Things to Do in Thailand

About Thailand

You feel Thailand before you see it—the wet heat that settles on your skin the moment you disembark at Suvarnabhumi, carrying the scent of jasmine, diesel exhaust, and the sweet char of pork roasting over coconut-shell charcoal. This is a place of profound contrasts that somehow make perfect sense: saffron-robed monks walking barefoot past 7-Elevens in Bangkok's Silom district at dawn, their alms bowls filled by bankers in suits; the electric hum of tuk-tuks fighting for space with luxury sedans on Sukhumvit Road; the serene, gold-leafed quiet of Wat Phra Kaew in the Grand Palace complex, just a 20-minute riverboat ride from the 15,000-stall chaos of Chatuchak Weekend Market. Up north in Chiang Mai, the pace slows to the rhythm of temple bells and the evening market around Tha Phae Gate, where you can eat your way from khao soi noodles to mango sticky rice for 200 baht ($5.50). Down south, the limestone karsts of Railay Beach rise from water the color of a Bombay Sapphire bottle, but getting there requires a long-tail boat ride from Ao Nang that’s decidedly less glamorous. The trade-off is real: the transportation can be baffling, the cities are loud, and in the wrong season the heat is a physical weight. But you’ll eat a plate of pad thai from a Yaowarat Road cart at midnight—noodles kissed with wok hei, the tamarind sharp, the dried shrimp pungent—for 60 baht ($1.70), and you’ll understand why people come for the beaches but return for the soul.

Travel Tips

Transportation: The transport hierarchy is simple: Grab (Southeast Asia's Uber) for point-to-point rides, the BTS Skytrain or MRT subway to avoid Bangkok's legendary gridlock, and trains or planes for intercity trips. From Suvarnabhumi Airport, the Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai station costs 45 baht ($1.25) and takes 30 minutes—it’s consistently faster than a taxi, which might quote 300 baht ($8.50) for the same journey. For longer distances, 12Go Asia is the local booking engine for trains and buses; the overnight sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai (about 800 baht/$22 for a second-class berth) is a classic experience. The one pitfall: un-metered tuk-tuks in tourist areas. They’re fun for a short, iconic ride, but agree on a price first—around 100 baht ($2.80) for a 10-minute jaunt—or you’ll pay triple.

Money: Cash is still king, especially outside malls and high-end hotels. You’ll need crisp, unfolded bills—vendors and even some banks are notoriously picky about accepting worn or torn notes. ATMs are everywhere, but they charge a 220 baht ($6.20) foreign transaction fee on top of your bank's fee, so withdrawing larger amounts less frequently tends to be the move. Credit cards are accepted at larger establishments, but you’ll notice a 3% surcharge is common. For the best exchange rates, skip the airport counters and head to SuperRich or Vasu Exchange in Bangkok (look for the ones with the best posted ‘buying’ rate). A useful trick: keep a stash of 20-baht notes (about $0.55) for temple donations, market snacks, and tips—it’s the most useful denomination.

Cultural Respect: The monarchy is deeply revered. Criticizing it isn’t just rude—it’s illegal. You’ll hear the royal anthem played in cinemas before movies; everyone stands. More daily: the wai, a prayer-like gesture with palms together, is used for greeting and thanks. Return it, but don’t initiate one with a monk or someone significantly older unless they wai first—it’s a subtle hierarchy. Shoes come off before entering any home or temple building (and some shops). Pointing your feet, especially the soles, at people or Buddha images is deeply offensive. When visiting temples, shoulders and knees should be covered; most major sites like Wat Phra Kaew rent sarongs for a 20-50 baht ($0.55-$1.40) deposit. The biggest misstep isn’t a wardrobe one, though—it’s losing your temper in public. Raising your voice or showing anger (jai rorn, or ‘hot heart’) causes profound loss of face and gets you nowhere.

Food Safety: Eat where the locals eat, not where the tourists queue. The busiest stall with the highest turnover is your safest bet—the food hasn’t been sitting around. Look for woks firing constantly, like the pad thai cart on Thip Samai in Bangkok’s old town, where they might go through 300 kg of noodles a night. Stick to cooked-to-order items: stir-fries, grilled meats (moo ping, skewers of pork), and soups like tom yum goong. Be more cautious with pre-made salads or raw herbs that may have been washed in tap water. That said, the ice in your drink is likely fine—it’s almost always made from purified water in commercial factories. Carry hand sanitizer, as cutlery is often rinsed in shared bowls of water. The one rule that’s non-negotiable: if a place is empty during peak meal times, keep walking. Your stomach will thank you.

When to Visit

Thailand's weather splits into three seasons, and your tolerance for heat and rain dictates the best time. The cool, dry season (November to February) is peak for a reason. Daytime temperatures in Bangkok hover around a pleasant 28-32°C (82-90°F), nights dip to 20°C (68°F), and rainfall is scarce. This is when hotel prices jump by 40-60%, and the beaches of Phuket and the temples of Sukhothai are at their most photogenic—and most crowded. The hot season (March to June) is punishing. By April, Bangkok can hit 38°C (100°F) with 80% humidity; the air feels thick enough to chew. This is when Thais escape to the mountains or the islands, and flight prices to domestic destinations like Chiang Mai tend to dip. The rainy season (July to October) is misunderstood. It doesn’t rain all day, every day—typically, you get a dramatic, intense downpour in the afternoon for an hour or two, then it clears. The countryside is lush, hotel prices drop by up to 50% from peak rates, and the islands are less packed. The exception is the east coast (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan), which has its own microclimate and sees its heaviest rains from October to December. For most travelers, the shoulder months of November and February offer the best balance: decent weather, manageable crowds, and prices that haven’t yet skyrocketed. If you’re on a tight budget and don’t mind an umbrella, late September can be a steal.