Your Thailand trip, figured out
Bangkok, the northern mountains, and the southern islands — honest, up-to-date guides written for travelers coming from the US.
Start here — six steps to a planned trip
~30 min of reading, in order- Sort your entryVisa-free entry and the TDAC card, in plain EnglishRead the guide
- Pick your seasonWhen the weather and crowds work for youRead the guide
- Choose a routeThe classic first-timer week, day by dayRead the guide
- Master BangkokWhere to stay and what not to missRead the guide
- Handle moneyBaht, cards, tipping — without the stressRead the guide
- Know before you goThe honest safety picture for AmericansRead the guide
Thailand at a glance
The big picture before you plan: Bangkok in the center, the mountains up north, and two island coasts down south. Tap any pin to open its guide.
Every system in Thailand has a line where it stops working — and the lines all fall on the same four islands.
See the decision manual →The best months to visit Thailand
The mainland pattern — the Gulf islands (Koh Samui side) run on a different clock.
Latest guides
Bringing prescription medication into Thailand: which drugs need a permit, and how many days you can carry
Which prescription drugs Thailand treats as controlled, what paperwork to carry, and how to check your own medicines before you fly.
Maya Bay without the crowd: what time to land, and whether to sleep on Phi Phi for it
Maya Bay is quietest at the first landing and the last hour of the park day; here is when to arrive from Phuket, Krabi or a night on Phi Phi Don.
The sea within three hours of Bangkok: Hua Hin, Koh Samet and Pattaya, and which one your weekend wants
Pattaya is the nearest sea to Bangkok, Hua Hin the gentlest and Koh Samet the only real island in reach.
Which Thai coast for your week in the sun: sorted by month, kids and airport reach
Thailand's two beach coasts take their rain in different months, so the right one for your week depends on when you fly, who is with you and which airport you land at.
Getting to the Southern Islands by Air
Four southern airports, and the islands that have none — which journeys are one leg and which are three.
Thailand Domestic Flights: Baggage Allowance and Changes
Full-service carriers typically include 20 to 30 kg of checked baggage; low-cost carriers often sell carry-on-only fares. Plus through-checking and changes.
Domestic Flight or Overnight Train in Thailand
An hour in the air against thirteen in a berth — and what each does to the day around it.
BKK to DMK Transfer: How Long It Takes and How to Connect
Bangkok's two airports are about 50 km apart, with no rail link and no official minimum connection time. The free shuttle, who can ride it, and how to plan.
Medical Care in Thailand: What Exists Where
Bangkok and a small island are different countries medically. What each tier offers, and how payment works.
