Thailand Travel Guide 2026: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, the Islands and Where to Go

The essentials, updated for 2026

Visa-free stays

30 daysSince 15 September 2026, for travellers from 60 countries and territories, down from 60 days. You can ask Thai immigration for one 30-day extension, or apply before you travel for a 60-day tourist e-Visa.

Digital arrival card (TDAC)

Free, onlineEvery foreign visitor must fill it in within the 72 hours before arrival, on the official immigration site, tdac.immigration.go.th. Other sites charge for it.

Tourist entry fee

Not charged yetA 300-baht fee for air arrivals has been announced several times, but it was still not being collected in mid-2026. Ignore sites asking you to pay it in advance.

Temples and the Grand Palace

Dress codeCover shoulders and knees; no tight or see-through clothing. The Grand Palace is strict and turns visitors away. Shoes come off inside temple halls.

Money

Thai baht (THB)Cards work in hotels, malls and larger restaurants. Carry cash for markets, street food and taxis. Thai ATMs charge a fee for foreign cards.

Plugs

Type A/B/C, 220 VMost sockets take both flat and round two-pin plugs.

Where to go

The capital

Bangkok

The Grand Palace and Wat Pho, Wat Arun across the river, boat rides on the Chao Phraya, night markets and some of the best street food in Asia.

Two airports: Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang

Tourism Thailand ↗

Old capitals

Ayutthaya and Sukhothai

Ruined temples and Buddha statues from Thailand's earlier kingdoms. Ayutthaya is an easy day trip from Bangkok; Sukhothai is on the way north.

Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Tourism Thailand ↗

Ayutthaya day tour from Bangkok →Partner link

The north

Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai

An old walled city full of temples, cooking classes and night markets, with hills, waterfalls and ethical elephant sanctuaries around it, and Chiang Rai's White Temple further north.

About an hour by air or 11 to 13 hours by train from Bangkok

Tourism Thailand ↗

Andaman Sea

Phuket, Krabi and the Phi Phi islands

Beaches, limestone cliffs rising from the sea and boat trips to the Phi Phi islands and Phang Nga Bay. Best from November to April.

Rough seas from May to October

Tourism Thailand ↗

Phi Phi Islands day trip from Phuket →Partner link

Gulf of Thailand

Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao

Three islands with different characters: resorts on Samui, beaches and the full-moon parties on Phangan, and diving courses on Tao.

Wettest from October to December, the opposite of the west coast

Tourism Thailand ↗

Rainforest

Khao Sok National Park

Old rainforest and a lake with floating raft houses, between Phuket and the Gulf islands. Good for a break between beach stays.

Two nights is a common stay

Tourism Thailand ↗

When to go

Thailand has three seasons, and the two coasts get their rain at different times.

Cool and hot seasons

November to February is the coolest, driest and busiest time, especially around Christmas and New Year.
March to May is very hot. Songkran, the Thai New Year water festival, is held from 13 to 15 April.
Loy Krathong, when people float candles on rivers, falls on the November full moon.

Rainy season

June to October brings heavy showers, usually short, with fewer visitors and lower prices.
The Andaman coast, including Phuket and Krabi, is wettest from May to October.
The Gulf islands get most of their rain later, from October to December.

What to pack

Pack for heat and rain, and for temple dress codes.