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For those chasing summer, for lovers of history and culture, for lovers of the beach and a good party, Thailand offers some of the best Southeast Asia has to offer. Known as the land of smiles, Thailand also carries a rich cultural history while maintaining a strong identity that can be seen from the ancient kingdoms to the street food stalls serving authentic and delicious cuisine. Thailand is the land of elephants, home to beautiful national parks, and famous for activities such as trekking and diving. Although it is a bit more touristy than other Southeast Asian countries, Thailand is the perfect place to start your Southeast Asian travels, and return to again and again.

 

lodging:

 

Budget travelers ($5 - $7): With thousands of hostels and guesthouses competing with each other, you're bound to have a blast choosing a place to stay in most parts of Thailand. Even in big cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai, just $5 can get you an air-conditioned room with strong Wi-Fi and a great shower, and in small towns it's even cheaper. However, expect to pay a bit more for accommodation on the islands. 

 

Travelers on a medium budget ($10 and up): By adding $10, you can easily get yourself a small, cozy room in most hostels, or a simple bungalow by the beach with a view. A 3-star hotel room usually costs $20 - $40; Airbnb costs from $10 for a shared room to $50 for a private unit, and Couchsurfing is popular in major cities.

 

Local food spots ($0.5 - $5): Street food is delicious, plentiful and cheap in most places in Thailand. A plate of Pad Thai on the side of the road can reach up to $1 and you can easily eat at a night market, sampling several different foods, for a few dollars. Generally, prices are non-negotiable and the asking price must be paid.

 

Cafes and Restaurants ($5 - $10): All major cities have dynamic cafe and restaurant scenes, serving local and international cuisine of all kinds. Inexpensive restaurants are usually located in shopping malls, costing about 5 dollars for a whole meal. In Bangkok, there are special restaurants serving "Royal Thai" cuisine that use quality ingredients, giving classic Thai cuisine a royal twist. Fast food chains are available everywhere, with a set meal costing $3 - $5.

 

How to get there: There are six international airports in Thailand, the most popular of which is Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, which is very likely to be your first and last stop in Southeast Asia. There are direct flights from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and all of Southeast Asia. Crossing land borders is simple and cheap from the neighboring countries using buses, trains and private cars.

 

Getting around the city: 

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Options include tuk-tuks, buses, moto taxis, taxis and songthaews. With tuk-tuks and moto taxis, be sure to negotiate and confirm the price before you get in. You can also easily rent a motorcycle or bicycle from shops and hostels. Be sure to check the condition of the vehicle and take pictures of any existing damage because while the rent and gas are cheap, the repair costs can make your jaw drop. For solo travelers who can't ride a bike, take a moto taxi. In some areas like Chiang Mai, there are red Bhat buses (Songthaews) that go everywhere, including the airport for a fixed price of 20 THB inside the city walls and a little more to go outside. Uber and Grab are also available in major cities, although protests by taxi drivers make it difficult for them to get in and out of some areas.

 

Intercity travel: 

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Long-distance trains and buses in Thailand are often efficient and comfortable. There are different classes (class 1, 2 and 3 for trains; VIP and non-VIP for buses) at different price points so how much an intercity trip costs depends on how much you value comfort. Minivans are cheap but almost never come with free seats, and you'll have to wait for the driver to pick you up at a designated bus stop, when the minivan is usually already too full. As for sailing to the islands, it is usually cheaper to get the bus/boat transfer packages than to buy them separately. Always make sure your valuables are close to you.

 

With so many options and new hotspots popping up all the time, it can be hard to pick places to go, but this   itinerary can help you better understand what the options are.

 

Some of these places will feel touristy - this is Thailand, after all - but many of these options are also further off the beaten path.

 

Choose your own adventure:

 

Northern Thailand has some of the more rural areas and will be less touristy than the islands in the south. They are also significantly cheaper, with greater value for money, equally excellent food and activities. This is my favorite part of Thailand.

 

The largest city in northern Thailand -  Chiang Mai, is a hot spot for expats and also has amazing and unique food, such as curry khao soi with noodles.

 

Popular activities here include dining at the various night markets, including the Sunday Night Market, holidays such as the Yi Peng Lantern Festival in November and the Songkran Water Festival in April, Thai cooking classes and motorbike riding on the outskirts of the city. Here's my list of the best things to do in and around Chiang Mai, including ethical encounters with elephants.

 

Want something off the beaten path? Here are 8 amazing day trips from Chiang Mai, including a jungle safari!

 

• Pai is a hippie haven about 2.5 hours away by bus, or if you're feeling confident, a motorbike ride through winding mountain roads from Chiang Mai.

 

Be prepared to find yoga classes, vegetarian restaurants serving western food, and lots of other backpackers in Pai, along with amazing scenery and tranquility.

 

My favorite thing to do when I'm in Pai is to rent a motorbike and go to all the waterfalls, canyons and little hidden places that surround the village. I studied thereJugglingFire at the circus school! Although some people think of Pai as a tourist place, I personally love it and have been back three times. 

 

Chiang Rai is famous for the White Temple which looks like a psychedelic wonderland mixed with the underbelly of hell. It's definitely worth seeing, even if you can only spend a day or two in Chiang Rai.

 

Access Chiang Rai from a tourist bus in Pai.

 

In the middle of Thailand there is more than just Bangkok. It is also home to one of the coolest islands in Thailand and fascinating ruins from ancient kingdoms.

 

Sukhothai

 

On the bus route from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, you might want to stop by Sukhothai, the ancient capital of Thailand.

 

It's basically the Thai version of Angkor Wat but with a lot less people around. You can rent bicycles and ride around the ancient ruins, an excellent way to enjoy the day. 

 

Bonus, there were only a handful of other tourists and the rest of the people around were monks. What an experience!

 

Ayutthaya

 

If you want to see more ruins, this is another stop a few hours south of Sukhothai with even more to see, including a Buddha face grown by tree roots. It's pretty cool and worth a day as well, if not more, to break down the overland journey from north to south or vice versa.

 

Bangkok

 

Some people love Bangkok and some people hate it. However, I think it really depends on where you stay in Bangkok.

 

Most backpackers go straight to the Khao San road, but it also happens to be full of scams and is far from any train stations. I suggest staying near Siam Square, and just making Khao San a day trip if you're really curious about it.

 

There are many wonderful things to do in Bangkok, including shopping, exploring beautiful golden temples, and fulfilling all your food cravings. These are my top tips for enjoying Bangkok.

 

Ko Chang

 

The second largest island in Thailand after Phuket and known as "Thailand's last cheap island".

 

The backpacker haven of Lonely Beach isn't so lonely anymore, but it's still small compared to most backpacker spots, and you'll find that the crowds are a bit more relaxed than the southern islands.

 

This island is a personal favorite of mine because it's beautiful, not crowded, and still has a great backpacking scene. 

I also appreciate that it's closer to Bangkok than the beaches in the south, which makes it a great option if you're short on time.

 

The southern islands and beaches

 

Most people who travel to Thailand do so to visit the beautiful islands in the south. They are more touristy and expensive than the north, but it's still a budget destination, so you can spend a lot less than you would in Europe or the US, for example.

 

I've noted which places tend to be more popular and which tend to be a little quieter.. Both are great depending on what you're looking for at the time.

 

If you like quiet:

 

Tonsai

 

Tonsai sits right next to the famous Railay Beach. 

 

Tonsai is a calmer island and has less of a resort feel than Railay, and the best part is that you can easily get to either place by foot or a 5 minute long tail boat. You might even be able to swim! I haven't tried it. It's worth stopping by Railay to check out the lagoon, if you're into climbing.

 

Koh Yao Noi

 

I spent a few nights at Paradise Koh Yao, exploring both Koh Yao Noi and its neighbor, Koh Yao Yoi. What I found was that both islands were calm and ecologically important, with far less tourism than the hustle and bustle of Phuket or the pulsating party scene of Koh Phi Phi. Koh Yao Noi tends to cater to a crowd looking for more quiet.

 

Bottle Beach - Bottle Beach

 

I would understand if you are surprised to see a beach on Koh Phangan listed as quiet, but it really is true! The island is quite large, and some parts of it have nothing to do with the full moon party madness and mayhem.

 

Bottle Beach is peaceful, relaxed, and can only be reached by boat or a long 4×4 road. At the time I visited, the electricity only worked at night and there were four sets of bungalows along the beach. 

 

If you are looking for parties:

 

pee line

 

The famous inspiration for the book and film, The Beach, Koh Phi Phi, is no longer a secret by any stretch of the imagination. Despite the beauty, expect more of a party atmosphere and lots of other backpackers enjoying the beaches with you.

 

Koh Pha Ngan

 

The Full Moon Party (and the Jungle Party the night before) can be fun, but it's probably not the best party you'll ever attend. However it is still an experience - I went for my 27th birthday and had a great time!

 

You can stay in other parts of the island without being right in the party zone at Had Rin. I would actually recommend it, because this island has some really nice beaches and nicer places to stay than the hotbed of the full moon party. If you prefer not to book in advance, you can show up and look for accommodation in the area without booking five nights together.

 

Phuket

 

Phuket is huge, and here you can find revelries or luxurious resorts with their own beaches. Maybe it used to be cool, but I personally didn't connect with it. It tends to feel incredibly western and I prefer to feel like I'm in Thailand. The other islands in the south are much better!

 

Ku Tao

This island is known as the diving center of Thailand. If you haven't learned how to scuba dive, this is a great place to do it. Although it can be quite busy around Christmas and New Year, it can have a more relaxed atmosphere at other times. It's also a backpacker favorite so expect lots of socializing.

 

hidden line

Koh Samui is one of the largest islands in the south and also has more resorts and a more upscale clientele. However, there are still options for backpackers and a backpacking scene.

 

Khao Lak

This is the starting point if you want to dive in the Similan Islands. The bleaching of the corals has taken away some of their beauty, but it is still a popular spot for diving in Thailand and it is also where I saw my first manta ray.

 

Bonus: a meditation retreat in Chaya

There is a monastery on the mainland in southern Thailand that offers a 10-day monthly silent meditation starting at the end of each month.

 

I attended a New Year's meditation in 2013 and it was one of the more challenging but rewarding experiences of my travels. It's basic, and you sleep on concrete  and meditate quietly all day. It's a bit like Buddhist nun boot camp, but you'll also find it incredibly transformative.

 

These are some of my favorite places in Thailand, whether you have months or just two weeks.

 

Although this route has all the hot spots worth seeing, if you can leave the route somewhat open with room for in-the-moment decisions, your trip will be even better…..

 

The great thing about traveling in Thailand is booking the day of or the day before usually doesn't equate to a higher price. During my cumulative 4 months there I often made the decision to continue or stay a day, and it didn't affect me.

 

It's easy and affordable to buy bus tickets directly at the bus station or arrange transportation from your hostel. For shorter distances, taxis, tuk-tuks and songthaews (truck taxis) abound.

 

The exception is during the major holidays in Thailand, and Christmas and New Year, during which you can book accommodation and transportation.

 

nice trip:)