# 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. Web page: https://yesgo.io/thailand ## Cities - [Bangkok](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok.md): 10 places with the YesGo score - [Phuket](https://yesgo.io/thailand/phuket.md): 10 places with the YesGo score - [Pattaya](https://yesgo.io/thailand/pattaya.md): 10 places with the YesGo score - [Chiang Mai](https://yesgo.io/thailand/chiang-mai.md): 10 places with the YesGo score - [Krabi](https://yesgo.io/thailand/krabi.md): 10 places with the YesGo score - [Koh Samui](https://yesgo.io/thailand/koh-samui.md): 10 places with the YesGo score ## Itineraries across the country - [7 days in Thailand: an itinerary by city](https://yesgo.io/thailand/in-7-days.md): Bangkok's temples and Mahanakhon view, Chiang Mai's Old City and Doi Inthanon, then Phuket with the Phi Phi Islands and Phang Nga Bay — with flight times. ## Top places across the country - [Wat Arun](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/wat-arun.md), Bangkok: YesGo score 51/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h · ≈ 200 baht. Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, stands on the west bank of the Chao Phraya opposite Wat Pho. Its symbol is a spire about 70 m tall covered… - [Walking Street](https://yesgo.io/thailand/pattaya/pattaya-walking-street.md), Pattaya: YesGo score 50/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 30 min · free (street). Walking Street is Pattaya's main nightlife street: about 700 m along the bay from Beach Road to Bali Hai Pier, with seafood restaurants… - [Wat Chiang Man](https://yesgo.io/thailand/chiang-mai/wat-chiang-man.md), Chiang Mai: YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · free. Wat Chiang Man is Chiang Mai's oldest temple, founded by King Mangrai in 1297 on the site of his camp while the city was being built. It… - [Big Buddha](https://yesgo.io/thailand/koh-samui/koh-samui-big-buddha.md), Koh Samui: YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · free. The Big Buddha is a 12 m golden statue at Wat Phra Yai on the islet of Ko Fan, joined to Samui by a short causeway. It's the island's… - [Phuket Old Town](https://yesgo.io/thailand/phuket/phuket-old-town.md), Phuket: YesGo score 41/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · free. Phuket Old Town is the island's historic centre, with pastel Sino-Portuguese shophouses along Thalang, Dibuk and Krabi roads and Soi… - [Ao Nang Beach](https://yesgo.io/thailand/krabi/ao-nang-beach.md), Krabi: YesGo score 41/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · free; longtail to Railay ≈ 100 baht. Ao Nang Beach is Krabi's main resort beach: about 1.5 km of sand beneath limestone cliffs, with a promenade of cafés and a longtail boat… - [Wat Pho](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/wat-pho.md), Bangkok: YesGo score 50/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h · ≈ 300 baht; children under 120 cm free. Wat Pho is the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, 1 km south of the Grand Palace: a 46 m gilded statue, four huge royal chedis and a Thai… - [Sanctuary of Truth](https://yesgo.io/thailand/pattaya/sanctuary-of-truth.md), Pattaya: YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · day 500 baht, night 700; children 110–140 cm 250/350. The Sanctuary of Truth is a carved wooden temple-palace, 105 m tall, on the seafront at Naklua in north Pattaya, under construction since… - [Tha Phae Gate](https://yesgo.io/thailand/chiang-mai/tha-phae-gate.md), Chiang Mai: YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · free. Tha Phae Gate is the eastern and best-known gate of Chiang Mai's moated, walled Old City. It was first built in 1296 when the city was… - [Wat Plai Laem](https://yesgo.io/thailand/koh-samui/wat-plai-laem.md), Koh Samui: YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 40 min · free. Wat Plai Laem is a modern lakeside temple 1 km from the Big Buddha. Its main statue isn't the Buddha but a white 18-armed Guanyin, the… - [Wat Chalong](https://yesgo.io/thailand/phuket/wat-chalong.md), Phuket: YesGo score 35/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · free. Wat Chalong is Phuket's most important and revered temple, 10 km south of Old Town. Its symbol is a chedi about 60 m tall that holds a… - [Phra Nang Beach](https://yesgo.io/thailand/krabi/phra-nang-beach.md), Krabi: YesGo score 37/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · free; toilets charge. Phra Nang Cave Beach is a small white-sand beach at the southern tip of the Railay peninsula, beneath sheer limestone cliffs. In the rock… - [Grand Palace](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/bangkok-grand-palace.md), Bangkok: YesGo score 49/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · 500 baht; children under 120 cm free. The Grand Palace has been the residence of Thailand's kings since 1782 and is Bangkok's top sight, with the Temple of the Emerald Buddha… - [Pattaya Beach](https://yesgo.io/thailand/pattaya/pattaya-beach.md), Pattaya: YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · free. Pattaya Beach is the city beach, about 3 km along Beach Road from North Pattaya to Walking Street. In 2019 it was rebuilt with new sand… - [Chiang Mai Night Bazaar](https://yesgo.io/thailand/chiang-mai/chiang-mai-night-bazaar.md), Chiang Mai: YesGo score 41/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · free. The Night Bazaar is Chiang Mai's daily evening market on Chang Khlan Road, between the Old City moat and the Ping River. It has hill-tribe… - [Fisherman's Village, Bophut](https://yesgo.io/thailand/koh-samui/bophut-fishermans-village.md), Koh Samui: YesGo score 37/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · free. Fisherman's Village is Bophut's old quarter on Samui's north coast: a street of wooden shophouses along the sea, now cafés, restaurants… - [Big Buddha](https://yesgo.io/thailand/phuket/phuket-big-buddha.md), Phuket: YesGo score 34/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · free (donations). The Big Buddha is a 45 m white marble statue on top of Nakkerd Hill between Chalong and Kata, looking out over Chalong Bay and the west… - [Railay Beach](https://yesgo.io/thailand/krabi/railay-beach.md), Krabi: YesGo score 36/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · free; longtail ≈ 100 baht. Railay is a peninsula between Ao Nang and Krabi Town, cut off from the mainland by limestone cliffs — you can only get there by boat. The… - [Jim Thompson House](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/jim-thompson-house.md), Bangkok: YesGo score 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · 250 baht; ages 10–21 150; under 10 free. The Jim Thompson House is six traditional 19th-century teak houses on the Saen Saep canal, assembled in 1958–1959 by the American 'king of… - [Pattaya Viewpoint](https://yesgo.io/thailand/pattaya/pattaya-viewpoint.md), Pattaya: YesGo score 41/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · free. The Pratumnak Hill viewpoint is Pattaya's best free view: the bay, the curve of the beach and Bali Hai Pier, next to the PATTAYA CITY… - [Wat Umong](https://yesgo.io/thailand/chiang-mai/wat-umong.md), Chiang Mai: YesGo score 40/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · free. Wat Umong is a forest monastery at the foot of Doi Suthep, 5 km west of Chiang Mai's Old City. Its highlight is a set of 14th-century… - [Chaweng Beach](https://yesgo.io/thailand/koh-samui/chaweng-beach.md), Koh Samui: YesGo score 33/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · free. Chaweng is Samui's longest and liveliest beach: about 6–7 km of white sand on the east coast. The north is calmer and shallower, the… - [Bangla Road](https://yesgo.io/thailand/phuket/bangla-road.md), Phuket: YesGo score 31/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · free (street). Bangla Road is Phuket's main nightlife street: about 400 m of bars, clubs and neon running inland from Patong Beach. Entry is free. From… - [Koh Tup and Chicken Island](https://yesgo.io/thailand/krabi/chicken-island.md), Krabi: YesGo score 27/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · park fee ≈ 400 baht; boat extra. Koh Tup and Chicken Island (Ko Kai) are neighbouring islands about 8 km from Ao Nang Beach. At low tide the Talay Waek sandbar links them… ## 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. ## Trip essentials - Visa: Depends on your passport — many are visa-exempt - Arrival card: Online TDAC before you fly - 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 ## Key facts - **2** — coasts: the Andaman Sea in the west (Phuket, Krabi) and the Gulf of Thailand in the east (Samui, Pattaya) (source: Wikipedia, “Thailand”) - **1782** — Bangkok became the capital, and the Grand Palace was founded (source: Wikipedia, “Bangkok”) - **1991** — the old capitals of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai joined the UNESCO list (source: UNESCO World Heritage List, Nos. 576 and 574) - **Songkran** — Thai New Year in mid-April — a nationwide water festival (source: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List) ## Best 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. | City | Why go | Best time | | --- | --- | --- | | [Bangkok](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok) | Grand Palace, temples, markets | Nov–Feb | | [Phuket](https://yesgo.io/thailand/phuket) | Beaches, Phi Phi, Big Buddha | Nov–Apr | | [Pattaya](https://yesgo.io/thailand/pattaya) | Beaches near Bangkok, Koh Larn | Nov–Mar | | [Krabi](https://yesgo.io/thailand/krabi) | Cliffs, Railay, islands | Nov–Apr | | [Koh Samui](https://yesgo.io/thailand/koh-samui) | Beaches, temples, Ang Thong | Jan–Sep | | [Chiang Mai](https://yesgo.io/thailand/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. | Coast | Resorts | Dry season | | --- | --- | --- | | **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. - **January in Phuket** (best time): day ≈ 31°C, night ≈ 23°C, sea ≈ 28°C, rainy days: 4. Dry — high season. - **February in Phuket** (best time): day ≈ 32°C, night ≈ 24°C, sea ≈ 28°C, rainy days: 3. Dry and hot. - **March in Phuket** (best time): day ≈ 33°C, night ≈ 24°C, sea ≈ 29°C, rainy days: 6. Hot, ≈ 33°. - **April in Phuket**: day ≈ 33°C, night ≈ 25°C, sea ≈ 30°C, rainy days: 13. Peak heat; Songkran. - **May in Phuket**: day ≈ 32°C, night ≈ 25°C, sea ≈ 30°C, rainy days: 20. Rains begin; Samui is dry. - **June in Phuket**: day ≈ 31°C, night ≈ 25°C, sea ≈ 29°C, rainy days: 19. Rain on the Andaman coast. - **July in Phuket**: day ≈ 31°C, night ≈ 25°C, sea ≈ 29°C, rainy days: 19. Rainy season; Samui’s season. - **August in Phuket**: day ≈ 31°C, night ≈ 25°C, sea ≈ 28°C, rainy days: 19. Rain. - **September in Phuket**: day ≈ 30°C, night ≈ 24°C, sea ≈ 28°C, rainy days: 22. The wettest month. - **October in Phuket**: day ≈ 30°C, night ≈ 24°C, sea ≈ 28°C, rainy days: 21. Rain; Samui too. - **November in Phuket** (best time): day ≈ 30°C, night ≈ 24°C, sea ≈ 28°C, rainy days: 13. The season opens. - **December in Phuket** (best time): day ≈ 30°C, night ≈ 23°C, sea ≈ 28°C, rainy days: 6. Dry — the best time. 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. ## Questions ### 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 - 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 Facts checked: 09.11.2026 --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.