Top 5
Captains Top 5 Tips
1) Hire a tuk-tuk in Bangkok for a fun way to get around the city.
2) Tantalise your taste buds with delicious Thai cuisine, maybe learn how to cook Thai food at a hotel class.
3) Enjoy a sunset cruise on the tropical island of Koh Phi Phi, including a stop at Maya Beach where the famous film 'The Beach' was filmed.
4) Go diving or snorkelling as Thailand has some of the most amazing marine life in the world.
5) Indulge in a Thai spa experience, which captures the very essence of Thai living.
Thailand is known for its wonderful culture, diverse landscapes, delicious cuisine and unbeatable value. It’s an amazing destination that will overwhelm the senses on all levels with its sights and sounds. Most trips will start in the bustling capital, Bangkok, a chaotic mix of old and new, combining the tradition of an ancient culture with the modern technology of the 21st century. Unlike other modern Asian capitals, Bangkok has not been left sterile and remains an exciting city that offers unparalleled shopping, culture, dining and entertainment.
After the 24 hour excitement of Bangkok, the rest of Thailand is a tranquil mix of beautiful mountain scenery and laid back beaches. Hua Hin, a short drive from Bangkok, is a place to rejuvenate body and mind and the paradise island of Koh Samui is a place to relax on powdery white sand. The vibrant resort Pattaya and the island of Phuket are great for families with plenty of activities. Head North to the pretty mountain town of Chiang Mai for an adventurous experience and the chance to visit some of the mountain villages.
Bangkok is the gateway to Thailand and is a hectic, steamy and colourful city, packed full of ornate palaces, ancient temples and bustling markets. It is a great city for shopping with market stalls on every street corner, traditional floating markets on the canals and rivers, cheap electrical items and the chance to get tailor made clothes at a fraction of the cost back home.
Chiang Mai is in Northern Thailand, an area known as 'the Golden Triangle' as the region borders Burma, Laos and Thailand. Chiang Mai was founded in the 13th century and has many historic monuments and museums to visit. It also has more than 300 ornate Buddhist temples including the well-known Wat Chiang Man, which is the oldest, and Wat Chiang Man, which is the oldest, and Wat Phan Tao constructed entirely of teak.
Chiang Rai is a three-hour drive or fascinating boat ride away from Chiang Mai and it is here you will see stunning mountain scenery and tropical rainforest, plus be able to visit many of the hill tribes who live in the area. It is the northernmost province and is known for its ethnic diversity with its various hill tribes, Thai's and ancient aboriginal communities.
Phuket is a haven of sandy white beaches, crystal clear waters and swaying palm trees. There are numerous activities on offer such as sea kayaking tours to the dramatic limestone islands of Phang Nga Bay, elephant riding, playing golf on one of the island's six international courses or discovering the amazing marine life whilst learning to scuba dive.
The island of Koh Phi Phi is off the coast of the province of Krabi and about 45 minutes from Phuket. It is the picturesque set for the famous movie 'The Beach' and has one of the most beautiful bays in the whole of Asia, surrounded by aquamarine waters. It is a diver's paradise or ideal for those simply looking to relax.
Thailand's climate is tropical, high in temperature and humidity. Overall the best time to visit most of Thailand is between November and February when it is not too wet or too hot. The east coast and the Gulf of Thailand (including Koh Samui) may get frequent showers in between the sunshine during October to January.
The Andaman Sea (Phuket and surrounds) has a tropical monsoon climate. Here it is warm year round with the rainy season falling between May to October. Similarly, Bangkok receives plenty of rainfall during May to October and gets very hot and dry in April. Northern Thailand's hot season is between February and May. The cool season falls during November to February and the rain season between May and October.
Bangkok
Bangkok is the gateway to Thailand and is a hectic, steamy and colourful city, packed full of ornate palaces, ancient temples and bustling markets. It is a great city if you want to shop, with market stalls on every street corner, cheap electrical items and the chance to get tailor made clothes at a fraction of the cost back home.
"Have a traditional Thai massage at Wat Bo, the original Thai massage teaching centre, or
alternatively relax in one of the many hotel spas after a busy day shopping."
Selina
Flight Centre, Head Office
Asia Specialist
Thailand Beaches & Tropical Islands
Thailand’s palm fringed beaches are what draw thousands of tourists each year and it’s easy to see why. The islands boast white sandy beaches, lush green jungles and clear blue seas that are perfect for divers and snorkelers. Depending on whether you want a busy, party island or something more tranquil and remote Thailand offers plenty of options.
"The sunset cruise was one of the highlights of my trip to Thailand. You get the opportunity to kayak to a place called Monkey Beach, snorkel amongst the wonderful reef life and visit Maya Beach, made famous by the film 'The Beach'. You then jump back on the boat and drift slowly while watching the amazing sunset."
Sarah
Flight Centre, Covent Garden
Asia Specialist
Pattaya
This once tiny fishing village has developed into an exciting resort offering an array of activities for couples and families alike. Fun parks, shopping centres and an array of international restaurants now complement the many different sporting options available, including golf courses, horse riding and water sports of all descriptions.
"The nightlife is a big draw for people visiting Pattaya and a stroll down Walking Street will take you past many bars, restaurants and shopping hot spots. Be sure to stop at the infamous Marine Bar to watch some Thai Boxing."
Jesika
Flight Centre, Head Office
Asia Specialist
Hua Hin & Cha-Am
The peaceful fishing towns of Hua Hin and Cha-Am were once a well-kept secret, almost exclusively visited by Thai people including the Thai royal family. Nowadays, while they remain quiet and non-touristy, a number of excellent resort hotels have lured international travellers to these unspoilt beach retreats to indulge in pampering.
"Hua Hin has one of the lowest rainfalls in Thailand and is kept refreshed by a cooling breeze making it a fabulous year round resort. The King of Thailand even has his summer residence here because of its great climate."
Myles
Flight Centre, South Kensington
Asia Specialist
Northern Thailand
There are two main areas in Northern Thailand, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai and the region is regarded as ‘the golden triangle’, as it borders on Myanmar, Laos and Thailand. Chiang Mai was founded in the 13th century and has many historic monuments and museums to visit as well as great markets for buying local handicrafts. Chiang Rai is a three-hour drive or a fascinating boat ride away from Chiang Mai and it is here you will see stunning scenery and have the opportunity to visit many of the hill tribes who live in the area.
"The night markets in Chiang Mai are excellent and definitely worth wandering around for a few hours. The items on sale are much cheaper than in Bangkok and you can also get cheap massages, which are better value than some of the spas in town."
Helen
Flight Centre, South Kensington
Asia Specialist
Koh Samui
Koh Samui is Thailand’s third largest island located in the Gulf of Thailand amid azure blue water, swaying palm trees, lush jungle walks and waterfalls. Many tourists are content to laze on the beach, soaking up the sun but for action enthusiasts there are plenty of choices from diving and snorkelling to windsurfing and paragliding.
"A great way to explore the island is to do a full day tour. Your driver will take you on a wonderful trip of the island where you get to see wildlife, have the opportunity to go elephant trekking and see the wonders on the island."
Sarah
Flight Centre, Covent Garden
Asia Specialist
Koh Phangnan
Koh Phangan and Koh Tao are two of the smaller islands in the Gulf of Thailand that can be reached from Koh Samui. Koh Phangan is famous for its wild full moon parties and laid back atmosphere. Koh Tao is great for a day visit and is largely mountainous and the smallest and most distant of the Samui archipelago islands.
"White beaches... Turquoise waters... Koh Phangnan is an idyllic island! There are also some great little shops... Whether male or female they have something for everyone and guaranteed no-one will have the same back home! Don’t forget to barter."
Martin
Flight Centre, Manchester
Asia Specialist
Koh Chang
Koh Chang lies within the province of Trat which borders Cambodia to the north and the Gulf of Thailand to the south. Called by some ‘the last paradise island in South East Asia’, Koh Chang has been untouched by modernisation yet is only four hours by road east of Bangkok.
"A fabulous day trip from Koh Chang is to Oasis Sea World Dolphin Park on the mainland to swim with dolphins. It’s an amazing experience and definitely worth doing if you’ve never been up close to these magnificent creatures before."
Sarah
Flight Centre, Queensway
Asia Specialist
Phuket
Phuket is a haven of sandy white beaches, crystal clear water and swaying palm trees. There are numerous activities on offer such as sea kayaking tours to the dramatic limestone islands of Phang Nga Bay, elephant riding, playing golf on one of the islands international courses or discovering the amazing marine life learning to scuba dive. Phuket also has great nightlife.
"A cruise around the mystical Phang Nga Bay is a must-do for spectacular views of the limestone islands, including James Bond Island, made famous for its appearance in ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’."
Morag
Flight Centre, Edinburgh
Asia Specialist
Krabi
Krabi is a southern province on Thailand’s Andaman seaboard with perhaps the country’s oldest history. Ao Nang is a large bay with scenic beaches and 80 small islands which stretch to the foot of a prominent limestone range. Visitors can rent boats to explore nearby islands or enjoy snorkelling and diving.
"For those that fancy a challenge try hiking to Princess Lagoon close to Railey Beach for scintillating views. It is mainly a forest hike with a few harder bits that have ropes there to assist, but it’s definitely worth the effort!"
Nicholas
Flight Centre, London Wall
Asia Specialist
Koh Phi Phi
Just a 45 minute journey by speedboat from Phuket will take you to the tropical paradise of Koh Phi Phi. The classic beaches, impressive rock formations and bright turquoise waters make this tropical island an ideal place for beach lovers and dive enthusiasts.
Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta is less developed than other islands and is rapidly gaining popularity. This small and most uninhabited island is dominated by white sandy beaches, coral reefs, stretches of mangrove forest and
inland areas of hill forest.
"Koh Lanta is a hidden paradise in the Andaman Sea and quieter than many of the other islands, relax on the beach and enjoy cocktails during happy hour as you watch the glorious sunset."
Mark
Flight Centre, Trafalgar Square
Asia Specialist