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Thailand is the starting point for many Southeast Asia travelers and it was also the very first country we visited in Southeast Asia for us. Thailand is becoming more and more popular as a holiday destination and is gradually losing its reputation as a cheap backpacker’s paradise.
Thailand – the popular holiday destination in Southeast Asia
Thailand is incredibly diverse and of course offers countless dream islands and beach destinations for every taste and budget. You can still take a comparatively cheap holiday in Thailand, but at the same time you can experience an unforgettable luxury holiday there. The selection of beautiful, high-class resorts is growing, but you can still find the simple bamboo huts right on the beach.
We ourselves are big beach and island fans and like to discover new dream beaches. We had our first contact with Thailand’s islands in 2012 on Koh Samui and were very enthusiastic. Since then we have visited many more islands and there are still a few on our bucket list.
But not only Thailand’s islands, but also the impressive culture with the countless Buddhist temples fascinates us. No matter which new place we travel to in Thailand, a visit to a temple is almost always on the agenda. You too should be enchanted by the culture of Thailand.
When it comes to nature, Thailand can do even more. The north of Thailand has a completely different climate than the tropical south and there are also beautiful mountain landscapes to discover. Even if our home base is in the south of Thailand, we always like to travel north to Chiang Mai and Co.
In a nutshell: 5 Thailand facts
- Capital: Bangkok
- Population: approx. 69.4 million
- Religion: Buddhism (94%), Islam (5%), Christianity (0.6%) and Hinduism (0.1%)
- Currency: Thai baht (100 satang = 1 baht)
- Main airports: Suvarnabhumi Airport Bangkok (BKK), Don Mueang Airport Bangkok (DMK), Chiang Mai (CNX), Phuket (HKT), Krabi (KBV)
Frequently asked questions about Thailand
Thailand is the starting point for many Southeast Asia travelers and it was also the very first country we visited in Southeast Asia for us. Thailand is becoming more and more popular as a holiday destination and is gradually losing its reputation as a cheap backpacker’s paradise.
Thailand – the popular holiday destination in Southeast Asia
Thailand is incredibly diverse and of course offers countless dream islands and beach destinations for every taste and budget. You can still take a comparatively cheap holiday in Thailand, but at the same time you can experience an unforgettable luxury holiday there. The selection of beautiful, high-class resorts is growing, but you can still find the simple bamboo huts right on the beach.
We ourselves are big beach and island fans and like to discover new dream beaches. We had our first contact with Thailand’s islands in 2012 on Koh Samui and were very enthusiastic. Since then we have visited many more islands and there are still a few on our bucket list.
But not only Thailand’s islands, but also the impressive culture with the countless Buddhist temples fascinates us. No matter which new place we travel to in Thailand, a visit to a temple is almost always on the agenda. You too should be enchanted by the culture of Thailand.
When it comes to nature, Thailand can do even more. The north of Thailand has a completely different climate than the tropical south and there are also beautiful mountain landscapes to discover. Even if our home base is in the south of Thailand, we always like to travel north to Chiang Mai and Co.
In a nutshell: 5 Thailand facts
- Capital: Bangkok
- Population: approx. 69.4 million
- Religion: Buddhism (94%), Islam (5%), Christianity (0.6%) and Hinduism (0.1%)
- Currency: Thai baht (100 satang = 1 baht)
- Main airports: Suvarnabhumi Airport Bangkok (BKK), Don Mueang Airport Bangkok (DMK), Chiang Mai (CNX), Phuket (HKT), Krabi (KBV)
Thailand map
Frequently asked questions about Thailand
1.When is the best time to travel to Thailand
Many vacationers ask themselves the question of the best travel time for Thailand. Basically, you can travel to Thailand at any time of the year and the best time to travel to Thailand depends heavily on where you want to travel to.
The best travel time for a beach holiday on the southern west coast ( Phuket , Krabi , Khao Lak etc.) is from November to April. During this period, it rains the least and the weather is pleasant. At the same time, the months of December to March are the peak travel season and it is the busiest. Heavy monsoon showers can fall in the months from May to October and these months are considered the low season in this area of Thailand. If you can live with daily rain showers, this time is particularly good if you want it to be a little quieter. The hotels are cheaper and the beaches are emptier. There are sunny days here too.
The Gulf of Thailand , on the other hand, is navigable most of the year. Only the months of December and January could be very rainy (with bad luck it can rain here for several days at a time). However, this doesn’t have to be the case and we think December is also a great month to visit on Koh Samui , Koh Phangan and Koh Taocan go on vacation. You should be prepared for slightly more pleasant temperatures (average around 26°C) compared to the rest of the year, but also more frequent gray skies or rain. In between, however, there are often sunny days with the risk of sunburn. A good travel time is the summer months from July to September and if you want it to be particularly hot and sunny, from March to June.
While Bangkok is good to visit all year round, there are also weeks and months that are a bit rainier. That would be around June to September. Even in these months it is quite possible to visit Bangkok. Because only with a lot of bad luck everything is flooded. Usually it’s over after a short, heavy shower.
The north with Chiang Mai etc. is good from November to February. During this time it is very dry and not too hot. Especially in the evening and at night you will notice the relatively mild temperatures around 20°C, which is a nice change.
By the way, you can find more and more detailed information about the best travel time in Thailand here in our article .
2.Do I need a visa for Thailand?
If you do not want to stay longer than 30 days in Thailand, you do not need a visa. Upon entry you will receive a stamp that is valid for 30 days. This is often incorrectly referred to as a visa on arrival, however this is not a visa. A one-time extension for another 30 days, if you spontaneously decide to stay longer in Thailand, is possible at any immigration office in Thailand.
If you want to stay longer in Thailand from the outset, you need a so-called tourist visa . This is available in two variants and for most of them the so-called Single Entry Tourist Visa comes into question. It is valid for 60 days and can be used for entry. You can best apply for it before your holiday at the Thai consulate (Hamburg, Essen, Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Munich) or the embassy in Berlin. For even longer stays or multiple entries, the Multiple Entry Tourist Visa is recommended , which is valid for 6 months and allows you multiple entries of a maximum of 60 days. It is ideal if you are planning a Southeast Asia round trip and want/have to enter Thailand several times.
3.How long should I stay in Thailand?
The duration of a trip to Thailand depends entirely on what ideas and plans you have. Would you like to spend a relaxing holiday in the tropics, possibly combined with a small city trip (e.g. Bangkok or Chiang Mai )? Then you can plan a Thailand vacation of 2-3 weeks . This should give you enough time to get to know some of the country’s culture and relax at one of Thailand’s gorgeous beach destinations.
If you want to travel Thailand intensively and want to explore more than the typical vacation spots, then you should plan 4 weeks (or more). The Land of Smiles is so diverse that you won’t get bored even after 4 weeks. From historic temple ruins to the mountains of Thailand in the north to the beautiful beaches in the south, there is plenty to explore.
Here is a suggested itinerary for exploring Thailand in 4 weeks to give you an idea of what you can experience.
4.Where should I travel in Thailand?
Where you should travel to in Thailand is of course heavily dependent on what your preferences are. The good news is: Thailand is incredibly diverse and it doesn’t matter whether you’re a beach fan, culture lover or foodie. You’re guaranteed to get a lot.
In any case, you should pay a visit to the capital Bangkok . About 3 days are enough to get to know the most important sights of Bangkok. Most international flights land in Bangkok, so you’re already there and able to explore the city before continuing. The flair of Bangkok cannot be compared to any other city in the world and the word big city adventure applies here one hundred percent.
Where you go afterwards is up to you and of course also depends on the duration of your trip. In any case, we would recommend a stay in the north, Chiang Mai , before going to the beautiful islands in the south .
Finally, it’s time for a beach vacation! Thailand offers an incredible number of beautiful islands and most of them are in the south. There are very touristy areas like Phuket or Koh Samui , as well as relatively undiscovered gems (e.g. Koh Phayam or the Trang Islands ), where a quiet beach holiday is still possible. For more information about the individual places, just take a look at our Thailand category in the menu above. You will find a lot of inspiration there.
Tip: If you still want to travel a bit from the “real Thailand” far away from mass tourism and have enough time left, we can recommend the Isaan . Isaan is northeastern Thailand and borders Laos. Culturally, Isaan is very closely linked to Laos and offers many highlights. Even if there are no beaches and islands there, it is still worth a trip.
5.What are the most beautiful islands in Thailand?
The question of the most beautiful islands in Thailand is certainly a matter of taste, because every visitor has different ideas. Some would like peace and seclusion, others a distinctive nightlife and various activities, on the other hand some holidaymakers simply want a turquoise, dreamlike sea and a white sandy beach to be satisfied.
We want to relate something to the beauty of nature here and therefore the following islands are among the most beautiful in Thailand for us. First of all we would like to mention Koh Phangan , the island in the southern Gulf of Thailand has been our home base for years. Unfortunately, many visitors only come for the Full Moon Party, but outside of this time you can discover the beautiful side of the island: lonely beaches, white sand, turquoise sea, mountains for hiking, green jungle. From activities to glorious tranquility, the island has it all.
The islands in Trang in the southern Andaman Sea also belong to us , such as Koh Mook or Koh Kradan . There is absolutely no mass tourism there, there are fantastic beaches, snorkeling opportunities, a cave that you can only reach if you swim through a kind of tunnel and above all there is a lot of seclusion and opportunities for relaxation. Just the right thing for those looking for peace and quiet.
A little further south of these islands is Koh Lipe . An island that is just as gorgeous, but which often sees too many tourists in the high season. We therefore recommend visiting in the off-season to enjoy the beauty of Thailand’s Maldives , as Koh Lipe is sometimes called. The island is particularly well known for the underwater world, be it snorkeling or scuba diving. But you can also make many trips to secluded islands in the area.
Of course, a few more islands in Thailand such as Koh Tao , Koh Yao Yai , Koh Kood , Koh Chang and more could be listed here. But in the end you have to find out for yourself which is really the most beautiful island in Thailand. Another little point of reference we want to give you about the most beautiful islands is our article on 10 islands you should see in Thailand . Here you will find many more impressions and suggestions.
If you decide to go on an island trip to Koh Phangan or Koh Samui , take a look at our island guides . We put our heart and soul into creating it ourselves and you will find lots of first-hand tips there. A colorful mix of well-known sights for beginners and real insider tips.
