The Land of Smiles seduces with its gleaming temples, paradise beaches, bustling night markets and a cuisine that is among the world most flavourful.
Thailand seduces with its golden temples, paradise beaches, bustling night markets and a cuisine that is among the world's most flavourful.
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November
In november, the climate in Thailand is excellent. The weather is generally sunny, with maximum temperatures around 31°C and about 6 rainy days. Tourist crowds are moderate.
Mu Ko Similan National Park lies 65km from Thap Lamu pier, a 1hr15 to 1hr30 speedboat ride, plus nearly 2 hours by road from Phuket. It is open from 15 October to 15 May, 8am to 4pm, with a 500 baht entry fee and a quota of 3,325 day visitors. A day trip costs 2,500 to 5,900 baht depending on the boat; a four-night dive liveaboard starts at 21,500 baht.
Koh Phangan is 2.5 hours from Donsak on the Raja ferry (290 baht) or 20 to 30 minutes by catamaran from Koh Samui (around 350 baht). On the island: scooters at 200 to 300 baht a day, songthaews at 100 to 300 baht, no reliable Grab. A calm, yoga-minded west (Srithanu, Haad Yao, Mae Haad), a wild north (Bottle Beach, 30 minutes by longtail) and the party at Haad Rin (200 baht entry). Dry from January to August, monsoon from October to December.
A 500 baht ticket valid for 7 days, including the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles and the weekday khon show at Sala Chalermkrung. Tickets on sale from 8.30am to 3.30pm, site open until 4.30pm, allow 2.5 to 3 hours. The Emerald Buddha is 66cm tall and the Ramakien gallery has 178 scenes. Wat Pho (300 baht) is a 10-minute walk away, Wat Arun (200 baht) a 4 baht ferry ride.
Wat Rong Khun lies 13 km south of Chiang Rai, 20 minutes by car or 20 baht on the local bus. Entry has cost 200 baht since 1 January 2026 (100 baht in 2024), Cave of Art and sarong loan included, from 8am to 5.30pm. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours on site, arrive before 9.30am to beat the day trips from Chiang Mai (3 hours' drive), and keep a second day for the Blue Temple, the Guanyin of Huay Pla Kang and Singha Park.
25 activities by theme, seen on the ground from 31 March to 26 April 2024 and updated in October 2026: night markets on Saturday and Sunday (4pm to 10pm), Doi Suthep (30 baht, just over 300 steps), the Monk's Trail and Huay Kaew (100 baht since October 2025), Royal Park Rajapruek (200 baht), no-riding sanctuaries from 2,500 baht, khao soi for under 100 baht, plus the best areas to stay and a 3-day, 5-day or one-week plan.
Thailand's highest point (2,565m) is about 100km and a two-hour drive south-west of Chiang Mai. Park entry is 300 baht, plus 100 baht for the two royal chedis and around 200 baht per group for the compulsory Kew Mae Pan guide (open November to the end of May). Allow 1,200 to 1,800 baht for a minibus tour, 3,000 to 4,500 baht for a private driver, and mornings close to 3°C at the summit in January.
Chiang Mai is said to have more than 300 temples, around fifteen of which are truly worth the detour. Most are free; Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Sri Suphan charge 50 baht, Wat Phra Singh 40, Doi Suthep 30. Wat Chedi Luang's great chedi stood 82m tall before the 1545 earthquake, Wat Chiang Man dates from 1297 and the tunnels of Wat Umong from the 14th century. A walking loop of about 5km in the old city, a half-day beyond the walls and a table rated out of 5.
80 days on the ground, from 13 February to 3 May 2024, and 41 photo albums: Phuket, Khao Sok, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Koh Samui, Koh Lanta, the Similan Islands, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and finally Bangkok. How to travel between each stop (a 2.5-hour ferry from Donsak, a 2-hour flight from Phuket to Chiang Mai, a 3.5-hour Greenbus to Chiang Rai), the order I would choose today and the 2026 entry rules: 30 days visa-free since 15 September.
In 2024, Chiang Mai province spent 87 days above Thailand's fine particle standard of 37.5 µg/m³ between January and May, with an average of 63 µg/m³. Smoke from the burning season peaks in March and April, then clears with the rains of late April or May. The figures from 2024 to 2026, the months to avoid, useful masks and apps, and fallback options in the south.
Thailand is the gateway to Southeast Asia and one of the most enchanting destinations in the world. Glittering golden temples, white-sand beaches fringed with coconut palms, lush jungle, cuisine among the finest on the planet, warm smiles: the Land of Smiles truly lives up to its name.
It is also an exceptionally accessible destination: direct flights from major cities worldwide, very low cost of living, excellent tourist infrastructure, and no visa required for stays under 60 days. From the ancient temples of Ayutthaya to the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan, from Bangkok's street food to diving off Koh Tao, Thailand offers an unmatched range of experiences whether you're a backpacker or a luxury traveller.
Bangkok is an electrifying megacity where skyscrapers stand alongside golden temples, where rooftop bars overlook floating markets. The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) are dazzling. Wat Pho (46-metre Reclining Buddha), Wat Arun on the Chao Phraya river, Chinatown (Yaowarat Road and its night-time street food), Chatuchak Market (15,000 stalls) and the khlongs (canals) make up a fascinating city where there's never a dull moment.
Chiang Mai is the cultural soul of the North: a walled old town with 300 temples, the Sunday night market, Thai cooking classes, ethical elephant sanctuaries and treks through the surrounding mountains. Chiang Rai impresses with the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun), the Blue Temple and the Black House. Further north, the Mae Hong Son loop (Pai, a bohemian town in the mountains) is a legendary motorbike road trip.
The Andaman coast (west) offers the most spectacular scenery: Koh Phi Phi (Maya Bay), Koh Lanta (tranquillity), Krabi and Railay (rock climbing on limestone cliffs), and the Similan Islands (diving ranked among the best in the world). Phuket is the largest island, with beaches for every taste and a lively nightlife scene in Patong.
The Gulf of Thailand (east) offers Koh Samui (coconut palms and resorts), Koh Phangan (Full Moon Party and yoga retreats) and Koh Tao, one of the cheapest places in the world to get your PADI diving certification. These three islands are easily combined by ferry.
Ayutthaya (1.5 hours from Bangkok) is the former capital of Siam, a UNESCO World Heritage site: dozens of ruined temples, monumental Buddhas engulfed by fig tree roots, the iconic image of the Buddha head in the roots of Wat Mahathat. Sukhothai (further north, also UNESCO-listed) is the cradle of the Thai kingdom, with a magnificent historical park best explored by bicycle.
Thailand is easy to get around, with excellent connections between regions by plane, train, bus and ferry.
Thailand has excellent transport infrastructure. Domestic flights are cheap (Bangkok: Chiang Mai from USD 30), trains offer an authentic experience, and ferries connect all the islands. Check out our travel experiences to plan your Thai adventure.
Thailand remains one of the most affordable destinations in the world. Budget THB 800-2,500 per person per day (USD 22-70) depending on your travel style. The North and smaller islands are cheaper than Bangkok and Phuket.
Thailand has a tropical climate with three seasons. The cool dry season (November-February) is the best time to visit: pleasant temperatures (25-32 °C / 77-90 °F), little rain, calm seas. This is peak tourist season. The hot season (March-May) is sweltering (35-40 °C / 95-104 °F) but less crowded.
The monsoon (June-October) brings tropical downpours (often short and in late afternoon), but it's the best time for the east coast beaches (Koh Samui, Koh Tao) which enjoy a reversed microclimate. Prices are at their lowest and the scenery is lush and green.
Bangkok (3 days) → overnight train → Chiang Mai (3 days) → Pai (2 days) → fly to Krabi → Railay (2 days) → Koh Phi Phi (2 days) → Koh Lanta (3 days) → return to Bangkok. The perfect circuit for a first trip, blending culture, mountains and paradise beaches.
Bangkok (2 days) → fly or bus to Surat Thani → ferry to Koh Samui (3 days) → Koh Phangan (3 days: Full Moon Party or yoga retreat) → Koh Tao (3 days: PADI Open Water in 4 days) → return. Ideal for beach and diving enthusiasts.
Bangkok (2 days) → Ayutthaya (1 day) → Sukhothai (1 day) → Chiang Mai (4 days: temples, cooking class, elephant sanctuary) → Mae Hong Son loop by motorbike (3 days: Pai, Mae Hong Son, Mae Sariang) → Chiang Rai (2 days: White Temple, Blue Temple). The itinerary for culture and adventure lovers.
Beyond the classic circuits, Thailand hides real treasures. Koh Lipe (Thailand's Maldives, near the Malaysian border) offers turquoise waters and few tourists. Koh Chang (near Cambodia) is a mountainous, jungle-covered island far from Phuket's crowds. Nan and Loei in the northeast (Isan) are the authentic Thailand that few travellers ever discover.
Khao Sok National Park (a 160-million-year-old tropical rainforest, nights in floating bungalows on Cheow Lan Lake) and Erawan National Park (seven-tiered turquoise waterfalls, Kanchanaburi province) are well worth the detour. To extend the adventure, Australia is a popular complementary destination. Explore all our destinations.
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Thailand is one of the easiest destinations to access. Citizens of most Western countries benefit from a visa exemption for tourist stays of up to 60 days (extendable by 30 days on site for THB 1,900).
The dry season (November-February) is ideal: pleasant temperatures, little rain, calm seas. November is the best compromise (end of monsoon, low prices). For the east coast (Koh Samui, Koh Tao), prefer February-April.
Backpacker budget: 20-35 EUR/day. Comfort budget: 40-65 EUR/day. Street food costs 1-2 EUR, guesthouses 10-20 EUR, scooter rental 4-8 EUR/day. Thailand remains one of the most affordable destinations in the world.
Most Western nationals are exempt from visa for stays under 60 days. You need a passport valid for 6 months after entry. A 30-day extension is possible on arrival for 1,900 THB.
Thailand is generally very safe for tourists. Main precautions: beware of tuk-tuk and jewellery scams, secure your belongings on scooters, avoid border areas with Myanmar and the deep south. Use Grab (ride-hailing app) for safe transport.
The classic 3-week route: Bangkok (3 days), overnight train to Chiang Mai (3 days), Pai (2 days), fly to Krabi, Railay (2 days), Koh Phi Phi (2 days), Koh Lanta (3 days). This combines culture, nature and beaches.
Yes, if you choose popular stalls with many customers (high turnover means freshness). Avoid crushed ice from small stands, drink bottled water, and prefer stalls where food is cooked to order in front of you.
Ferries and speedboats connect all major islands. Lomprayah and Seatran for the Gulf (Samui, Phangan, Tao), Tigerline for the Andaman. Combined bus+ferry tickets from Bangkok are available online.
Koh Tao is ideal for getting your PADI certification (among the cheapest in the world: 250-370 EUR for Open Water). For advanced diving, the Similan Islands (November-April) and Richelieu Rock offer world-class sites.
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