Your Guide To
Thailand
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Not simply an amazing destination, Thailand has really set a high standard for vacations across Southeast Asia and beyond. There's a reason it's known as "The Land of Smiles", with unparalleled, friendly customer service among countless landmarks and travel experiences.
There's something for everyone in Thailand, with accessible food & culture, beautiful beaches, and an opportunity to seek out wildlife and minority communities. As a matter of course we find that the Andaman or western coasts of Thailand welcome more visitors from Europe, including Phuket and Krabi. On the eastern coasts and in the Gulf of Thailand, destination hot spots such as Koh Samui might welcome greater visitor numbers from North America and Australia.
Planning your trip
Your vacation to Thailand will probably feature plenty of opportunity to explore the waters around and even within the country. Yet although Thailand enjoys considerable contact with the Mekong River, river cruising isn't as consistently delivered as it might be further south or in various sections such as the Vientiane region of Laos. Look out for day trips and short journeys rather than multi-day itineraries stretching a week or more in duration.
With so many miles of coastline on two sides of the country, cruising can be an exceptional way of reaching the desirable island areas of this great destination.
Outside of culinary and cultural pursuits, both the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Coast offer world class scuba and snorkeling opportunities. In our experience the Andaman Sea presents a slightly better overall experience for sub-aqua enthusiasts.
When you should go
Although most visitors enjoy Thailand between late November and April, in line with the drier months of the year, Thailand welcomes visitors all year long. Look for celebrations such as Songkran, also known as the Water Splashing Festival in April or to escape your own winter weather in a beautiful destination.
Thailand enjoys a warm tropical climate throughout the year, with a relatively defined wet or rainy season. As with the Maldives, the rainy season can still provide a great vacation experience and most downpours don't last very long.
What else you might need
Thailand's visa on arrival process is relatively straight forward for most visitors from the United States. As a tourist you should be offered a 30-day entry providing you have at least 6 months of validity remaining on your passport.
Things to do nearby
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Content is intended for information and planning purposes only. While we try our best to deliver accurate and current information, some items may not be as described. Please contact your Odyssean Travel advisor for further details. Recommendations are made by independent travelers and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Odyssean Travel and we shall not be liable for any content and its subsequent accuracy or validity.