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In this guide we’ll discuss everything you need to know in order to plan your trip to Thailand: how to get a visa, why you need an insurance policy and which type you should choose, how to get to Thailand and move around the country, where to stay, what the internet situation is, how the ATMs work, and much more.
If you’d rather not read the entire article, you can jump directly to the section that interests you by clicking the link below:
An interesting option for traveling in Thailand is to take the train. Despite the bus network being much bigger and better connected, traveling by train also has its advantages, especially if you aren’t in a rush and want to fully enjoy the atmosphere of the journey.
The main national rail hub is Bangkok. The city station is called Hualamphong and it is easily reached from the center of Bangkok by metro (MRT).
You have to get off at the last stop, which is called Hualamphong (if arriving from the airport). Once you come out of the metro, finding the station isn’t difficult, just go up the escalator and turn right: the stop is right under the ticket counter.
Hualamphong station, despite being built some 101 years ago, is still one of the most widely-used buildings in the capital. The building was designed by the architect Mario Tamagno from Turin, who gave it its Renaissance style.
Connections offered at this station cover all four cardinal directions: north with Chiang Mai, south and west with Trang and Nakhon Si Thammarat, and lastly east with Ubon Ratchathani, Nong Khai, Sattahip and Aranyaprathet.
Here you’ll find a detailed map of Southeast Asia’s rail network.
The matter of visas take the most time and research for those planning a mid to long term stay in Thailand.
First of all, if you want to vacation in Thailand for less than 30 days, have a passport valid for at least six months issued by one of the countries on this list (US and UK are on it) and a ticket to leave the country (within 30 days from the date of arrival), then you won’t need a visa.
If instead you want to stay longer, you first need to understand why you need a Thai visa and what type of visa you need to apply for.
Traveling by bus in Thailand is very convenient, both in terms of savings and comfort. Bangkok represents the country’s major transportation center; in fact, from the capital it is possible to reach practically every city in Thailand, and even cities in neighboring countries, such as Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and even Malaysia.
Besides cheap prices and excellent connections, traveling by bus in Thailand is a relatively comfortable experience. The vehicles used by various transportation companies are almost all new and equipped with every comfort.
Their are daily buses that offer services such as television, some snacks, and a few even have Wifi connections. Night buses will welcome you with reclining seats, covers and the classic midnight snack!
Buying tickets is simple and intuitive. You can show up in person at various bus stations, or buy them online and show your ticket directly from your smartphone. There are many websites where you can buy tickets and are often run by specific companies. [Read more…]
This article is intended to explain the importance of having health insurance when traveling to Thailand as well as to explain the healthcare system in the country.
If you come from Europe or a country with a free universal healthcare system, it’s important that you read the first part of this article, as the freeness and quality of the public health care system in Europe make many people forget how expensive medical treatment can be. If you come from a country like the United States, you will already be aware of the importance of having a good health insurance policy.
For the time being, in Thailand, having health insurance or traveler assistance insurance is not a requirement for traveling to the country. So, you can go there no problem. Even so, unless you have tons of money to spare, you had better not get sick, and much less become the victim of an accident.
Hospitals in Thailand – like the majority of countries – are not NGOs and will not help you unless you can pay up front or are covered by adequate health insurance.
When I say that if you don’t pay, nobody will assist you, I’m not talking about spare change. The international hospitals in Thailand (the only ones where doctors and nurses can speak some English) tend to be very expensive. We are talking about more than 150 to 350 USD for a single day of hospitalization (without including treatments), several hundred for having your stomach pumped, or tens of thousands of USD for a simple surgery. [Read more…]
Koh Samet (often written also as Koh Samed) is one of the closest and easily reached islands to Bangkok. Located only 175 kilometers from the capital, the island is also called Koh Kaew Phitsadan by the Thais, which means “Jewel Island”.
Despite not being as touristy as Phuket or Phi Phi Island, Koh Samet is frequently visited by local tourists and foreign residents from Bangkok, who escape for just a weekend from the chaotic life of the city.
There’s no one best time of the year to visit the island, since it has a dry climate all year long. It’s for this reason in fact, that Koh Samet is a popular destination during the months when monsoons strike the majority of Thailand, namely May to the end of October.
The island’s beaches are composed of white sand and clear water. Nature is master here, even if imposing luxury resorts are sprouting up like mushrooms, especially near the biggest beaches.
The only beaches where you can sunbathe and take a dip are those on the eastern coast. On the other side of the island there are no beaches but rather rocks that make water sports practically impossible.
Due to its wonderful beaches and tropical nature, Koh Samet was declared as a Thai national park, and as such, as soon as you get off the boat onto the beach at Haad Sai Kaew, you ‘ll see a local policeman who will ask you to donate (it’s mandatory) 220 THB to support the park. [Read more…]
Today I will explain how and where to book a hotel in Thailand. Note that if you’d like to book a hotel – or hostel – in a specific place, you can skip right to the last section of this article.
Despite the fact that there are lots of online portals for booking a hotel in the Land of Smiles, in my opinion the best are Agoda and Booking. [Read more…]
Chiang Rai, a city considered noble due to its past as the capital of the Kingdom of Lanna, is especially famous for its proximity to the golden triangle; an area on the Mekong River where the territories of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet, forming a triangle. The golden triangle is widely known abroad as world’s most important region, second only to Afghanistan, for the production of opium during the 50’s.
Chiang Rai is however known for its Buddhist temples, particularly the marvelous White Temple (in Thai: Wat Rong Khun), located a few kilometers outside the middle of the city.
The city of Chiang Rai is about 800 kilometers from Bangkok, and is the capital of the province of the same name. Just a little smaller than Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai has a population of 70,000 inhabitants. Its territory is mainly mountainous, being situated 600 meters over sea level. This characteristic makes it so that in winter the lowest temperatures go down to even 15 degrees, which is very low for Thailand.
Its strategic position makes Chiang Rai a perfect spot for those that also want to visit Myanmar and Laos.
Regarding the first destination, you can take a taxi from the center of Chiang Rai which will take you to the border checkpoint (Mae Sot), or a bus. Once you get to the so-called friendship bridge, the bridge connecting the customs office of Mae Sot in Thailand and Myawaddy in Myanmar, you can follow the procedures for visas on arrival directly at the border immigration office, then go on for another kilometer toward the bus station. [Read more…]
This article is a complete guide with all the information necessary for you to enjoy your trip to Thailand. Below are the subjects that we will cover in this article (click to skip directly to the section you’re most interested in):
Chiang Mai is 700 kilometers away from the capital Bangkok, and is the largest city of the north and the second largest in all of Thailand. As a budget-friendly city that is easily visited on foot (as opposed to Bangkok!), it is also the preferred destination for those intending to travel to southeast Asia for an extended period of time.
Chiang Mai has a very varied range of cheap guesthouses, along with 5 star hotels; you can therefore choose the most suitable accommodations for your budget
I do however recommend that you read reviews from other travelers about specific hotels, in particular hostels and guesthouses since often their prices are really low yet the condition of the rooms are catastrophic (damp blankets that are almost wet, bathrooms that don’t work, etc).
One solution is to see the room with your own eyes and personally visit each guest house, in this way you can negotiate the price per night.
The majority of hotels are located in the historic center, surrounded by ancient walls that surround the city, creating a square “defense” of the walls and surrounding canals.
Click here to read reviews of the hotels we recommend in Chiang Mai.
Pattaya is one of the most famous touristic spots in Thailand and is worldwide known for its beaches and nightlife. Pattaya have plenty of accommodation to offer, but is quite normal to end up in a expensive and low quality hotel or too noisy. Unless you’re not planing to sleep during your stay, you should be careful when you choose a hotel. Here you’ll find a selection of some of the best hotels in the city for all kinds of budgets.
If your looking for general tips on booking hotels in Thailand click here to read our guide.
With enormous sea views, U Pattaya Hotel is one of the top hotels located on the beach with 44 guestrooms. The rooms come in the categories of Garden Villa, Pool Villa, Pool Access Villa and Beachfront Pool Villa, beautifully decked up in earthy tones using bamboo and rustic wood for a calm ambiance. All the rooms offer free Wi-Fi access and modern amenities. The rooms are spacious and for those who want complete privacy and serenity, Ocean Front Pool Villa is the one to go for. The hotel’s private beach is equipped with sun beds and loungers for a relaxed soaking up of Sun. The hotel offers U Choose Program that allows the guests to choose amenities like music, tea, soap, and pillows before arriving. It houses a beachfront restaurant, terrace bar, and offers services like spa, bicycle rental, free car parking, 24 hour security and front desk. It’s English speaking and highly courteous staff keeps the guests happy with their exceptional customer service. It is 14.67 km away from the Utapao International Airport and attractions like Cartoon Network Amazone and Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden are within 40 minute walk away.
Phuket is the biggest and one of the most famous islands in Thailand and a top touristic destination. Here you’ll find the review of some of the best hotels in Phuket City, Patong and close to the Phuket Airport, the hotels chosen in this article are suitable for any kind of budget, form the best luxury hotels to the best cheap hotels or hostels.
If your looking for general tips on booking hotels in Thailand click here to read our guide.
The Westin Siray Bay Resort & Spa Phuket is located close to the Phuket City and houses 257 contemporary rooms, equipped with modern amenities and well-fitted ensuite bathrooms. The hotel features beautiful outdoor pools with infinity edges overlooking the gorgeous sea. The hotel is perfect for families, couples, and even business travellers as it not only offers child friendly services, family rooms, kid’s pool for guests with kids but also a business center and 5 meeting rooms. It also features a poolside bar and restaurants serving international cuisines. The fully-serviced spa, motorized and non motorized water sports, a fitness center are the ways to relax at the resort. Some of the lows are that the Wi-Fi is provided only in the public areas while it is chargeable in rooms and their shuttle service is also chargeable. It is a good hotel when looking for a relaxing and secluded accommodation away from Phuket’s liveliness as it takes about 40 minutes to reach the Phuket City Center from the hotel by car. The hotel’s staff is courteous and speaks English, Filipino, Korean, and Japanese in addition to Thai.
Koh Samet is the closest island to Bangkok and a popular weekend destination for the residents of the Thai Capital. Here you’ll find a selection of some of the best hotels in the island for all kinds of budgets.
If your looking for general tips on booking hotels in Thailand click here to read our guide.
Offering beach front pool and garden view villas, The Paradee Resort is one of the top beach resorts in Koh Samet with 40 guestrooms. The resort is on the beach offering easy access to Sun, sand, and sea. It is also closely located to many other beaches with distance ranging between 0.9 km and 4km. The resort features a full serviced spa, fitness center, outdoor pool, and business center. The resort’s private beach is spotlessly clean and is equipped with beach umbrellas. The hotel‘s English speaking staff welcomes its guests with welcome drinks and are very courteous to make the stay truly relaxing by attending to every little need of their guests. The villas are equipped with modern amenities and feature comfy beds with gorgeous views. The hotel provides free Wi-Fi only in public area and not in rooms. In addition, guests can enjoy motorized water sports at the beach to add to their entertainment.
Chiang Mai is the largest city in Northern Thailand and one of the top touristic destinations in the country, for this reason the city have a large offer of accommodation. Finding a good hotel in Chiang Mai may not be easy and here you will find some of the best hotels in Chiang Mai whatever your budget may be.
If your looking for general tips on booking hotels in Thailand click here to read our guide.
A cozy hotel with 30 guestrooms, the 137 Pillars House is a beautiful stay option located in the Muang area of Chiang Mai. The hotel offers clean and spacious rooms, neatly decorated offering modern feel. The surroundings are lush green with manicured gardens, which will surely elevate the guest’s overall experience. It offers free Wi-Fi and free parking with other amenities like 2 restaurants, an outdoor pool, steam and spa, childcare services, daily housekeeping, and a gift shop. It also offers portable Wi-Fi rental. The food at the hotel is exceptional, prepared from fresh organic produce. The staff here speaks English and Chinese to communicate easily with western travelers and travelers from other Asian countries. Its central location makes reaching popular attractions like Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Center, Wat Chiang Mai National Museum, Wat Gatekaram and The Suvannabumi Art Gallery easily accessible on foot. All these attractions are only 2 to 20 minute walk away.
Chiang Rai is the last city in the north of Thailand and one of the top touristic destinations in the famous Golden Triangle. The city offers a large number of accommodation and finding a good hotel can be difficult. In this article you’ll find the review of some of the best hotels in Chiang Rai whatever your budget may be.
If your looking for general tips on booking hotels in Thailand click here to read our guide.
With 78 guestrooms, equipped with free Wifi and great location, the The Legend Chiang Rai Hotel is a lovely accommodation option for travellers. It features spacious and airy rooms, beautifully decorated with modern amenities. The pool villas offer lovely pool views. This hotel is a great option if guests want to bring along their fuzzy pals as the hotel warmly welcomes pets. For children, the hotel offers childcare services and facilities to make the families feel at home and as comfy as possible. The hotel is only 5.71 km away from the Chiang Rai Airport and only 1.61 km away from the Chiang Rai Bus Terminal1. Tourists Points of Interest like Statue of King Mengrai and King Meng Rai the Great Monument are within 9 minutes walk. The wats like Wat Pra Singh and Wat Phra Kaew can be reached within 14 minutes on foot. The staff is courteous and speaks fluent English for easy conversation with non-Thai guests.
Despite having its prefix Koh removed (in Thai: island), Phuket is Thailand’s biggest island, connected to the mainland (Phang Nga province) thanks to a 700 meter long bridge. Before the construction of the Sarasin Bridge,the only way (besides by air!) to reach the mainland, was the ferry.
After the construction of the Sarasin Bridge in 1967, the Thai tourism authority in 2011 was forced to build a second bridge, the Thepkasattri Bridge, due to the imposing increase of vehicles headed toward the island. Today the Sarasin bridge is resigned to a simplistic touristic role; platforms were built to allow tourists to photograph the sunrise or sunset looking directly over the Andaman Sea.
With its 570 square kilometers, and almost four hundred thousand inhabitants, the island of Phuket attracts more than 11 million tourists a year, thanks to its renovated international airport.
The island is predominantly mountainous, with its highest peak (Mai Thao Sip Song) reaching 529 meters above sea level. Excluding the 70% of territory covered by mountains, the remaining 30% is covered by rice paddies, bamboo and coconut plantations, and the park Khao Phra Thaeo.
This forest is the only remaining protected area on the island, with a surface area of 22 square kilometers composed of three hills with a maximum height of 422 meters. [Read more…]
Bangkok with more than 8 million people is an enormous city with several thousands hotels, which may make choosing where to stay extremely difficult. This guide is a selection of the best hotels in Bangkok, whatever your budget may be.
Bangkok is a megalopolis and traffic can be nightmare during rush hour. Even though its transportation is relatively efficient, getting from one place to another can be a big waste of time. Because of this, in this guide we have selected hotels near the Suvarnabhumi Airport and the downtown center (all of them are located in very central areas.
Bangkok receives millions of visitors each year and because of this, we recommend booking hotels well in advance, as the best hotels fill up relatively quickly.
If your looking for a general recommendations on booking hotels in Thailand click here to read our general recommendations. [Read more…]
Pattaya is one of the most well-known Thai cities to foreigners for its exciting nightlife. But, besides the wild parties, it offers so much more! Every year more than six million tourists, including many families, arrive from around the world to stay in the most controversial of Thai cities.
Besides Pattaya, in this guide I’ll also talk about a little Thai pearl, the island of Ko Lan, located a few kilometers off the coast of Pattaya. In contrast to the latter, Ko Lan is an oasis of tranquility, where you can relax and fully enjoy the spirit of “sabai-sabai” that is so characteristic of the Thai people.
Though there are larger and more densely populated cities, Pattaya is considered a tourist destination, especially for its nightlife and outdoor activities such as water sports.
The best time to visit Pattaya is from November to March. These five months are considered the driest and therefore the most ideal for fully enjoying the city.
Ko Lan (Koh Larn), also called Coral Island, is instead a little paradise that’s little more than 5 square kilometers, situated 7 kilometers from the port of Pattaya, and is considered one of the greenest and best-preserved islands in the entire kingdom of Siam. [Read more…]
300 kilometers from Bangkok there’s one of the biggest and most beautiful islands in Thailand: the Island of the Elephants, or as it is commonly called in Thai, Koh Chang.
This natural paradise is one of the few islands that rises up in the southeastern part of the Gulf of Thailand, almost at the border with Cambodia.
These days, for many Bangkokers (and a growing number of international tourists) Koh represents a place to relax and commune with nature, which continues to get the better of the artificial construction present on the island.
Koh Chang, with its 217 kilometers of surface area, is the second most important island in Thailand, in terms of size, after Phuket. Unlike Phuket and many other Thai islands, where mass tourism has reached elevated levels, Koh Chang remains an island for those looking to relax and completely immerse themselves in nature without overdoing it.
In addition, as one of the most rainy islands in Thailand, especially between June and October, the best time to visit is in what corresponds to the dry season, namely from November to May. [Read more…]
Perhaps one of the first questions you think about once you land at the airport, after food and lodging is: “Now, how am I supposed to get around”?
I’ll start off right away by saying that in Bangkok public transportation is more than satisfactory and, more importantly, on time. Here’s a list of the city’s transportation options:
The traffic in Bangkok is world famous and it’s very easy to find yourself in the middle of an enormous traffic jam at any time of the day or night, wasting a ton of precious time. However, Bangkok is surprisingly easy to navigate using any of the public options you choose.
The Airport Link is a subway line that connects Bangkok’s main airport, Suvarnabhumi Airport, with the city center. One of the advantages of this line is that it’s much cheaper than using a taxi, and you avoid the stress of daily traffic. [Read more…]