Anywhere Tour


Itineraries

Building your trip

Thailand divides neatly into four areas, which are far enough apart to warrant flying between them. Depending on how long you've got, when you're going and what your interests are, you can do any or all of them.

  • Don't forget to allow a day or two at the start to get over jetlag and the change in temperature

  • For more about seasons and climate, see When to go

  • There are daily flights from Bangkok to each of the other three hubs; and there is also a daily direct flight from Samui to Phuket (see Getting Around)

  • There's not that much to choose between the east and the west coasts – the timing of your trip will dictate which to visit (see below)

  • If you want a taste of city and coast but have only 3 or 4 days, Bangkok combines well with the stylish little resort of Aleenta (3 hours drive, and a year-round season)

    Bangkok and around

    When: November – August (rains in Sep and Oct)
    Highlights: temples, river-trips, shopping, markets, bars
    How long: 2-3 full days, or more if you enjoy shopping & fine dining



    Chiang Mai and the north

    When: November – May (rains from June-Sep)
    Highlights: hill-tribes, trekking, rafting, markets, temples
    How long: 2-3 days in Chiang Mai, plus 2-4 days for a trek or tour



    East coast and islands (including Samui)

    When: February – September (monsoon from Oct-Jan)
    Highlights: beaches, yoga, massage, diving, watersports
    How long: 5-10 days, or as long as it takes you to relax
    Fly into: Samui (or Hua Hin / Bangkok for Aleenta)


    West coast and islands (including Phuket)

    When: October – April (monsoon from May-Sep)
    Highlights: beaches, yoga, massage, diving, watersports
    How long: 5-10 days, or as long as it takes you to relax
    Fly into: Phuket or Krabi (or Ranong)
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    When to Go

    Bangkok is best in the so-called cool season (expect a mere 30˚ celsius), from November to February. It starts to get hotter through February, typically reaching a 40˚ climax in April and May, before the rains arrive. It’s still warm, though wetter, from June to August. At the end of the rainy season (Sep – Oct), whole districts of the city can flood, and there is frequent disruption.

    The eastern islands (Gulf of Thailand) are affected by the northeast monsoon from October to December, with the worst of the rains coming in November. Travel to/from the island can be difficult during these months. January to April is high season, with hot and humid days; May through September are cooler, with pleasant breezes spilling over from the southwest monsoon during July – September.

    The east coast of peninsular Thailand follows the same pattern, but the Oct-Dec monsoon is much milder; and there is also a little rain and cloud spilling over from the western monsoon (July - Sept). But it is rarely very wet at any time of year.

    The west coast and islands (Andaman sea) have peak season in November to February, when the weather is relatively cool (30˚ celsius!) and there is little rain. From March it warms up (typically around 35˚ celsius) and then comes the monsoon season, from May to October. The seas can get very rough and you can expect some strong but short downpours (especially in May, June and Sep).

    The north mainland (e.g. Chiang Mai) is best from November to January, when it's quite cool (high 20's celsius) and clear. But it is very busy. In February and March, swidden (brush) fires make it hazy in the hills, and low waters rule out rafting, but it's still fine for city sight-seeing. March to May is hot and humid, with rains typically coming any time after the Songkran festival (mid April). June to October is consistently rainy, making trekking muddy work, but ideal for rafting.
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    Holidays / Festivals

    Festivals and events in Thailand are particularly colourful and vibrant, and it can be worth planning your trip to coincide with one. The two biggest – book early, or avoid them altogether! – are Songkran (New Year) in mid-April, which is basically an excuse to throw water at complete strangers; and Loy Krathong (Festival of Lights) in November, when Thais send floats downriver with a coin, candle and incense to take bad luck away. Handicraft shows, beauty pageants and boat races are also popular. Many are determined by the lunar calendar, so the dates change from year to year.

    JANUARY
  • Chiang Mai Winter Fair – beauty pageants, boxing competitions, craft stalls and loud music
  • Bo Sang Umbrella Festival (near Chiang Mai) – display of hand-painted parasols with dancing and music
  • River of Kings Show (Bangkok) – an extravagant theatrical production with 700 actors and 2 elephants (Late Jan – early Feb)
  • Ban Thawai Woodcarving Fair (near Chiang Mai) – demonstrations, contests and sale of hardwood crafts (Late Jan – early Feb)

    FEBRUARY
  • Chinese New Year – best in Chinatown, Bangkok, where Yaowarat Road is decorated with flowers, lanterns, food and shows (early Feb)
  • Chiang Mai Flower Festival – fantastic parade of floral sculptures, plus beauty pageants (1st weekend)
  • Maha Puja (temples around Thailand, especially Doi Suthep near Chiang Mai) – a day of merit-making ending with candlelit procession (Full moon day)

    MARCH
  • Kite-flying contests (Sanam Luang, Bangkok and elsewhere)
  • Asian Dove Festival (Yala, southern Thailand) – includes a cooing contest between 1500 birds!
  • Pattaya Music Festival (east of Bangkok) – held on Pattaya beach

    APRIL
  • Songkran (Thai New Year) – nationwide merry-making with lots of water-throwing to mark the first rains; be warned, you will get wet! (mid-April)
  • Chiang Mai Art & Culture Festival
  • Pattaya Water Festival (east of Bangkok) – a firework-food-n-floats extravaganza that follows (and outplays) Songkran
  • Poi Sang Long (Mae Hong Son near Chiang Mai) – the ordination of novice monks followed by colourful procession

    MAY
  • Royal Ploughing Ceremony (Sanam Luang, Bangkok) – costumed ceremonies to inaugurate rice-growing season (14th May)
  • Visakha Bucha (temples nationwide) - night-time processions to celebrate the birth, enlightenment and passing of Lord Buddha
  • Fruit Festivals (eastern Thailand) – parade and sale of local fruit

    JUNE
  • 'Amazing Thailand' sales at shopping arcades and department stores nationwide; continues into July

    JULY
  • Samui Festival – local culture show on Lamai and Chaweng beaches
  • Khao Pansa (start of Buddhist Lent) – monks stay in their temples; exhibition of beeswax candles in Ubon Ratchathani

    AUGUST
  • Queen Sirikit's birthday – houses and public buildings are decorated (12th August)

    SEPTEMBER
  • Boat Races at Phichit, Phisanulok, Narathiwat and on other rivers (1st week)
  • Kings Cup Polo Tournament (Hua Hin)

    OCTOBER
  • Vegetarian Festival (Phuket and elsewhere) – street processions and self-mortification ceremonies at Chinese temples (1st week)
  • Water Buffalo Races (Chonburi and elsewhere) – the beasts take 2 days off from ploughing to race each other and wrestle with humans
  • Ok Phansa (end of Buddhist Lent) – exhibition of wax model temples in northeast Thailand, and boat races at Sakon Nakhon

    NOVEMBER
  • Regional Longboat Races (chiefly in northeast Thailand and Ayutthaya)
  • Surin Elephant Games (northeast Thailand) – including tug-of-war
  • Loy Krathong (Festival of Lights) (nationwide especially Sukhothai) – Ceremonial floating of lotus-shaped offerings to Mother of Waters, accompanied in Chiang Mai by hot-air balloons and elsewhere by fireworks; very uplifting (Late Nov)
  • River Kwai Bridge Week (west of Bangkok) – exhibitions and son-et-lumiere reenactment of the WWII episode (Late Nov / early Dec)
  • 'Amazing Thailand' sales at shopping arcades and department stores nationwide (Late Nov / early Dec)

    DECEMBER
  • King's Birthday – taken very seriously, with decoration of public buildings, and illumination of Bangkok's Grand Palace (5th Dec)
  • Kings Cup Regatta – Asia's premier yacht-racing event (6th-12th Dec)
  • Laguna Phuket Triathlon – well-publicised, world-class athletic event
  • Ayutthaya Celebration (north of Bangkok) – son-et-lumiere shows amid the ruins
  • Western New Year is celebrated in Bangkok (31st)

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    Safety / Nuisances

    FCO website.

    There's occasional pickpocketing and handbag-snatching in the big cities – be aware, and get insurance.

    It's wise to have a photocopy of your passport ID page and entry visa.

    Malaria is only present on the eastern mainland (Trat district); but there are non-malarial mozzies around so take repellent.
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    What to Wear

    Loose, lightweight clothing is best in this tropical climate. Shorts, T-shirts and sandals are standard daywear for men and women; while in the evening casual trousers (or skirts / dresses) and short or long sleeve shirts are best. In a few sites (major temples, the Grand Palace) you need to wear long trousers and cover your shoulders. In all but the very smartest beach resorts, you can wear what you want, when you want; in Bangkok there are some hotels and restaurants which prefer a tie / smart dress in the evening.

    But do remember that Thais disapprove of (partial) nudity in public places – no topless sunbathing unless you are alone on the beach or in a resort, and no dining sans chemise, please! And, while flipflops are generally fine, plastic ones are – bizarrely - frowned upon.

    If you're travelling in wet season, a poncho or umbrella is a must.


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