Thailand Travel Guide
How to get to Thailand from Singapore
- Fly – Check out Malaysia's budget airline, Air Asia, with flights from Johor Bahru (just across the border in Malaysia and easy to get to from Singapore) to Bangkok starting from around S$50 plus tax per person one way. From 16 February 2004, Air Asia will also start flying from Singapore's Changi Airport to Bangkok from S$60 (plus taxes) one way. For other airlines, flying from Singapore, have a look at Jetstar Asia and TigerAir, or online travel agents such as ZUJI or MisaTravel.
- Train – This is definitely the preferred mode of travel for me, but it takes time. You can go from Singapore all the way to Bangkok and on to Chiang Mai by train; to get to southern Thailand, take the train from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur and from Kuala Lumpur to Hat Yai with Keretapi Tanah Melayu, the Malaysian railway operator. From Hat Yai, you can continue on to Bangkok with the State Railway of Thailand (SRT). Alternatively, take a train from Singapore to Butterworth (mainland stop for Penang Island in Malaysia) via Kuala Lumpur (you will need to change trains in KL) and then take the SRT train from Butterworth to Bangkok. Also check out Seat61.com for train information
- Bus – Companies like Grassland Express (Hat Yai), Phya Travel (Hat Yai & Bangkok), Kwang Chow Travel (Hat Yai & Bangkok) and Gunung Raya Travel (Hat Yai), offer bus services to Thailand. All these bus operators are located in the Golden Mile Complex on Beach Road.
Highlights
Beaches & Islands
- Ko Chang – A group of 47 islands near the border with Cambodia; these islands have been highly recommended by some of our guests
- Ko Samet – Great beaches!
- Ko Pha-Ngan – THE party place in Thailand, famous for its full moon parties! Except for the party capital Hat Rin, the rest of the island is still fairly underdeveloped. Bangkok Airways flies direct to Samui where Pha-Ngan is just a ferry ride away.
- Ko Phi Phi (Leh and Don) – Although typically described as a stunning, but very touristy and over-developed, we have been receiving positive recommendations for the Ko Phi Phi islands
- Ko Tao – When travelling through Asia in 2002, I visited Ko Tao and stayed for about a week. This island is one of my favourite islands in Thailand, because it is (was at the time...things move quickly in Thailand) not too developed, even the budget hotels are right on the beach and there is some great nightlife (great small bars and cafes right on the beach).
- Krabi (Ao Nang) – Krabi province is not as developed as some parts of Thailand. There are stunning beaches, some of which are quite developed, but also quiet beaches and beautiful forests and mountain ranges. The peak season is December to March.
- Phuket – Very touristy, but it is still possible to get away from the crowds and the go-go bars. There are some view points with stunning views along the coast and from where you can see all the bays one after another. I rented a moped to get around; not too expensive and a great way to see the island, but it is scary driving down highways on one of these things and cars don't seem to notice or care about you.
Culture
- Bangkok – You either love it or you hate it! I loved it for about 10 days, then it started to get to me and I needed to get out to get fresh air and get away from the traffic! There is a lot to do in Bangkok; whether you like nightlife (in whatever shape or form), shopping, or culture, Bangkok has plenty! Khao San Road is backpacker central, with lots of places to stay, eat, drink and shop. It is definitely worth spending some time in Bangkok!
- Chiang Mai & Hill Tribes – Intersting city (and surrounding area), nice climate with lots of cultural attractions and arts and crafts shopping. From Chiang Mai you can go trekking in the surrounding mountains to visit the hill tribes, such as the Hmong, Karen and Lahu.
National Parks – have a look at the Thai Forest Booking website for more information
- Doi Inthanon National Park (year-round, best November – February)
- Kaeng Krachan National Park (November – April)
- Khao Sok National Park (December – February)
- Khao Yai National Park (October – June)
- Thaleh Ban National Park (December – March)
Kiteboarding – this looks like fun!
- Hua Hin
- Ko Pha Ngan
- Ko Samui
- Pattaya
Sailing
- Phuket Area
Scuba Diving
The website of Asian Diver magazine has useful reviews and information about the various dive sites in Thailand and other destinations in the Asia-Pacific region.
In order to get the best price for your day trips, liveaboard trips or dive courses, it is best to shop around once you get to the islands; there are many operators with special promotions or last-minute prices. Do check if the operator is reliable; it is definitely worth paying a bit extra to be assured that you dive with professionals , who know the sites and have reliable equipment.
- Phuket & Krabi Area, including Similan and Surin Islands –
Similan Islands are a very famous dive destination with great visibility,
especially from December until May. The Richelieu Rock is a dive site
near the Similan Islands, which is famous for, amongst other things, Whale
Sharks; they regularly visit this rock from February until April
- Ko Tao – I came to Ko Tao to take an Advanced Open Water scuba diving course and prices are reasonable (cheaper than Phuket) and the diving is great. If you visit these islands around March and April, you have a good chance of seeing Whale Sharks as well! Some of the dive sites around Ko Tao can also be reached from Ko Samui, but you will waste some time going to and coming back from the dive sites
Sea Kayaking & Canoeing
- Phuket – Sea kayaking is a great way of exploring the islands and caves around Phuket
When to go
The best time to visit Thailand is between November and March; during these months it is not so hot and does not rain so much.
The hotest months are from April to June; during these months, most of Thailand is very hot, humid an wet! The only exception would be the south, which does not have the extreme temperatures and rain fall.
Northern Thailand is best visited from November until December and February.
Bangkok is extremely hot (and therefore very uncomfortable) in April and it is extemely wet in October.
Useful links
- Ajarn.com – Information about teaching and living in Bangkok
- TravelFish - Excellent resource on backpacking and independent travel into Thailand, Cambodia and Laos.
- Asian Diver Magazine – They have a number of dive reviews for Thailand and other destinations in Asia
- Maps of Thailand
- Bangkok Post – Not just a news site...
- Climbing in Thailand - All about climbing in Thailand
- Farang Online – Website of Farang magazine with interesting anecdotes and information about Thailand
- Full Moon Party – Ko Phangan Full Moon Party info
- Into Asia – Information about travelling to Bangkok and the rest of Thailand as well as information about the culture and language
- Kat's Window – Lots of information about Thailand and about normal life in Thailand
- Khao Lak – Information about Khao Lak
- Khao San Road – All you need to know about the famous Khao San Road in Bangkok
- Ko Chang – Information about Ko Chang
- Ko Pha-Ngan – Guide to Ko Pha-Ngan
- Ko Lanta Beach – Information about Ko Lanta
- Ko Tao - Not a great website, but it has some information about Ko Tao
- Lonely Planet Thailand Branch – Lots of information, links and travel tips on Thailand
- Stickman's Guide to Bangkok – A foreigner's view on life in Bangkok
- Thai Calendar – Thai calendar...
- ThailandLife.com – Thailand life and culture through the eyes of a Thai teenager
- Thailand Tourist Handbook – An introduction to Thailand
- Thai South – Online travel guide to Thailand
- Thai Websites – Directory of Thai websites...
- Thai Youth Hostel Association – Website of the Thai Youth Hostel Association...
- Tourism Authority of Thailand – As the name suggests...
- Volunthai – Volunteering opportunities in Thailand
- Welcome to Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai - Online guide to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai
- Worldsurface.com – Accommodation reviews and recommendations, tours and information about sights & attractions