Thailand travel guides

November to February is the cool, dry peak season with the most pleasant weather in Bangkok and the clearest conditions on the coast. The broader dry season from November to April is the recommended window for coastal activities such as skydiving over Phuket and Pattaya, when visibility can reach 30-40 miles. May to October is the rainy monsoon season, which brings more variable weather but lower prices and fewer crowds.

Thailand combines tropical coastline adventures with one of Asia's great cultural capitals. Tandem skydiving over the Andaman coast is a standout, with jumps from 13,000-14,000 feet over Phuket's limestone karst islands and Pattaya's beaches, no experience required and beach landings on offer. On the ground, Bangkok delivers the Grand Palace, floating markets, legendary street food, Muay Thai boxing, and traditional Thai massage, with island hopping to spots like Phi Phi and Phang Nga Bay nearby.

Bangkok deserves 5-7 days on its own and works well as the gateway for the rest of the country. Pattaya is 2-2.5 hours from Bangkok by road, Phuket is about a 1.5-hour flight, and Chiang Mai in the north is reachable by a 1.5-hour flight or overnight train. Day trips from the capital include the ancient temples of Ayutthaya, about 2 hours away.

In Bangkok the BTS Skytrain and MRT subway are the fastest way to beat the city's famous traffic, supplemented by Grab ride-hailing, metered taxis, tuk-tuks, and river taxis on the Chao Phraya. Intercity buses are cheap, with Bangkok to Pattaya costing roughly 150-300 baht, while domestic flights connect Bangkok to Phuket and Chiang Mai for around 2,000-4,000 baht return. Always agree on a tuk-tuk price before getting in or insist on the meter in taxis.

Thailand is generally a very safe destination with professional police and excellent private hospitals, though visitors should watch for tuk-tuk scams and overpriced tourist areas, and drink bottled water rather than tap water. It is also one of Asia's most affordable countries, with a typical Bangkok daily budget of about 1,000-3,000 baht, street food dishes from around 50-150 baht, and tandem skydives from roughly 7,000 baht. The emergency ambulance number is 1669.