THAILAND
Arguably Southeast Asia’s most popular tourist destination, Thailand does not disappoint! It truly has something for every type of traveler - pristine beaches, architectural marvels, lush nature, delectable cuisine, and alluring wildlife. There are over 100 islands and national parks sprinkled throughout the country and its capital, Bangkok, is home to an astounding 8 million people. To say Thailand lives up to its reputation is an understatement; it is a place everyone needs to visit at least once!
Updated COVID-19 Travel Information:
Currency:
The official currency of Thailand is the Thai Baht (THB)
$1 USD = 31 THB
Pricing for Leisure Travelers:
Average Hotel Expenses = 1,250-1,750 THB/Night ($40-$55 USD/Night)
Average Food/Drink Expenses = 475-950 THB/Day ($15-$30 USD/Day)
Pricing for Backpackers:
Average Hostel Expenses = 200-525 THB/Night ($6-$16 USD/Night)
Average Food/Drink Expenses = 150-475 THB/Day ($5-$15 USD/Day)
Communication:
Thai is the official language of Thailand. Being a big tourist destination though, most folks who you will interact with are multi-lingual.
Transportation:
Thailand is split up into three sections. This is very important when trying to navigate the below information:
Section 1: Northern Thailand (Pai, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, etc.)
Section 2: Central Thailand (Bangkok, Khao Yai, Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi, etc.)
Section 3: Southern Thailand (Krabi, Phuket, Ko Phi Phi, Koh Tao, etc.)
Airplane: Flying makes the most sense if you are traveling across sections (For example - Section 1 to Section 2 [Chiang Mai to Bangkok]). Most of these flights can be found for under $100 USD if booked far enough in advance. If you wait to book a few days prior to your trip, you’ll see prices up closer to $200 USD.
Bus: Busing is your best option when traveling within sections (For example - between two cities in Section 1 [Pai to Chiang Mai]). If booking a bus, you can go through Bookaway or book through your hostel. Buses come in and out of the main tourist areas very often (Bangkok, Krabi, Chiang Mai, etc.). You can also choose to bus between sections but that will be very time-consuming. For example, getting from Bangkok to Krabi would be 12 hours by bus and 1.5 hours by flight. Yes, the flight will be more expensive but I would recommend paying the extra $20 USD to save yourself a half day of traveling. A bus from Chiang Mai to Phuket would be 24 hours but only 2 hours by flight.
Boat: If you are looking to island-hop, this will be your most efficient option. A boat from Kho Samui to Kho Phangan is 30 minutes. A boat from Phuket to Ko Phi Phi is 2 hours (via Chao Koh Group).
Taxi/Uber: These are all over Bangkok but aren’t really present in the rest of Thailand.
Private Transportation: For those who do not prefer public transportation, there are private options in the forms of cars, vans, and even boats! Check out Thailand Tours’ website for the most accurate pricing.
Miscellaneous:
You are not required to be vaccinated before visiting any countries in Southeast Asia but I was recommended by a travel doctor to get the following shots and prescriptions:
Hepatitis A (shot)
Hepatitis B (shot)
Malaria (prescription for Mefloquine pills)
Traveler’s Diarrhea (Imodium pills to use just in case)
Typhoid (shot)
The street food is totally safe and worth eating - especially the Pad Thai (obviously)! You can get a full meal for less than $1 USD if you play your cards correctly. Also, try the fruit shakes!
Cars drive on the left side of the road here so be extra careful when crossing if you’re not used to it!
Water: Do not drink out of the tap anywhere. Be sure to use a filtered, reusable water bottle (or buy bottled water) because it gets hot out there! A big water bottle shouldn’t run you more than a $1-$1.50 USD. Some hostels will let you refill your water bottle for pennies on the dollar, too.
The islands of Thailand are spattered all over Instagram (and for good reason)! I found the number of options confusing so I put together a brief explanation of a few of the most popular islands below:
Islands in the Gulf of Thailand:
Koh Chang: This is the largest island in the Gulf of Thailand with beautiful white-sand beaches.
Koh Phangan: This is the island with Full Moon Parties, which cost about $40 USD. I’ve never attended one myself, but if you do attend, keep your wits about you. These parties are well-known for being a blast, but also for spiked drinks, theft, etc.
Kho Samet: Very close to Bangkok and pretty chill in comparison to other islands. Its interior has a small, jungly national park (Khao Laem Ya Mu Ko Samet)!
Koh Samui: This island is a good middle-ground for those looking to relax during the day and let loose at night. You won’t be hard-pressed to find partying back-packers but the island is big enough where you can find pockets that are quiet, too.
Koh Tao: This island is great for scuba-diving and you can obtain cheap scuba certifications here. Sairee Beach is the most popular beach on this island.
Islands in the Andaman Sea:
Koh Lanta: Quiet island with lots of beautiful nature - be sure to check out Long Beach.
Koh Lipe: This island seems to have been made for couples searching for a romantic getaway. Not much partying here but plenty of beaches and serenity.
Koh Phi Phi: Party island with plenty of lush jungle and beautiful rock faces! If you go, check out Maya Bay and Monkey Beach.
Phuket: Thailand’s busiest island with lots and lots of tourism. Phuket has an airport and bridges connecting it to the mainland. Khao Sok National Park and nightclubs are the main attractions here.
