{"id":11067,"date":"2021-04-20T13:34:31","date_gmt":"2021-04-20T13:34:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/?p=11067"},"modified":"2026-07-25T08:17:08","modified_gmt":"2026-07-25T08:17:08","slug":"thailand-country-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/thailand-country-guide","title":{"rendered":"Thailand Country Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Inspiring books and films across the world, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/country\/thailand\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Thailand<\/a> might be the most popular of the South East Asian holiday destinations, but it\u2019s not without good reason. The surfeit of idyllic, coconut-strewn <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/thai-islands-beaches-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">beaches and hidden islands<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/khao-sok-national-park-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">colourful jungles<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/bangkok-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">vibrant metropolises<\/a>, have long held fascination with travellers, and the combination of tropical and laidback, frenetic and exciting (and don\u2019t forget the history and food) is magical. So, where to start? Delve into our all-encompassing Thailand country guide and start planning your own Thai escape.<\/p>\n<h2>Thailand at a glance<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Two halves to the country:<\/strong> the centre and north for culture, history and food; the south and the islands for beaches, diving and jungle.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Main gateway:<\/strong> Bangkok, whose international airport has become one of the busiest hubs in Asia.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Gateway to the north:<\/strong> Chiang Mai, reachable from Bangkok in 2 hours by plane, 10 hours by bus or 11-15 hours by train.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Gateways to the south:<\/strong> Phuket and Krabi, with ferries and speedboats onward to most of the islands.<\/li>\n<li><strong>For history:<\/strong> Ayutthaya, the UNESCO-listed ancient capital of Siam, and Kanchanaburi for Thailand\u2019s WWII story.<\/li>\n<li><strong>For quiet beaches:<\/strong> Koh Yao Noi, Koh Lanta and off-the-radar Koh Kood.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Beyond the beach:<\/strong> Khao Sok National Park, where jungle-topped karsts replace sand and sea.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Where to go in Thailand<\/h2>\n<table style=\"width:100%; border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid #ddd;\">\n<thead>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #f5f5f0;\">\n<th style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px 12px; text-align: left;\">Destination<\/th>\n<th style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px 12px; text-align: left;\">Best for<\/th>\n<th style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px 12px; text-align: left;\">Getting there<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px 12px;\">Bangkok<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px 12px;\">Floating markets, street food, tranquil temples<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px 12px;\">International flights; Thailand\u2019s main hub<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #fafaf7;\">\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px 12px;\">Ayutthaya<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px 12px;\">Ancient temples and monasteries, UNESCO World Heritage Site<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px 12px;\">Just over an hour by train from Bangkok<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px 12px;\">Kanchanaburi<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px 12px;\">WWII history and the infamous bridge<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px 12px;\">3 hours by train from Bangkok<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #fafaf7;\">\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px 12px;\">Chiang Mai<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px 12px;\">Cooking classes, markets, massages, preserved temples<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px 12px;\">2 hours by plane, 10 hours by bus or 11-15 hours by train from Bangkok<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px 12px;\">Chiang Rai<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px 12px;\">Breathtaking surrounding landscapes<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px 12px;\">3-4.5 hours by bus or 3 hours by private car from Chiang Mai<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #fafaf7;\">\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px 12px;\">Krabi &amp; Khao Lak<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px 12px;\">Limestone karsts, snorkelling, kayaking, small fishing villages<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px 12px;\">Krabi has its own airport; Khao Lak is 1.5-2 hours from Phuket<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px 12px;\">Phuket<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px 12px;\">Luxury resorts and easy island access<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px 12px;\">Busy airport with local and international flights<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #fafaf7;\">\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px 12px;\">Koh Samui<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px 12px;\">Quiet beaches, rainforest, waterfalls, five-star spas<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px 12px;\">Own airport with flights from Bangkok and Phuket<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px 12px;\">Koh Yao Noi<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px 12px;\">Serious peace and quiet<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px 12px;\">Boat only: 30 minutes to 2 hours from Krabi or Phuket<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #fafaf7;\">\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px 12px;\">Koh Lanta<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px 12px;\">Laid-back island days<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px 12px;\">Around 2 hours by ferry from Krabi<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px 12px;\">Koh Kood<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px 12px;\">Getting totally off the beaten track<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px 12px;\">5-hour drive from Bangkok to Laem Sok Pier, then a 1-hour boat<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #fafaf7;\">\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px 12px;\">Khao Sok National Park<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px 12px;\">Jungle-topped karsts, wild flora, unusual birds and beasts<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px 12px;\">2-3 hours by car or bus from Phuket Airport<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<div id=\"attachment_11087\" style=\"width: 1430px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/chiang-mai-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11087\" class=\"wp-image-11087 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2021\/04\/Chang-mai-Thailand-kodak.jpg\" alt=\"Thailand country guide\" width=\"1420\" height=\"947\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=900,height=600,fit=crop,quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2021\/04\/Chang-mai-Thailand-kodak.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1439,height=960,fit=crop,quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2021\/04\/Chang-mai-Thailand-kodak.jpg 1439w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=375,height=250,fit=crop,quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2021\/04\/Chang-mai-Thailand-kodak.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=450,height=300,fit=crop,quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2021\/04\/Chang-mai-Thailand-kodak.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=768,height=512,fit=crop,quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2021\/04\/Chang-mai-Thailand-kodak.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2021\/04\/Chang-mai-Thailand-kodak.jpg 1420w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1420px) 100vw, 1420px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-11087\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lamplit Buddhist ceremony in Chiang Mai<\/p><\/div>\n<h2>Central Thailand and the north<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/country\/thailand\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Thailand\u2019s<\/a> central and northern regions are a riot of culture, history and incredible cuisine. We hate to sound clich\u00e9, but the phrase, \u2018there really is something for everyone\u2019, most certainly rings true up here! The capital <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/bangkok-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bangkok<\/a> is just as you might imagine \u2013 loud, vivacious and glittering \u2013 and whilst it can be initially overwhelming, give the city a chance and you\u2019ll quickly fall in love. Take a boat out to explore the floating markets, hit the pavements to discover the famous street food scene, and wander amongst the tranquil temples. When the glitz and gold gets too much, head into the far north of the country and slow down in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/chiang-mai-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chiang Mai<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/chiang-rai-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chiang Rai<\/a>. Chiang Mai, with its beautifully preserved temples and elaborate historical architecture, will draw you in with its promise of cooking classes, markets and massages whereas Chiang Rai will take your breath away with the beauty of the surrounding landscapes. Then there\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/kanchanaburi-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kanchanaburi<\/a>. Set near the border of Myanmar, the town and the infamous bridge will be on your radar if you\u2019re looking to find out more about Thailand\u2019s role in WWII. The hard truths aren\u2019t glossed over here and the area serves as a powerful memorial. Finally, history buffs need look no further than <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/ayutthaya-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ayutthaya<\/a>, the ancient capital of Siam. This former trading port is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is packed with ancient temples and monasteries and surrounded by picture-perfect rice paddies and waterways.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;Bangkok can feel overwhelming when you first arrive \u2014 it&#8217;s loud and glittering and comes at you all at once. Give the city a chance and you&#8217;ll fall in love with it: the floating markets, the street food scene, and the tranquil temples tucked in between.&#8221;<br \/>\n<strong>\u2014 Meagan Yash, Asia travel specialist<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3>How do I do it?<\/h3>\n<p>The international airport in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/bangkok-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bangkok<\/a> has become one of the busiest hubs in Asia and needless to say, you won\u2019t have trouble finding your way here. For the far north, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/chiang-mai-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chiang Mai<\/a> is the gateway and is reachable from Bangkok by train (11-15 hours), bus (10 hours) or more speedily by plane (<strong>2 hours<\/strong>). Travelling by train or bus is a fantastic way to see the picturesque, rural landscapes of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/country\/thailand\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Thailand<\/a> but if you\u2019re in a hurry, the option of a flight is usually there to fall back on. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/chiang-rai-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chiang Rai<\/a> is a little trickier to get to but options from Chiang Mai include buses (3-4.5 hours) or private cars (3 hours). <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/kanchanaburi-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kanchanaburi<\/a> is easily reached from Bangkok by train and takes a mere 3 hours; perhaps a tad far for a day trip, but there are some beautiful spots to stay overnight. Lastly, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/ayutthaya-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ayutthaya<\/a> is located not far from Bangkok and will take just over an hour on a train from the capital.<\/p>\n<h3>Where do I start?<\/h3>\n<p>Our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/trip\/discover-thailand-s-history\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Discover Thailand&#8217;s History trip<\/a> is the perfect way to explore the country\u2019s cultural heart, leading you through every single one of the above hotspots in an all-singing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/country\/thailand\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Thailand<\/a> experience. With a full 13 nights spent getting under the skin of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/ayutthaya-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ayutthaya<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/kanchanaburi-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kanchanaburi<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/bangkok-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bangkok<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/chiang-mai-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chiang Mai<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/chiang-rai-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chiang Rai<\/a>, you\u2019ll be sure to return home packed to the gills with Thai history and full of that delicious northern cuisine.<\/p>\n<div id=\"timbuktu_shortcode\" class=\"alternate is-active\"><div id=\"timbuktu-wp\"><link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css?family=Merriweather:700|Open+Sans:300,600\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/chiang-mai-trip?action=DesignATrip&wId=001&regionName=Chiang%20Mai&regionId=298\" class=\"no_underline timbuktu-test-class\" target=\"_blank\"><div class=\"timbuktu_banner_container image-included\"><div class=\"timbuktu_banner_layout_minimal\"><div class=\"timbuktu_banner\" data-entity-type=\"region\" data-country-id=\"60\" data-region-id=\"298\" >\n                    <figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/regions\/kodak_images\/000\/000\/298\/original\/Chang-mai-Thailand-Timbuktu-h1.jpg?w=150&h=150&auto=format&fit=min&dpr=2&q=50&crop=left center\"data-country-id=\"60\" data-region-id=\"298\" class=\"timbuktu_minimal_image\" alt=\"Chiang Mai Image\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"timbuktu_banner_copy\"><div class=\"timbuktu_banner_heading\">Chiang Mai<\/div><div class=\"timbuktu_button\" style=\"background-color:#128d8d\">Learn more<\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<div id=\"timbuktu_shortcode\" class=\"alternate is-active\"><div id=\"timbuktu-wp\"><link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css?family=Merriweather:700|Open+Sans:300,600\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/country\/thailand?action=DesignATrip&wId=001&countryName=Thailand&countryId=60\" class=\"no_underline timbuktu-test-class\" target=\"_blank\"><div class=\"timbuktu_banner_container image-included\"><div class=\"timbuktu_banner \" data-entity-type=\"country\" data-country-id=\"60\">\n                    <figure><img src=https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/countries\/kodak_images\/000\/000\/060\/original\/Koh-yao-noi-Thailand-Timbuktu-hc.jpg?w=500&h=634&auto=format&fit=min&dpr=2&q=50&crop=center center data-country-id=\"60\" class=\"timbuktu_desktop_image\" alt=\"Thailand Image\"><img src=https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/countries\/kodak_images\/000\/000\/060\/original\/Koh-yao-noi-Thailand-Timbuktu-hc.jpg?w=768&h=309&auto=format&fit=min&dpr=1&q=50&crop=center center data-country-id=\"60\" class=\"timbuktu_mobile_image\" alt=\"Thailand Image\"><\/figure><div class=\"timbuktu_banner_copy\"><span class=\"timbuktu_destination\" style=\"color:#128d8d\">Thailand<\/span><div class=\"timbuktu_banner_heading\">Design your own trip<\/div>\n                        <span class=\"timbuktu_works\">Choose a destination, pick your properties and we'll do the rest<\/span>\n                        <div class=\"timbuktu_button\" style=\"background-color:#128d8d\">Design a trip<\/div>\n                        \n                    <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_11070\" style=\"width: 1430px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/koh-samui-trip\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11070\" class=\"wp-image-11070 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2021\/04\/Koh-Samui-Thailand-blog-kodak.jpg\" alt=\"Thailand country guide\" width=\"1420\" height=\"947\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=900,height=600,fit=crop,quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2021\/04\/Koh-Samui-Thailand-blog-kodak.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1439,height=960,fit=crop,quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2021\/04\/Koh-Samui-Thailand-blog-kodak.jpg 1439w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=375,height=250,fit=crop,quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2021\/04\/Koh-Samui-Thailand-blog-kodak.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=450,height=300,fit=crop,quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2021\/04\/Koh-Samui-Thailand-blog-kodak.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=768,height=512,fit=crop,quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2021\/04\/Koh-Samui-Thailand-blog-kodak.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=50,format=auto\/https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/2021\/04\/Koh-Samui-Thailand-blog-kodak.jpg 1420w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1420px) 100vw, 1420px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-11070\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Explore the lush and languid bays of Koh Samui<\/p><\/div>\n<h2>The south and the islands<\/h2>\n<p>Dreaming of turquoise waters and endless beaches? The south and its megawatt islands are for you. Here, you\u2019ll find the palm fringed coves, pristine dive spots, and powder-soft sands you\u2019ve been dreaming of. First up is the mainland, and lovely <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/krabi-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Krabi<\/a>, a place of emerald seas and jutting limestone karsts where snorkelling and kayaking is a must, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/khao-lak-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Khao Lak<\/a>, a collection of small fishing villages and a smattering of pretty beaches. Onto the islands and you\u2019ll undoubtedly have heard of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/phuket-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Phuket<\/a>, the most well-known of the isles, and whilst it may have incurred its fair share of negative press over the years, there are still magical places to discover and luxury resorts to indulge in. For serious peace and quiet, look no further than <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/koh-yao-noi-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Koh Yao Noi<\/a>, or laid-back <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/koh-lanta-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Koh Lanta<\/a>, or get totally off the beaten track on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/koh-kood-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Koh Kood<\/a>, an under-the-radar island off the east coast of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/country\/thailand\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Thailand<\/a>, right next to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/country\/cambodia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cambodian<\/a> border. And there\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/koh-samui-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Koh Samui<\/a>. A much-visited spot that\u2019s a favourite for all the right reasons, the island has everything from quiet beaches to lush rainforests, waterfalls ripe for swimming and a host of five-star spas \u2013 and a healthy nightlife scene if that\u2019s your cup of tea. And, if sun, sea and sand isn\u2019t quite what you\u2019re looking for, try <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/khao-sok-national-park-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Khao Sok National Park<\/a>. Truly paradise found, you\u2019ll discover the raw beauty of Thailand amongst the jungle-topped karsts, an immense collection of wild flora, and all manner of unusual birds and beasts.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;If sun, sea and sand isn&#8217;t quite what you&#8217;re looking for, Khao Sok is where I&#8217;d send you. It&#8217;s paradise found \u2014 the raw beauty of Thailand amongst jungle-topped karsts, with wild flora and all manner of unusual birds and beasts.&#8221;<br \/>\n<strong>\u2014 Meagan Yash, Asia travel specialist<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3>How do I do it?<\/h3>\n<p>Both <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/phuket-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Phuket<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/krabi-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Krabi<\/a> serve as excellent southern hubs with their busy airports and good selection of local and international flights, and most of the islands are easily reached from one of the two, usually by ferry. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/koh-yao-noi-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Koh Yao Noi<\/a> feels like an island adventure from the off, given that it can only be reached by boat. You can travel here from either Krabi or Phuket, by speedboat or ferry, and it will take between 30 minutes and 2 hours. For <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/koh-lanta-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Koh Lanta<\/a>, it\u2019s a ferry from Krabi, and once you get going (sometimes there\u2019s a bit of a wait), it will take around 2 hours. The trickiest to get to is probably <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/koh-kood-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Koh Kood<\/a>, but a 5-hour drive will take you from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/bangkok-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bangkok<\/a> to Laem Sok Pier, and from there it\u2019s just a one hour boat journey to the island. If you\u2019re short on time and in need of an accessible paradise, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/koh-samui-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Koh Samui<\/a> has its own airport with flights to and from Bangkok and Phuket. On the mainland, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/khao-lak-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Khao Lak<\/a> is just 80km north of Phuket and a 1.5 \u2013 2 hour car or bus journey, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/khao-sok-national-park-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Khao Sok National Park<\/a> is also easily reachable by car or bus from Phuket Airport, taking between 2-3 hours.<\/p>\n<h3>Where do I start?<\/h3>\n<p>Our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/trip\/explore-the-rainforests-beaches-of-thailand\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Explore the Rainforests &amp; Beaches of Thailand trip<\/a> will give you time to discover the delightful chaos of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/bangkok-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bangkok<\/a> before whisking you off to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/khao-sok-national-park-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Khao Sok National Park<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/thai-islands-beaches-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">beaches and islands<\/a> for a spot of down time. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/trip\/the-best-of-thailand-from-north-to-south\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Best of Thailand from North to South<\/a> is one of our favourite Thai trips and combines the tranquillity and culture of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/chiang-rai-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chiang Rai<\/a> with the buzz of Bangkok and the laidback ease of the beaches. A perfect blend if you ask us.<\/p>\n<div id=\"timbuktu_shortcode\" class=\"alternate is-active\"><div id=\"timbuktu-wp\"><link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css?family=Merriweather:700|Open+Sans:300,600\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/koh-samui-trip?action=DesignATrip&wId=001&regionName=Koh%20Samui&regionId=307\" class=\"no_underline timbuktu-test-class\" target=\"_blank\"><div class=\"timbuktu_banner_container image-included\"><div class=\"timbuktu_banner_layout_minimal\"><div class=\"timbuktu_banner\" data-entity-type=\"region\" data-country-id=\"60\" data-region-id=\"307\" >\n                    <figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/regions\/kodak_images\/000\/000\/307\/original\/Koh-Samui-Thailand-Timbuktu-h1.jpg?w=150&h=150&auto=format&fit=min&dpr=2&q=50&crop=center center\"data-country-id=\"60\" data-region-id=\"307\" class=\"timbuktu_minimal_image\" alt=\"Koh Samui Image\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"timbuktu_banner_copy\"><div class=\"timbuktu_banner_heading\">Koh Samui<\/div><div class=\"timbuktu_button\" style=\"background-color:#128d8d\">Learn more<\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<h2>Thailand FAQs<\/h2>\n<h3>What is the best way to travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?<\/h3>\n<p>You have three options: a 2-hour flight, a 10-hour bus, or a train that takes between 11 and 15 hours. Travelling overland by train or bus is a fantastic way to see the picturesque, rural landscapes of Thailand, but if you\u2019re short on time the flight is always there to fall back on.<\/p>\n<h3>Which are the quietest islands in Thailand?<\/h3>\n<p>For serious peace and quiet, head to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/koh-yao-noi-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Koh Yao Noi<\/a>, which can only be reached by boat, or laid-back <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/koh-lanta-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Koh Lanta<\/a>. To get totally off the beaten track, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/koh-kood-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Koh Kood<\/a> sits under the radar off Thailand\u2019s east coast, right next to the Cambodian border.<\/p>\n<h3>How do you get to the Thai islands?<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/phuket-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Phuket<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/krabi-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Krabi<\/a> are the two southern hubs, both with busy airports and a good selection of local and international flights. Most of the islands are reached from one of the two by ferry or speedboat. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/koh-samui-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Koh Samui<\/a> is the exception, with its own airport served by flights from Bangkok and Phuket.<\/p>\n<h3>Is Phuket still worth visiting?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes. Phuket is the most well-known of the isles and has incurred its fair share of negative press over the years, but there are still magical places to discover and luxury resorts to indulge in. It also works well as a base, since ferries run from here to most of the surrounding islands.<\/p>\n<h3>Where should I go in Thailand for history?<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/ayutthaya-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ayutthaya<\/a>, the ancient capital of Siam, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site packed with temples and monasteries and surrounded by rice paddies and waterways. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/kanchanaburi-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kanchanaburi<\/a>, near the Myanmar border, is the place to understand Thailand\u2019s role in WWII \u2013 the hard truths aren\u2019t glossed over and the area serves as a powerful memorial.<\/p>\n<h3>What is there to do in Thailand besides the beaches?<\/h3>\n<p>Plenty. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/khao-sok-national-park-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Khao Sok National Park<\/a> offers jungle-topped karsts, wild flora and unusual birds and beasts. In the north, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/chiang-mai-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chiang Mai<\/a> is known for cooking classes, markets and massages, while <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/bangkok-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bangkok<\/a> delivers floating markets, street food and temples.<\/p>\n<h3>How long do you need in Thailand?<\/h3>\n<p>It depends how much of the country you want to cover. Our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/trip\/discover-thailand-s-history\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Discover Thailand&#8217;s History trip<\/a> spends 13 nights working through Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi, Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. If you want to combine north and south, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/trip\/the-best-of-thailand-from-north-to-south\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Best of Thailand from North to South<\/a> pairs Chiang Rai and Bangkok with the beaches.<\/p>\n<h3>Which trip combines Thailand\u2019s jungles and beaches?<\/h3>\n<p>Our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/trip\/explore-the-rainforests-beaches-of-thailand\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Explore the Rainforests &amp; Beaches of Thailand trip<\/a> starts with the delightful chaos of Bangkok before moving on to Khao Sok National Park and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/region\/thai-islands-beaches-trip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">beaches and islands<\/a> for some down time.<\/p>\n<div id=\"timbuktu_shortcode\" class=\"alternate is-active\"><div id=\"timbuktu-wp\"><link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css?family=Merriweather:700|Open+Sans:300,600\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/wizard\/start?action=StartTheWizard&wId=001\" class=\"no_underline timbuktu-test-class\" target=\"_blank\"><div class=\"timbuktu_banner_container image-included\"><div class=\"timbuktu_banner \" data-entity-type=\"country\" data-country-id=\"10000001\">\n                    <figure><img src=https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/images\/affiliate\/start-africa-safari-wizard-timbuktu-travel.jpg?w=500&h=634&auto=format&fit=min&dpr=2&q=50&crop=center center data-country-id=\"10000001\" class=\"timbuktu_desktop_image\" alt=\"Wizard Image\"><img src=https:\/\/assets.timbuktutravel.com\/images\/affiliate\/start-africa-safari-wizard-timbuktu-travel.jpg?w=768&h=309&auto=format&fit=min&dpr=1&q=50&crop=center center data-country-id=\"10000001\" class=\"timbuktu_mobile_image\" alt=\"Wizard Image\"><\/figure><div class=\"timbuktu_banner_copy\"><div class=\"timbuktu_banner_heading\">Not sure where to go?<\/div>\n                        <span class=\"timbuktu_works\">Answer a few simple questions to get instant trip recommendations<\/span>\n                        <div class=\"timbuktu_button\" style=\"background-color:#128d8d\">Start the wizard<\/div>\n                        \n                    <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The land of dreamy isles, antique cities and seriously good food<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":11069,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[112],"tags":[2139,5125,4502,3442,5122,5123,4845,2549,5126,1344,1503,5124,5128,5134,5132,5131,5133,5130,5127,5129,5120],"class_list":["post-11067","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guides","tag-adventure","tag-ayutthaya","tag-beaches","tag-boat-trip","tag-chiang-mai","tag-chiang-rai","tag-country-planning-guides","tag-culture","tag-discover-thailands-history","tag-family","tag-food","tag-kanchanaburi","tag-khao-lak","tag-khao-sok-national-park","tag-koh-kood","tag-koh-lanta","tag-koh-samui","tag-koh-yao-noi","tag-krabi","tag-phuket","tag-thailand"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The ultimate Thailand country guide - Timbuktu Travel<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Thailand&#039;s combination of coconut-strewn beaches and hidden islands, colourful jungles, vibrant metropolises and lip-smacking food is pure magic. 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