Plan Your Trip
Need to Know
When to Go
High Season Nov–Mar
oA cool and dry season follows the monsoons.
oChristmas and New Year’s holidays bring crowds and inflated rates.
Shoulder Season Apr–Jun, Sep & Oct
oApril to June is very hot and dry. Coastal areas get natural sea-breeze air-con.
oSeptember and October are ideal for the north and the gulf coast.
Low Season Jul–Oct
oMonsoon season ranges from afternoon showers to major flooding.
oSome islands shut down; boat service is limited during stormy weather.
oRain is usually in short, intense bursts.
Daily Costs
Budget: Less than 1000B
oBasic guesthouse room: 600–1000B
oMarket/street stall meal: 40–100B
oSmall bottle of beer: 100B
oPublic transport around town: 20–50B
Midrange: 1000–4000B
oFlashpacker guesthouse or midrange hotel room: 1000–4000B
oWestern lunches and seafood dinner: 150–350B
oOrganised tour or activity: 1000–1500B
oMotorbike hire: 150–250B
Top End: More than 4000B
oBoutique hotel room: 4000B
oMeal at fine-dining restaurant: 350–1000B
oPrivate tours: 2000B
oCar hire: from 800B per day
Useful Websites
Thaivisa (www.thaivisa.com) Expat site for news and discussions.
Lonely Planet (www.lonelyplanet.com/thailand) Destination information, hotel bookings, traveller forum and more.
Richard Barrow (www.richardbarrow.com) Prolific blogger and tweeter focusing on Thai travel.
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT; www.tourismthailand.org) National tourism department covering info and special events.
Thai Language (www.thai-language.com) Online dictionary and Thai tutorials.
Opening Hours
All government offices and banks are closed on public holidays. Bars and clubs close during elections and certain religious holidays.
Banks 8.30am to 4.30pm; 24-hour ATMs
Bars 6pm to midnight or 1am
Clubs 8pm to 2am
Government Offices 8.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday; some close for lunch
Restaurants 8am to 10pm
Shops 10am to 7pm
Arriving in Thailand
Suvarnabhumi International Airport (Bangkok) Taxis cost 220B to 380B plus tolls and 50B airport surcharge. An Airport Rail Link also provides service.
Don Mueang International Airport (Bangkok) There are four bus lines from Bangkok’s de facto budget airport; meter taxis run 24 hours.
Chiang Mai International Airport Taxis are a flat 120B.
Phuket International Airport Buses and minivans run to Phuket Town (100B to 150B) and beaches (180B). Metered taxis cost 550B.
Getting Around
Air Domestic routes from Bangkok are plentiful.
Bus Intercity buses are convenient; purchase tickets at bus stations to avoid unscrupulous agents.
Hired transport Bangkok has metered taxis; elsewhere túk-túk and motorcycle taxis have negotiated fares. Motorcycles and cars are easily rented.
Public transport Bangkok has an extensive public transit system. Elsewhere sŏrng·tăa·ou (converted pick-up trucks) on fixed routes.
Train Slow but scenic.
