Thailand, planned in one page
When to go, where to go, how to get around, and where to stay. Short and practical, for first-time visitors and people who'd rather book one trip than read fifty travel blogs.
Last updated May 20, 2026 · Verified against Tourism Authority of Thailand records and 12go.asia live data.
When to go
Three windows. Each has its own tradeoff. Pick by what you want to see and how much you'll pay.
Dry and cool everywhere. Book SHA Extra Plus hotels early, they sell out by late October.
Good for Chiang Mai and Pattaya. Phuket and Samui see increasing rain by late April.
Gulf islands stay drier than Andaman. 20-40% hotel discounts. Some operators cut routes.
Where to go
Five anchors. Build a trip by stringing 2 or 3 of these together. Most first-trippers do Bangkok plus one island plus Chiang Mai.
Bangkok
Most trips start here. Temples, markets, and the best food in the country.
Chiang Mai
Mountains and temples. Slower pace than Bangkok. 3 to 4 days minimum.
Phuket
Andaman base. Phi Phi, Krabi, and Koh Lanta by ferry. Best Nov to Apr.
Koh Samui
Gulf base. Ang Thong day trips. Dry while Phuket is wet (Jun-Oct).
Pattaya
2 hours from Bangkok (Google Maps, Apr 2026). Beach resort with Koh Larn nearby.
Getting around
Fly between major cities. Ferry for the islands. Skip overnight buses unless the route specifically calls for one.
By Air
- Bangkok → Chiang Mai: 1 hr, from $21 (verified by SHA Thailand editorial, Apr 2026)
- Bangkok → Phuket: 1.5 hrs, from $24
- Bangkok → Koh Samui: 1.5 hrs, from $74
By Ferry
30+ routes across the Gulf and Andaman (verified by SHA Thailand editorial, Apr 2026). Timetables and live prices.
Where to stay
Every hotel on this site is SHA-certified (Tourism Authority of Thailand, 2026). SHA Extra Plus is the highest tier, third-party audited and hospital-partnered.
Practical tips
The four things first-time visitors ask about most. Direct answers, no fluff.
Fly into Suvarnabhumi (BKK) or Don Mueang (DMK) for Bangkok. Phuket (HKT) and Samui (USM) have direct regional flights.
Search flights →Self-drive works well outside Bangkok. International license required. Phuket and Chiang Mai have the best rental options.
Compare rental prices →SafetyWing covers medical and emergency evacuation across Southeast Asia. From $42/month (SafetyWing, 2026), no upper age limit.
Get a quote →Thai food is extraordinary. SHA-certified restaurants follow the same hygiene standards as SHA hotels. Find verified options near your hotel.
Find SHA dining →