Planning your trip to Thailand

Planning your trip to Thailand

Traveling to Asia is an exciting time, with Thailand often being the entry point to the continent for many. For those new to planning a trip to Asia, there’s a lot to consider. Check out this guide to help ease you through the planning process when coordinating your trip to Thailand!

Use my experiences to help you

Learn from me

For me, Thailand was my entry point to Asia. It was the first place I was visiting on the continent of Asia. As an avid traveler in Europe and North America, planning this trip was foreign and unlike anything I’d navigated before. Sure it is the same in nature that I needed to figure out how to get there, what I wanted to do, where I wanted to stay and how long I wanted to spend in each place, but I found I was in unexplored territory.

I felt I had so many questions, but then also felt there was a lot I did not even know to ask because it was different than planning a trip in Europe. I was not familiar with the airlines in the area. I did not know how I’d navigate in each destination and if I could trust google maps for distances. I was not sure if I needed to book transportation in advance, or if this is something I could just wing. I had to consider permissions to travel, i.e. visas, and look into medical recommendations before traveling.

It seemed everything was a bit different – the language, how to get around, usage of currency, feelings of safety, what to do in an emergency, how to avoid getting food poisoning, what my phone plan would look like, among many other things.

With that, I hope this guide helps others new to traveling in Asia to learn from my challenges and avoid some mishaps I encountered along the way, hopefully planning an even better trip than I experienced! I had a lovely adventure, but if given the opportunity to do it all over again with information I know now, I would make changes.

Arriving in Thailand

For most, your entry point to Thailand will be Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International airport (BKK). This large airport has approx. 1000 flights a day and is a destination for planes from all over the world. From Bangkok, you may decide to spend some time here or you may decide to immediately continue onto another part of Thailand.

A bit about Thailand

Culture

A large portion of Thailand practices Buddhism. The Buddhist influence can be felt when stepping into the country, with locals always been described as treating others with kindness. No matter where you travel, you’ll surely be exposed to some of the many incredible temples that are found across Thailand. Many temples are open to visitors, but they do come with rules and it’s important to respect the asks. In temples, most ask that shoulders and knees are covered so requires more conservative dressware. Often shoes need to be taken off when walking inside temples as well.

Language

Thai is the language spoken in Thailand. English is found on many signs, making it easy to navigate in instances on your own, but note English is not widely known in the country and many will not be able to communicate in English

Currency

Thai Baht is the currency used in Thailand. While credit cards can be used in many instance, it’s important to always carry cash. Many small transactions will not permit credit card payment and there are not always ATMs to take money out.

Thus, I’d recommend taking out some money at the start and then adjust based on your experience

Also important to note AMEX is not accepted in most places

Food

Thai cuisine, what a special one! The Thai cuisine is expansive in what it includes. From the flavorful curries often served with rice, to rice noodle dishes, to stir fry and spring rolls, among many other local dishes, there’s a lot to try in Thailand.

Interestingly, at least for those from western cultures, the Thai cuisine does not differ much by meal meaning it’s normal to see rice and dumplings offered for breakfast.
Thai food is full of flavors and made from a lot of similar sauces
Thai food is SPICY. If ever unsure of what level to order, always ere on the side of caution as its known for being much spicier than visitors are often expecting
Water – do not drink the tap water, no one does. It MUST be filtered. And even with this, some people have challenges and choose to stay with bottled water when visiting to minimize the risk of experiencing uncomfortable digestive issues
Food Poisoning – unfortunately, it is common for western travelers to experience food poisoning when traveling. To be honest, I’m not certain why this is the case but can attribute it to a few things. Regardless, there are precautionary steps you can take to reduce the risk of experiencing this while traveling.
- Always wash your hands before ANY meal
- Avoid vegetables such as lettuce as unsure about water it is washed in
- Be careful with ice, but most establishments will make ice from filtered water
- Avoid fruits (and vegetables) without skins which can be removed (i.e Mango and Banana are safer bets than berries)

Geography

The countryside in the North

Chaing Mai – found in the North of Thailand, this is a common place for visitors to stay to get a feel for the countryside of Thailand. Plan 2 – 3 nights here to visit an ethical Elephant Sanctuary, participate in a Thai Cooking Class, explore the city and temples, and consider a day-trip to regions nearby for a hike.

NOTE: February to April is known as the burning season in the north. This is when farmers burn many of their crops and it creates a thick smog in the air, making the air dangerous to breathe and many will wear masks or stay inside when possible in this time of year. With this in mind, do not plan a trip to Chaing Mai in these months.

The city of Bangkok

Likely your entrance point to the country, Bangkok is a massive city with a population over 10 million people. The city is large in all directions, as it covers 1600 sq. kilometers. When looking at a map, you may often find that the distance between places appears close and then is actually quite far.
As the hub of Thailand, you’ll find all kinds of people in the city as well as an abundance of options.
It’s a place you could simply have a short or one-day layover, or you could spend a month depending on your interests
NOTE: Due to its size and population using vehicles, you may notice smog in Bangkok from the pollution.

The coast and islands in the South

The southern part of Thailand is blessed with an abundance of coast and there are an extensive number of Thai islands dotted around the main country. With so many islands, there’s something for everyone, you just have to find what works for you.

Building an itinerary

How to go about building your itinerary is dependent on understanding where you want to visit and then how long you want to spend in each destination. Think about what your intentions are with the trip – do you want to experience the culture? Do you want to relax? Do you want to spend time exploring the cities? Do you want to take a lot of excursions? Do you want a mix of it all?

Bangkok

As you’ll likely be entering and / or exiting Thailand from here, this is an easy place to start with on your itinerary planning.
For those who have no interest in exploring the city of Bangkok, just use it as a hopping off point. You can book a flight immediately onward to your next destination, or spend one night in a hotel near the airport to help an early morning flight to your next spot
For those interested in seeing a few highlights in Bangkok, plan 1 night here. If possible, arrive early in the morning and use the day ahead to see some of the main sights in Bangkok. For a 1 day visit, you’ll want to prioritize seeing the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and / or What Arun. You can also book an afternoon food tour to experience some of the local favorites.
For those who want to see a bit more, plan 2-3 nights here to allow time to see the temples noted above, visit the floating markets in the mornings, and potentially take a day-trip outside of Bangkok.
For those who want to immerse themselves fully in the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, plan 4+ days. If you’re a city person, you can completely get lost in the city and the endless amount of things to do here. There are restaurants to try, cocktail bars to visit, clubs to party into the late hours at, numerous temples to explore, among many other things to do. This is for those who know they like Bangkok and want to get to know and see the city from more than a tourist’s lens

Northern Countryside

If you’d like to experience some of the Thai culture, outside the city and away from the islands, the north is the place to head. There are many daily flights from Bangkok to Chaing Mai
2 – 3 nights is a great way to experience the area in and around Chaing Mai. Of course you can always add more if you find this area to be especially captivating. When staying in Chaing Mai, you’ll be able to explore the area within the city walls. Be sure to plan a day trip to an elephant sanctuary and learn about these magnificent giant animals. Another nice activity when up in the north is booking a local cooking class
NOTE – as called out above, do NOT book travel here between February and April as it’s known as burning season and not a time you want to spend visiting

Islands

And now, onto the islands! Thailand draws many visitors for the islands alone. The coastline and islands are beautiful, with cliffs driving into the water in some areas and sandy beaches. The area is also a haven for divers, with the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea providing exciting underwater areas to explore. To help understand the various options, I’ve broken the coastal and islands up into three areas:

On the peninsula
Andaman Sea islands
Gulf of Thailand islands

On the peninsula

In order to plan this part of the trip, start by looking at a map of Thailand and navigate down to find Krabi and Phuket. These are two destinations which are very common for visitors to consider when looking for the coastal beauty of Thailand. Both Phuket and Krabi are NOT islands, and instead on the main peninsula of the southwest side of Thailand. As they are on the main landmass AND each have their own airport, it makes it more accessible to many to reach. With accessibility comes tourism and crowds. Phuket and Krabi have adapted a lot to the tourist, creating a busy area for visitors. For those keen on accessibility, consider Koh Lanta, another spot located on land but has not been overrun by tourists and the tourism industry in the same way. Fly into Krabi and book a transfer to reach Koh Lanta.
- Key points:
  - Phuket – easy to get to from within Thailand. It is known to be a place for backpackers to pass through and to party
  - Krabi – easy to get to from within Thailand. It is known to have nicer areas if you opt for a luxury hotel, but also has come to have a lot of very touristy areas
  - Koh Lanta – also on the large landmass, but not yet overrun by tourism in the same way. Fly to Krabi and book a transfer to reach Koh Lanta.

Andaman Sea Islands

Now that you’ve found Krabi and Phuket on the map, we’re looking at the sea between the two locations and the islands in this sea. The Sea is call the Andaman Sea and there are numerous islands here to consider. Here you’ll find the Phi Phi Islands and Koh Lipe. The Phi Phi islands are another common spot visited and recommended by many and is a group of 6 islands
- Key Points
  - Phi Phi Islands – Spend at least 2 nights here. Good for backpackers and those looking to go out more. Be aware it is still touristy, but takes a bit more effort to reach as it requires a ferry ride to reach it. There are some “well-known” spots though that are overrun by tourists so prepare yourself for this if hoping to see some of these
  - Koh Lipe – known for being a bit less touristy than the Phi Phi Islands

Gulf of Thailand Islands

We’ve talked about the main areas on the peninsula, and the area in the Andaman Sea, so now we’ll move east to the east side of the peninsula and into the Gulf of Thailand. Here you’ll find another group of islands. The main spots to consider here for visiting are Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao. Koh Samui is the biggest of the three, and the closest to the peninsula, with its own airport so there’s options to travel here by plane or by ferry. Koh Samui is considered the most touristy of the three, mainly because it is the largest and most accessible. That being said, it does not feel anything like Krabi in terms of tourism levels. Yes there is evidence that it is a place visited by tourists, but this also means there are aspects which make it easier for a traveler here. Koh Phangan is the next island in the group, located not too far by ferry from Koh Samui. Koh Phangan is known for its full moon parties. Now its expanded to have parties at other moon cycles as well to accommodate the growing interest in visiting at these times. There is no airport on Koh Phangan so can only be reached by boat. Finally, Koh Tao is the furthest of the three islands and the smallest. It is known for being a diver’s paradise and is lower key. The luxury hotels have not made their mark here yet either so it’s a lower frill island.
- Key points
  - Koh Samui – the largest and most touristy of the three, but this is not necessarily a bad thing. It offers a variety of luxury hotel options and different excursions and places to accommodate tourists
  - Koh Phangan – come here for the full moon party. Due to this being a key draw for the island, it pulls in more travelers looking to go out
  - Koh Tao – the least accessible, as it takes the longest to reach, and the most chilled. This is one for scuba divers to star on the map as it’s a big destination for diving.

With the three areas, now we have to think about where to visit. With less than 7 days, I would not recommend pairing islands in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand together. Instead, pick one side or the other. Then, you can pick 1-3 locations in each and / or add a stop “on the peninsula” to help break up any long travel days.

Potential ideas:
- For the backpacker:
  - Krabi (2 nights)
  - Phi Phi Islands (3 nights)
  - Koh Lipe (2 nights)
- For the partier:
  - Koh Tao (2 nights)
  - Koh Phangan (3 nights)
  - Koh Samui (2 nights)
- For the luxury traveler
  - Koh Lanta (2 nights)
  - Koh Samui (4 nights)
- For a bit of a mix
  - Koh Tao (2 nights)
  - Koh Phangan (2 nights)
  - Koh Samui (3 nights)

There’s a lot to consider when planning a trip to the coast and islands. Before you book anything, make sure to do some research into the logistics to make sure your plan will work. You may want to consider an extra night in some places to spread out the travel so you are not unpacking and repacking consistently.

Final note: a few things to remember

Packing List

Charging Converter
Hand sanitizer
Bug spray
Sunscreen
Sun hat
N95 Mask (for cities where the smog is heavier)
Walking sandals
Quick dry beach towel
Beach bag
Medication for digestive challenges
Debit card to allow you to take out cash