Tag: travel

Best Time To Visit Thailand

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Thailand Seasons

The most comfortable time to visit Thailand is between October and March time. At this time of year, Thailand is at it’s coolest temperature with the least rainfall and humidity. During this time, temperatures tend to stay in the low 30 degrees.

Conversely, April and May are the hottest months to visit, with temperatures often hitting almost 40 degrees. However, tourist prices and hotel costs can be cheaper because it is low season. For some, the hot temperatures can be unbearable in the middle of the day and make it very difficult to do any kind of strenuous sporty activities such as bike tours.

From June to August is the rainy season in Thailand. It’s cooler than the hot season but still warmer than Christmas season. Most days, there is not actually that much rain and it’s quite consistent, usually either rainy storms during the night or heavy rain for an hour during the daytime. However, if you are unlucky, you might experience a fortnight long storm of miserable weather; it’s a bit of a gamble.

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Cool Festivals In Thailand

Here is a small list of some of the most fun and interesting festivals and events held throughout Thailand. Most festival dates differ year by year –  you may want to check exact dates if you are planning a trip specially around a Thai festival!

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Big Mountain Music Festival

 

Best Beaches In Thailand

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Which beach in Thailand?

Whether you’re hoping for postcard-perfect famous movie beaches, backpacker party islands, family-friendly beach resorts, laid back island getaways or simply Thai beaches that are easy to get to, there are beach resorts in Thailand to suit everybody’s preferences. I’m not a seasoned beach expert from Thailand, but I think I’ve at least been to enough beaches in Thailand to give my own rough guide on which beach is best for who.

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Thailand Beach Guide

  • Beaches near Bangkok

Hua Hin

Okay, it’s important to know that Hua Hin does not have the best beaches in Thailand. If you’re looking for paradisal, soft white sand beaches like in all the holiday brochures, then I don’t recommend Hua Hin for you. The skyscraper backdrop and brownish sands of the main Hua Hin beach in particular makes it far from one of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand (but hey, it does have some tough competition). But! I’d say that Hua Hin is by far the one of the easiest of beach resorts to get to from Bangkok. It’s located on the mainland about a two hour drive from Bangkok – no annoying ferry transfers and no expensive flights necessary.

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Because of it’s mainland location, Hua Hin has plenty of excursions available and is within easy access to popular places like Kanchanaburi and Bangkok, plus a nice variety of waterfalls, temples and attractions. The beaches are still ok too, with plenty of sports and things to do available. Perhaps one of Hua Hin’s best attributes, is it’s more relaxed and honest atmosphere in comparison to the heavily tourist trap vibe that is so prevalent in most of the other Thai beach resorts. Hua Hin is relatively free from the sleazy bars and sex tourism of Thailand – this makes it a lot more pleasant for families and couples etc.

Koh Samet

Just a 2 or 3 hour journey away from Bangkok, the hugely underrated island of Koh Samet is perfect for purely sitting back, relaxing and doing nothing! It’s a tiny little island so there isn’t much to do in the way of attractions and activities, but there are still plenty of bars, restaurants and beaches – great as a getaway for Thai expats, or as a break from sightseeing for tourists.

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Popular with Bangkok locals, Koh Samet – similarly to Hua Hin – boasts much less of a tourist trap atmosphere and is super laid back. In fact, Koh Samet is my personal favourite beach resort in Thailand. Not only is it easy to get to and chilled out, but it also has some really beautiful, soft white sand beaches – skyscraper free too.

Pattaya

I’ve never been to Pattaya, it doesn’t really appeal to me. Pattaya is mainly famed for it’s attraction of sexpats as it has a crap load of gogo bars and stuff like that. But it’s by the beach too! A sexpat paradise! However, I really don’t think Pattaya would be an ideal beach resort for couples, families or groups of friends looking for cool parties. Super close to Bangkok though – just a 90 minute drive away.

Koh Chang

Koh Chang is the second biggest island in Thailand and still reasonably close to Bangkok. It takes about 4 or 5 hours to get there via bus and ferry, or you can fly direct from Bangkok. Again, Koh Chang doesn’t seem overly touristy so you’re not as prone to getting ripped off or feeling like a walking money sign. This also has the added bonus of making it easy to get around, despite it’s large size, because of the cheapness of songtaew taxis.

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There are plenty of activities and attractions such as waterfalls and zip wires, and the white sandy beaches to the western side are very pretty. Koh Chang has something for everyone – backpacker beaches and clubs; gogo bars in the ‘Little Pattaya’ area (but easily avoided); quiet little fishing village hideaways to escape the crowds; and family-friendly restaurants on the main beachfront.

  • Eastern Coast

Located on the eastern side of southern Thailand, these islands take a really long time to get to if you’re not flying. You can catch a coach or train to the islands, however this takes between 8 and 12 hours and is not a comfortable journey. Coaches there are usually only frequented by backpackers and hardened travelers on a budget. These three islands are pretty good for a bit of Thailand island hopping.

Koh Samui

Koh Samui is one of the more famous islands in Thailand and hence a little spoilt by tourism for some. Taking a coach from Bangkok to these islands, I can’t help but feel like some kind of dopey farm animal being herded around by shouty Thais – it just seems to have a slightly fake and money driven vibe. It’s not that bad though, and you can still easily escape this if you stay away from the main strip.

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There is plenty to do on Koh Samui for holiday makers of all backgrounds – walking streets, water sports and day tours – plus it has some lovely beaches. The island is relatively big and the roads in good condition, so it’s very easy to rent a scooter to get around yourself.  It’s also big enough to avoid the sleazy areas. Good all-rounder island.

Koh Phangnan

Koh Phangnan is a slightly more adventurous alternative to Koh Samui. Much smaller and with more wild, jungle landscapes, it’s ideal for both nature lovers and backpackers. Koh Phangnan is mostly renowned for it’s famous full moon parties and crazy backpacker parties so it tends to attract mostly younger travelers with a mission to get totally off their faces.

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It’s good fun to explore the winding, overgrown roads on a moped though, or search around for hidden secluded beaches. Koh Phangnan has some of the most beautiful beaches and is perfect for a care free holiday for groups of friends, solo travelers or couples.

Koh Tao

Koh Tao – the diver’s island. People mainly go to Koh Tao either to join a diving school, or to get drunk and party. It’s a little more laid back than Koh Phangnan and with less under-20 year old backpackers and more drunken divers of all ages. Again, it’s quite a care free island to hang out with a group of friends or meet people as a solo traveler. Despite it’s small size there is still loads of fun nightlife.

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Despite it’s reputation as an unspoilt Thai island though, I think Koh Tao is still quite touristy – it even has a bit of a tuk tuk cartel going on. I was always under the impression that Koh Tao had the best beaches in Thailand too, but it’s no better than Koh Samui or Koh Phangnan in this respect. In particular, the main beach is very disappointing and completely littered with rubbish. You can still find very beautiful beaches in Koh Tao though, don’t get me wrong.

I think it’s important to know that Koh Tao does not have the most beautiful, clear water conditions for diving either. This is a misconception. Apparently it is the best island for diving simply because of it’s abundance of diving schools – not the conditions.

  • Western Coast

Phuket

Phuket is a huge island, home to some of the best beaches in Thailand. Phuket boasts the famous Phang Nga bay, known as James Bond island, a highly popular excursion among tourists. Here, you will find picture perfect scenes right out of the brochure; however this has also made it very touristy and it’s hard to escape the crowds and the tack from the resorts.

If you don’t mind the crowds and tack – go for it; if you hate crowds and tack – track down the quieter areas of Phuket like Kata, you might still enjoy the powder white sand beaches. It’s a big island with decent roads, so it’s still possible to explore lesser known places by moped. You might have to sacrifice seclusion in Phuket, but you’ll get to see some of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand.

Phi Phi

I’m not going to lie: I haven’t been to Koh Phi Phi yet. But Koh Phi Phi is reputed to have the most beautiful beaches in Thailand. You don’t need to go there to recognize it’s famous scenes from movies like The Beach. So I hear, it’s recent fame in Hollywood movies has attracted heavy tourism which often spoils people’s experiences. I personally reckon that it would still be less touristy than Phuket but it’s best not to expect completely secluded and unspoilt beaches to avoid disappointment.

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Of course there are loads more beaches and islands in Thailand that I’ve not included in this guide. But for all the main Thai beaches and islands, I hope this helps in deciding which beach is right for you.

Bangkok To Koh Chang

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Koh Chang is home to some of the nearest beaches to Bangkok. Thailand’s second biggest island, it is located about a 4 to 5 hour journey from the capital.

A quick guide to Koh Chang

Similarly to Koh Samet, the island of Koh Chang has a much more laid back vibe compared to Thailand’s other more famous islands. If you prefer less of a tourist trap vibe, then Koh Chang is a pretty good choice for a beach holiday in Thailand. It’s not quite as ‘Thai’ as Koh Samet though, and attracts mainly foreign tourists rather than local Thai tourists.

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Where to stay in Koh Chang

The best area to stay in Koh Chang is along the northern and western coasts – these areas have the most beautiful beaches and the most activity.

To the north is White Sand Beach, the most popular resort in Koh Chang. Although this is often described as overbuilt and over-touristy, for an island in Thailand it’s really rather chilled out and tame. White Sand Beach, as you may have guessed, boasts beautiful, soft white sands and shallow waters with plenty of cool Thai bars along the beachfront. From 2900 baht per night, the Banphu Koh Chang is a great beachfront hotel on White Sand Beach.

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To the west, is Lonely Beach. Lonely Beach has much more of a backpacker vibe with some lively bars and characterful, bohemian accommodation and cafes. The beach itself is perhaps equally a beautiful as White Sand Beach, only much more peaceful without any bars along the front. The Siam Beach Resort is well located near Lonely Beach and is at a reasonable price.

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If you’re looking for a little more tranquility and romance in Koh Chang, the eastern and southern coasts offer a much more secluded atmosphere. The beaches, however, are not as conventionally beautiful as White Sand and Lonely Beach. Not as white and sandy, obvs.

Getting Around Koh Chang

The island of Koh Chang as a whole is rather big and can be quite a journey to get around. However, in my experience, Koh Chang is one of the easiest islands to get around because of the reasonably priced and regular songtaews.

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There seems to be one main road that runs through the main areas of Koh Chang and most hotels are located within easy access to it. You shouldn’t have to wait longer than 5 minutes on the main road before you find a Songtaew – they seem to charge a set price of 100 baht per person during the day (although they get a little greedier at night). Considering the size of the island though, 100 baht per person really isn’t too expensive at all for an 8km journey.

You can also rent scooters to get around on Koh Chang. The terrain is quite easy to get around by visa – unlike some of the other Thai islands, Koh Chang’s main road is in a decent condition and it doesn’t get too jungly in places. Scooters cost from around 150 baht per day.

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Things to do in Koh Chang
  • Sports – There are plenty of fun activities to keep you busy on Koh Chang: Take an ATV tour, a bike tour or head to the tree top adventure park. There are loads of water sports (scuba diving, wind surfing etc) available on the beaches as well – at much cheaper rates than many of the other Thai islands.  Many of the hotels on Koh Chang offer Kayak rental services. If you stay at a river hotel in-land, then you can paddle along the river all the way to the sea.
  • Waterfalls –  At 200 baht entry, you can go swimming in Klong Plu Waterfall – This is easily accessible via scooter
  • Charter your own boat – For larger groups, private fishing boat charters are available for around 7000 baht for the day, or for about 1600 baht per person for a shared boat. Boat trips usually include free pick up, snorkeling, fishing and an on-board lunch and fruit platter. Of course, if you charter your own boat then you’ll have a lot more flexibility to customize your own trip. Just head along to any of the travel agents on the island to book – and don’t be afraid to haggle a little.

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  • Nightlife – There are two main nightlife areas: White Sand Beach and Lonely Beach. Suitable for younger groups, Lonely beach is a little more lively with plenty of blaring dance music, casual beach clubs and random bars selling happy space cakes. In contrast, White Sand Beach is a little more slow-paced – ride the mechanical bull at the Buffalo Bill Steak House; watch live fire shows and bands at the beach front Sabai bar; or simply chill out on a futon at one of the fairy lit bars along the beach.

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An evening on White Sand Beach

How to get from Bangkok to Koh Chang

The cheapest and quickest way to get from Bangkok to Koh Chang is by bus or mini van. You can catch a bus from the Ekkamai bus terminal next to BTS Ekkamai station, or catch a mini van from the Victory Monument. If you get the cheaper bus, it costs around 200 baht, whereas the mini van costs 400 baht per journey. The mini van, however is a little faster than the public bus (you can catch mini vans every 20 minutes or so from 6am in the morning).

Whichever bus you choose to take, you’ll be dropped off in Trat. When you get off at Trat, catch a songtaew to Laem Ngop pier. Ferries run hourly throughout the day to Koh Chang from here.

If a 5 hour bus/ferry journey from Bangkok to Koh Chang sounds a little too much for you, you can always fly to Koh Chang instead.

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Shops and hostels at Lonely Beach

Bangkok To Hua Hin

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If you’re looking for a beach resort close to Thailand’s capital, Hua Hin pretty much gets the gold for being the nearest beach to Bangkok. Located on the mainland of Thailand 195 km away from Bangkok, Hua Hin is a popular escape for locals and expats from the city.

Nearest Beach To Bangkok

The beaches at Hua Hin are not the best that Thailand has to offer, and the town is not the most picturesque of places to visit in Thailand either. With a rather ugly dual carriageway noisily cutting it’s way through the middle of the town, you need to be aware that you’re not going to be getting a perfect tropical island escape in Hua Hin. However! Apart from being the nearest beach to Bangkok, Hua Hin does still have it’s perks…

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Hua Hin town is actually Thailand’s oldest seaside resort and serves proudly as the King of Thailand’s primary residence. Because of it’s royal association, Hua Hin offers a much more ‘wholesome’ and family friendly vibe, free from the go-go bars and seediness that tends to seep it’s way into the other beach resorts of Thailand.

Despite the large number of tourists that visit Hua Hin, it retains a relaxed and honest vibe, without the hassle of pushy tuk tuk drivers and stall vendors (not so many anyway). Tourists can still enjoy lazing on the beach, eating at the local restaurants, or taking excursions to the nearby National Parks and historical sites.

Where to stay in Hua Hin

Most of the restaurants, nightlife and shopping attractions are clustered together in the centre of Hua Hin town around the Hilton Hotel area:

If you want to stay centrally and be able to get around easily on foot, it pays to stay around this area of Hua Hin. From here, you can easily reach the main beach, night market, old railway station and lively restaurants. Damnoenkasem Road marks the most popular area of the beach and leads directly down to the main part of the sea front. The Hilton Hotel and Centara Grand Resort are a good choice if you have a big budget.

Getting Around Hua Hin

Some tourists rent scooters to get around the town and explore further outside, however Hua Hin can be a little more daunting to drive around than other Thailand beach resorts. This is mainly because of it’s busy traffic and intimidating multi-carriageway than runs through it. Alternatively, tuk tuks cost from a minimum of 100 baht per journey up to 300 baht per hour – you can usually find drivers hanging around popular spots around town.

To save money, you can catch a songtaew from just 10 baht per person – these are basically pickup trucks with sheltered seats in the back. Look out for the white songtaews to go to Market Village and the night market from around town. The green songtaews in Hua Hin go to the airport and Takiab mountain (Monkey Mountain).

Things to do in Hua Hin
  • Food – Naresdamri Road offers the biggest choice of restaurant and bars, ideal for tourists and expats in Hua Hin. If you’d prefer to try something a little more local and authentic, make sure to check out the cheap and cheerful Thai beer garden ‘Ruam Saeb’ on Phetkasem Road near Soi 88/2 (within walking distance to the Hua Hin Market Village).
  • Shopping – Hua Hin has plenty of night markets to check out – namely the Cicada Market, Hua Hin Night Market and the Grand Night Market. The Cicada market is the most impressive of the three. It’s located in front of the Hyatt Regency hotel and is open from 4pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only. The Cicada Market has a charming atmosphere with live performances, art exhibitions, art markets, great Thai food, and hand made products. night5web
    Hua Hin night market is open from 5pm everday and runs along Soi 72 (Dechanuchit Rd). It’s not as interesting as the Cicada Market but still offers a good Thai night market experience – be sure to check out the enchanting market square ‘Chatsila’ and sample all of the Thai treats along the way. The Grand Market is very small and not particularly aesthetically pleasing. However it is popular with locals and offers some bargain prices and good, simple Thai food. If you prefer more modern shopping, Hua Hin Market Village is a nice little shopping centre with plenty of restaurants, designer shops and a cinema on the top floor.

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    Chat Sila Night Market

  • Sightseeing – Within the town of Hua Hin, you can visit the beautiful old Hua Hin Railway station, take a trip back in time at the quirky Thai vintage village of Plearn Wan, or take in the views from Hua Hin fishing pier. A little further out of town, you can take excursions to religious sites such as ‘the biggest statue’ at Huay Mongkol Temple, the giant golden buddha of Chopstick Mountain or the Thai shrines of Turtle Hill. For a peaceful getaway, take a trip to Pala-u waterfall, or the Hua Hin Hills Vineyard and it’s highly reputed restaurant.

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    Plearn Wan Vintage Village

  • Sport – Hua Hin has ideal conditions for kite surfing: take a stroll down the main stretch of beach and you’ll find the sea buzzing with activity from kite surfers and their whirling kites. Click here to find out more about kite surfing courses with KBA. You can also go horse riding on the main beach in Hua Hin – it’s hard to miss the many guides trotting up and down the beach. Alternatively, Hua Hin Black Mountain offers some of the best golfing in Thailand as well as a great water park and wake boarding park.kite-surfer
  • Music – If visiting Hua Hin during June, make sure to visit the annual Hua Hin Jazz Festival on the beach: Relaxing atmosphere, cheap beer, good music… and it’s on a beach dammit!

How to get from Bangkok to Hua Hin

The cheapest and quickest way to get from Bangkok to Hua Hin is by minivan. Minivans depart from Bangkok to Hua Hin frequently throughout the day from Victory Monument for just 180 baht per one-way journey. If travelling by BTS skytrain, take the Sukhumvit line BTS to Victory Monument station, then exit the station via exit 2. You’ll notice Century Plaza and a load of minivans waiting at the left hand side of it.

You can purchase Bangkok to Hua Hin tickets at a little desk near the minivans. On it’s way from Bangkok to Hua Hin, the minivan will usually make one stop in Cha-am first, so make sure to listen out for your correct stop.

If money isn’t an issue for you, you may prefer to fly from Bangkok to Hua Hin instead.

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The Best Place To Stay In Bangkok

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On Holiday In Bangkok

The best place to stay in Bangkok is really dependent on each individual; whether you want to go sightseeing in the Thai temples, hang out in the trendy malls, shop in the local markets, wine and dine, or party hard with the backpackers…  Typically for tourists visiting on holiday, the best place to stay in Bangkok is the Old City of Bangkok. Silom, Sukhumvit or around the Victory Monument area are also popular areas to stay in Bangkok.

Some travellers tend to catch taxis everywhere while on holiday in Bangkok; this is fine, taxis are super cheap and easy to catch around the city after all. However, if you’re on a budget, you may prefer to stay on holiday in an area of Bangkok located along the BTS, MRT and airport link routes (the green, blue and red lines shown on the map below). The BTS skytrain is particularly impressive and worth a ride at least once anyway.

It can be difficult trying to find where to stay in Bangkok without knowing exactly where the districts, attractions or main areas of Bangkok are.

Best place to stay in Bangkok

 

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Siam (Pathum Wan district)

Siam is the trendy city centre of Bangkok and also perhaps the most expensive area to stay in Bangkok. With dozens of gigantic shopping malls full of world famous restaurants and fast food chains, it’s a shopper’s paradise. Shopping in Siam is actually more expensive than shopping in the West and it seems to be an area of Bangkok for people who like to flash their cash for the sake of it.

If you love a fashionable, cosmopolitan city scene with plenty of designer shopping and fine dining though, then Siam is for you. Siam is quite a spectacular sight – some of the streets and malls have some awesome decorations and you’ll find the ‘hi-so’ Bangkokians hanging around, very glamourously dressed, bumping into each other like moles while taking selfies on their iPhones. It’s a definite contrast to the rest of Bangkok and you won’t find the standard tourist stereotype in their Chang beer vests around Siam.

Ploenchit, Chitlom and the National Stadium area can all be included as a part of Siam, Pathum Wan. A convenient skywalk runs through part of Siam, connecting Chitlom BTS station and the Bangkok shopping malls together so you don’t even need to stray too far from the luxury of air conditioned, cooling goodness.

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Christmas lights at Amarin Plaza in Siam

Holiday budget in Siam: $$$$$

SIghtseeing in Siam: Siam Centre, Central World, Siam Square, Phallic Shrine, Erawan Shrine

Where to stay in Siam: Budget – Lub d, Mid range – Siam @ Siam Design Hotel & Spa, Five star – Hansar, Centara Grand

 

Old City (Rattanakosin):

The Old City is pretty much the polar opposite of Siam – it is extremely touristy and predominantly bohemian. Rattanakosin is the main tourist hub of the city and is the best place to stay in Bangkok for a holiday if you have any interest in history and sightseeing around the beautiful grand temples of Thailand.

There are many cheap backpacker hostels or luxurious hotels to choose from. Entertainment-wise, there is the famous market hangout, Khaosan Road, which has many crazy backpacker bars… perhaps making it the best place to stay in Bangkok to have fun mingling with other like-minded travellers.

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Grand Palace in the Old City

However, for people with an interest in more modern city life, fashion and the Bangkok nightlife; it can be a distance away from the main centre of activity and apart from buses and ferries, Rattanakosin is not a part of the sky train and subway system. Although taxis should not cost much more than 100 baht (£2 or $3) to travel to the other main areas of Bangkok, this can leave you a little stranded in rush hour times, for example between 3pm and 7pm, when many taxi drivers will likely refuse your fare to avoid getting stuck in the crazy Bangkok traffic.

Holiday budget in the Old City: $

Attractions in the Old City: Grand Palace, Wat Arun, Khaosan Road

Where to stay in the Old City: On a budget – NapPark Hostel , Mid range – Lamphu Treehouse, Luxury – Baan Noppawong

 

Victory Monument (Phayathai):

Centrally located in Bangkok only stops away from Siam, MBK, Silom and Chatuchak weekend market on the BTS, Victory monument is one of the most ideally located areas of Bangkok for both travellers and expats. Not only is there the Suvarnabhumi airport link at Phayathai, but it is also one of the main transport hubs for the buses and minibuses for any day trips around or out of Bangkok.

In the evenings, the streets come alive with Thai street stalls squeezed on the sidewalks selling food and clothing. There is wee bit of nightlife around, particularly along Rang nam Road but it is mainly aimed at Thai clientele. Phayathai is a great change from the perhaps overly touristy Old City, yet still lively and interesting enough to stay in Bangkok for a holiday.

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Holiday budget at the Victory Monument: $$$

Nightlife at the Victory Monument: Saxophone Pub, Raintree Pub, Rock Pub

Where to stay at the Victory Monument: Asia Hotel Bangkok

 

Silom (Bang Rak):

Silom could arguably be one of best places to stay in Bangkok. Attracting quite a few tourists and expats alike, it is particularly busy and lively with plenty going on 24 hours a day; everything you need is right at your doorstep. Abundant in bars and cafes, shopping boutiques, luxury apartments and palm tree lined roads, it is maybe one of the most attractive areas of Bangkok.

If visiting Thailand on holiday, the Silom area can provide an ideal place to stay in Bangkok to explore the city, for both the popular tourist attractions of the old city by taxi or ferry, as well as the more sophisticated, modern city life. Located in close proximity to the Bangkok city centre and along the main BTS sky train route, Silom is definitely a place of convenience, but there are two very different sides to Silom that some may want to be aware of.

The western side of Silom, towards the river, is relatively quiet and subdued whereas the eastern end near Sala deng BTS station (AKA Patpong) can be looked upon as a slightly seedy tourist trap if you’re not prepared for it. The Patpong area is a particularly popular area of Bangkok for the girls and the gogo bars.

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Thaniya Road, AKA ‘Japan Street’

Don’t let this put you off staying in the Eastern area of Silom though; the bustling streetwalks full of fairy-lit night stalls, cute cafes, sophisticated restaurants, modern shopping complexes and vibrant local backstreets still make it an appealing and charming area of Bangkok… So despite it’s impressively copious amount of massage parlours and brothels that come alive at night, both gay and straight, it’s still an interesting area to stay in Bangkok for other non-sex tourists!

Patpong’s ‘Japanese Street’, kind of like Bangkok’s ‘Little Japan’ filled with Tokyo style Neon signs and Japanese restaurants, is worth a visit. During the night, you will be hounded by Madams and Tuk Tuk drivers but it is still worth a look at least – It can be surprisingly entertaining to sit and eat some local Thai noodles from a street stall while watching the people go by.

Holiday budget in Silom: $$$

Where to go in Silom: Roadhouse, Sky Bar, Japan Street, Patpong Night Market, Maggie Chu’s, Hindu Temple

Where to stay in Silom: Budget – Lub d, Luxury – Hangover 2 Hotel!

 

Sathorn (Bang Rak)

Sathorn is slightly more quiet than some of the other touristy areas of Bangkok, the business district of Bangkok if you will. It is chilled out yet busy enough to be a happy medium between the bustling centre and unexciting Bangkok outskirts. For travellers who want the best of both worlds – to be in convenient, easy reach to all the points of interest but also have a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the tourist traps of Bangkok – Sathorn has it all; local life in the everyday backstreet, smokey sois as well as modern cafes, students and office workers going about business on the main street.

chinese cemetery in sathon bangkok

Towards the eastern Lumpini end of Sathorn, you can find the fancier restaurants and hotels to stay in Bangkok. The western side of Sathorn road has plenty of cheap, local places to eat and can be the best place to stay in Bangkok for people on a budget, in search of a little more peace. The western end of Sathorn is within easy walking distance to Surasak BTS to keep you connected to any other upcoming area of Bangkok. The central ferry pier is close by for access to the Old City and lively Silom is only a 10 minute walk away.

Holiday budget in Sathorn: $$ – $$$

What to do in Sathorn: Follow Me Bicycle Tours, Chinese Cemetery, Secret Garden, Lebua at State Tower

Where to stay in Sathorn: Budget – Saphaipae, Average – Heritage Hotel, luxury – Eastin Grand

 

Nana and Asoke (Sukhumvit)

The main road between Nana and Asoke is largely multicultural. It’s an odd mixture of both expats and holidaymakers; The sidewalks are teaming with street vendors selling dresses, DVDs, bags and sex toys, while the side street’s prostitutes cater to some of the sex tourists. On the other hand, you’ll find some more elegant rooftop bars, restaurants and shopping centres to keep other tastes entertained.

Some parts of the area, particularly the renowned Soi 11, are somewhat a bit of a tourist trap. Tuk tuk drivers will follow you around as if you’re a walking dollar sign and taxis will try to extort whoever they can. Although Nana and Asoke attract a mixture of types, the area is mainly appealing and more suited to the male tourists and expats. In particular, for the go go bars in Bangkok, ‘Soi Cowboy’ is one of the most famous red light district areas in Thailand for it’s choice and sheer volume of go go bars.

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Soi Cowboy

Soi Cowboy can be a pretty grisly affair for many mind! Go go bars aside, some travellers may still appreciate the huge volume of souvenir selling street vendors and suit tailors lining the hectic streets of Nana. However, if you find this sort of thing just plain irritating, then maybe this is not the area of Bangkok for you. I would not really recommend Nana as a place to stay in Bangkok for younger couples, and especially not for family holidays.

As for the location, Nana and Asoke are conveniently close to the centre of Bangkok activity and within easy reach of the main BTS route. Holiday makers can enjoy shopping at Terminal 21 and party at the huge choice of modern nightclubs, rooftop bars (read more about Soi 11 nightlife here), pubs and restaurants (including the huge American style diner, ‘Angel Diner’). Soi 11 in particular is absolutely crammed full of choice in nightlife for the average person.

Holiday budget in Nana: $$$$

Where to go in Nana: Terminal 21, Benjakiti park, Cheap Charlies, The Nest, Angel Diner

Where to stay in Nana: Budget – Asoke Montri Hostel, Mid/high – Park Plaza Bangkok, Five star – Ariyasomvilla Hotel

 

Thonglor and Ekkamai (Sukhumvit)

Thonglor, Phrom Phong and Ekkamai are the reputed ‘hi-so’ areas of Bangkok located a couple of stops past Nana and Asoke from central Siam on the BTS. This area of Bangkok is far from touristy and is home mainly to professional expats and wealthy Thais. It may be a suitable place to stay in Bangkok for business travellers more than holiday makers.

There are not many attractions for tourists and travellers per se, but Thonglor, Ekkamai and Phrom Phong may prove appealing as a good place to stay in Bangkok for food connoisseurs, people who like to wine and dine, or those who like to search out cool, laid back trendy places off the beaten track. Again, this is the complete opposite to the bohemian back packer areas of Bangkok and much more suited to travellers looking for a little more sophistication and normality.

This area of Bangkok, is Thailand’s capital city at it’s finest and most modern. There are plenty of expensive, international restaurants and pubs to more quirky, cool Thai hangouts and bars. You definitely won’t be short on places to eat, however bars and restaurants are rather spread around the area so it’s best to know your way around.

Holiday budget in Thonglor: $$$$$

Where to go in Thonglor: Tuba Bar, Banrie Coffee, Witches Tavern, Iron Fairies

Where to stay in Thonglor: Low – DS67 Suites Hotel, medium/ high – Somerset Sukhumvit Thonglor, luxury – Bangkok Marriott Hotel

 

On Nut

On Nut is located another few stops further past Ekkamai from central Bangkok. Although it is a little further out of the centre, travellers can still easy catch the BTS to get around the city.

Many people who have a connecting flight in Bangkok and need somewhere to stay for the night decide to stay in On Nut – it’s convenient as it’s closer to the outskirts in the direction of Suvarnabhumi yet still well connected with the rest of the city to make the most of a short stay there.

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On Nut Night Market & Beer Garden

Accommodation comes pretty cheaply due to On Nut’s slightly out of the way location and it manages to escape the tourist trap feel that other areas of Bangkok sometimes suffer. The atmosphere in On Nut is quite laid back and mainly home to western expats and locals.

Holiday budget in On Nut: $$

Where to go in On Nut: On Nut Night Market, Erawan Shrine (via BTS or taxi)

Where to stay in On Nut: Low – Imm Fusion Hotel

 

Wongwian Yai to Talat Phlu (Thonburi)

Thonburi is located a distance away from the centre of Bangkok, across the river that cuts through the city. However it is still in easy reach of the main sights of Bangkok if you stay in Wongwian Yai or Talat Phlu, near the BTS. Saphan Taksin main pier is only a couple of stops away on the BTS. These areas have only recently been integrated into the BTS system, so are relatively untouched by tourism compared to the rest of Bangkok.

There aren’t many foreigners around Thonburi at all. In fact, as a foreigner, you may get a few more stares and giggles from the locals around these areas. English isn’t as commonly spoken and the landscape is less built up and much more subdued, especially so at the further out Talat Plu at least.

If you want more a more authentic holiday in Thailand and less of the tourist trap games, Thonburi is where to stay in Bangkok. Accommodation, shopping and food costs are cheaper here, however atmosphere and entertainment is still a little lacking. In my opinion, Thonburi misses out on the vibrant energy and craziness (good crazy, mind) of central Bangkok.

Holiday budget in Thonburi: $

Where to go in Thonburi: Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market, The Beach bar, The Mall Thapra, King Taksin Monument

Where to stay in Thonburi: Mid – Bangkok Loft Inn

Amphawa Floating Market

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Bangkok To Amphawa

Amphawa Floating Market is located about an hour’s drive outside of Bangkok and can easily be reached direct by minibus. Out of all the many floating markets around the Bangkok area, Amphawa is perhaps one of the biggest and more popular markets among local and Thai tourists.

Amphawa Floating Market has a fantastic atmosphere: heaps of delicious food stalls and quirky clothes shops squeezed along the board walks, paddle boats parked along the sides of the canal with barbecues onboard brimming with fresh seafood, and visitors relaxing at small tables perched along the edges enjoying the cuisine… the whole environment of Amphawa is pretty relaxed and not at ally pushy or tourist trappy.

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If you class yourself as a bit of a food connoisseur, or just plain love trying different regional foods and snacks, Amphawa is ideal for tasting and nibbling as you go. Whether you sample the steamed buns, roti pancakes and all the hundreds of other Thai desserts, or eat the freshly grilled choice of seafood, river prawns and Thai dishes; you will love the eating your way along the Thai canals!

Boat tours are available at various points along the river and typically sit between four and ten passengers. Khlong boat fares are a standard price of 60 baht per person or 400 baht per group for about an hour’s ride. The boat will stop whenever you ask so that you can have a taste of the freshly cooked Thai food along the way. Food and boats… who wouldn’t like these things?

amphawa floating market

Although the standard tours from Bangkok to Amphawa tend to take passengers to the floating market in the early hours or during the daytime, the market actually get’s at it’s most interesting during the evening time. A good time to get to Amphawa Floating market is around 3pm or 4pm, while the weather is a little more mild and the crowd a little less restless.

Amphawa day trip

If you head to the market during the evening, you’ll find cosy fairy lights brightening the walkways and adding a charm and magic to the atmosphere. Live acoustic music will add to the chilled out atmosphere as it starts to sound from the hidden, laid back Thai bars. Amphawa floating market stays open until 10pm (the bars until later) so travellers can have fun cork shooting at random stalls for 10 baht; shop for hand made souvenirs, pretty clothing and quirky accessories; or relax with a beer in one of the canal-side bars and restaurants.

amphawa shopping

Amphawa, Samut Songkhran

The area of Amphawa is packed full of beautiful temples, markets* and parks and is definitely worthy of an overnight stay away from Bangkok. Transport around the town is rather lacking, however there are many boat tours available to take you to all the main sights and temples of Amphawa. Hotels can usually easily arrange these boat day tours for you.

Due to the lack of tuk tuks and songtaews, it’s best to stay close to the floating market and main hub of activity. A particularly good hotel in an ideal location right next to Amphawa floating market is Amphawa Nanon Hotel & Spa. Not only does staying overnight in a hotel Amphawa mean that you can relax in the bars along the floating market, but it also means that you can take a trip to watch the notorious fireflies of Samut Songkhran distict.

How To Get To Amphawa Floating Market

To get from Bangkok to Amphawa floating market, you can catch a mini bus from the Victory Monument station for around 100 baht one-way. The mini bus conveniently takes you directly to the market. It will drop you at a stop just next to a bridge which has steps down to the canal.

bangkok day trip

*My personal recommendation is to avoid Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. On the whole, the market is not as authentic or charming as many other floating markets and the canal is dirty, full of litter and lacking in atmosphere. In my experience, despite being quiet and less popular among tourists, Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is a pretty bad tourist trap full of unfriendly and pushy people.

Bangkok To Kanchanaburi

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A weekend in Kanchanaburi

Kanchanburi is a peaceful and picturesque area of Thailand just a two hour drive (130 km) away from Bangkok. Kanchanaburi is mainly famed for it’s historic Bridge Over The River Kwai as well as arguably boasting some of the best waterfalls in Thailand. If you’re looking to spend the weekend away to escape the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, Kanchanaburi is ideal.

Attractions and hotels in Kanchanaburi are relatively spread out from the main town area so it pays to rent a car to get around Kanchanaburi – some of the waterfalls are as far as 70 km away from the main town. Songthaews are plentiful though, and their prices are pretty reasonable.

kanchanaburi bridge over the river kwai

Although public buses are easily available in Kanchanaburi, these take a very long time and it may not be worth some people’s time if they are only staying in Thailand on holiday temporarily. Typically, a two night stay is long enough for a quick trip to Kanchanaburi.

How to get from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi

The best way to get from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi is by minibus. You can catch a mini bus for 120 baht at the Phayathai minibus station. Just take the BTS to Phayathai, follow exit signs for the Victory Monument and you will find a small station at the bottom of the steps. The minibus to Kanchanaburi only takes about two hours.

Trains and public buses are available from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi but can be unreliable and slow. You can check the bus timetable here – just make sure to head to the Southern bus terminal only as the website is a little outdated. Once you arrive in Kanchanaburi, a Songthaew will cost between 100 and 150 baht to take you to your hotel.

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Where to stay in Kanchanaburi

When booking accommodation in Kanchanaburi, it is important to look into the details of the location of the hotel. If you’re keen to explore the nightlife and restaurants of Kanchanaburi, opt for a hotel in Kanchanaburi town. The liveliest part of Kanchanaburi town is based towards the River Kwai Bridge.

Good Times Resort is located nearby the bridge and is a brand new, reasonably priced hotel with friendly staff and close proximity to the main attractions and nightlife of the main town. Even closer still, is the more luxurious Felix River Kwai Hotel.

If you’d prefer a tranquil escape in the countryside of Kanchanaburi, Royal River Kwai Resort offers a spa style getaway amongst beautiful surroundings. The Mida Resort is also located a little further into the country of Kanchanburi and offers the choice of beautiful villas, riverside camping, luxury spa and cool activities like quad biking.

Top things to do in Kanchanaburi

Take a boat ride along the river – You can charter a long-tail boat from a couple of different stops along the river, the easiest place to hire one being around the River Kwai Bridge. The Floating Restaurant located next to the bridge rents boats for 800 baht an hour and they fit up to 8 people. A trip along the river allows you to stop off at many of the attractions along the way such as caves, shrines and the famous War Cemetery.

things to do kanchanaburi guide

Explore the waterfalls – Kanchanaburi is home to dozens of waterfalls and different national parks, however the most popular waterfall among visitors and locals is Erawan National Park Waterfall. Erawan waterfall is located about 70 km away from the town centre so you will need to take a songtaew or drive. Entry costs 200 baht for non-Thais or 60 baht for expats if you bring your work permit.

The waterfall has seven tiers in total and take around a 40 minute walk through monkeys and forest to reach the top, largest waterfall. Erawan waterfall gets very busy with people swimming and sliding down the rocks so if you’d prefer a quiet, tranquil scene, then it would be best to leave as early as possible in the day. Be prepared for the badass gangs of fish in the waterfalls though, they’re pretty nibbley and some of them about as big as my arm…

erawan waterfall kanchanaburi

Visit the Bridge Over The River Kwai – Of course it wouldn’t be a trip to Kanchanaburi without a historic visit to the River Kwai Bridge. Located right in the centre of activity in the main town, you can take a ride on the train across the bridge, visit the war museum and take some photos on the bridge. If you want to beat the crowds, head there earlier in the morning rather than later.

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Things to do at night in Kanchanaburi

Make sure to check out the Kanchanaburi Night Market located next to Kanchanaburi train station on Sangchuto Road. Open from 6pm until 10pm, the Thai night market is not too big and overwhelming like some of Thailand’s other more famous markets. It’s not overly busy and attracts mainly Thais than western tourists, making the Kanchanaburi night market all the more authentic and different.

The night market sells an array of clothing, underwear and shoes at very cheap prices, much cheaper than other areas of Thailand. However, my favourite part about the Kanchanaburi night market is the multitude of super cheap food stalls selling Thai snacks, desserts and meals. If sampling Thai snacks and food excites you, you will love the night market!

The bars and nightlife of Kanchanaburi are mainly accumulated along the River Kwai Road (or, in Thai, Maenam Kwai road). All the popular tourist bars are located towards the eastern end of the River Kwai Road from the River Kwai Bridge. There are a good selection of bars from blaring dance music and backpacker-filled live reggae bars, to quieter bars with pool tables and girl bars.

For some nightlife a little more Thai-style, the River Kwai Hotel has a very cool bar at the front of the hotel complex called the Cowboy Bar. The Cowboy Bar is an open roofed bar with live Thai bands and chilled out, young Thai patrons. Staff don’t tend to speak English and the environment is a little more dressed up and calm compared to Maenam Kwai road.

The hotel also has a nightclub called Glitzy, a very popular nightclub in Kanchanaburi which has live bands every night. The music at Glitzy is mainly Thai and the club attracts a very young crowd.

Bangkok to Koh Samet

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bangkok to koh samet

Best beach near Bangkok

In my opinion, Koh Samet is a somewhat underrated island in Thailand. Not only is it only a 2 1/2 to 3 hour drive from Bangkok to Koh Samet, but I think the beaches are just as beautiful as the further away islands of Thailand such as Koh Samui and Koh Phangnan. For the best beach near Bangkok, if you’re looking for expat day trip ideas or beach breaks for tourists in Thailand, Koh Samet is a great option.

Many of the more famous islands of Thailand can sometimes be a little too touristy, taking away from the Thai culture and way of life. However Koh Samet is a very popular island in Thailand with local Thais who visit on the weekends to escape city life in Bangkok and just chill out on the beaches. This gives it a really different, special vibe to the other Thai islands and makes Koh Samet much more laid back and real.

Bangkok to koh samet

Where to stay in Koh Samet

Koh Samet is not an island for sightseeing and temples; it is a notorious island for simply relaxing on the beach, eating and drinking. There are still many water sports to try along the shores though. When looking for hotels to stay in Koh Samet, bare in mind that accommodation on all of the Thai islands is quite a lot more expensive than northern mainland Thailand and Bangkok.

Sai Kaew Beach

Sai Kaew Beach (pronounced Sai Gaew) is the most popular area of Koh Samet in the main town to the North Eastern end of the island. The sea is clear with soft white sand beaches and a huge choice of restaurants and bars along the sea front. Sai Kaew beach is great for groups of friends and couples with plenty of nightlife including open-air clubs and beach bars with bean bags lining the beach. Sai Kaew is where many young Thais from Bangkok spend their weekend to let their hair down and it has a fun and carefree atmosphere. Nice, clean, reasonable priced hotels at Sai Kaew are Chilli Hotel from only 800 baht per room and the Lima Bella Resort from 1600 baht per room

Wong Deuan beach

Wong Deuan is another popular main beach of Koh Samet only it has a slightly more sophisticated reputation with less vodka buckets than Sai Kaew. The beach at Wong Deuan is arguably not as nice and less clean than others on the island though. Vongdeuan Resort provides the best value accommodation in Wong Deuan and offers reputable and charming mid-range cottages to stay from only 1400 baht.

Ao Prao and Ao Kiu Na Nok beaches

Ao Prao and Ao Kiu Na Nok are contrastingly more secluded and peaceful than the other beaches of Koh Samet, arguably offering the best beach near Bangkok. Ao Prao is along the West of Koh Samet and Ao Kiu Na Nok is to the southern end. Accommodation is more expensive in these areas and the atmosphere is much more quiet for an exclusive, romantic getaway. Ao Prao Resort is a beautiful hotel to stay in at Ao Prao or the luxurious Paradee Resort is ideal for honeymooners or special occasions.

best beach near bangkok

Bangkok to Koh Samet

Firstly, you will need to head from Bangkok to Rayong. You can get from Bangkok to Rayong by bus for only 170 baht from Ekkamai bus station. Ekkamai bus station is located right at the bottom of Ekkamai BTS station. Buses leave hourly from 8am and the journey takes about 4 hours.

However a slightly quicker alternative to this is taking the minibus from Bangkok to Rayong from Victory Monument for around 200 baht. This takes around 3 hours instead. To take the minibus from Victory Monument to Rayong, take the BTS to Phayathai and take exit 4. At the bottom of the stairs turn back on yourself until you find a row of buses.

All buses and minibuses from Bangkok to Rayong stop directly opposite Ban Phe pier. You can catch either a ferry (45 minute ride for 100 baht) or a speed boat (20 minute ride for 250 baht) at the pier every hour from 8am until 6pm. The main ferry to Samet takes you to Nadan Pier near Sai Kaew. The speed boat ferry to Koh Samet also stops at Nadan pier but can also drop you directly at the shore of your preferred resort.

 

Thailand Tourist Visa

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What Visa should I get to go to Thailand?

If you are planning on visiting Thailand for a simple short-term holiday, a Tourist Visa will normally provide a long enough length of stay (up to six months) for most people. Also, it depends on what country your passport was issued in (scroll below for a full list), but most Passport holders can stay in Thailand for up to 90 days without even having to apply for a Thai Visa all thanks to the Visa Exemption Rule in Thailand.

Want to skip the boring details? Take a gander below at Entering Thailand Without A Visa.

How do I apply for a Thailand Visa?

If you are from one of the below listed countries, you do not need to apply for a Tourist Visa before departing for your holiday to Thailand under the Visa Exemption Rule. You do absolutely nothing, immigration will simply issue you with an arrival card and stamp on arrival at the airport in Thailand. The only catch is that you cannot stay in Thailand for longer than 30 days at a time. This means you need to cross the border, get your passport stamped and re-enter every 30 days, but this isn’t usually a problem for travellers planning on exploring the neighbouring countries such as Laos, Malaysia and Cambodia anyway.

Providing you leave Thailand every 30 days, you can stay for a maximum total of 90 days within a 6 month period without a Thai Visa. It may be worth noting though, that if you first enter Thailand at a border crossing rather than an International Airport, your Visa will only allow you a stay of 15 days, rather than 30 days.

What about a Thailand Tourist Visa?

The only time you will need to apply for a Tourist Visa in advance, is if you are only booking one-way flights and don’t have any other proof of onward travel out of Thailand. Some airlines may have a problem with this and refuse to allow you to fly. Another advantage of applying for a Tourist Visa in advance, is that you will be permitted to stay in Thailand for the first 60 days instead of 30 without leaving.

This means that if you apply for a triple entry Thailand Tourist Visa in advance for around £75, you can stay for a total of 6 months instead of 90 days – as long as you exit and re-enter Thailand every 60 days. Either way, in this case, you need to make sure to apply for your Thai Tourist Visa at your local Thai consulate at least a week or two in advance – Most Thai consulates generally take no more than a few days to process Thailand Visa applications. You can also apply in person if running low on time, this typically only takes up to an hour.

Entering Thailand without a Thai Visa

  • Obtain an entry stamp and arrival card after landing at the airport in Thailand
  • Leave the country or cross the border within 30 days of arrival in Thailand
  • You can exit and re-enter Thailand up to 3 times for a maximum stay of 90 days
  • Must provide proof of adequate finances, for example cash of at least 10,000 baht per person
  • Must have at least 6 months passport validity
  • Must have proof of onward travel within 30 days of arrival in Thailand. For example a return flight ticket or train ticket out of Thailand
  • Passport must be issued by one the listed countries below

Countries under the Visa Exemption Rule in Thailand

  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Bahrain
  • Belgium
  • Brazil
  • Brunei
  • Canada
  • Chile
  • Denmark
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hong Kong
  • Iceland
  • Indonesia
  • Ireland
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Korea
  • Kuwait
  • Laos
  • Luxembourg
  • Macau
  • Malaysia
  • Monaco
  • Mongolia
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Oman
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Portugal
  • Qatar
  • Russia
  • Singapore
  • South Africa
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Turkey
  • United Arab Emirates
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
  • Vietnam

Alternatively, anybody planning on acquiring a Non-tourist Visa in Thailand must apply in advance. You can read more about staying in Thailand long-term and other Thailand Visas here.

What To Do In Pai

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what to do in pai

What Is Pai?!

Pai (pronounced more like ‘Bai’) is a tiny, chilled out town situated in the mountains near Chiang mai in Thailand, popular among backpackers and the more bohemian crowd. What to do in Pai… there is not actually much activity-wise in Pai in the way of attractions or typical Thai sights. Though, Pai is a great place to travel in Thailand for a peaceful, creative or meditative Thai getaway… or simply a hangout for younger groups of friends in the many bars and cafes. Pai is not really a place to stay in Thailand for a family holiday though and it also does not usually require more than a day or two to explore when on holiday in Thailand.

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Pai is relatively overpopulated by travellers these days and I think has possibly lost some of it’s past Thai charm for some. The town of Pai itself is pretty small and cute – probably about a 10 minute walk from one side to the other, with it’s own daily walking street where you can pick up some very creative and quirky Pai postcards, paintings and souvenirs. However clothing is kind of limited to tie-dyed clothing styles.

How to get to Pai

You can travel by bus from Chiang mai to Pai from Arcade bus station for around 100 baht. This would involve catching an overpriced tuktuk or songtaew out of the centre of Chiang mai though, so in my opinion it may well be just as cheap but more convenient to travel via the hourly minibus to Pai for around 190 baht. This involves hotel pickup and most Chiang mai guesthouses or the many travel agents can arrange this for you.The journey to Pai takes 3 hours and be warned, it is quite unpleasantly stomache churning on the windy Thai mountain roads, even when broken up by the 20 minute break in the middle.

reggae hut

It is best to rent a scooter in Pai to travel and explore the surrounding scenery. AYA is not hard to miss in the centre of town and charge as little as 100 baht for a scooter with a voluntary charge of 80 baht for insurance. If you can’t think what to do in Pai, a scooter gives you the flexibility to travel outside of town.

If you wish to drive yourself to Chiangmai from Pai, you can pay AYA 500 baht so you can drop it there instead and have your luggage transported back to Chiangmai separately. AYA also provide travel services outside of Pai and charge 150 baht for a minibus trip to Chiangmai.

Where To Stay in Pai

As a guide, you can stay in Pai in a hostel for as little as 200 baht per night, in particular Mae Yen is a great choice for travellers on a budget. Otherwise you can find some very good value luxury accommodation to stay in the most idealic Thai settings. Baan Tawaan Guesthouse is a good choice of mid range accommodation within easy walking distance to shops and bars of Pai town. Alternatively, you can camp in the peaceful setting outside of town at Pai Tree House from 300 baht per night or stay in a quirky Thai treehouse from 500 baht per night… or rent a luxurious family sized villa within the beautiful grounds there. Be sure to visit their unusual cafe, Love Pai Strawberry too.

What To Do In Pai

  • Pai is most renowned for it’s white water rafting during  the season of June to February, so this would probably be at the top of the guide of what to do in pai. Rafting packages take from 1 to 3 days and costs start from 1600 baht with Thairafting.com.
  • Train at a Muay Thai camp – there is a particularly good, farang-friendly Muay Thai training camp called Charn Chai. Be prepared though, Muay Thai is tough; it is not for the feint hearted but this team in Pai have a reputation for being particularly welcoming and kind.
  • Go trekking in the untouched Mae Hong Son forests or take a hill tribe guided tour.
  • Try the many yoga and meditation lessons in Pai.
  • If you can’t decide what to do in town, explore the mountainous surroundings of Pai – Hire a scooter and travel to the attractions like Pai Canyon, Memorial Bridge, Hot spings and waterfalls while admiring the tropical Pai scenery along the way.

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