Travel Guide
Thailand is one of the most accessible countries in Southeast Asia, and it earns that reputation. The food alone is reason enough to come: a bowl of boat noodles costs less than a dollar and tastes better than most restaurant meals I’ve had anywhere. November through February is the best time to visit, when temperatures drop to something comfortable and the skies stay clear. Budget travelers can move well here on $30–$40 a day; independent-minded travelers who want both cities and beaches will find Thailand one of the most rewarding countries to navigate at their own pace.
Every corner of Thailand pulls in a different direction. These are the places worth building your trip around.
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The best frames in Thailand — from iconic skylines to the spots most travelers walk straight past.
View Photo Stories →A practical route through Thailand — paced for real travelers, not highlight reels.
I got to Wat Arun at 5:45pm and the light was already on the spires. From across the river at…
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I got to the Grand Palace at 7:30am, before the heat had settled in and before the tour groups had…
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I got off the BTS at Nana at 7pm on a Wednesday and spent 20 minutes trying to cross a…
Read GuideThailand has a tropical climate that stays warm year-round, with a distinct cool dry season from November to February that is by far the most comfortable time to travel.
The currency is the Thai Baht (THB). At the time of writing, 1 USD exchanges to roughly 35–36 THB, though rates vary. Cards are accepted in hotels, malls, and most sit-down restaurants, but street food stalls, markets, and local transport are cash only. ATMs are everywhere; most charge a 200–220 THB foreign transaction fee, so withdraw in larger amounts rather than small top-ups.
The Bangkok to Chiang Mai overnight train is one of the better long-distance options in Southeast Asia: comfortable, affordable, and you wake up already there. Within cities, Grab is the most reliable option for fair prices without negotiating. One honest note: tuk-tuks are for short hops or novelty. For airport transfers and longer city rides, Grab consistently costs less.
Thailand is generally safe for independent travelers, including solo travelers, and the tourist infrastructure is well-developed. The most common issues are petty theft in crowded areas and scams targeting new arrivals in Bangkok, particularly around transport and “closed temple” redirects.
Thai food is built around contrast: the same dish can be sour, salty, sweet, and spicy in the same mouthful, and that balance is what makes it work. Pad kra pao (stir-fried basil with pork or chicken, topped with a fried egg) is the dish I’d recommend eating first if you want something that tastes specifically, unmistakably Thai.
Halal food is readily available in Bangkok and across the southern provinces, where the Muslim population is significant. In Bangkok, areas like Bang Rak and On Nut have dedicated halal restaurants; look for the green halal certification sign in the window rather than assuming based on appearance.
I took the overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and arrived at 7am, stiff but not unhappy. The sleeper berths are narrow and the curtains are thin, but the rocking of the train is easier to sleep through than a bus on mountain roads.
Bangkok is actually one of the cheaper capitals in Southeast Asia to eat in. A full meal at a street cart near Silom ran me 60 THB. A coffee at the place next to it was 40. I spent less on food in Bangkok than in almost any other city I can think of.
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