When to Go
Nov → Feb — Peak
Dry and cool everywhere. Book SHA Extra Plus hotels early — they sell out.
Mar → May — Hot
Good for Chiang Mai and Pattaya. Phuket and Samui see increasing rain.
Jun → Oct — Low season
Gulf islands stay drier than Andaman. Significant hotel discounts.
Where to Go
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 island base. Koh Phangan and Koh Tao by ferry. Year-round viable.
Pattaya
2 hours from Bangkok. Beach resort with Koh Larn nearby.
Getting Around
By Air
- Bangkok → Chiang Mai: 1 hr, from ฿700
- Bangkok → Phuket: 1.5 hrs, from ฿800
- Bangkok → Koh Samui: 1.5 hrs, from ฿2,500
By Ferry
30+ routes across the Gulf and Andaman. Timetables and live prices.
All ferry routes →
Where to Stay
Every hotel on this site is SHA-certified. SHA Extra Plus is the highest tier — third-party audited and hospital-partnered.
SHA Hotels
Bangkok →
SHA Hotels
Phuket →
SHA Hotels
Chiang Mai →
SHA Hotels
Koh Samui →
SHA Hotels
Pattaya →
Practical Tips
✈ Getting There
Fly into Suvarnabhumi (BKK) or Don Mueang (DMK) for Bangkok. Phuket (HKT) and Samui (USM) have direct regional flights.
🚗 Car Hire
Self-drive works well outside Bangkok. International license required. Phuket and Chiang Mai have the best rental options.
🔒 Travel Insurance
SafetyWing covers medical and emergency evacuation across Southeast Asia. Start from $42/month with no upper age limit.
🍽 Food and Dining
Thai food is extraordinary. SHA-certified restaurants follow the same hygiene standards as SHA hotels. Find verified options near your hotel.