The Ultimate Thailand Travel Guide For Solo Travellers

The Complete Thailand Travel Guide

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So you’re looking for the ultimate Thailand travel guide…Known as the land of smiles, Thailand has it all, from beautiful white beaches, incredibly diverse street food, stunning temples, and a very strong culture that is impossible to resist

Whether you’ve come to Thailand for an adventure or simply get cheap massages, I can guarantee you that once you finish this Thailand travel guide, you will want to pack up and go.

This country has easily become my favorite in Southeast Asia. As a result of spending quite some time there, I put together this Thailand travel guide of things to do and avoid during your travels.

Top Things To Do in Thailand

Places Not To Miss

Thailand is a must-visit country for everyone. This country has it all. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing vacation or a full-on wild adventure filled with endless massages Thailand has you covered. Here are some of the places you can’t afford to miss while visiting Thailand.

Exploring Northern Thailand

In my opinion, this truly is the best part of Thailand. Once you’ve had enough of Bangkok (and trust me you will) make your way to this mountainous paradise where you will get to experience heaps of new local cuisines and adventures such as white-water rafting, jungle trekking, elephant sanctuaries, or most importantly an abundance of gorgeous temples. If you’re looking for adventure, Northern Thailand is your ticket.

When booking a trip to see elephants, please go with an ethical tour where they treat the elephants properly, here are a few that I recomend

Visit Chiang Mai

Known as an ex-pat hub Chiang Mai has a lot to offer. There are so many things to do in Chiang Mai. One of the reasons most people keep coming back to this place is because of the food and the thriving ex-pat community. Do not let its small size fool you. With its population of 127,000 residents, it’s a true melting pot of cultures, that is not to be missed.

Chill out in Pai

This small little hippy vegan village in the mountains near the Myanmar border will surely take your breath away and for that reason, it comes at a price. Getting there is not the most pleasant. The route spans about 144km and on average takes three to four hours to complete.

The 762 twists and turns on the road will leave you nauseous, but don’t let this put you off. Bring some Gravol with you and thank me later. Just be wary of others on the bus as they might just vomit.

Pai is filled with loads of fun things to do, from eating bougie street food and staying at some of the coolest places. Definitely plan to stay a few days if not a week, you will not be disappointed. While you’re there rent a scooter it’s a great place to learn.

Explore Bangkok

If this is your first time in Bangkok, take a deep breath, everything will be ok. This busy city is South East Asia’s busiest city, it’s chaotic, vibrant, and has surprises at every turn. Be prepared for a culture shock of a lifetime and a few giant rats here and there.

While most backpackers head straight for the islands to party, I recommend staying in Bangkok for 3-4 days just to say you’ve been. It has an abundance of temples, floating markets, night markets, and wild nightlife to experience.

A few of the typical touristy things to do in Bangkok are to visit the Grand Palace and see the reclining Buddha at Wat Pho. If you’re feeling a little more adventurist go check out the Ghost Tower and capture some wicked pictures.

Thai street food

Street Food tours

If you’re a foodie at heart, definitely look into other ways of experiencing local cuisine. I recommend joining a tour as the guides are full of knowledge and insight when it comes to Thai cuisine. Below are a few tours and experiences I recommend you try.

Cooking Classes in Chiang Mai – These are a great way to experience Thailand and meet other fellow travelers at the same time.

Floating Market Food Tour – If you love the hustle and bustle of finding food, then this tour right up your alley.

Ayuthaya Food Tour – Located about 80 km north of Bangkok this popular UNESCO World Heritage Site will bring you on a culinary experience.

The Ladyboy culture

Thai ladyboys, also known as Kathoeys, have a long history. Widely accepted throughout Thailand because the Buddhist philosophy is more concerned with what happens to the human spirit than with what happens to the body, transitioning from male to female is not seen as a significant event and is considered a natural part of life. Attracting tourists from all over the world, they have become synonymous with Thailand. Do yourself a favor and talk to a few of them, they are quite funny.

Where to stay in Thailand

Accommodations in Thailand come in all shapes and sizes. From tiny pods all the way to a luxurious villa with a private pool. It all depends on what you’re ready to spend. There’s really no shortage of places to stay when exploring Thailand. Below is a map of the main strip in Bangkok called Sukhumvit, where all the major malls and night markets are etc…

View accommodations below with VRBO or Booking.com

Thai Scams to watch out for

Thailand is filled with scam artists and trust me on this, they are pros. There’s a scam for almost everything in Thailand, so be sure to carry a translator with you as this will come in handy and might avoid some troubles for you.

I made a list of the top Thailand scams that you might be confronted with so that you don’t get scammed.

Make sure to remember the Thai scams in this Thailand travel guide, they might just prevent a few mishaps along your journey.

Diving and snorkeling in Thailand

Thailand is a paradise for underwater explorers, offering crystal-clear waters, diverse marine life, and stunning reefs. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced diver, a Similan liveaboard trip is the best way to experience the beauty of Thailand’s underwater world. Liveaboard trips offer the opportunity to explore the Similan Islands, a group of nine islands located in the Andaman Sea. These islands are known for their pristine coral reefs, abundant marine life, and stunning underwater scenery.

Liveaboard trips typically last for several days, allowing divers to explore multiple dive sites and experience the best of what Thailand has to offer. The trips are also an affordable way to get PADI certified, as many of the trips include PADI courses and certification. For those who prefer not to dive, many trips also offer snorkeling options. Snorkelers can explore the shallow reefs and observe the vibrant marine life from the surface.

No matter what your experience level, a Similan liveaboard trip is the perfect way to explore Thailand’s underwater world. With crystal-clear waters, diverse marine life, and stunning reefs, it’s an experience you won’t soon forget. Plus, with the affordable PADI courses and certification, it’s an experience that won’t break the bank. So if you’re looking for an unforgettable underwater adventure, a Similan liveaboard trip is the perfect way to explore Thailand’s underwater world.

Most trips also include snorkeling if diving is not your thing.

Planning your Thailand Adventure

In this Thailand travel guide, I want to be as direct as possible with you. Here are few things to take note of when traveling to Thailand. There’s three-season, hot, cool, and wet. The hot season is from March-May, the “cool-season” is from November-February and the wet season is from May-October.

Make sure to plan around the season especially if you want to experience Pai, do not go during burning season. The air is filled with smoke as the farmers are burning their crops. It’s not pleasant!

Budgeting

To contrary belief, Thailand is not THAT cheap anymore. Ten years ago, it was a “free for all” per se. These days expect to spend roughly $30-$50 per day on food and a nice hotel room. If you plan on doing activities, add another $50-60. If you want to go cheaper you definitely can, it just depends on how cheap you want to go.

If you decide to go the Hostel route, you can expect to pay between $20-$30 for food and accommodation per day. It all depends on what you want and what your budget is.

Packing essentials for Thailand

All depending on when you visiting Thailand, here’s what you need. If you’re going to Pai (Northern Thailand), it gets hot during the day and really cold at night during the winter months. You can literally see your breath at night. Come prepared.

One of the most important things to bring when backpacking is a day bag. One bag I highly recommend and personally use is the Nomatic travel bag. It’s by far the most versatile bag on the market. Whatever your needs are, they have a quality bag for you.

A few other optional items you might require while traveling is a Language Translator, Ear Plugs (if you decide to stay in a Hostel), and a small portable first aid kit.

For a Free copy of my digital Thailand travel guide packing checklist, just let me know where to send it below!

The Basics

Currency: Thai Baht

Electricity socket: This country has 230V and 50Hz electricity. Most places have a two-prong round or flat socket power outlet. Be sure to carry a universal travel adaptor, so that all your electronic devices can still be used.

Thailand Visa: Most countries are given a 30-day visa when entering Thailand by air and 15 days when entering by land. If you wish to stay longer than 30 days, you have 2 options, pay 1900 Baht at the immigration office or by doing a visa run to the border of Laos, Myanmar, or Cambodia.

If you wish to stay longer than 30-days, simply head over to your local Thai embassy (before departure) and apply for a Tourist Visa which will give you 60 days. Please note as well that more and more countries in Southeast Asia are demanding proof of departure, before allowing you to enter. So, make sure you come ready and have all the necessary arrangements booked in advance.

Safety: All in all, Thailand is a very safe place, but then again, always be vigilant of your surroundings like anywhere as some locals will try to scam you. Just make sure to educate yourself on the various Thai Scams.

The #1 danger in Thailand, is motorbikes. There is over 5000 death per year, that’s about 14 per day. From personal experience, falling off a scooter is not fun. I never leave home without travel insurance.

There are 2 companies I recommend, Safetywing for the typical month-to-month traveler and World Nomads for the adventure traveler, as they also cover electronic devices. NOTE: I strongly recommend that you also get an international driver’s license in advance if you are planning to drive a scooter while in Thailand.

Language: When traveling to Thailand, the language barrier is at an all-time high. Most English-speaking locals work in the hospitality industry, around the islands, etc… up north in small villages not so much. Expect to smile and node a lot. Here are a few basic Thai phrases to help you out, while traveling.

Festivals and Celebrations: When planning your trip to Thailand. Try to plan your trip in accordance with certain festivals and celebrations such as the festival of lights (Loy Krathong) and the water festival (Songkran) as these are great opportunities to experience Thai culture and get some pretty sweet pictures/videos at the same time.

Transportation: Thailand is fairly easy to get around, just make sure to book in advance as these shuttles or busses do fill up fast. I personally recommend using 12Go or Bookaway for all your transportation needs as it will save you loads of time and communication errors. In peak seasons, remember to book well in advance.

Travel insurance: simple & flexible

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All of the information provided about travel insurance is a brief summary only. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions of the travel insurance plans described. Coverage may not be available for residents of all countries, states or provinces. Please carefully read your policy wording for a full description of coverage.

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Marc Bourbonnais

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The Ultimate Thailand Travel Guide For Solo Travellers

The Complete Thailand Travel Guide

Table of Contents

Top Things To Do in Thailand