Welcome to 'The Land of Smiles'.
Thailand Overview
Travel level
Beginner to Intermediate
Visa required
Dependent on travel reason
Cost of living
Low
Currency
Thai Baht (THB)
Thailand’s eclectic mix of culture, scenery, and entertainment has made it one of the most popular backpacker destinations ever. The contrast between the sprawling city of Bangkok and islands like Koh Lanta could not be more pronounced, meaning there’s a Thailand for every type of traveller.
Venturing north will take you into the luscious greenery and rolling countryside that is home to the friendliest communities you could ever meet. The likes of Chang Mai and Pai are found here, with the north being a popular area for those teaching English abroad.
Further south, you’ll find a collection of famous beach and island destinations, often immortalised on TV and films. The various islands offer something for everyone, with the likes of Koh Tao, Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, and of course, Koh Phangnan all having their own distinct personality.
Wherever you decide to visit in this delightful, hospitable country, you’ll be embraced by welcoming locals and incredible experiences, meaning you’ll likely want to stay for a lot longer than you planned.
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Do I need a visa for Thailand?
Types of visa include:
Visa exemption - For certain countries, you can land a visa exemption on arriving in Thailand, which allows you 30 days to travel.
Signle/multiple entry tourist visas - Two different types of entry visas, which allow you stays of 3-6 months, depending on which you go for. Many who work in Thailand secure these and secure ‘visa runs’, where you leave the country and return to start again. These are becoming less accepted though, so do you research.
Every year, thousands go to Thailand to different forms of training, such as scuba diving training or Muay Thai training. If you’re one of these, you can also apply for an education visa, should you tick the right requirements.
Learn more about Thailand
Thailand is a country in South East Asia that is home to loads of popular traveller destinations. A common way of getting around the country is bus, with 10-12 hours overnight buses being common to connect the north and south of the country. In the south, the various picturesque islands are connected by loads of boats and water taxis, making getting around super easy.
Key Facts
- Population: 71 million approx
- Number of regions: 6
- Capital: Bangkok
- Currency: Thai Baht (THB)
- Area: 513,120km2
- Yearly Tourists: 28 million approx
Major Cities
- Bangkok
- Chiang Mai
- Pattaya
- Krabi
- Kanchanburi
- Phuket
- Surat Thani
Culture
Thailand has a deep and proud culture, which is displayed throughout the entire country. There is also a deep reverence to the King, and you’ll often find offerings, monuments, and shrines dotted everywhere. A key part of Thai culture is a stillness, or calmness, seeking to avoid conflict wherever possible. This is often reflected in the approach of the locals, who are some of the friendliest people you could hope to meet.
Sports
Sport in Thailand is extremely popular, both to partake in and to watch. In terms of spectators, football is the most popular sport in Thailand, with fans here supporting both local teams and teams from around the world. Yet one sport that is very closely aligned with Thai history and culture is May Thai. This martial art is a very traditional and culturally important approach to combat, and is now famous worldwide, with MMA enthusiasts from around the world coming here to train in it.
Music
Although the music Thailand is known for is mostly traditional, local artists, it is a huge global music scene for visiting artists. Some of the country’s leading clubs and festivals can be found in the capital, Bangkok, whereas down south in the islands, there are some of the world’s most famous music events and parties.
Environment
Thailand is blessed with some of the world’s most spectacular scenery, with it being so varied from place to place. You can contrast the hustle and bustle of river markets in Bangkok, to the luscious greenery of the north, and the idyllic beaches and islands of the south. There’s a reason it’s one of the most popular tourist destinations, and the picturesque scenery is right up there as to why.
Things to do in Bangkok
The infamous backpacker road is not for the faint hearted. Love it or hate it, it’s become a must-see stop for tourists travelling to Bangkok. For some, it’s the party central of the capital, where you can try everything from street food to local bars, within a constant hive of activity. For others, it represents how tourists have, for good or worse, influenced local areas. Either way, it has to be seen to be believed.
The Grand Palace is exactly that, a towering monument in the centre of Bangkok. Decked out in gold, it’s certainly a sight to see, and it has been the official residence for all the kings of Thailand for hundreds of years. You also have the Temple of the Emerald Buddha nearby, so be sure to see both whilst you’re there.
There are numerous floating markets in Bangkok, where a number of local vendors set up shop (or ship), on a local river boat, whilst you can pass between checking out what’s on sale. The Damneon Saduak floating market is likely the one you’ll want to check out, as it’s one of the biggest, meaning it’s an easy way to get immersed in Thai culture.
