Longtail boats pulled up on a sandy beach below towering limestone cliffs in Krabi

The Thailand travel guide

Discover
Thailand.

Temples, islands and street food.

Bangkok · Central Plains · The North · Isan · Gulf Islands · Andaman Coast

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The porcelain-covered spire of Wat Arun in Bangkok, with flowers in the foreground Two green and yellow tuk-tuks parked in front of a temple's orange and white wall A turquoise lagoon between jungle-covered limestone walls, seen from above A bay of turquoise water and white sand enclosed by green limestone cliffs

About the guide

One kingdom.
Every corner.

Thailand runs for more than 1,500 km from the hills of the Golden Triangle to the islands near Malaysia. Discover Thailand is a complete travel guide to the country: when to go, how to get around, where to stay, what to eat, what it costs, how to behave at temples, and which coast to choose in each season.

1238traditional founding date of the Sukhothai kingdom
1782Bangkok becomes the capital of the Chakri dynasty
1932year Siam became a constitutional monarchy
Bangkok's towers lit up at night above the busy streets

The series

One country. Two coasts.

Thailand is a different trip in Bangkok and on the islands, and the Andaman and Gulf coasts have their rainy seasons at different times of year. The complete guide covers the whole country, and three companion books go deeper: an islands edition, a Bangkok edition and a guide to Thai street food.

The complete guide The companion editions
Wat Arun seen from inside a riverboat on the Chao Phraya, with passengers in the foreground

The complete guide

Temples, rivers and white sand.

Mornings at the temples, afternoons on the river, evenings at a night market. The travel guide is built around regions, rail and ferry routes and easy day trips, with maps for each area.

See the regions on the map →
  • BangkokGrand Palace, Wat Arun, the river and Chinatown.
  • Ayutthaya & the Central PlainsThe old royal capital, an easy day trip by train.
  • Chiang Mai & the NorthOld city temples, mountains and hill-country roads.
  • The islandsPhuket, Krabi and Phi Phi, or Samui, Phangan and Tao.
Cover of Discover Thailand, the complete travel guide

The complete guide · Coming soon

Discover ThailandThe Complete Travel Guide

Regions, routes & maps

  • Region by region
  • Train, flight & ferry routes
  • Temples & etiquette
  • Seasons, monsoons & festivals
Notify me at launch See the companion editions

Start here

Thailand highlights

The central spire of Wat Arun, covered in coloured porcelainBangkokWat ArunPorcelain spires on the river. Passengers on a long boat speeding along a river in BangkokBangkokChao Phraya RiverThe city's main street is water. A tuk-tuk parked on a sunny street with a temple behindBangkokTuk-tuksAgree the fare before you get in. Bangkok's skyline at twilight with the King Power Mahanakhon towerBangkokThe skylineRooftop views at sunset. Water flowing over rocky steps into turquoise pools in a green forestKanchanaburiErawan FallsSeven tiers of turquoise pools. Limestone islands across Phang Nga Bay seen over grasslandPhang NgaPhang Nga BayLimestone towers rising from the sea. Boats moored in a turquoise bay below green hills, seen from aboveKrabiKoh Phi PhiTwin bays joined by a sandy isthmus. Maya Bay's white sand and turquoise water below tall cliffsPhi Phi LehMaya BayThe bay from The Beach, now protected. A longtail boat floating in a green lagoon between cliffsPhi Phi LehPileh LagoonEmerald water inside sheer walls. Rocks on a white sand beach with turquoise water in Ao NangKrabiAo NangBoats out to Railay and the islands. Aerial view of Karon Beach, the town and green hillsPhuketKaron BeachA long, wide beach on Phuket's west coast. Colourful longtail boats pulled up on a beach below green hillsAndaman CoastLongtail boatsThe water taxis of the south.
Explore more highlights →

The islands

Which island is yours?

Thailand has two island coasts with rainy seasons at different times of year. Pick a coast, then tap an island to see what it is like, when to go and how to get there.

Andaman Sea Gulf of Thailand Bangkok Koh Phi PhiKrabi & RailayPhuketKoh LantaKoh Yao NoiKoh LipeKoh SamuiKoh PhanganKoh TaoKoh Samet

Schematic map, not to scale.

Aerial view of the Phi Phi coast with turquoise shallows and green hills

Andaman coast

Koh Phi Phi

Cliffs, lagoons and a car-free village

A small, car-free island with a busy village, lively nights and boat trips to Maya Bay. Easy to reach by ferry from Phuket or Krabi.

Best months
Nov–Apr
Getting there
Ferry from Phuket or Krabi, about 1–2 h
Best for
Snorkelling · Viewpoints · Nightlife
Read the Koh Phi Phi guide →

The history of Thailand

A kingdom of many capitals.

Sukhothai, Ayutthaya, Thonburi, then Bangkok. Siam was the only country in Southeast Asia never colonised by a European power. The guide opens with the story behind the temples and ruins you will visit.

Read the journal
  • Sukhothai and the Thai script
  • Ayutthaya, 1351 to 1767
  • Bangkok, capital since 1782
  • Siam becomes Thailand, 1939
Bangkok's skyscrapers lit up at night above a busy road

Bangkok after dark

When the city comes alive.

Bangkok is at its best once the heat goes out of the day. Street food stalls fill the pavements, the riverside temples are lit up, and rooftop bars look out over one of the biggest cities in Asia. A few evenings spent eating your way through the night markets is part of any first trip.

Where to stay in Bangkok →
  • ChinatownYaowarat Road's food stalls, busiest after dark.
  • Night marketsStreet food, clothes and crafts across the city.
  • The riverWat Arun and the Grand Palace lit up at night.
  • The guideA full Bangkok edition is on the way.

From the journal

Tips, maps & field notes

Tonsai Village on Koh Phi Phi from above, between two turquoise bays

The companion editions

Two coasts, three seasons.

From November to February the weather is at its coolest and driest across most of the country. March to May is the hot season. From May to October the monsoon brings rain to the Andaman coast, while the Gulf islands have their wettest months from October to December. Each companion book shows how to make the most of that.

Get notified when they launch →
  • Islands editionAndaman and Gulf islands, ferries, beaches and dive sites.
  • Bangkok editionNeighbourhoods, the river, markets and day trips.
  • Street foodDishes by region, markets and how to order.
  • Rainy seasonWhich coast to pick from May to December.
Cover of Discover Thailand, Islands Edition

The islands edition · Coming soon

Discover ThailandIslands Edition

Beaches, boats & reefs

  • Andaman & Gulf islands
  • Ferries & island hopping
  • Snorkelling & diving
  • Which coast in which month
Notify me at launch See the complete guide
Cover of Discover Thailand, Bangkok Edition

The Bangkok edition · Coming soon

Discover ThailandBangkok Edition

Temples, river & night markets

  • Neighbourhood by neighbourhood
  • BTS, MRT & river boats
  • Temples & dress code
  • Day trips to Ayutthaya
Notify me at launch See the complete guide
Cover of Discover Thailand, Street Food

The street food guide · Coming soon

Discover ThailandStreet Food

What to eat & where to find it

  • Dishes from every region
  • Markets & food streets
  • Ordering & spice levels
  • Eating safely
Notify me at launch See the complete guide
Pandanus trees framing a calm, empty shore in Krabi

Beyond the postcards

Discover the quiet Thailand.

Away from the busiest beaches the country slows right down: mountain villages in the north, rice fields and Khmer ruins in Isan, and island shores where the only sound is the sea. The guide points you there too.

See the guide

The country

Six regions, one long country.

Schematic map of Thailand regions Bangkok Central Plains The North Isan Gulf Islands Andaman Coast

Schematic map, not to scale. The grey line is the main route from Chiang Mai through Bangkok to the Andaman coast.

The guides

Four guides, every journey.

The complete guide and the islands, Bangkok and street food editions are in preparation. Leave your email below and we will tell you the day each one launches.

Cover of Discover Thailand, the complete travel guide

The complete guide

Discover Thailand

Regions, routes & maps

Coming soon
Notify me
Cover of Discover Thailand, Islands Edition

Islands edition

Discover Thailand

Beaches, boats & reefs

Coming soon
Notify me
Cover of Discover Thailand, Bangkok Edition

Bangkok edition

Discover Thailand

Temples, river & night markets

Coming soon
Notify me
Cover of Discover Thailand, Street Food

Street food

Discover Thailand

What to eat & where to find it

Coming soon
Notify me
Longtail boats moored off a quiet white sand beach with islands on the horizon

Free download

The Thailand Travel Checklist

A free two-page checklist for planning your trip, from landing at Suvarnabhumi to your last longtail boat ride.

One email per new guide. Unsubscribe any time.

  • Getting there: Suvarnabhumi & Don Mueang
  • Visa-free stay & the TDAC arrival card
  • Trains, flights & island ferries
  • Heat, rain & what to pack
  • Temple dress code & etiquette
  • Tourist Police (1155)

Part of the Discover series. Independent travel guides, one destination at a time.

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