Phi Phi Islands Thailand with longtail boats and limestone cliffs
Thailand — Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai complete travel guide

Thailand

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From Bangkok's street food and palaces to Phuket's beaches, Krabi's islands and the temples of Chiang Mai. We plan custom Thailand itineraries with local partners on the ground in each region.

Why visit

Four reasons we keep coming back to Thailand

Bangkok temples and palaces

The Grand Palace, Wat Pho's reclining Buddha, Wat Arun across the Chao Phraya at dawn. Bangkok pulls off being a megacity and a heritage city at once — Khlong canal tours, floating markets, and the world's best street food.

Krabi islands and Phi Phi

Limestone karsts rising out of turquoise water — Maya Bay, Railay Beach, Bamboo Island. Best done as a 4-day base out of Krabi or Koh Lanta with longtail-boat island-hopping days. Phuket is busier but easier as a first-time base.

Chiang Mai north — temples and elephants

The cooler northern capital. Doi Suthep temple, the 13th-century walled old town, ethical elephant sanctuaries (Elephant Nature Park is the gold standard — no riding, just observation and care work), Sunday Walking Street market.

Pad Thai street food, Tom Yum, mango sticky rice

Thai food at its source is dramatically different from Thai food anywhere else. Street stalls in Bangkok's Yaowarat Chinatown, Chiang Mai's Sunday Walking Street, Phuket Old Town's Sunday market — all genuine, mostly safe, properly cheap.

Best time to visit

When to come — month by month

Thailand has three seasons: cool-dry (November-February), hot (March-May), and rainy (June-October). Cool-dry is ideal but most crowded. Hot is uncomfortable in Bangkok but fine in beach areas. Rainy is the value season — fewer crowds, lower rates, but periodic afternoon storms.

Best
Good
Shoulder
Avoid
Jan

Cool, dry, perfect. Peak tourist month.

Feb

Same as January. Chinese New Year crowds.

Mar

Warming up. Still comfortable.

Apr

Hot (35°C+). Songkran water festival mid-month.

May

Pre-monsoon. Beaches still good.

Jun

Rainy season starts. Afternoon thunderstorms.

Jul

Wet but cheaper. Andaman side rougher.

Aug

Peak monsoon. Gulf side (Koh Samui) drier.

Sep

Wettest. Many boat trips cancel.

Oct

Drying out. Recovery weather.

Nov

Excellent. Pre-peak season.

Dec

Peak Christmas-NYE. Book 60+ days ahead.

Our recommendation

November to early March is the gold window — cool, dry, all islands accessible. April is uncomfortable in Bangkok but features Songkran (Thai New Year, mid-April) which is a unique cultural experience worth planning around. For beach trips in monsoon, switch from Andaman side (Phuket, Krabi) to Gulf side (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan) — opposite weather patterns.

How to reach

Getting there

Thailand has multiple international airports. Bangkok is the main hub; Phuket, Chiang Mai and Krabi handle direct international flights from select cities.

By air

Suvarnabhumi (BKK) is the main Bangkok airport — direct from Delhi (4 hours), Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata. Air India, Thai Airways, IndiGo, Vistara, AirAsia all operate. Don Mueang (DMK) is Bangkok's secondary airport for low-cost carriers. Phuket (HKT) has direct flights from Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai. Chiang Mai (CNX) and Krabi (KBV) have international service from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore — for Indians, mostly via Bangkok. AirAsia is cheapest, Vistara/Thai Airways most comfortable. Visa-on-arrival for Indians at all major airports (₹3,500 fee, valid 15 days).

By rail

International rail to Thailand is via Singapore-Bangkok via Malaysia — beautiful but 50+ hours. Not practical from India. Inside Thailand, the State Railway connects Bangkok to Chiang Mai (overnight sleeper, 12-14 hours, ₹800-2,500 depending on class), to Surat Thani for the Gulf islands (10 hours), and to Hat Yai for the southern islands. Trains are clean, reliable, well-priced.

By road

Self-drive across Thailand requires International Driving Permit (which Indian RTOs issue for ₹1,000) — manageable but Thais drive on the left (same as India). Most travellers use private drivers, Grab (Uber equivalent), and longtail boats between islands. Bangkok-Phuket by road is 14 hours; few do it. Domestic flights are cheap (₹3,000-6,000) and the practical choice for long-haul.

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What our travellers say

★★★★★

My first international trip with We Care Holidays — just wow. They provided proper guidance and assistance from start to end for my Thailand tour.

Vivek K
Pune District, India · TripAdvisor
Phuket + Krabi, Thailand · Jul 2025Verified on TripAdvisor
★★★★★

We'd been to Ladakh and Kerala, but nothing prepared us for Sikkim. The itinerary felt like it was written by someone who truly loves this place — because it was.

Priya & Kiran Nair
Priya & Kiran Nair
Bangalore, India
North Sikkim · 9 Nights · Oct 2024
★★★★★

The permit process alone would have put us off. They handled everything — inner line, protected area, Nathu La. We just showed up.

David & Sarah Whitmore
David & Sarah Whitmore
London, United Kingdom
Darjeeling + Sikkim Circuit · Mar 2024
Popular itineraries

Sample journeys we run

Starting points, not templates. Every itinerary gets rebuilt around your dates, pace and interests.

D1
Day 1
Arrive Bangkok

Airport pickup, Sukhumvit or Silom hotel. Evening walk in Sukhumvit, dinner at Som Tam Nua.

D2
Day 2
Bangkok temples

Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha) — modest dress essential. Wat Pho with the reclining Buddha and traditional Thai massage. Wat Arun across the river at sunset. Evening at Asiatique riverside.

D3
Day 3
Bangkok markets and Chinatown

Damnoen Saduak floating market morning (90 min drive). Lunch back at Yaowarat (Chinatown) — street food crawl. Evening at JJ Market or Talad Rot Fai night market. Roof bar at Sky Bar (Lebua Hotel) for sunset.

D4
Day 4
Bangkok → Phuket

Morning flight or train. Check in at Patong or Kata. Evening at Patong beach or Phi Phi mainland connect.

D5
Day 5
Phuket — Phi Phi day trip

Speedboat tour to Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Leh, Maya Bay (since reopening, with controlled numbers), Monkey Beach. Lunch on board. Snorkeling. Back to Phuket evening.

D6
Day 6
Phuket — beach + Old Town

Free morning at hotel pool or beach. Afternoon at Phuket Old Town (heritage Sino-Portuguese shophouses, Sunday Walking Street if Sun). Evening at Bangla Road if you want a night out — otherwise hotel.

D7
Day 7
Phuket → departure

Optional Big Buddha at Karon viewpoint. Last shopping, airport.

Found an itinerary that fits?
Typical budget

What it costs

Thailand is genuinely affordable at every tier — even premium hotels run 30-50% below comparable Indian luxury. Pricing below is per person on twin-sharing, INR, excluding international flights.

Budget
₹35,000 – ₹50,000
per person · twin sharing · excl. flights
  • 3-star hotels in central locations
  • Domestic flights between cities
  • Breakfasts only
  • Group day-tours (Phi Phi, temples)
  • Local transport via Grab
  • English-speaking driver for half-day Bangkok tours

Works for backpacker-friendly couples or first international trips.

Most bookedMid-range
₹60,000 – ₹85,000
per person · twin sharing · excl. flights
  • 4-star hotels (Pullman Bangkok, Anantara Layan Phuket, Le Meridien Chiang Mai tier)
  • Domestic flights in business class where short
  • All breakfasts + 5 specials (Thai cooking class meal, street food crawl, sky-bar dinner etc.)
  • Private speedboat for Phi Phi day trip
  • Elephant Nature Park ethical-tour day
  • Private driver for Bangkok + Chiang Mai
  • Visa-on-arrival fees

Where most couples and families settle. Excellent value.

Premium
₹1,10,000 and up
per person · twin sharing · excl. flights
  • Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, Trisara Phuket, Four Seasons Chiang Mai
  • All domestic flights in business class
  • All meals at venue + Michelin-starred night (Le Du, Sorn or Le Normandie)
  • Private yacht for Phang Nga or Phi Phi
  • Private Thai cooking class with chef
  • Spa packages at each hotel
  • Dedicated English-speaking guide throughout

Anniversaries and bucket-list trips. Mandarin Oriental alone is worth the category.

What's not included

What isn't included: International flights to Bangkok (₹18,000-45,000 round-trip from most Indian cities), Thai visa-on-arrival (₹3,500), travel insurance (₹1,000 per person, strongly recommended), photography fees at temples (Grand Palace ₹1,200 entry; modest dress required — buy a sarong outside if needed), shopping budget (Bangkok malls, Chiang Mai handicrafts, Phuket spas). Spa: ₹2,000-6,000 per hour at quality places. Cooking class half-day: ₹2,500-4,000. Massage: ₹500-2,000 for an hour traditional Thai.

What to pack

Bring the right layers

Thailand is hot, humid, and tropical year-round. Pack light, breathable fabrics. Modest dress is essential at temples — many have rules enforced strictly.

Cool-dry (November – February)

  • Light cotton T-shirts, shorts (long for temples)
  • One light sweater for evenings (Chiang Mai cool)
  • Swimwear if beach
  • Sun hat and sunglasses
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Sarong or shawl for temple visits

Hot (March – May)

  • Lightest cotton/linen — temperature 35°C+
  • Multiple T-shirts (you will sweat them)
  • Strong sunscreen SPF 50+
  • Wet wipes for cooling off
  • Loose comfortable walking shoes
  • Light scarf for AC-cold malls

Rainy (June – October)

  • Quick-dry trousers and shirts
  • Strong waterproof jacket / poncho
  • Waterproof shoes with grip
  • Dry bag for electronics
  • Insect repellent (mosquitoes thick)
Always pack these — any season
Passport (6+ months validity, with 2 blank pages)
Visa-on-arrival cash — bring USD or THB equivalent of ₹3,500
4 passport-size photos
Print itinerary and hotel confirmations
Travel insurance certificate
Aadhaar (back-up ID; not accepted at Thai immigration but useful for hotel)
Cash mix: some USD (international standard), some THB (for arrival immediate spends)
Universal power adapter (Thailand uses Type A/B/C/F — varied)
Unlocked phone for local SIM (AIS at airport is reliable)
Food & culture

What you're walking into in Thailand

Thailand is Buddhist-majority (95%) with a small Muslim minority in the south and Christian and Hindu communities scattered. The monarchy is genuinely revered — never criticise the king publicly, this is lèse-majesté and prosecutable. Buddhism shapes daily life: monks collect alms at dawn, every house has a spirit-house (saan phra phum), and you'll see people stop and bow at temples while walking by. Thai culture values 'jai yen' — cool heart, avoid public anger.

Eat this

Pad Thai

Stir-fried rice noodles with prawns or chicken, egg, beansprouts, peanuts, tamarind. Properly made — light, complex, balanced. Thip Samai in Bangkok (Phra Nakhon) is the institution; most street stalls do good versions.

Tom Yum / Tom Kha

Hot-sour prawn soup (Tom Yum) or coconut chicken soup (Tom Kha). The defining Thai flavour profile — galangal, kaffir lime, lemongrass, chilli. At any Thai restaurant; great street versions in Yaowarat.

Green/Red/Massaman curry

Three classical Thai curries — green (most spicy), red (medium), massaman (gentle Muslim-influenced). With rice. Authentic versions are richer and more complex than what you've had in India. At Charoen Saeng Silom or Khao Khlonkrabi.

Som Tam

Spicy green papaya salad — northeast Thai specialty. Pounded fresh in mortar at the table. Can be very hot — order 'no spicy' or 'one chilli'. Som Tam Nua in Bangkok is the famous version.

Mango sticky rice (Khao Niao Mamuang)

Glutinous rice with sweet coconut milk, fresh mango on top. Available year-round but mangoes peak April-June. ₹100-200 at street stalls; ₹300-600 at restaurants.

Khao Soi (Chiang Mai)

Northern Thai noodle curry — egg noodles, coconut curry broth, crispy noodles on top. Specialty of Chiang Mai. Khao Soi Nimman and Khao Soi Khun Yai are reliable.

Customs & etiquette

Modest dress at temples is strict — shoulders and knees covered, no shoes inside, no climbing on Buddha statues, no pointing feet at images of Buddha. Women cannot touch monks or hand things to them directly (place on a cloth or surface). The Thai greeting is 'wai' — palms together at chest level with a slight bow. Don't pat heads (even children's). Don't step over people sitting on the floor. Respect the king — pause when the anthem plays in cinemas, never criticize publicly. Tipping: 10-15% at upscale restaurants, ₹50-200 for housekeeping, ₹100-200 for drivers per trip. Photography of Buddha images is fine; photography of military checkpoints or palace guards is not. Alcohol is freely available but sold only 11am-2pm and 5pm-midnight at convenience stores. Cannabis is legal recreationally since 2022 but the laws are nuanced — use legitimate dispensaries.

Frequently asked

Questions we get all the time

Visa-on-arrival for Indian nationals at all major Thai airports. Cost ₹3,500 (or THB 2,000 equivalent in cash, not card). Valid for 15 days, single entry. Need: passport (6+ months validity), 2 photos, onward/return ticket, hotel booking, USD 200 cash or equivalent (rarely checked but required). Some travellers prefer to apply for e-visa in advance to avoid airport queues — costs slightly more but skips the visa-on-arrival counter.

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