Thailand Travel Blog
Thailand is one of our favourite Asian travel destinations. In fact, we like it so much that we have made Thailand our second home and base ourselves in Thailand for most of the year. The attraction for us is that it’s cheap, the people are friendly and it’s very easy to navigate as a large percentage of the population speak English. Our Thailand travel blog will help you find how to get the most from a visit to Thailand.
With a large expat community also living in Thailand most amenities we miss from our home country of Australia are also available here. Our Travel blog for Thailand has all the tips, hints and guides we have learned for travelling around Thailand.
Being one of the major tourist hubs of Asia Thailand plays host to millions of foreign visitors every year who come to not only enjoy the pristine beaches but also to take in the rich culture this fascinating country has to offer.
The main currency of Thailand is the Thai Baht with approximately 33 Thai Baht to one US dollar. Check the currency converter for the current Thai Baht exchange rate. As Thailand is relatively cheap many visitors find that Thailand offers excellent value for money.
Want to save money on your Thailand visit? Then grab a TAGTHAi Pass. Purchasing this all-in-one Thailand travel pass allows you to visit attractions and activities throughout Thailand and includes many other listed benefits for a discounted price. The pass is a collaboration between the Thailand Government and private sectors to promote Thailand’s travel.
Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and often the first port of call for visiting tourists. With an abundance of accommodation options to choose from it is ideally set up to cater for tourists. Every modern amenity is available in Bangkok from high end designer malls and world rebound brand name shops to street food stalls selling a huge selection of food choices from Thai food stalls to Chinese, Malay, Singaporean and just about every other cuisine you can imaging at very affordable prices.
Northern Thailand
The northern city of Chiang Mai is Thailand’s second largest city and the place we call home for a large part of the year. Being in the mountainous region of Thailand has a slightly cooler climate compared to the capital of Thailand Bangkok. It is also home to approximately 40,000 expats many of who spend part of the year living in Chiang Mai and the rest back in their home country.
Chiang Mai is also home to many transient digital nomads and backpackers who base themselves in Chiang Mai for a few months to take advantage of the cheaper cost of living and excellent IT infrastructure. We have come to know Chiang Mai very well and have compiled a complete guide of things to do in Chiang Mai
Many visitors to Chiang Mai are also looking for authentic experiences during there stay and alternative tours are available for those wanting something different. You can see an example of one of these authentic tours in our Batik course article.
You can also read about some of the best day trips from Chiang Mai and what to see and do in Chiang Dao region.
For internet access when travelling to Thailand we recommend purchasing an eSIM which is a simple cost effecting option for mobile data during your stay.
Thailand Beach Resorts
Beach resorts of Thailand are also very popular with many tourists visiting the world-renowned beaches of Patong, Ko Samui, Krabi, Phi Phi Islands and Pattaya just to name a few. We have visited many of Thailand’s best beaches and they never disappoint, with beautiful crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches they truly are magnificent.
You can also read about what to see and do in the beach side southern Thailand playground of Phuket in our guide to Phuket and the nearby area of Krabi which has a laid back feel and great for families and couples looking for more relaxed getaway.
Accommodation in Thailand
Places to stay in Thailand vary from the very affordable budget guest houses to high-end major hotel chains. Depending of your length of stay and budget you are sure to find something within your price range. Because Thailand offers excellent value for money the level of comfort often exceeds expectations compared to what would normally be available within a similar price range in other countries.
To read what is available in a reasonable priced 5 star boutique hotel in Chiang Mai see our review of one of the best hotels is Chiang Mai. Whether your travelling to Thailand with kids or as a couple you will have plenty of choices.
Many long-term visitors looking for a different style of accommodation for months at a time will often opt to take out a lease in a condominium. This style of accommodation works out much cheaper over a longer period and offers the visitor additional home comforts not available in traditional hotel style accommodation. We stay in this type accommodation when in Chiang Mai and have come to prefer condo living in Chiang Mai as our main choice.
A growing trend in Thailand is catering to the needs of the visitors who come to Thailand to take advantage of the excellent medical facilities. Treatments that would normally cost significantly more in western countries are offered in Thailand at a much cheaper cost. Some of the best medical facilities in the world are available in Thailand and the level of skill of the surgeons are world class.
Thailand is also home to world class health and wellness retreats for people recovering from surgery who choose to stay in a comfortable surrounding while recovering from either medical procedure, dependency recovery or aged care facilities. You can read more about what Thailand wellness resorts have offer.
Luxury Hotels in Thailand
For those looking for high end luxury accommodation look no further than the 137 Pillars hotel brand. Check our detailed reviews of 137 Pillars House in Chiang Mai and 137 Pillars Suites & Residences in Bangkok. Both properties have been recognised amongst the top hotels in Asia by various prestigious travel publications.
Retire in Thailand
Many of our Australian readers ask our advice on living full time in Thailand. With Thailand becoming a popular destination for Expats the world over to enjoy retirement, we have outlined some of the benefits of living full time in Thailand in our article retiring in Thailand.
Moving to Thailand from Australia eBook
Our detailed eBook on how to plan a move to Thailand has everything you need from planning how and when to make the move, best places to live, how to manage finances in Thailand and much more.
Thailand Culture
With a rich history dating back to early times there are plenty of cultural sights to see in Thailand. From ornate Buddhist Temples (Wats) which are in abundance throughout Thailand to ancient structures that have stood the test of time. The Thai Buddhist culture has many traditions that have been passed down through the generations and for anyone interested in history a visit to a Buddhist temple to watch a Monk perform the ritual of a Sak Yant tattoo can be a moving experience. You can learn more about this traditional Buddhist ritual here.
Thailand offers so much for the first time visitor and tourists often find themselves returning to the land of smiles many times over.
Or learn about the village of Pai a popular hangout for those wanting to get away from large cities and take a rural break.
Further north we have guides to travelling the northern rim of Thailand in our Northern Thailand Tour guide from Pai to Mae Hong Son and Lamphun – Chiang Mai and Pai.
Thailand is home to many festivals and the the yearly lantern festival held in November each year is a spectacular site with thousands of lit lanterns floating through the night sky. If you are looking for the best time to visit Thailand our suggestion is November to February when the weather is milder and peak tourist season.
Looking for further inspiration on what to see and do during your stay in Thailand? Then check out our 5 day itinerary for what to see in Chiang Mai. Thailand is also renowned for their Ladyboy shows. You can catch these spectacular shows in Chiang Mai, Phuket, Bangkok and Koh Samui. To learn more about these shows see our behind the scenes review of the Chiang Mai Cabaret Show.
Foodies are well catered for in Thailand with some of the best cuisines in the world available across the country. For anyone staying in Chiang Mai, we have compiled a list of some of the best cafe’s and restaurants, that serve mouth watering selections of daily breakfasts which are a must try for anyone visiting. For coffee lovers a visit to the Nimman area is a must to try out some of the many upmarket coffee shops.