Overview
Best time to visit Thailand
As one of the world’s most popular travel destinations, Thailand can be visited year-round and truly offers something for everyone.
The recognised best time to visit Thailand is from November through to March. The monsoon season has passed, leaving the landscape lush and green. There is little rain to interrupt cultural sightseeing, outdoor adventure, or long days on the beach. The downside is that there will be more tourists here than any other time of the year, so accommodation rates may be higher, and you might have to battle the crowds at key sites such as Bangkok’s Grand Palace or Chiang Mai’s Doi Inthanon.
The peak of high season falls over late December and early January. As much of the northern hemisphere suffers from the cold and dark of winter, these weeks – with the extended Christmas school holidays – offer an enticing escape to welcoming tropical climes. Thailand’s biggest beach resorts – Phuket, Krabi, Hua Hin – are at their busiest and you’ll need to book early to secure first choice accommodation.
Thailand’s shoulder seasons fall over April, May and June (when the weather is mostly hot but dry) or September and October (when it’s fresh but changeable). April and May can be great months for visiting coastal areas, while September and October are ideal for visiting the north and the gulf coast. The shoulder seasons see fewer visitors, bringing more opportunities to discover a slice of tranquillity.
Tours
Our Luxury Tours of Thailand
Thailand’s beaches may grab the headlines, but we will passionately put forward the case for the Land of Smiles as a touring destination.
Get lost for days in buzzing Bangkok; trek through the northern mountains for epic views and hill tribe culture; wander the markets of atmospheric second city Chiang Mai; head up the legendary River Kwai to the lakefront resorts of Kanchanaburi; or dive into the jungles of Khao Sok and Khao Yai national parks. Whatever you’re looking for in a luxury trip to Thailand, we know that the Land of Smiles just cannot disappoint.
The classic city-jungle-beach combo is hard to beat. Taking in three distinct locations – Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket for instance can be covered in 9-10 days and will pack in a varied and memorable tour. If you can stay longer – two, three weeks, or more – there’s plenty more to explore: from the dense jungles of Khao Sok and Kanchanburi, to the cool isolated hills of Chiang Saen and Mae Hong Son, and with endless island-hopping down south to follow. If you’re making a third or fourth visit then we’ll encourage adventures way off-the-beaten-path: provinces far from Bangkok such as Isan or Surat Thani are rapidly opening up with new lodges and activities to discover.
In the pages below we have put together a selection of sample itineraries designed to showcase the depth and breadth of what is on offer in Thailand. This is just the tip of the iceberg though; when taking your enquiry our passionate specialists will guide you through all that is on offer in this exhilarating destination, creating a perfect made-to-measure Thailand itinerary just for you.
Honeymoons
Thailand is a dream honeymoon destination, offering a tropical trip of a lifetime, surrounded by the Gulf of Thailand and the South China Sea, with an archipelago of small islands offshore. It offers an excellent mix of days at the beach, pristine white sands, adventures on the water and land, and rich history and traditions. Explore opulent palaces, ancient ruins, magnificent temples, and monuments, each of which has a story to tell, with landscapes ranging from modern cityscapes to charming fishing villages and tranquil canal-side communities. There are plenty of luxurious resorts to choose from too.
Where to Go
Our guide on the best places to visit in Thailand
Thailand is justifiably famous throughout the world for its magnificent beaches, but there’s more to the country than (just!) white sand and azure seas. A tour of Thailand will take in all the big-hitting Southeast Asian experiences: atmospheric temples, teeming jungles, bucolic farmland, and majestic hills.
Thailand’s cities are among the most enticing and exciting on the world. Nearly all tours will start in pulsating capital Bangkok, where you’ll find majestic heritage sites sitting alongside gleaming shopping malls, dining and nightlife for days, and scores of attractive hotels. Second city Chiang Mai, the northern capital, is famed for its historic centre, weekend markets, and rural tours. Ayutthaya, just an hour from Bangkok, is Thailand’s ancient former capital, crammed with UNESCO sites; Chiang Rai in the far north is a famed base for exploring hills and tribal villages, and gateway to the ‘Golden Triangle’.
Travel out of the cities you’ll find quickly find yourself in verdant, tropical scenery. Within a short distance of Bangkok alone you’ll find the jungles of Khao Yai National Park, the delta scenery of Amphawa, and the forests and waterfalls of Kanchanaburi – also home to the Bridge over the River Kwai and the grisly Death Railway. Up north in the hills around Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and remoter still Mae Hong Son and Chiang Saen you’ll find epic trekking and isolated hill tribe villages. Travellers could get lost in these hills for weeks and not run out of adventures.
Wherever you travel through Thailand you’ll find highly-polished service and guiding and the warmest hospitality. High-end tourism has been established for some time now: the Thai people are used to looking after guests and take it as a matter of pride that international travellers leave the country with broad smiles, and making plans to come back again as soon as possible.
Where to Stay
Our guide on the best places to stay in Thailand
It’s no secret that Thailand offers some of the finest accommodation in Asia – if not the world. What started decades ago as a few backpacker hangouts has evolved into a multi-billion-dollar industry, with accommodation of all styles, sizes, and budget levels found in every corner of the country. The breadth and depth of Thailand’s accommodation offerings is unmatched and puts the Land of Smiles right at the top table of global travel destinations.
Thailand’s hotel industry continues to evolve and never fails to excite. Recent years have seen a mini explosion of luxury boutique and uber-luxe properties. Ask us about the Siam in Bangkok, 137 Pillars in Chiang Mai, or Koh Jum Beach Villas: gorgeous properties all which have redefined the hotel scene in their respective locations, and – for now – have yet to be discovered by mass market tourism.
There’s a wealth of luxurious lodging in cities, national parks, and rural retreats alike, but it’s on Thailand’s beaches that you’ll find the most jaw-dropping accommodation. From Khanom to Koh Kut, Tubkaek to Thong Nai Pan, wherever there is a stretch of white sand you’ll find an attractive hotel in which to base yourself. Some locations – Bophut on Samui; Kata on Phuket – are busy with bars and shops galore, while on others – pretty much anywhere on Koh Lipe, Koh Kut, Koh Yao, or Koh Muk – you’ll barely hear a pin drop after 9pm. Whatever style of travel you’re looking for, there will be a perfect beach with a perfect beach hotel just for you.
Thai hospitality is legendary. Wherever you go and whatever style of accommodation you’re looking for, we guarantee you’ll be well looked after – impeccable service and never-ending smiles are all part of the package when booking travel to Thailand!
What to Do
Our guide on the best things to do in Thailand
You’ll never run out of adventures in Thailand. A foodie haven, on city streets you’ll find delectable food stalls with plates that burst with delicious flavours, balancing sweet, sour, salty, and spicy. Street food tours are an absolute must in Bangkok or Chiang Mai, with your guide helping to seek out dishes and stalls well beyond the main tourist areas. You can then get stuck in yourselves: a cooking class is often the highlight of a trip, providing the perfect souvenir – the ability to reproduce authentic Thai dishes when you get back home!
The Land of Smiles is littered tip to toe with heritage sites. Thailand’s most famous historical sites include the glittering Grand Palace in Bangkok, the ruins of ancient capital Ayutthaya, and Chiang Rai’s striking ‘White Temple’. Laidback northern capital Chiang Mai boasts 300 temples alone – you don’t have to visit them all! – while for contemporary history visitors can take in Kanchanaburi, learning about the real ‘Bridge over the River Kwai’, and the enjoying a run on the infamous ‘Death Railway’.
Thailand offers plenty for nature lovers too. Khao Yai (2 hours’ from Bangkok) and Khao Sok (close to Phuket and Khao Lak) offer dense jungles, towering waterfalls, and elusive wildlife such as gibbons, sun bears, tropical birds, and wild elephants. For up close elephant interaction, head to Chiang Mai and visit responsibly run elephant conservation centres where you can spend the day feeding, bathing, and playing with these majestic pachyderms.
And of course, at the end of a tour there are just the 1,400 tropical islands to choose from. Our specialists will help you to find your own slice of paradise, whether you’re looking for the full run of amenities and activities on Phuket or Samui, staggering natural scenery in Krabi or Phi Phi, or totally unspoilt and underdeveloped up-and-coming islands such as Koh Jum or Koh Mak.
When to Visit
Best time to visit Thailand
As one of the world’s most popular travel destinations, Thailand can be visited year-round and truly offers something for everyone.
The recognised best time to visit Thailand is from November through to March. The monsoon season has passed, leaving the landscape lush and green. There is little rain to interrupt cultural sightseeing, outdoor adventure, or long days on the beach. The downside is that there will be more tourists here than any other time of the year, so accommodation rates may be higher, and you might have to battle the crowds at key sites such as Bangkok’s Grand Palace or Chiang Mai’s Doi Inthanon.
The peak of high season falls over late December and early January. As much of the northern hemisphere suffers from the cold and dark of winter, these weeks – with the extended Christmas school holidays – offer an enticing escape to welcoming tropical climes. Thailand’s biggest beach resorts – Phuket, Krabi, Hua Hin – are at their busiest and you’ll need to book early to secure first choice accommodation.
Thailand’s shoulder seasons fall over April, May and June (when the weather is mostly hot but dry) or September and October (when it’s fresh but changeable). April and May can be great months for visiting coastal areas, while September and October are ideal for visiting the north and the gulf coast. The shoulder seasons see fewer visitors, bringing more opportunities to discover a slice of tranquillity.