A Beginner’s Guide To Thailand

With an estimated 24.6 million foreign tourists arriving in 2023 (as reported by Skift), the Kingdom of Thailand is one of the top tourist destinations in Southeast Asia. For first-time visitors interested in immersive culture, eye-widening landscapes and epic gastronomy, here are some highlights from Thailand's cities, seas, mountains and jungles:

The City: Bangkok

“Bangkok is a feast of colors, culture and cuisine,” says Jihane Sejai-Smith, Travel Expert for tour operator Black Tomato, which counts Thailand among their top ten selling destinations. “It’s impossible to see all of Thailand’s vibrant capital, so I always recommend seeking out some highlights.”

Start with food, because this is a serious city for gastronomes: Markets are a fascinating way to gather insight into the culture, and there are no shortage of ones to choose from. “Don't be afraid to try street food in the locals-only Nang Loeng Market,” says Sejai-Smith, “but stick to well-cooked items; delicious noodle stir frys such as phad Thai, red and green Thai curries, Thai-style omelets, fish cakes and soups.”

Floating markets are also a sight to see. One of the best is Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market, which can be reached via Bangkok’s metro, BTS Skytrain (to Bang Wa Station, on the Silom Line).

Located on Maha Chai Road, Jay Fai is a street-food legend, winning a Star in Michelin’s inaugural Bangkok guide of 2017. The crab omelet is worth the wait. For a more typical Michelin experience, try the elegant, two-star R-Haan for classic Thai fare.

Visiting one of Bangkok’s flashy rooftop bars is another popular foodie experience. While the most famous bar is arguably Sky Bar, at the top of Lebua State Tower (as seen in the Hangover movie franchise), one of the city’s newest additions is the 34-floor Giant Swing Pool Bar, fully equipped with punchy tropical tipples; a Insta-friendly infinity pool with glass bottom; and dazzling city views in every direction.

There are more than 400 temples (called wats) in Bangkok including favorites like the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun), which is located just across the river from another of the city’s best-known sights, The Grand Palace, still used for official regal events. Wat Pho with the reclining Buddha is another top pick, and Sejai-Smith recommends the marble Wat Benchamabophit temple “ideally at sunrise.”

Bangkok isn’t big on museums, but the gorgeous and quirky house of Jim Thomson, an American businessman who transformed the Thai silk industry, is worth checking out for its interesting architecture and Asian art.

“For travelers who might not have the budget for five-star luxury hotels throughout, it’s a good idea to splurge while staying in Bangkok,” says Sejai-Smith. “Having somewhere spoiling to retreat to after busy city exploration will be a welcome comfort.” Sejai-Smith recommends The Peninsula Bangkok on the Chao Phraya River, calling it “surprisingly affordable.” It also features a complimentary shuttle boat and tuk tuk to get to the local sites, as well as a rooftop helipad—but using that one will cost you extra. Nightly rates start at $455.

For something a little more budget friendly, there’s the brand-new INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit with rates starting at a very affordable $105 per night. Based in the up-and-coming On Nut district and conveniently stationed right next to the On Nut BTS Skytrain station, this 208-room new build has a classic Thai restaurant called The Kites Eatery. (Flying kites is a popular pastime in the city’s parks, so the name is in tribute to that). There’s also a classic Spanish tapas bar on the 33rd floor, which is a nod to the Spain-based Meliá brand. Guest rooms are sleek, calming and minimal with white-on-white schemes, DreamMaker mattresses, and—in the Townhouse suites—retro additions like Marshall speakers and rotary phones.

The Sea: Krabi and Phuket

Calling the beaches of Southern Thailand beautiful is a massive understatement. The coastal scenery here will leave your eyes wide, especially in two of the best and most-accessible destinations for first-timers: the province of Krabi and the island of Phuket.

Stationed on the coast and with its own airport, the province of Krabi stands apart for its dramatic limestone karst landscape. “Thailand is known for many things but especially for its tropical islands, beaches, jungle, and great food. Krabi is a must for first timers that want all of those things and plenty of culture,” says Charlotte Bower, Southeast Asia Product Executive at InsideAsia. “Many people head to Ao Nang to stay which is great for markets and nightlife, but it is better to head to the Tubkaak Beach area for quieter beaches that still have easy shuttle access to town to sample the nightlife.”

Surrounded by the jungles of Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park and sitting above the Andaman Sea, the 72-room Banyan Tree Krabi makes for an excellent base on the quietest stretch of Tubkaak Beach. Both the lobby and the guest rooms—all with ice-blue private pools—have the spectacular sunset views over Phang Nga Bay, which can be explored via the hotel’s private long-tail boat, the White Pearl. (Hong Island is a favorite, and is a zippy 30-minute away from the hotel’s sandy beach). From the hotel it’s also easy to hike to the top of Dragon Crest Mountain. “The Dragon Crest hiking trail is great for those that don’t want to just lay on the beach,” says Bower. “It’s only around two miles, but it is hot and sweaty. However, the views are well worth it.”

Banyan Tree Krabi is a new addition to the area and highlights include a rainforest-inspired spa with a hydrotherapy rain room, heated loungers, and a steam bath. There’s also a cocktail program featuring local ingredients. Try the Krabi-jito, made with Krabi Kilo Vodka, plus fresh lime and mint, or the Spicy Chalong Bay, made with Chalong Bay Thai rum, hot sauce, fresh ginger, basil and lime.

The hotel has plenty of restaurants to choose from including the new Bird’s Nest, where up to four guests can dine alfresco under a canopy of trees and starlight in one of three wicket treetop nests accessible via funicular. It’s a set menu, but expect traditional Thai with a twist with dishes like grilled seabass with green curry sauce and black bean brownie with freshly made mangosteen sorbet. Leave room for breakfast, which is an east-meets-west feast of cold-brew coffee (made with locally grown Robusta beans); lampeng tea, grown on the island of Koh Lanta; DIY Bloody Mary stations; and Thai street food like moo ping (pork skewers). Nightly rates start at $440.

The island of Phuket is connected to the mainland via bridge and is a three-hour drive from Krabi making it an easy pairing. (There’s also an international airport.) As Thailand’s biggest and most popular island, Phuket delivers the quintessential southern Thai experience: surfing and green coconuts, night markets and nightlife, but it is heavily developed as a tourist destination.

The island is known the world over for its beaches. For surfers, there’s Kata Beach, but for something quieter try Kata Noi Beach. However, as Melissa Nicholas, Product Director of Asia specialist Experience Travel Group, advises, there’s more to see. “Phuket offers more than just its famous beaches; delve into its rich history, especially in Phuket Town in the island's south. The 19th-century tin trade attracted Chinese, Malaysian, and Indian traders, along with Europeans, creating a captivating blend of beliefs and Sino-Portuguese architecture.”

Then there’s the food: “Phuket has been listed as a City of Gastronomy by UNESCO,” says Nicholas, who recommends “a food-focused e-bike tour in Phuket Town,” and stopping for “roti pancakes on the side of the road at Nai Yang Beach.”

Ewan Cluckie, Thailand expert at TravelLocal, suggest that travelers get “a taste of local community life at Baan Bang Rong or Baan Koh Lon and engage in activities and workshops.” It’s possible to take cooking classes or even try squid fishing. “These types of activities offer the perfect window into local life, immersing guests into the culture and delivering rewarding connections to local communities,” says Cluckie. “Plus, it puts supplementary revenue into local pockets where it is most appreciated.”

On the high-end side, you can’t talk about the food scene in Phuket without mentioning Pru, Phuket’s first and only Michelin starred restaurant, which first put the island on the global gastronomic map. The name stands for “plant, raise, understand,” which essentially explains the farm-to-fork concept, which was ground-breaking when it first launched in 2016. Recently, the restaurant moved to a new location and revealed a new menu

“Everything we cook with is from within the country,” says Chef Jimmy Ophorst, who spent around eight years seeking out and building relationships with local producers to source ingredients. “I think the relationships are very important,” he says. “Those relationships, that database, is basically shown in this restaurant.”

Located on a working farm, the Scandi-chic Jampa Restaurant is a new arrival in Phuket, though it already snagged a Michelin Green Star for its sustainability, using locally-grown ingredients and respecting a zero-waste ethos. It’s not technically a vegan restaurant, but it would be very easy—and tasty—to eat a plant-based meal here of wood-fired baby corn; barbecued beetroot with lime; and for dessert, Phuket pineapple roasted on a live fire and served with with ginger and Thai basil.

If you’re looking for rest and relaxation (and that is important on a bustling island like Phuket), the place to stay is Trisara, a money-is-no-object sanctuary of privacy and exclusivity. Located just 15 minutes from the airport, this beachside retreat is made of 60 private villas nestled on a forested hillside of ficus trees and fishtail palms. This is not only a good-looking property, but one that also does good, with a focus on sustainability and self-sufficiency. One example is the rainwater collection and an in-house reverse osmosis system, which keeps the vast gardens green and lush—very important, considering the hotel’s name means “garden in the third heaven” in Sanskrit. Nightly rates start at $880.

The Mountains & Jungle: Chiang Rai

Both the name of a city and the name of Thailand’s northernmost province, Chiang Rai borders Myanmar and Laos to form the Golden Triangle.

“Chiang Rai is a small city,” says Kate Smith Travel Specialist at Selective Asia. “It’s personable and manageable, with vibrant northern Thai style,” she says. “Explore the city certainly but also use it as a base to explore the Golden Triangle and Northern Thailand. It’s also a very good first or last stop in Thailand when combining with Laos. The Huay Xai border crossing is just a few hours away from the city of Chiang Rai, where you can take overnight cruises to Luang Prabang.”

For an authentic experience, Smith recommends stopping for a fresh, locally sourced tea at Phumanee Lahu in the hillside village of Fang. “This family-run property has a fascinating history and touching story, receiving support over the years from the King of Thailand,” says Smith. “Your time in Fang can be very hands on, spending time with local farmers and in local villages.”

Blow the budget at Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle a purpose-build camp for adventurers who still need a little (or a lot) of luxury in the jungle. Set on the wild outskirts of Chiang Rai city, this 15-tent hotel offers activities like bamboo fishing on the Mekong; elephant trekking with an in-house mahout; and biking through landscapes of paddy fields, pineapple plantations, and forest of teak trees. Nightly rates start at $2,900 (minimum two-night stay).

How To Get There:

There are currently no direct flights from the US to Bangkok; however, the 5-star, EVA Air (one of only ten 5-Star Skytrax carriers) flies daily from Heathrow Airport in the UK, with three classes of service: business, premium economy, and economy. Flights from Heathrow are non-stop and take around 11 and half hours.

Krabi, Phuket and Chiang Rai are reachable via internal domestic flights from one of Bangkok’s two main airports, Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang International Airport (DMK). There are many airlines to choose from, but AirAsia is considered one of the most reliable. Flights to all three destinations take about an hour and a half.