Thailand Travel Guide 2026

Thailand does a lot of things very well at once: a capital that runs on street food and river boats, a cooler, slower north full of temples, and two coastlines of limestone cliffs and white sand. It is easy to travel and good value at every budget. The decisions that make or break a trip are which coast to pick for your dates and how much to fit in, so this guide spends its time there, plus the entry rules that changed in September 2026.

Why visit

Few countries pack this much variety into one easy loop. Bangkok alone is worth several days: gilded temples on the river, the night markets of Chinatown, rooftop bars and some of the best cheap food anywhere. A short flight or a night train north, Chiang Mai swaps the traffic for a walled old town, mountain temples and cooking classes. The old capitals of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai fill in the history.

Then there is the coast. The Andaman side, around Krabi, Phuket and Phi Phi, is the postcard: green limestone towers rising out of turquoise water. The Gulf of Thailand has Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, softer and more spread out, with some of the region's best-value diving. Thailand suits first-timers in Asia, families, backpackers and couples alike, because the infrastructure is good and there is something at every price.

Best places to visit

For a first trip, Bangkok is a given and the real choice is how to split the rest between the north and the beach. Chiang Mai and Ayutthaya give you the culture; one coast gives you the rest. Trying to do both coasts in two weeks usually means spending the beach days on ferries.

When to go

The Christmas and New Year weeks are the most expensive and most booked of the year, especially on the islands, so book early if you're travelling then. In the north, the burning season (roughly January to April, peaking in March) brings smoke from crop fires that can make the air quality poor around Chiang Mai. The rainy season is better than its name suggests inland, with mornings often clear and storms that pass in an hour, but it's the wrong time for the Andaman islands.

How many days do you need?

How much does Thailand cost?

Food is where Thailand is generous: a plate of noodles or rice from a street stall usually costs well under 100 baht, and it's often the best meal of the day. The room is what moves the total, followed by how often you fly and how many island tours you book. Big sights add up too: the Grand Palace alone is 500 baht for foreign visitors. Chiang Mai and the north are noticeably cheaper than Bangkok, Phuket or the islands.

Itineraries

Both routes start in Bangkok. The two-week route takes the Andaman coast, so it suits November to April; from about February to August, swap the last five days for the Gulf islands (fly to Koh Samui, or take the night train to Surat Thani and the ferry).

Getting around

Thailand is easy to get around. For long distances, domestic flights are frequent and cheap if booked ahead, and they save whole days. The overnight sleeper to Chiang Mai is the exception worth making: a proper bed, a meal, and you wake up in the north having saved a night's hotel. Between the islands, ferries and speedboats are the backbone; book the bigger operators through official or well-reviewed sites, and expect schedules to thin out and seas to get rough in each coast's rainy season.

In Bangkok, the BTS Skytrain and MRT dodge the traffic, and the Chao Phraya Express boats are both the cheapest and the nicest way to reach the riverside temples. For everything else, use Grab or insist on the meter in a taxi. Tuk-tuks are fun once; agree the price before you get in. Renting a scooter is common on the islands, but it's also where many travellers get hurt; see Safety below.

Where to stay

Things to know before you go

Visa and entry

What to eat

Culture and etiquette

Thais place a lot of value on staying calm and polite, and raising your voice or losing your temper in public tends to get you less, not more. A smile goes a long way. The traditional greeting is the wai, palms together at chest height with a slight bow; you don't need to initiate it, but returning one is polite.

The head is considered the most respected part of the body and the feet the lowest. Don't touch people's heads, don't point your feet at people or at Buddha images, and don't step over someone. At temples, cover your shoulders and knees, take your shoes off before going inside, and women should avoid touching monks or handing things to them directly.

Tipping isn't expected in street stalls or simple restaurants, though rounding up or leaving small change is appreciated; many mid-range and upscale places add a service charge. A few words help: "sawasdee" (hello), "khop khun" (thank you), adding "khrap" if you're a man and "kha" if you're a woman to sound polite.

Safety

Thailand is a safe country for most visitors, and the biggest risk isn't crime but the road. Scooters cause a large share of traveller injuries: ride only if you hold a licence that covers motorbikes, wear a helmet (it's the law), and check that your travel insurance covers you, since riding without the right licence can void it. Attacks and fights are more common around Full Moon Parties and late-night bar streets, so keep an eye on your group.

Drug laws are severe, cannabis rules have tightened again, and vapes are illegal. In an emergency, call 1155 for the English-speaking Tourist Police, 191 for the police and 1669 for an ambulance.