๐ Patong Beach
The island's liveliest beach: sea and water sports by day, Bangla Road with its clubs and shows by night.
Insider tip: Book a room at least 10 minutes from Bangla Road, or the music will keep you up till dawn.
๐น๐ญ Thailand travel guide
Temples of Bangkok and Chiang Mai, the cliffs of Krabi, Gulf islands and street food worth the flight on its own.
Cities and regions
- ๐ Phuket โ 12 places
- ๐ Bangkok โ 11 places
- ๐ Chiang Mai โ 5 places
- ๐ค Chiang Rai โ 3 places
- ๐ง Krabi โ 4 places
- ๐ฅฅ Samui & Koh Tao โ 4 places
- ๐ก Pattaya โ 2 places
What to see
๐ Kata Beach
Calmer than Patong with cleaner water, and in the rainy season the waves are perfect for beginner surfers.
Insider tip: From May to October the west-coast beaches get strong currents. Red flag = no swimming.
๐ Big Buddha
A 45-metre white marble statue on a hilltop. You can see half the island from up here.
Price: Free entry, donations welcome
Insider tip: Cover your shoulders and knees; sarongs are handed out at the entrance. Come for sunset.
๐ Phuket Old Town
Colourful Sino-Portuguese shophouses, street art and coffee shops. On Sundays there's a night market on Thalang Road.
Insider tip: Come on a Sunday evening for the market, street food and live music.
๐ Promthep Cape
The island's most famous sunset viewpoint, on the southern tip.
Insider tip: Arrive an hour before sunset to grab a spot, then head to Rawai for a seafood dinner.
๐ Wat Chalong
Phuket's most important temple, with a pagoda holding Buddha relics and murals inside. Locals come here to pray for good luck.
Price: Free entry
Insider tip: Climb to the top floor of the pagoda for a view over the whole temple complex. Don't jump at the firecrackers: it's how people say thanks for a wish come true.
What to eat
- ๐ Pad Thai โ Stir-fried rice noodles with egg, tofu or prawns, peanuts and lime. Where to try it: Any street stall
- ๐ฒ Tom Yum โ Hot, sour soup with lemongrass and prawns. The "nam khon" version comes with coconut milk. Where to try it: Cafรฉs and restaurants
- ๐ฅ Som Tam โ Green papaya salad. It can be fiery, so ask for "phet nit noi" (just a little spicy). Where to try it: Stalls with a mortar and pestle
- ๐ฅญ Mango Sticky Rice โ Ripe mango, sticky rice and coconut sauce. The best dessert in the country. Where to try it: Night markets
- ๐ถ Pad Kra Pao โ Meat stir-fried with holy basil and chilli over rice, topped with a fried egg. The classic Thai lunch. Where to try it: Simple local cafรฉs
- ๐ Massaman Curry โ A mild, fragrant curry with potatoes and peanuts, perfect if you don't do spicy. Where to try it: Thai restaurants
When to go
- Andaman Sea (Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi): May to October brings rain and waves, and some island tours get cancelled.
- Gulf of Thailand (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao): The opposite season: summer is great, October to December is rainy.
- Bangkok & Central Thailand (Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Pattaya): April is the hottest month. September is peak downpour season.
- The North (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Pai): Winter nights are cool. MarchโApril brings haze from seasonal fires.
Entry & documents
Many passports get visa-free entry, for most of them currently up to 30 days (cut from 60 in September 2026), so check the exact duration for yours. Fill in the online TDAC arrival card within 72 hours before your flight. Check the current rules for your passport before you travel.
Local etiquette
- ๐ If someone greets you with a wai (palms pressed together at the chest and a slight bow), return it. It's polite and much appreciated.
- ๐ Take your shoes off before entering a home or a temple hall, and even some shops and massage parlours. A row of sandals by the door is your cue.
- ๐ Cover your shoulders and knees at temples and skip anything see-through. A light scarf or sarong in your bag will save the day.
- ๐ Don't touch anyone's head, not even a child's: it's considered the most sacred part of the body.
- ๐ฆถ Don't point your feet at people or Buddha images, and don't put them up on the table. In a temple, sit with your feet tucked behind you or to the side.
- ๐ Don't joke about the King or the royal family, and never step on a dropped banknote or coin: they bear the King's portrait.
Other guides
Open the interactive guide โA map with every spot, your own day-by-day route, a checklist and weather. Free, in the browser or in Telegram.