Travel to Thailand to experience jungle-topped mountains, bright-white sandy beaches and crystal-clear water.
With splendid temples to explore, bustling cities heaving with friendly crowds and eclectic marketplaces and food stalls to satisfy your tastebuds, here’s what you need to know about how to travel to Thailand and things to do once you arrive.
Exploring the magic of Thailand
Thailand is a remarkable country where you are free to choose your own adventure. Looking for the ultimate escape in paradise? Fill your days with snorkelling in crystal-blue seas, daily massages and icy pina coladas while the sun sets over an unspoilt beach. If you are more in the mood for late nights, you can find plenty of places to stay in popular party towns, or embrace your inner self by heading to a retreat and enjoying sunrise yoga on the sand.
Travelling to Thailand offers endless opportunities for both partying and relaxation. Famous for its incredible food and endlessly gracious hospitality, you will find a country bursting with natural wonders and exotic places to visit.
Can Australians travel to Thailand?
It’s best to check current travel alerts before travelling to Thailand to ensure you’re acting in accordance with local advice and safety precautions. To learn more about COVID-19 in Thailand, refer to local health authorities and government sites.
Is Thailand safe to travel to? Thailand is generally a safe holiday destination, although like many parts of the world the safety level can vary between cities. It’s always a good idea to take precautions when it comes to concerns like traffic safety, common tourist scams and pickpocketing, and stay away from known dangerous areas.1 With a little extra care and consideration, you can enjoy all that Thailand has to offer on your holiday while making informed decisions about your safety.
What to do and where to go in Thailand
Thailand travel is synonymous with heavenly beaches, blissful relaxation, heart-pumping adventures and spiritual retreats – all in the one place. So let your imagination run wild as you add new things to your to-do list.
The best time to visit Thailand depends on a few factors. The country is a tropical holiday destination, so it’s hot and steamy most of the year. On the Andaman coast, which is home to Phuket and the Phi Phi Islands, the monsoon season lasts from April to October. On the Gulf of Thailand, where you’ll find Koh Samui and Koh Pha Ngan, rains are frequent from September to December.
Ready to embrace the beauty and wonder of this magical destination? Here are some suggestions for where to go in Thailand.
Party in Phuket
Experiencing Phuket is one of the main reasons why so many people travel to Thailand from Australia. It’s both a billionaire's playground and a tropical paradise for the budget-conscious traveller. During the day you can take in its many beaches, pausing for a luxurious massage in the afternoon and then catching a magical sunset. When night-time arrives, join other revellers at a Muay Thai boxing match in noisy downtown bars like Phi Phi Reggae Bar, or catch a drag show at Simon Cabaret.
Its most famous beach, Patong, can get dirty and overcrowded very quickly, so try nearby Karon Beach for a more picturesque day of Thailand travel. The following morning, take a short boat ride across to Phi Phi Island – a paradise you won’t want to leave behind, with clear waters that make snorkelling a must.
Relax in Koh Samui
When considering where to go in Thailand, Koh Samui is a place unlike anywhere else. While other parts of the country exude a rustic charm or fully embrace their party vibe, Koh Samui is the glamorous and seasoned professional of all the Thai islands. Here you’ll rub shoulders with wealthy tourists and gaze up at luxury hotels like the famous Koh Samui Four Seasons Resort. For relaxation, Koh Samui is home to pristine beaches and welcomes visitors to busy watering holes like Beryl Bar all day.
But peel back its polished exterior and you will uncover the charm of cultural Thailand. Untouched villages are full of locals serving up delicious seafood feasts, while authentic marketplaces are the best place to experience freshly picked tropical fruits. Koh Samui is also known for its lush rainforests and stunning waterfalls, or you can let your feet take the lead and stroll through some of the most incredible villages you’re likely to find during Thailand travel.
Experience the vibrant culture of Chiang Mai
If you’re wondering where to go in Thailand, we say leave behind the raucous tuk-tuks and thick smog of Bangkok and take your Thailand travel to its older, historic capital: Chiang Mai. Many would declare this jaw-dropping city Thailand’s most beautiful, with its gold-leafed temples and lush, green rainforest making a sight for sore eyes.
There’s so much to do in Chiang Mai that you will want to begin your adventure early – start by taking in the sacred Wat Phra That Doi Suthep before the crowds arrive. Then return to holiday mode with an indulgent Thai massage and body treatment, before heading out for an evening stroll down Wua Lai Walking Street, which is Chiang Mai’s biggest market.
Delight in Bangkok's street food
As Thailand’s culinary capital, Bangkok is the place to be for bustling markets filled with local chefs, fishermen and butchers hawking their amazing delicacies. Travelling to Thailand from Australia for your holiday won’t be complete without sampling some of Bangkok’s spectacular street food sensations, whether it’s steaming bowls of noodles heaped with pork and vegetables, or a taste of the many fragrant stir-fries on every corner.
If it’s local specialties you’re after, try the spicy Pat bai grapao (stir-fried meat with basil, chillies, rice and topped with a fried egg), Luk chin pla (fish ball noodle soup) and for dessert, the famous coconut pandan cake, Khanom chan.
Visit the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
Even if you don’t end up staying in Chiang Mai during your Thailand travel, you should take the time for a day trip to experience its bustling Night Bazaar. For centuries it’s been a trading hub, and the modern incarnation is a stretch of enticing stalls from Th Chang Khlan to Th Loi Kroh.
Colourful trinkets, unique local fashion items, dazzling antiques, handmade artwork and some of the finest street food in Chiang Mai are all right here. So, take your time strolling under the twinkling fairy lights before finishing off your evening with an icy cold drink.
