Overview

Thailand is one of the most favorite holiday destination in Asia. It has rich historic culture, lively arts, beautiful beaches, exciting nightlife, friendly and hospitable people and with one of the best cuisines in the world makes Thailand a fascinating country to visit. Thailand also serves as a hub for Southeast Asia, is well placed to combine with other countries in the region.

Bangkok is the largest and most populous city in the country. It has more 10 million inhabitants and is known among Thais as Krung Thep which means “city of angels”. Bangkok was built in 1767, after the fall of the former capital Ayutthaya. A contrast to its traditional sister cities, Bangkok is a glitzy metropolis with towering skyscrapers, gleaming shopping malls, hip restaurants and international nightclubs. From Bangkok, most visitors head either north or south. Northern destinations include the former capital city of Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Golden Triangle. The north is known for its fantastic trekking possibilities, colorful hill tribes, and peaceful Lanna culture. In recent years, Chiang Mai has become a center for learning with places offering classes in Thai culture like Thai massage, Thai cooking, fruit carving, meditation, and yoga. Southern Thailand has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, most notably Krabi, Koh Samui, and Phuket. Luxury resorts along with lively entertainment and international restaurants are a common feature at these beach destinations. Thailand offers an endless array of activities and attractions which is the reason why many travelers make more than one visit to this fascinating country.

Thailand Visa:

Visiting Thailand is easy. Many nationalities can visit the Land of Smiles without a visa under the Visa on Arrival rule or Visa Exemption scheme. The Visa Exemption rule allows tourists from 93 countries to enter Thailand without applying for a visa.

Travelers can visit Thailand for up to 30 days if they are entering Thailand through an international airport or land border checkpoint from a neighboring country.

Travelers from Korea, Brazil, Peru, Argentina, and Chile will receive permission to stay in Thailand for up to 90 days under Visa Exemption. For travelers who know 30 days is never long enough or who are not eligible to enter Thailand under the Visa Exemption rule or Visa on Arrival scheme are required to apply for a Tourist Visa at a local Thai Embassy or Consulate in their country prior to their visit.

Your passport:

Please make sure your passport is valid more than 6 months from the date of arrival in each country you are visiting. It is also to be sure that there is sufficient space in your passport to allow for all immigrations procedures. At least 3 blank pages are required due to the full page visas used in South East Asia.

When to go

The best time for a holiday in Thailand is from December to March. During this period, Thailand has pleasant warm temperatures. It barely rains and dry so it is a great time for beach, outdoor activities such as cycling and trekking. The weather will be very hot between April and June. The rainy season in Thailand starts from mid of May until October. One exception is the south’s east coast (including Koh Samui), which stil has rain from October to November. The west coast is more favourable during the winter months, when diving and snorkelling will be at their best.