Around the World
Thailand — temples, islands, night markets, smiles
From Bangkok’s golden wats and canal ferries to Phuket, Krabi and Koh Samui sunsets, here’s a practical, non-boring guide to eating well, moving smart, and staying connected.
✈️ Quick Travel Snapshot
| Best time to visit | Nov–Feb is coolest and driest, Mar–May is hot, Jun–Oct is rainy with short tropical bursts. |
|---|---|
| Visa | Many nationalities are visa-exempt for short stays, otherwise apply online via the official Thailand e-Visa website before you fly. |
| Currency | Thai Baht (THB) |
| Plugs | Type A, B and C (230 V); a universal adaptor is handy. |
| Connectivity | Great 4G/5G in cities and major islands, patchier in remote areas, an eSIM keeps you covered. |
🍽 Must-try food & drink
- Pad Thai & Pad Kra Pao, wok-smoke, lime, basil, simple and perfect.
- Som Tam (papaya salad) and grilled chicken, Issan flavour-bomb with sticky-rice.
- Khao Soi (Chiang Mai), coconut-curry noodles with crunchy topping.
- Mango sticky rice and fresh tropical juices at night markets.
Order “mai phet” for less spicy, and always try the house nam jim (dipping sauce).
🔌 Stay connected (and covered)
Activate your eSIM before take-off, land online in Bangkok, then island-hop without hunting for kiosks. For scooters, boats and dives, good travel insurance is worth it.
Make sure your phone is unlocked for eSIMs.
📸 Experiences worth writing home about
- Bangkok by river, express boats, Wat Arun at golden hour, Chinatown eats after dark.
- Phuket & Krabi, long-tail boats to karst bays, early starts beat the crowds.
- Koh Samui / Koh Phangan / Koh Tao, palm-ringed beaches, snorkelling and laid-back nights.
- Chiang Mai, old-city temples, café-hopping, mountain day-trips and night bazaars.
- Ayutthaya, UNESCO ruins by bike or boat from Bangkok.
🏆 Where to stay (a few ideas)
- Bangkok riverside/design hotels, great pools, skytrains and ferries nearby.
- Phuket/Phang Nga hideaways, cliff-views or quiet sands away from nightlife.
- Chiang Mai boutiques, leafy courtyards and walkable old-town lanes.
🧳 Practical tips
- Transport: BTS/MRT and river boats in Bangkok, Grab/Bolt elsewhere, traffic is real, plan buffer time.
- Etiquette: cover shoulders/knees at temples, shoes off when asked, be respectful of images of the monarchy and monks.
- Payments: cards widely accepted in cities, cash for markets, boats and small vendors.
🎒 Pack smart
- Light clothes, sun-protection, a compact rain-jacket in wet season.
- Waterproof phone pouch for boats and island days.
- Power bank and offline maps for rural/boat days.
✅ Useful links
- Official e-Visa: Thailand e-Visa (MFA)
- Thailand eSIM: Browse plans
- Travel insurance: Get covered
