Thailand
More than tropical beaches and temples




Thailand, a nearly 1,000-year-old kingdom with a population and landmass to match the UK, is a land of plenty. Old-growth jungle cloaks the mountains. Brilliant beaches rim hundreds of islands. The scent of tropical aromatics—galangal and coconut, finger root and bird's eye chilli—steam from endless markets.
So far, so travel brochure. But dig deeper and you'll find a country in transition, rethinking its tourism business model for the post-covid era in an attempt to shake off its reputation for over-tourism, crowded beaches and (for better or worse) lower spending backpackers.
In the cities you'll find a metropolitan and youthful culture that's marching into the 21st century at a pace that would shame the snoozing Europeans and North Americans, with lively music and arts scenes and a political awakening that is shaking the country's establishment to its core.
But Thailand is still Thailand—all bustle, noise and excitement. And yes, venture out of the cities and you'll see that shimmering rice paddies, jungles and glorious (if not entirely deserted) beaches, are still there.
You might even spot a temple or two.
Family-friendly Thailand
The best family-friendly places to visit in Thailand
Thailand has been working hard to shed its reputation as a backpacker party hub, and reinvent itself as a family-friendly travel destination. You’re probably familiar with the country’s main tourism hotspots; Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and the more famous islands. But there’s much more to Thailand than makes it into the travel brochures, and venturing just a few steps off the well-trodden path can be hugely rewarding...read more
9 days
Island hopping the eastern Gulf of Thailand
Exploring the Ko Chang archipelago the slow way
14 days
Two Week Thailand Family Itinerary
See the family-friendly highlights of Thailand
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Bangkok
Known by the locals as Krung Thep, Thailand’s capital city is a sprawling, sweaty fusion of old and new, where towering skyscrapers emerge from crumbling pavements, and historic temples are circled by colourful tuk tuk cabs and monks clad in vibrant orange robes... -
Ko Lanta
In Krabi Province on Thailand’s Andaman coast lies the island of Ko Lanta, where coral-fringed golden beaches and mangroves give way to sleepy streets and a rocky, jungly interior... -
Ayutthaya
Founded in 1350 and destroyed by invading Burmese in 1767, the once-glorious city of Ayutthaya was a former Siamese kingdom, preceding Bangkok as the capital of Siam... -
Kanchanaburi
Although best known for its sobering role in WW2 history — with sites including the Death Railway, Bridge over the River Kwae (Kwai) and Allied War Cemetery — Western Thailand's Kanchanaburi has plenty to offer tourists wanting to stay a little longer... -
Chiang Rai
Near the borders of Laos and Myanmar lies the smaller and lesser visited former seat of the Lanna Kingdom, Chiang Rai... -
Chiang Mai
Nestled in the mountainous north of Thailand and surrounded by lush countryside, the former seat of the Lanna Kingdom is perhaps best known for its 14th to 17th-century temples, including the former royal temple Wat Chedi Luang and mountaintop Wat Doi Suthep... -
Chiang Dao
Lying in the shadow of the craggy peaks of Doi Luang Chiang Dao mountain and surrounded by rainforest, lies the small rural village of Chiang Dao... -
Doi Inthanon
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Doi Ang Khang Royal Agricultural Station
Of the scores of doi — "mountain(s)" in the Northern dialect — worth visiting in Northern Thailand, few have the effect of this 1,928m hill station blanketed in praya suekrong (Thai cherry blossom) and other temperate flowers and birdlife... -
Krabi
At the centre of the southwest coast on the Andaman Sea, Krabi is often cited as Thailand's most visually impressive province... -
Trang
A step below Phuket and Krabi in terms of tourist numbers but with comparable natural beauty, Trang province's small and quiet islands are ideal for families keen to do some island-hopping... -
Khao Sok
The South’s most popular nature reserve, Khao Sok National Park is home to 738-sq-km of virgin lowland jungle, towering limestone karsts, waterfalls, caves and the dazzling man-made Cheow Lan Lake... -
Trat
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Ko Chang
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Ko Wai
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Ko Mak
Unlike its two larger neighbours, Ko Chang and Ko Kut, Ko Mak consists mainly of rolling farmland rather than jungle-draped mountains... -
Ko Rang
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Ko Kut
Many of the beaches that rim 111 square-km Ko Kut are not only some of the best that you'll come across in the Ko Chang archipelago; they also rank among the finest beaches found anywhere in Thailand... -
Sukhothai
Founded in the 12th century, Sukhothai (Dawning Lotus) was the first Thai kingdom to conquer most of the land within modern Thailand's borders... -
Khao Lak
On Thailand's southwest coast north of Phuket, Khao Lak has just the right balance of quietude and action for families... -
Chiang Khan
Chiang Khan's historic temples, heritage houses, trendy cafes and Thai massage shops make it fun for a day of strolling or cycling... -
Prachuap Khiri Khan
This hourglass-shaped province, Prachuap for short, bridges the southern and central regions of Thailand... -
Ubon Ratchathani
Ubon Ratchathani, in Thailand's north-eastern region, also known as Isaan, draws only a fraction of the tourists that pour into other parts of the country, but it has some great attractions, a famously intense cuisine, and Lao-speaking people who haven't been hardened by mainstream tourism... -
Nakhon Si Thammarat
One of the largest cities in southern Thailand, Nakhon Si Thammarat is only 100km south of the ferry pier for Ko Samui... -
Chanthaburi
Most tourists catch a glimpse of Chanthaburi, the City of the Moon, from a bus while heading to Ko Chang or another island in the eastern Gulf... -
Phuket
Thailand's largest island is tourism juggernaut Phuket in the southwest, measuring in at 543 square km... -
Ko Samui
In the southern Gulf, Thailand's second largest island has a cute airport to go with most of the same types of made-for-tourism attractions and lodgings that are found on Phuket... -
Ko Phangan
This funky island to the north of Ko Samui has a reputation for a hippie-stoner scene and drunken debauchery at the monthly Full Moon Party on Haad Rin... -
Ko Chang (Elephant Island)
This 'Elephant Island' of the eastern Gulf ranks as Thailand's third largest island at 213 square km... -
Ko Samet
This stingray-shaped island in the eastern Gulf is only 170 km southeast of Bangkok, making it convenient for a few days of beach time at the end of a trip... -
Ko Tao
Located in the southern Gulf and linked to both Ko Phangan and Ko Samui via year-round island-hopping ferries, this 'Turtle Island' is Thailand's most popular place to learn to dive... -
Ko Phi Phi
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Koh Yao Noi
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Khao Yai
A three-hour drive northeast from Bangkok, Thailand’s oldest national park is 2,168 square-km of mountainous jungle which has UNESCO Natural World Heritage status... -
Kui Buri
Straddling the Tenassarim Mountains near Myanmar, Kui Buri National Park is the only place in the country where you're virtually guaranteed a glimpse of wild elephants and wild gaur, the world’s largest bovine species... -
Khao Sam Roi Yot
Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park's name means Mountains of 300 Peaks... -
Kaeng Krachan
Kaeng Krachan is the country’s largest national park and covers nearly 3,000 square km of mountainous terrain... -
Ko Lipe
Way down in the Thai southwest, Ko Lipe is one of Thailand's most alluring islands thanks to its soft white sand and azure blue water... -
Mu Ko Tarutao National Marine Park
The mountainous islands of Ko Adang and Ko Rawi have dozens of undeveloped white-sand beaches... -
Mu Ko Ang Thong
The name means Archipelago of the Golden Bowl, and the many karst islands of this marine park are within day-tripping distance of both Ko Samui and Ko Phangan in the southern Gulf... -
Mu Ko Surin Marine Park
Set in the far northern reaches of Thailand's Andaman Sea, Mu Ko Surin Marine Park covers a pair of islands with healthy reefs in between... -
Ko Jum
For a low-key island with local character, consider Ko Jum, where Long Beach (or Hat Yao) has plenty of space, and lovely sunsets over Ko Phi Phi... -
Ko Bulon Leh
Charming, tranquil and unlike any other beach in Thailand, the soft white sand on Ko Bulon Leh's east coast nudges up to a wee pink schoolhouse... -
Hua Hin
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Ao Nang
Ao Nang, a picturesque gem on Thailand's Andaman coast, boasts pristine white sands, crystal-clear waters, and striking limestone cliffs... -
Elephant Nature Park
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Koh Yao Yai
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Places to go in Thailand
Thailand Tours

Barefoot Luxury in Thailand
Bangkok, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan
14 daysFrom £3,200Bangkok, Ko Samui, Ko Phangan | |
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Custom itinerary, Private guided tour |
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Cruise & Sailing, Luxury, Beach, Active, Snorkelling, Culture, Cities, Museums & Galleries, History, Culinary, Food |

Thailand Boutique Bangkok and Beach
10 days in Bangkok and Koh Samui
10 daysFrom £1,600Ko Samui | |
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Custom itinerary, Private guided tour |
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Cruise & Sailing, Luxury, Beach, Active, Snorkelling, Culture, Cities, Museums & Galleries, History, Culinary, Food |

Luxury Thailand Honeymoon
Romantic honeymoon exploring Thailand's cities and beaches
14 daysFrom £3,500Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket | |
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Custom itinerary, Private guided tour |
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Cruise & Sailing, Luxury, Honeymoon, Beach, Active, Snorkelling, Culture, Spiritual, Cities, Museums & Galleries, History |

Thailand: Rivers Rainforests and Reefs
18 day luxury holiday exploring Thailand
18 daysFrom £4,200Bangkok, Chiang Rai, Khao Sok, Ko Samui, Ko Phangan | |
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Custom itinerary, Private guided tour |
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Cruise & Sailing, Luxury, Beach, Adventure, Water Sports, Active, Walking, Snorkelling, Nature & Wildlife, National Parks, Culture, Spiritual, Cities, Museums & Galleries, History |

Thailand's Castaway Islands
18 days exploring Thailand's tropical islands
18 daysFrom £3,900Bangkok, Ko Phangan, Koh Yao Noi | |
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Custom itinerary, Private guided tour |
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Cruise & Sailing, Luxury, Beach, Active, Walking, Snorkelling |

Thailand Family Island Hopping
Hassle-free family beach holiday in Thailand
14 daysFrom £2,200Bangkok, Ko Samui, Ko Phangan | |
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Custom itinerary, Private guided tour |
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Cruise & Sailing, Beach, Family, Adventure, Water Sports, Active, Walking, Snorkelling, Culture, Cities, Museums & Galleries, History, Culinary, Food |
Thailand Travel Companies


Yonder
Tailor-made luxury holidays to Asia
South Asia, Southeast Asia | |
Custom itinerary, Private guided tour | |
Safari, Luxury, Beach, Family, Nature & Wildlife, National Parks, Culture, Spiritual |


Red Lantern Journeys
Culture, culinary, and adventure tours in Asia
South Asia, Southeast Asia | |
Small group tour, Private guided tour | |
Luxury, Beach, Family, Adventure, Caving, Water Sports, Kayaking, Canoeing, Ziplining, Active, Walking, Cycling, Swimming, Nature & Wildlife, Photography, National Parks, Culture, Cities, Museums & Galleries, Indigenous Tourism, Culinary, Food, Solo Travel |


Rickshaw Travel
Independent and tailor-made holidays worldwide
South Asia, Southeast Asia | |
Custom itinerary, Private guided tour | |
Cruise & Sailing, Safari, Luxury, Honeymoon, Beach, Family, Adventure, Hiking & Trekking, Mountain Biking, Water Sports, Winter Sports, Active, Walking, Overlanding, Camping, Yoga, Cycling, Horseback Riding, Road Trips, Diving, Snorkelling, Swimming, Nature & Wildlife, Photography, Birdwatching, National Parks, Culture, Archaeology, Spiritual, Festivals, Cities, Museums & Galleries, Indigenous Tourism, History, Culinary, Food, Wine |
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