Thailand holidays can be customized to fit any budget and traveler’s individual tastes. Since tourism is such an important part of Thailand’s economy (which represents a larger percentage of Thailand’s GDP than that of any other Asian country), almost every part of the country is equipped with food and shelter served by foreign visitors. In addition, the surprisingly diverse geography of the country offers a wide range of activities to choose from. No matter what you would like to do on your vacation, there are several easily accessible places in Thailand that offer it at a price that fits your budget.
Planning your holiday in Thailand
For most of us, the first steps in planning any holiday include setting a budget, determining the length of our holiday, and deciding when we can go. When you go through these steps when planning your vacation in Thailand, consider a few important points:
- The cost of living in Thailand varies from about 8 pounds per day (about 5 US dollars per US dollar) per bed in a dormitory, up to hundreds of pounds per night for five-star rooms in world class international hotels.
- In my personal opinion (and this is shared by many foreign travelers I’ve met with over the years), you should plan to spend at least 10-14 days in Thailand during your vacation, if you want to visit the main sights of the country were not abandoned
- Since the tropical climate of Thailand is hot, humid and rainy during most of the year, the high season for tourism in the country is in a relatively drier, cooler month from November to February
Some additional thoughts on these points ...
As for the prices of food and housing, although it can be said that the daily rates cover a fairly wide range, it is also true that you can find many incredible deals throughout the country if you know when and where to look. For example, in September 2010, I was able to book four nights in a legitimate five star luxury hotel in one of the most popular sections of Bangkok (the most expensive city in Thailand) for only £ 90 per night (about $ 60 per US dollar). In the next article, I will discuss some of the most effective search strategies that maximize your holiday budget.
When determining how much time you need to spend in Thailand, it is important to remember that for those of us who travel from an English-speaking country, our vacation will include at least two very long flights on an airplane (on the way back and forth the return trip) and adjustment hours of our body to a significant time difference. For me, this leads to the feeling that jetlag and travel always reduce my actual time in the country by two days. For this reason, I will gain the amount of time that I suppose I will spend seeing the sights, or taking a rest for two extra days.
Regarding the choice of time of the year to visit, the avoidance of a hot, humid Thai summer and autumn monsoon is an important factor for many travelers. Temperatures often approach 40 ° C in those months, which in combination with tropical humidity and almost daily thunderstorms can be a bit overwhelming for some visitors. The flipside of this equation is that airfare and lodging are much cheaper during this so-called “low season”. If you are on a tight budget and do not mind a small amount of heat and rain, you will find that your hard-earned money stretches a lot further this time of year.
Five regions of Thailand - where should I go?
To see the remarkable amount of geographic and cultural diversity that exists in Thailand, all you need to do is compare the five unique regions of the country: Central, Eastern, Northern, North-Eastern and Southern. Depending on how much time you can spend in the country, you can visit all five people during one stay (I personally would not have tried it if I hadn’t spent a whole month to spend my vacation). If your time is more limited, you should probably focus no more than two or three areas, and leave the rest for future Thai holidays.
central
As the overwhelming majority of foreign tourists arrive and depart from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport, it is very likely that your visit to Thailand will include a stay in the country. A lively city of 11 million people (most Bangkok residents will tell you that this official estimate is probably low by as much as 50%) and the heart of Central Thailand, Bangkok offers its visitors a fascinating cross section of the nation's past, present and future. Here you will find everything from the historic Royal Palace (from the Kingdom of Siam) to the ultra-modern shopping centers, lively entertainment districts and a thriving business center, which is quickly becoming the largest in Southeast Asia.
Other major attractions in Central Thailand include the historic city of Ayutthaya (the ancient capital of Siam) and the west coast of the Gulf of Thailand. This part of the Gulf Coast is especially popular with Thai families and honeymooners due to its quiet, clean beaches, the many available hotels and resorts, magnificent golf courses and relative proximity to Bangkok (about two and a half hours by car). If you are looking for a quiet getaway on the beach, close enough to Bangkok that you do not need a plane or boat to get there, the cities of the Persian Gulf Hua Hin and Petchaburi are perfect for you.
East
The region, which is usually considered Eastern Thailand, is located southeast of Bangkok and is bordered by the Gulf of Thailand to the west and Cambodia to the east. Home to the growing coastal city of Chonburi and the popular tourist destination of Pattaya, the main attraction of this area is the abundance of beaches in Bangkok (less than two hours away).
While western flood resorts, such as Hua Hin, mainly attract Thai citizens, the East Bay is a magnet for Western tourists due to Pattaya’s fame as one of the wildest cities in the world. However, in recent years, this disgraceful image has slowly changed, as the developers have discovered a number of new family resorts and attractions along the beach of Pattaya and its surroundings.
north
Northern Thailand differs from the rest of the country in its relief, climate and culture. Located on the border with Myanmar (Burma) and Laos in the north, this region is mountainous, heavily wooded and noticeably cooler than anywhere else in the country (especially during the High Season). Lana's culture (a hybrid between Thai, Burmese and Lao influences) prevails in the region and can be seen in decor, clothing and food offerings in cities such as Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.
The main city in the north, Chiang Mai, is the second largest Thailand and absolutely necessary for any visitor to the country. The heart of Chiang Mai is still surrounded by flat and 1000-year-old fortifications that protect the most ancient and most important forms of Southeast Asia, while the rest of the city is dotted with universities, art galleries, and plenty of accommodation and entertainment options to satisfy any like a traveler.
Chiang Mai is also a starting point for tourists to explore the area’s famous mountain trails, as well as anyone looking for outdoor adventure such as rafting, elephant safaris (i.e. jungle riding an elephant for a day or two)) and otherwise get up close to the region’s wildlife (including monkeys and tigers). There are so many exciting things in this part of the country that are guaranteed to you.
Northeast
Thailand is located in the northeast (dominated by the province of Isaan) —this is a difficult agricultural region that borders both Laos and Cambodia along the Mekong River. Khmer culture (i. E. Ethnic Cambodian) is the predominant influence on the people of Isaan and the main Khmer language, in addition to Thai and several other regional dialects. This effect also manifests itself in Isaan’s cuisine, which differs from traditional Thai cuisine by the intensive use of sticky rice and extremely spicy chili.
Although this relatively undeveloped part of the country was not a traditional tourist destination, recent government projects began (in particular, the restoration of numerous ancient Khmer archaeological sites) and the rapid economic growth of the main cities of Isaan Buriram and Khon Kaen to attract more visitors over the past decade. The city of Khon Kaen is of particular interest to anyone interested in crossing the land in Cambodia.
south
When it comes to the south of Thailand, the first names that come to mind are Phuket, Koh Samui and Ko Phi Phi (better known to foreigners as Phi Phi Islands). White, sandy beaches, blue water and idyllic settings that look as though they are directly from a set of films in Hollywood (mainly because they exist, but for a later article) —that is what determines this region of the country. In short, this is your tropical paradise.
In the south of Thailand is usually considered a thin peninsula, which separates the Gulf of Thailand from the Andaman Sea and extends south to the border with Malaysia. This piece of land and islands that bypass both coasts are home to some of the best scuba diving and snorkeling in the world, as well as world-class facilities for any other water sports imaginable. This is all in addition to the incredible beaches, lagoons and the panorama that the area is so famous for. With that said, I’m sure it’s not surprising that I highly recommend including at least one of the fantastic resorts in this region on your holiday in Thailand.
The most difficult part of your holiday in Thailand - How to get there
Well, maybe not quite accurately say that the most difficult part of your Thai holiday will find a way to get there. This most likely causes you to board the plane at the end of your stay. Once I heard that this is the only place in the Land of Smiles where you don’t see happy people - this is the international departure lounge at the airport. Most often this seems true.
For all seriousness, although finding affordable airfare was usually the most difficult part I could create when I was planning my vacation in Thailand. As the price of jet fuel continues to fall, it has become even more difficult over the past few years. In many cases, I find that I spend so much money on my air ticket, as well as on the rest of the rest.
However, there are several useful methods that I have acquired over the years that usually lead me to the lowest prices available at the time of my departure. They require a lot of flexibility regarding the days and times of departure (and you will not receive any non-stop flights to Bangkok), but I’m sure they will save me money at the end. In the near future I will consider this issue in detail.
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