How do I plan a trip to Thailand – cover the basics but stay open to the possibility of going off the beaten path

Thailand is a wonderful destination and a traveller’s dream come true with bustling cities, iconic heritage sites, splendid island retreats and scrumptious cuisine all waiting to be explored and appreciated. Thus, to the first-timer intending on covering the length and breadth of the ‘Land of Smiles’ and what it represents, then herein is a detailed breakdown of the most crucial aspects of your holiday that would warrant your attention.

Understand the local weather and schedule the duration of your stay

It is always prudent practice to make note of a country’s weather prior to booking flights and sorting out accommodation. In Thailand’s case, know that the country is impacted by three seasons which are namely, the hot season (March to May), rainy season (June to October) and finally, the cool season (November to February). From the aforementioned, arriving during the cool season will be your best as you will have more pleasing conditions to deal with as rainfall will be seen at a bare minimum. In terms of the duration, this decision will largely be influenced by the overall experiences that you want out of your trip coupled by the budget that you are willing to allocate. To cut a long story short, around two weeks will suffice to cover the most important parts of Thailand.

Have a rough a budget in mind

Never commit the cardinal error of planning your holiday in complete ignorance of how much money you would need. Overspending at times is inevitable but can be addressed should you have a budget to work with. Aspects such as accommodation, transportation, food & beverage, leisure activities, souvenirs and tips are some of the basics that you would need to include in your budget. Importantly, prices tend to fluctuate from one region to the other and hence, the value of remaining flexible cannot be spoken of mildly.

Book flights and accommodation at the earliest

Avoid leaving essential matters such as booking your flights and mode of lodging to the eleventh hour. This is because you will either have to burn holes in your pockets to accommodate the above or worse, not have any facilities to choose from. Therefore, in order to receive access to the best airline offers, it is better to book your seats well in advance. Similarly, reserve your lodging no sooner you have your seats booked and know that Thailand offers a plethora of options that cater to all budgets. One option worth factoring into your planning is PARKROYAL Suites Bangkok which affords stays within a suite hotel Bangkok is known for.

Ensure you pack right

Travel Essentials for your Thailand gateway | Image via Unsplash

Ideally, have a good balance of comfortable clothing and attire that can be worn to the beach as well as on that romantic date that you have been planning to surprise your partner with. However, be sure to bring along some modest items as you will be required to cover your shoulders and knees ahead of stepping inside temples and other cultural sites that demand decent attire. Overall, look at including plenty of lightweight clothing together with comfortable footwear. Also, all electronic gadgets, sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent, a reusable water bottle and your favourite hiking boots ought not to be forgotten.

Visit the main regions

While places seldom visited will be quite the experience indeed that will give you ample time to ponder your next move, penning down as many of Thailand’s sought-after areas and landmarks in your itinerary will have you well placed to immerse yourself in the local culture. Bangkok, the country’s capital is a medley of ancient temples such as the Wat Pho, exciting marketplaces in the likes of the Chatuchak Weekend Market and flashy shopping malls in the calibre of Terminal 21 which need exploring. Farther away, the northern, mountainous city of Chiang Mai with its charming villages dedicated to handicrafts and Old City area must not be ignored at any cost. If you happen to consider yourself a beach bum, then making time for Koh Samui, Phuket and Krabi will be a step in the right direction for these regions are well suited to basking on white sandy beaches and discovering Thailand’s incredible marine wildlife during a snorkelling or diving session.