Things to do in Thailand: best places to visit
Thailand's highlights: the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun in Bangkok, the old temples inside Chiang Mai's moat, and by the sea Phuket, Krabi with Railay and Phra Nang beaches, Koh Samui with its Big Buddha, and Pattaya. Bangkok is the hub — flights to the islands and Chiang Mai take an hour to an hour and a half.
Sights in Thailand
60 places in 6 cities
Sanctuary of Truth
Pattaya, Thailand
2 hday 500 baht, night 700; children 110–140 cm 250/350churcheshistorymuseums
Itineraries across Thailand
City itineraries in Thailand
Thailand travel guide
Before you go: which resort to pick, two coasts and their seasons, visa rules and the TDAC card, money, getting around and weather.
Thailand on your own: the essentials
- Visa
- Depends on your passport — many are visa-exempt
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Arrival card
- Online TDAC before you fly
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Currency
- Thai baht (THB); cards in malls, cash elsewhere
- First trip
- Bangkok 2–3 days + Phuket or Koh Samui
- Two coasts
- Andaman in winter, Gulf of Thailand in summer
- Temples
- Cover shoulders and knees, shoes off
- Taxis
- Grab and Bolt almost everywhere
- Scooters
- A motorbike licence is required
- Vapes
- Banned — heavy fines
- Time zone
- UTC+7 all year
officiali
Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Key facts
Sourcei
Wikipedia, “Thailand”Sourcei
Wikipedia, “Bangkok”Sourcei
UNESCO World Heritage List, Nos. 576 and 574Sourcei
UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage ListBest places to visit in Thailand
The best places to visit in Thailand depend on the season: November to April, the Andaman coast — Phuket and Krabi; in summer, Koh Samui, which is dry then. Pattaya works year-round near Bangkok. Bangkok is for temples and street food, Chiang Mai for mountains and elephants. Every place with its YesGo score is in the list above.
| Bangkok | Grand Palace, temples, markets | Nov–Feb |
|---|---|---|
| Phuket | Beaches, Phi Phi, Big Buddha | Nov–Apr |
| Pattaya | Beaches near Bangkok, Koh Larn | Nov–Mar |
| Krabi | Cliffs, Railay, islands | Nov–Apr |
| Koh Samui | Beaches, temples, Ang Thong | Jan–Sep |
| Chiang Mai | Lanna temples, hills, elephants | Nov–Feb |
Ready trips across the country are above on this page.
Which coast in Thailand, and when
Which coast to choose in Thailand comes down to the month: the Andaman Sea (Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi) is dry from November to April and rainy with waves in summer. The Gulf of Thailand (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao) is dry from January to September, with autumn rains. Pattaya on the Gulf is drier than most resorts.
| Andaman Sea | Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi | Nov–Apr |
|---|---|---|
| Gulf of Thailand | Samui, Phangan, Tao | Jan–Sep |
| Gulf of Thailand | Pattaya | Nov–Mar |
Thailand visa and currency
Thailand visa rules depend on your passport: many nationalities are visa-exempt for a set number of days, extendable once at an immigration office, and every visitor fills in the free online TDAC arrival card before the flight. The currency is the baht; cards work in malls and hotels, cash for markets, songthaews and island fees.
- ATMs — everywhere, with a fixed foreign-card fee per withdrawal.
- Exchange — city booths beat airport rates.
- Prices — food and transport are cheap; island tours cost more.
- Tipping — about 10% in restaurants if service isn’t included.
Getting around Thailand
Domestic flights link Bangkok with Phuket, Krabi, Koh Samui and Chiang Mai in about an hour. Pattaya is 1.5–2 hours from Bangkok by car or bus. Ferries and speedboats run between the islands.
- Flights — Bangkok to Phuket, Krabi, Samui or Chiang Mai ≈ 1 h.
- Ferries — Phuket–Phi Phi–Krabi, Surat Thani–Samui.
- Train — the overnight Bangkok–Chiang Mai, ≈ 11–13 h.
- Grab and Bolt — in Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya and Chiang Mai.
Thailand weather by month
The best time to visit Thailand is November to March: dry, ≈ 30–32 °C by day, with a calm Andaman Sea. March to May is the hottest stretch; May to October is the rainy season across most of the country, except Koh Samui. Below is Phuket.
PhuketiLong-term averages, °C: day and night air, sea water near the shore, rain — rainy days a month. Any given year can be warmer or cooler. Tap a month for details below. | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day | 31° | 32° | 33° | 33° | 32° | 31° | 31° | 31° | 30° | 30° | 30° | 30° |
| Night | 23° | 24° | 24° | 25° | 25° | 25° | 25° | 25° | 24° | 24° | 24° | 23° |
| Sea | 28° | 28° | 29° | 30° | 30° | 29° | 29° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 28° |
| Rain | 4 | 3 | 6 | 13 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 13 | 6 |
Warm — 20 °C and above by dayBest time to go: January–March and November–December
- day ≈ 31°
- night ≈ 23°
- sea ≈ 28°
- rain 4 days
Dry — high season. Warm for swimming, water — about 28°.
- day ≈ 32°
- night ≈ 24°
- sea ≈ 28°
- rain 3 days
Dry and hot. Warm for swimming, water — about 28°.
- day ≈ 33°
- night ≈ 24°
- sea ≈ 29°
- rain 6 days
Hot, ≈ 33°. Warm for swimming, water — about 29°.
- day ≈ 33°
- night ≈ 25°
- sea ≈ 30°
- rain 13 days
Peak heat; Songkran. Warm for swimming, water — about 30°.
- day ≈ 32°
- night ≈ 25°
- sea ≈ 30°
- rain 20 days
Rains begin; Samui is dry. Warm for swimming, water — about 30°.
- day ≈ 31°
- night ≈ 25°
- sea ≈ 29°
- rain 19 days
Rain on the Andaman coast. Warm for swimming, water — about 29°.
- day ≈ 31°
- night ≈ 25°
- sea ≈ 29°
- rain 19 days
Rainy season; Samui’s season. Warm for swimming, water — about 29°.
- day ≈ 31°
- night ≈ 25°
- sea ≈ 28°
- rain 19 days
Rain. Warm for swimming, water — about 28°.
- day ≈ 30°
- night ≈ 24°
- sea ≈ 28°
- rain 22 days
The wettest month. Warm for swimming, water — about 28°.
- day ≈ 30°
- night ≈ 24°
- sea ≈ 28°
- rain 21 days
Rain; Samui too. Warm for swimming, water — about 28°.
- day ≈ 30°
- night ≈ 24°
- sea ≈ 28°
- rain 13 days
The season opens. Warm for swimming, water — about 28°.
- day ≈ 30°
- night ≈ 23°
- sea ≈ 28°
- rain 6 days
Dry — the best time. Warm for swimming, water — about 28°.
Each resort has its own season: Koh Samui is dry in summer, and Chiang Mai drops to ≈ 14° on winter nights.
Thailand travel tips and rules
Thailand travel rules: cover shoulders and knees and remove shoes in temples, speak of the royal family respectfully, and don’t bring or use e-cigarettes — they are banned. On beaches, watch the flags: red means no swimming.
- Temples — don’t point your feet at a Buddha; women shouldn’t touch monks.
- Vapes — banned, with high fines.
- Scooters — only with a motorbike licence and a helmet.
- Safety — Thailand is generally considered safe; check your government’s travel advice.
Tips
- Pick your coast by month: Phuket and Krabi in winter, Koh Samui in summer.
- Fill in the TDAC early — it speeds up passport control.
- Carry cash for island national-park fees.
FAQ
Do I need a visa for Thailand?
It depends on your passport: many nationalities are visa-exempt for a set number of days, and all visitors fill in the online TDAC arrival card. Check the official rules for your passport.
What are the best places to visit in Thailand?
Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi and Koh Samui, with Ayutthaya as a day trip from Bangkok.
When is the best time to visit Thailand?
November to March for most of the country; June to September for Koh Samui.
What is the weather like in Thailand in December?
Dry and ≈ 30 °C in Phuket, Krabi and Pattaya; still rainy on Koh Samui; about 31 °C in Bangkok.
What is the TDAC?
Thailand’s free online Digital Arrival Card, filled in before your flight instead of a paper form.
What currency is used in Thailand?
The Thai baht (THB). Cards work in malls and hotels; cash is needed for markets, songthaews and park fees.
Phuket or Koh Samui?
Phuket from November to April for beaches and island trips; Koh Samui in summer, when it is dry.
Is Thailand safe for tourists?
Generally yes; the main risks are road traffic and strong currents on the Andaman coast in the rainy season. Check your government’s travel advice.
How many days do you need in Thailand?
Two weeks: 3 days in Bangkok, 3–4 in Chiang Mai and a week by the sea.
Where to go in Thailand with kids?
Phuket’s Kata and Karon, Pattaya’s Jomtien and Koh Samui’s Bophut and Maenam — gentle, calm beaches.
Sources and fact-check
- UNESCO World Heritage List, Nos. 574 and 576
- Thailand Immigration Bureau — entry rules and TDAC
- Wikipedia, “Thailand”; “Bangkok”; Phuket climate (1991–2020 normals)
- Tourism Authority of Thailand — official website