Country guide · Thailand
Best places to visit in Thailand
5 destinations compared, so you can choose where to spend your time.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
.jpg){kind=link}
Quick answer
For a first trip to Thailand, start with Bangkok: Gilded temples, river boats, street food and rooftop bars. For beaches, look at Phuket, Koh Samui and Krabi. Chiang Mai is the least expensive of the destinations in this guide.
Key facts
- Destinations in this guide
- 5
- Best months overall
- December–March
- Start with
- Bangkok
- Least expensive here
- Chiang Mai
5 places to visit in Thailand
Best: November–February · 5 days
Chiang Mai
Lanna temples, night markets and mountain day trips in northern Thailand
Best: February–April and June–August · 6 days
Koh Samui
Palm-fringed beaches, island resorts and boat trips in the Gulf of Thailand
Best: December–March · 5 days
Krabi
Limestone cliffs, longtail boats and island-hopping on the Andaman coast
Compare the destinations
| Destination | Known for | Best time | Ideal stay | Mid-range per day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok | Grand Palace and Street food | November–February | 4 days | $90–$180 |
| Phuket | Beaches and Phang Nga Bay | December–March | 7 days | $90–$200 |
| Chiang Mai | Doi Suthep and Old city temples | November–February | 5 days | $60–$140 |
| Koh Samui | Chaweng Beach and Big Buddha | February–April and June–August | 6 days | $90–$200 |
| Krabi | Railay Beach and Limestone karsts | December–March | 5 days | $70–$150 |
When to visit Thailand
Across these destinations the most reliable months are December–March. Timing still varies by place: Bangkok is best in November–February; Phuket is best in December–March; Chiang Mai is best in November–February.
Signature dishes across Thailand
| Destination | Try first | Also try |
|---|---|---|
| Bangkok | Pad thai | Tom yum goong and Som tam |
| Phuket | Phuket Hokkien noodles | Moo hong and Khanom jeen |
| Chiang Mai | Khao soi | Sai ua and Nam prik noom |
| Koh Samui | Khao yam | Gaeng som pla and Tom kha gai |
| Krabi | Gaeng som | Gaeng tai pla and Khua kling |
Events through the year in Thailand
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Bangkok: Chinese New Year celebrations in Yaowarat (late January or February); Phuket: Chinese New Year celebrations and the Old Phuket Town Festival (January or February) |
| February | Bangkok: Makha Bucha — Buddhist holiday with candlelit temple processions (February or March); Phuket: Chinese New Year in Phuket Town's shrines and old town (January or February) |
| April | Bangkok: Songkran — Thai New Year water festival, especially on Silom Road and Khao San Road (13–15 April); Phuket: Songkran — Thai New Year water festival, liveliest in Patong (13–15 April) |
| May | Bangkok: Royal Ploughing Ceremony at Sanam Luang (usually May); Chiang Mai: Visakha Bucha — candlelit walk up to Doi Suthep (May or June) |
| June | Phuket: Phuket Marathon (usually June) |
| July | Bangkok: King's Birthday — public holiday (28 July); Chiang Mai: Khao Phansa — start of Buddhist Lent (usually July) |
| August | Bangkok: Queen Mother's Birthday and Mother's Day — public holiday (12 August); Phuket: Por Tor (Hungry Ghost) Festival at Chinese shrines in Phuket Town (seventh lunar month, August or September) |
| September | Bangkok: Vegetarian Festival in Chinatown, marked by yellow flags (usually September or October); Phuket: Phuket Vegetarian Festival — processions and rituals at Chinese shrines (ninth lunar month, September or October) |
| October | Bangkok: Ok Phansa — end of Buddhist Lent (usually October); Phuket: Phuket Vegetarian Festival (often October) |
| November | Bangkok: Loy Krathong — floating candle offerings on the river and lakes (full moon, usually November); Phuket: Loy Krathong — candlelit floats on lakes and the sea (full moon, usually November) |
| December | Bangkok: Father's Day and the late King Bhumibol's birthday — public holiday (5 December); Phuket: King's Cup Regatta sailing in Kata (usually early December) |
How far apart they are
| From | To | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Bangkok | Phuket | 693 km |
| Bangkok | Chiang Mai | 582 km |
| Bangkok | Koh Samui | 475 km |
| Bangkok | Krabi | 654 km |
| Phuket | Chiang Mai | 1,215 km |
| Phuket | Koh Samui | 254 km |
| Phuket | Krabi | 61 km |
| Chiang Mai | Koh Samui | 1,037 km |
| Chiang Mai | Krabi | 1,190 km |
| Koh Samui | Krabi | 200 km |
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I go on my first trip to Thailand?
Bangkok: Bangkok is a sprawling, humid megacity on the Chao Phraya River where gilded temples, canals and street-food stalls sit beside glass malls and rooftop bars. The old royal island of Rattanakosin holds the Grand Palace…
+When is the best time to visit Thailand?
Generally December–March, though it varies by region.