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Bangkok needs little introduction and is one of the world’s most exciting cities.
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Our Team Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.
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Our Tour Experts We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.
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Heroes and Heroines The people who lead the way when it comes to those things which matter to us: exploration, the environment, women’s empowerment and education.
Thailand holidays
Called the ‘The Land of Smiles’ for good reason. There’s so much in this Asian gem to leave you beaming, from the invigorating local cuisine, world-famous beaches and the calm nature that runs through its people.
Thai people have a strong sense of identity and an open and engaging nature. Meeting local people is one of the joys of travelling here.
This is closely followed by the food, whether it be steaming bowls of rice on a street, eating freshly cooked fish on the beach or pungent snippets of zingy flavours, spicy chillies and fresh fruit from the markets, Thailand will stimulate the taste buds. Thailand still offers fabulous value for money and should be considered for families, honeymooners or adventurers alike.
What to expect on your Thailand holiday
Bangkok is a fun and vibrant city. With funky gin bars and pop up restaurants occupying former warehouses in Chinatown and lovely riverside hotels, it is a frenetic and colourful city – be prepared for the crowds and pack broad shoulders for walking the city. As with many countries, there are pockets which have been cornered by the mass tourism market but we can ensure a well planned itinerary visiting less developed areas for some fabulous and typically Thai experiences.
The beach hotels are second to none, rivalling any in the world and with Michelin standard cuisine available, they are offering a dining experience to compete on a truly international stage. Less visited rural areas in the north allow for self-drive options and boats to Laos being a stunning and peaceful way to experience the Mekong. Buddhism is integral to the lives of Thai people and with that comes a sense of calm as well as some stunning temples and palaces.
Read More
Phuket
The cosmopolitan island of Phuket is located in the south of Thailand and is the country’s most popular island.
Northern Thailand
The area around Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai are home to several hill tribes.
Beaches Thailand
The southern Thai islands stretch from south of Bangkok down to the Malaysian border and are one of the many attractions Thailand…
Koh Samui
Koh Samui is a small tropical island in the Gulf of Siam.
Explore Thailand
- Bangkok
- Northern Thailand
- Koh Samui
- Phuket
Experiences
A selection of activities and experiences you could consider including in your holiday to Thailand.
Where to stay...
There is a wide variety of accommodation available in Thailand and our experts have first hand knowledge of many of them. Here are a few of our favourites but talk to us to find a property that suits your style and budget.
When to travel
Thailand in January
Throughout January, Thailand will experience average temperatures of 27°C with very little rainfall, ideal for a winter sun destination to Thailand’s beaches on the west coast. January can be less humid than February and March, yet still experiences daily sunshine.
Thailand in February
February will bring guaranteed sunshine to most of Thailand with January through to March being the best time to visit the islands of Koh Samui and Koh Phangan with temperatures averaging 25°C.
Thailand in March
Temperatures in March begin to rise so the entire country will experience sunshine and warm weather. When visiting Thailand’s cities, such as Bangkok, sightseeing may be less comfortable with the higher humidity levels during the day yet pleasant temperatures in the evenings.
Thailand in April
Thailand will experience very hot temperatures throughout the country. Cooler temperatures will be experienced in northern regions with an average of 29°C and occasional rainfall in western regions.
Thailand in May
May will bring marginally cooler temperatures throughout Thailand than previous months with more chances of rainfall, particularly in western regions yet higher chances of daily sunshine in the east.
Thailand in June
Prior to the monsoon season, June can be a great time to travel to Thailand with fewer crowds yet will still experience daily sunshine. Average temperatures can range from 25°C to 32°C.
Thailand in July
From July to October, Thailand will experience the monsoon, bringing most of the country’s annual rainfall during this period.
Thailand in August
As the peak on the monsoon season, September will bring heavy rainfall throughout Thailand yet eastern regions experience monsoon rains later than the rest of Thailand.
Thailand in September
September will experience similar temperatures and humidity levels to August but depending on the region of Thailand, some areas will see less frequent rain showers even though it is likely to rain daily. Flooding may occur in some regions if the monsoon rains were particularly heavy in previous months.
Thailand in October
As the monsoon season begins to end, October will experience less frequent rainfall and lower levels of humidity making it an excellent month for sightseeing and visiting the countryside to view the lush, green vegetation.
Thailand in November
Thailand benefits from great weather year-round, with the best time to visit is from November to March. During these months, day temperatures are more bearable and there is less chance of rain.
Thailand in December
December is one of Thailand’s peak months with lower humidity levels and comfortable temperatures throughout the country, allowing for opportunities to explore the entire country.
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Meet our experts
A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.
Paul Craven
Paul is the Conde Nast Traveler chosen Specialist for Central Asia and the Silk Route.
Being from a family with Army connections I can from an early age remember travelling. From camping in Europe and then later being sent to boarding school when we lived in Germany at the age of eight, complete with shorts, long socks, a cap and my suitcase. In appearance not too dissimilar to the children evacuated to the countryside during the blitz.
Talk with our experts
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Let’s chat
Are there any customs I should be particularly sensitive to?
Yes, never touch a Thai person on the head as it is sacred and the feet are considered dirty. If visiting someone’s house take your shoes off and never allow your feet to point at a statue of Buddha, also avoid putting your feet up on chairs in places you are eating. Be careful not to touch a monk, especially for woman.
Are there any laws I may be unaware of?
From the 1st February 2018, Thailand has imposed a smoking ban across a number of popular beaches including beaches in Phuket, Samui, Krabi, Hua Hin and Koh Phi Phi. This is to maintain a clean and safe environment for all to enjoy.
Please note that being in possessionof e-cigarettes in Thailand is illegal.
Are there any major festivals I should be aware of?
Thailand is full of wonderful festivals and you are likely to stumble across one during your travels. Songkran is very popular and in theory should be a gentle water festival in April, however it has been taken over by water pistol tooting locals and backpackers so if you don’t want to get a soaking it is best avoided in Bangkok. Loy Krathong is a wonderful and charming festival in November – gentle floating baskets (Krathong’s) laid in the rivers with offerings and candles.
How to I bargain for a great deal?
The cheeky way is to go in with an offer half that of the suggested price and work up from there. The Thai’s are shrewd bargainers and you’ll have to be strong to get a good deal. Be friendly and treat it as fun, rather than taking it too seriously. Don’t expect to bargain in a standard shop – it is only for markets and street vendors.
I read the Royal Family are held in high regard, should I be aware of anything?
Yes, the Thai Royal Family respected above anything else and open criticism of them could lead to you being arrested. The King and Queen are particularly revered and you should avoid discussing them unless speaking in the highest terms.
I'd love to try the street food but I'm worried about cleanliness and it being too spicy?
Thai food is one of the hottest you may eat but you can say ‘mai pet’ which means ‘little heat’ when ordering. Choose a busy stall and see what the locals are ordering. The food is usually cooked fresh in front of you and take it to small plastic road side chairs and tables. Avoid the dried chilli’s on the table as they are very fiery indeed, unless you want extra heat! In Bangkok a good idea is to have a private guide for an evening to show you some of the delicious street food on offer so you can order with confidence during your holiday.
What is the appropriate dress code for sightseeing?
When sightseeing in Bangkok and other major cities such as Chiang Mai wear shoes you can take off easily as when visiting a temple you must be barefoot. Light cotton clothes as it can get hot and sticky.
Can I use my mobile phone in Thailand?
Thailand has excellent mobile phone coverage. However, the country’s more mountainous areas are likely to have sparse coverage. These include areas bordering Myanmar, which is where some of the poorest coverage can be found.
As always, be aware that roaming rates will apply when using your phone in Thailand; these can be very expensive.
What is the international dialling code for Thailand?
66
What is the time zone in Thailand?
Thailand is seven hours ahead of GMT. Due to its position close to the equator, it does not observe daylight saving time.
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