Plan Your Thailand Trip (2026)

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 (Google Maps, April 2026). Beach resort with Koh Larn nearby.

Getting Around

By Air

Bangkok → Chiang Mai: 1 hr, from $21 (verified by SHA Thailand editorial, April 2026)
Bangkok → Phuket: 1.5 hrs, from $24
Bangkok → Koh Samui: 1.5 hrs, from $74

Search flights →

By Ferry

30+ routes across the Gulf and Andaman (verified by SHA Thailand editorial, April 2026). Timetables and live prices.

All ferry routes →

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

✈ Getting There

Fly into Suvarnabhumi (BKK) or Don Mueang (DMK) for Bangkok. Phuket (HKT) and Samui (USM) have direct regional flights.

Search flights →

🚗 Car Hire

Self-drive works well outside Bangkok. International license required. Phuket and Chiang Mai have the best rental options.

Compare rental prices →

🔒 Travel Insurance

SafetyWing covers medical and emergency evacuation across Southeast Asia. Start from $42/month (SafetyWing, 2026) with no upper age limit.

Get a quote →

🍽 Food and Dining

Thai food is extraordinary. SHA-certified restaurants follow the same hygiene standards as SHA hotels. Find verified options near your hotel.

Find SHA dining →