Temples, street food and tropical islands
Thailand is Southeast Asia's most popular destination, mixing golden temples, lively cities, jungle and some of the world's prettiest islands. Bangkok is a huge, energetic capital, Chiang Mai is the cultural hub of the mountainous north, and the Andaman and Gulf coasts offer beaches for every taste. Food is a highlight everywhere, from street stalls to fine dining. It suits first-time Asia travellers, backpackers, families and beach lovers.
Tap a card or a pin. Add a place to a day of your trip, or look for tours.
The former royal residence and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Thailand's holiest temple. The gilded spires are dazzling.
A temple complex with a huge reclining Buddha covered in gold leaf. It is also the home of a famous traditional massage school.
Ruins of the old royal capital, with brick temples, prangs and a Buddha head in tree roots. It is an easy day trip from Bangkok.
A moated old city full of temples, markets and cafes, with the mountain temple of Doi Suthep above it. Cooking classes are popular.
Limestone cliffs, turquoise bays and coral reefs, including Maya Bay. It is busy but beautiful.
A peninsula reachable only by boat, with sandy beaches between towering cliffs. It is famous for rock climbing.
Graceful ruins of the first Thai capital, with lotus ponds and seated Buddhas. It is quieter than Ayutthaya.
Rainforest with a huge lake of limestone karsts and floating raft houses. Gibbons and hornbills live here.
A trio of Gulf islands with resorts, the Full Moon Party and easy dive courses. Each has its own feel.
Wat Rong Khun is a dazzling white modern temple designed by artist Chalermchai Kositpipat. The Blue Temple is nearby.
A marine national park with granite boulders, clear water and some of Thailand's best diving. It is open only part of the year, usually October to May.
A bay of limestone islands, sea caves and the famous James Bond Island. Sea kayaking explores hidden lagoons.
Seven tiers of turquoise pools in a forest park, near the Bridge on the River Kwai and its war cemeteries. It is a lovely mix of nature and history.
From the Chatuchak weekend market to floating markets like Damnoen Saduak and night markets, Bangkok is a shopper's city. Street food is everywhere.
Thailand's first national park, with waterfalls, wild elephants and hornbills. It is part of a UNESCO forest complex.
Everything above is open to read. A Hodolog account lets you build the trip around it: pick cities, add places to days, see the weather for your dates.
Each city with a guide opens its own page: map, where to stay, what to eat.
Temples, food and nightlife.
city, food · Open the city guideNorthern culture and mountains.
culture · Open the city guideAndaman beaches and islands.
beach · Open the city guideBiggest island and resort hub.
beach, nightlife · Open the city guideGulf island resorts.
beach · Open the city guideAncient capital.
history · Guide comingTemples and hills.
culture · Guide comingBusy beach city near Bangkok.
nightlife · Open the city guideQuiet town beside the historic park.
history, cycling · Guide comingGulf island resorts.
beach · Guide comingThe capital and old capitals nearby.
Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Ayutthaya
Mountains, temples and hill tribes.
Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Sukhothai
Limestone islands and dive sites.
Phi Phi, Railay, Similan Islands
Resort islands and dive courses.
Koh Samui, Koh Tao
Rural heartland with Khmer ruins and parks.
Khao Yai, Phanom Rung
The capital and surrounding ancient cities.
Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi
Choose how long you have, then add the whole route to a trip as places and nights.
Best: November to March. The cool, dry season brings sunny days and calmer seas on the Andaman coast.
The Gulf islands like Koh Samui are wettest from October to December, while the Andaman coast is rainy from May to October.
January. Busy season. Higher prices, bigger crowds.
91°F daily high, 79°F average, 0.6 in
Average of past years from NASA POWER, worked out at each city's position. A place far from these cities can be quite different.
The US State Department rates Thailand Level 1, Exercise Normal Precautions, with increased caution near the Cambodian border and in Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat provinces.
Cheap flights, buses, trains and ferries link everything, and ride apps work in cities.
Thailand offers excellent value across all budgets.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Members see the rules for their own passport here.
Passport and visa rules change often and without notice. Always check the official pages before you book and again before you travel.
| Entry | Check visa and arrival card rules on Thailand's official e-visa website (thaievisa.go.th) and Thai immigration sources before you travel. |
| Plugs | Type A, B, C, F, O; 220 V 50 Hz |
| Tap water | not safe |
| Tipping | Tipping is not required; leaving small change or 10 percent at nicer places is appreciated. |
| Payments | Cash is common at markets; cards work in malls and hotels, and QR payments are widespread. |
| Emergency | 191 police, 1669 ambulance, 1155 tourist police |
| Etiquette | Criticising the monarchy is a serious crime, so be respectful. Do not touch people's heads or point your feet at people or Buddha images. Remove shoes before entering temples and homes. |
| What to wear | Cover shoulders and knees at temples; the Grand Palace is strict. |
| Driving | On the left |
| Between cities | Cheap domestic flights link Bangkok with the north and islands. Overnight trains and buses run to most places, and ferries serve the islands. Grab and Bolt work in cities; tuk-tuks need haggling. |
| Main airports | BKK, DMK, HKT, CNX, USM |
| Ride apps | Grab, Bolt |
Thai kingdoms rose from the 13th century, first at Sukhothai and then at Ayutthaya, a rich trading capital destroyed by Burmese armies in 1767. The capital moved to Bangkok in 1782 under the Chakri dynasty, which still reigns. Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never colonised by a European power. It became a constitutional monarchy in 1932 and has seen several changes of government and military coups since.
Researched 2026-10-13. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.