelers. But also places on the mainland like Khao Lak or Chiang Rai attract many tourists to Thailand.
The Most Beautiful Islands in Thailand
Over 500 dream islands await you in Thailand. Visiting all of them is almost impossible. Therefore we would like to introduce you to our absolute favorite islands in Thailand:
Phuket - Phuket is the largest island in Thailand and probably one of the most famous. It's a popular destination for many travelers, but due to its size, everyone can find a relaxing spot on the island. A trip to the Old Town, the historic core of the island, is also recommended. Here you will find lots of beautiful photo motifs in the Sino-Portuguese style, very nice cafes and restaurants that invite you to linger.
Koh Khai - Just over 30 minutes from Phuket is the small island of Koh Khai. On Koh Khai, you have a rocky coast that suddenly turns into a dreamy sandy beach and vice versa. Partly small sandy bays between rugged rocks, but a fantastic sea and a variety of fish offer a real treasure trove of memorable experiences for every snorkeler and diver.
Koh Samui - While not the largest island in Thailand, it is the largest island in the Gulf of Thailand. Here you have around 90 degrees all year round and water temperatures that do not fall below 70 degrees. fantastic! In recent years, numerous high-quality spa, yoga, and wellness offers have also been created here.
Koh Phi Phi - Most of you probably already know of this trendy destination Koh Phi Phi from the movie “The Beach”. Thanks to this, the beautiful island is now a real tourist magnet, but a vacation here is still worth it!
Koh Muk - But if you are looking for togetherness or solitude, you should think about a vacation in Koh Muk. The beautiful, relatively unknown island is a real paradise for dropouts and has hardly been developed for tourism.
Koh Jum - Koh Jum, also known as Koh Pu, is another Thailand island insider tip! Here you will not find huge hotel complexes and tourist crowds, but authentic villages, beautiful beaches, and lots of nature.
Koh Lanta - Another island paradise in this area is Koh Lanta. Again a twin island, consisting of a northern and a southern island. The northern island is not interesting for tourists, the southern one has it all. With beautiful beaches, partly deserted small sandy bays, and even where bungalow parks and small resorts attract tourism, the island is never overcrowded. Beaches like Klong Dao Beach are even very suitable for children as it slopes very gently into the sea. Since most of the beaches are on the west side of the island, you can experience romantic sunsets here night after night.
Our pirate tip: The island world south of Pattaya is also worth a visit. Here are some islands to linger. The islands of Koh Khram, Koh Kham, Koh Man Wichai, Koh Chang, Kohn Rin, Koh Chuang, and Koh Raet are uninhabited and can be visited as part of boat trips. Beautiful dream beaches, great snorkeling spots, and an unmistakable Robinson feeling are included here.
The Most Beautiful Beaches in Thailand
As is well known, Thailand is not an undiscovered country and you often have the feeling that your own bottom can hardly find any space on the beach. If you haven't noticed yet: the famous Maya Beach from Leonardo DiCaprio's hit film "The Beach" has even been closed in the meantime because it could no longer cope with the hoards of tourists and was on the verge of complete destruction. It's now open again, but don't panic, even in Thailand there are still secluded dream beaches to relax and lots of peace and quiet away from mass tourism and the like.
We show you the most beautiful beaches in Thailand. Lean back, put on your sunglasses, and listen to the sound of the gentle waves - it's paradise.
Koh Mak
The small island of Trat Province can be found near the border with Cambodia in southeast Thailand. Peace, relaxation, and seemingly endless beaches await you here. Dense rainforest characterizes the interior of the island. Koh Mak is easy to explore on foot, there are only a few islanders and just as little tourism, which also reflects the lack of restaurants. There is exactly one supermarket here, but if you want to relax, you don't need more.
The Arrival:
From the mainland (Trat), Koh Chang and Ko Kood, boats depart several times a day for Koh Mak. At Trat Airport, tickets are sold in the arrivals hall for around 450 baht (around $10), which includes the transfer to the pier and the approximately 40-minute speedboat ride to the island. The crossing from Koh Chang by speedboat takes one hour, costs just under 750 baht (just under $17), and takes place several times a day. From Koh Kood, you can also go to Koh Mak several times a day for around 400 baht ($9). Depending on how often the boat stops, the crossing takes between 30 and 60 minutes.
Laem Son Beach
To the east of Koh Mak is Laem Son Beach. Due to the somewhat difficult journey, there are hardly any tourists here. You can expect golden sand, shady casuarina trees, and turquoise water. The pristine beauty of Laem Son Beach will simply enchant you. As you can see, this is absolute bucket list material that you should definitely keep an eye on.
Ao Suan Yai Beach
Slightly less than a mile long Ao Suan Yai Beach, which is partly still completely undeveloped and definitely far from mass tourism, you can expect shallow water that shines in a strong green-turquoise. The low-hanging coconut palms complete the picture. In addition, you will not have to share Ao Suan Yai Beach with many tourists, because this beach is an absolute insider tip.
Koh Kham Beach
Koh Kham can be reached by longtail boat and offers you brilliant white sand as fine as powdered sugar. There are hardly any visitors who could disturb your peace and the crystal clear water invites you to cool off. Here you can drift in the shallow water and enjoy life.
Ao Khao White Sand Beach
Why is Khao White Sand Beach a must-see? Because it is an absolute picture book beach, lined with coconut trees. In the western part of Ao Khao, the beach is almost 100 feet wide at low tide. So plenty of space to unwind.
Koh Kood
The island of Koh Kood in the southeast of Thailand is only 14 miles long and is a great insider tip, as it is hardly developed for tourism. Experience Thailand from its original side.
Getting There:
From the Laem Sok Pier in Trat, the speedboat takes 1 1/2 hours to Koh Kood. Speedboats leave Ao Nid Pier for the island in the morning and at noon, and the high-speed ferry company Bonsiri offers combined bus and catamaran tickets for 850 baht (around $22) from Bangkok Khaosan.
Koh Phi Phi
The alarm bells will probably ring for some now because Koh Phi Phi is extremely well known and must then probably be totally overcrowded, right? Of course, Koh Phi Phi is known as "The Beach", but as already mentioned at the beginning, we will send you to smaller, secluded beaches, some of which can only be reached by water, and absolutely invite you to dream.
Getting There:
Of course, it has an advantage that Koh Phi Phi is better known because it makes it easier to get there. From Bangkok, you can take a plane, bus, or train to paradise.
VIP buses, with air conditioning and reclining seats, ease the 14-hour journey to Krabi Ferry Pier. The whole thing costs you between 700 and 1200 baht ($18 to $31). Regular buses depart from the Southern Bus Terminal and cost around 350 baht to 1100 baht ($9 to $28).
The night train takes you to Surat Thani within 18 hours, the available sleeping compartments make your journey easier. From there, take a bus to Phuket or Krabi, followed by the ferry.
Klong Chao Beach
Sunsets await you at Klong Chao Beach that rival any kitsch postcard. Once you've fought your way through the dense rainforest, past the palm trees that line the beach, crystal-clear water stretches out before you, sparkling in the sun. As a bonus, there is the Klong Chao Waterfall, which is not far from the beach.
Ngam Khom Beach
At Ngam Khom Beach you will find South Seas flair at its finest. Just 985 feet long, the bay is secluded and hidden, which is why it rarely attracts visitors. Here, calm water meets coral and dreamy sand. The lush green of the palm trees mixed with the turquoise blue sea makes this visit to the beach a unique experience.
Long Beach
Fine, light-colored sand and crystal-clear, green-blue shimmering water welcome you to Long Beach. The magnificent view of the cliffs of the island of Koh Phi Phi Leh completes the picture and the reef at the edge of the beach invites you to snorkel. Who wouldn't want to put their feet in the warm water here?
Koh Similan
Our island hopping continues and we find ourselves on Koh Similan. The island forms, with the other islands in the area, the Mu Ko Similan National Park, and with its fascinating rock formations is almost reminiscent of Seychelles. In addition, Koh Similan is an absolute paradise for divers.
Get to Know the Culture of Thailand
Like everywhere in Asia, Thai life is characterized by restraint and politeness. Western-dominant appearance or even emotional outbursts are alien and uncomfortable to the Thais. Be patient if things don't go as quickly as you would like and bring any problems and complaints to the hotel reception with a friendly smile. Keep in mind that the clocks in the tropics are generally different. The most prevalent religion in Thailand is Theravada Buddhism. This form of Buddhism is considered to be the oldest known school tradition of Buddhist teachings and has been a religion in Thailand since the 6th century.
As a result, Buddhism in this form has not only been branded as the state religion but also as the life of the Thais that outshines everything. And so it is absolutely nothing unusual to see people in Bangkok or other cities in Thailand going to the temples in the morning before going to work to bring their offerings to the monks there.
If you visit Buddhist temples, pay attention to appropriate clothing and appropriate behavior: shoulders, cleavage, and knees should be covered, and shoes are removed before entering the actual temple. If you are unsure, just pay attention to where all other visitors leave their shoes. Socks are fine if you don't like going barefoot.
As old as the religion of Thailand is, the culture of this country also goes back as far, which makes an exotic and mysterious impression on many Americans. There are many ways to get to know this culture. A visit to the ruins of Ayutthaya, the capital of a kingdom of the same name, which had its peak between 1351 and 1767 CE, offers an insight into the history of this country.
Unfortunately, very few are interested in the historical background of this city, which was once the summer residence of many regents, kings, and statesmen in ancient times. Today only the ruins of old palaces and temples bear witness to the city's former splendor.