Thailand
The soft landing — beaches, temples, and the easiest first step into Asia
Why Thailand?
Thailand is where a first international group trip usually goes right. The infrastructure is excellent, the food is a national identity, the smiles aren't a marketing line, and it's genuinely possible to build a trip that keeps a 60-year-old parent and a 20-year-old cousin equally happy — Bangkok's temples and rooftop bars, Chiang Mai's slower northern culture, Krabi and Phi Phi's islands, and everything in between. If you've never been to Asia, come here first. If you have, come back — most people do.
Highlights
Bangkok
A high-energy capital of glittering temples, street food & sky bars — and the region's main air hub. Use the BTS/MRT to skip traffic. Dress modestly for the Grand Palace; ignore tuk-tuk 'gem scam' touts.
Ayutthaya
The romantic ruins of Siam's former capital — a classic day or overnight trip from Bangkok. Cycle between crumbling spires; sunset over the brick stupas is magical. Combine with a river cruise back.
Kanchanaburi
A sobering WWII history (the 'Death Railway') against beautiful river-and-jungle scenery. Sleep in a floating raft-house, swim the turquoise Erawan tiers, and ride the historic railway.
Chiang Mai
The laid-back cultural capital of the north — temples, mountains, markets & elephants. Time it for the magical Yi Peng lantern festival (Nov). Choose only genuine no-riding elephant sanctuaries; skip Mar–Apr crop-burning smog.
Chiang Rai
Home to Thailand's most surreal temples — the dazzling all-white Wat Rong Khun & the cobalt Blue Temple. Quieter than Chiang Mai; pair the two on a northern loop. The Golden Triangle viewpoint is a fun add-on.
Pai
A mellow mountain hippie haven of waterfalls, hot springs & sunset-canyon views. The drive up is famously winding (take motion-sickness pills). Great for slowing down; scoot out to the scattered nature spots.
Sukhothai
The serene birthplace of Thai civilisation — graceful 13th-century ruins & lotus ponds, best cycled at golden hour. Less visited than Ayutthaya; Loy Krathong here (its claimed origin) is breathtaking.
Phuket
Thailand's biggest island & Andaman hub — beaches, buzzing nightlife & a charming Old Town, plus the gateway to Phi Phi & Phang Nga Bay. Beware monsoon rip currents (heed red flags); agree taxi fares first.
Krabi & Railay
Soaring karst cliffs over turquoise water — Railay (reached only by boat) is a world rock-climbing mecca & a stunner even if you don't climb. Base in Ao Nang for island-hopping. A calmer-vibe alternative to Phuket.
Phi Phi Islands
Postcard-perfect karst islands & turquoise lagoons — busy by day, lively by night on car-free Phi Phi Don. Maya Bay reopened with visitor limits (no swimming/anchoring, to protect coral). Go early to beat day-trippers.
Khao Sok National Park
One of the world's oldest rainforests & a jaw-dropping karst lake — sleep in a floating bungalow ringed by jungle cliffs. A perfect nature break between the Andaman & Gulf islands. Book a lake overnight, not just a day trip.
Koh Samui
The Gulf's polished resort island — palm beaches, spas & an easy international airport. Its season is OPPOSITE the Andaman (good when Phuket is wet). Hub for boats to party-island Phangan & dive-island Tao.
Koh Phangan
Famous for the wild Full Moon Party at Haad Rin — but the north & east are serene, with yoga & wellness retreats. Two islands in one: pick your beach by the vibe you want. Mind scooter safety on hilly roads.
Koh Tao
One of the world's cheapest, most popular places to learn to dive — turtles, reefs & the iconic Koh Nang Yuan sandbar. Small, social & budget-friendly. Book a reputable dive school; mind scooter roads.
Koh Lanta
A mellow, family-friendly Andaman island of long empty beaches & sunsets — the antidote to busy Phuket/Phi Phi. Great diving (Hin Daeng/Rok). Note many businesses shut in the May–Oct wet season.
Hua Hin
Thailand's original royal seaside resort — a relaxed, family-friendly beach town within easy reach of Bangkok. Great night markets, seafood & nearby national-park caves. A calmer alternative to Pattaya.
Ideal For
Plan this trip your way
Every EternaLink trip is built from scratch for your group. What that means in practice:
First conversation is free. No commitment, no pressure.
Quick Tips
- Nov–early Feb is the perfect window (dry and cool by Thai standards)
- If you're doing islands, pick one side (Andaman or Gulf) — the seasons flip
- Chiang Mai in November if you can catch Yi Peng lantern festival
Experiences we can build in
Cooking class + morning market walk in Chiang Mai
Long-tail boat + island-hopping day around Krabi
Muay Thai fight night in Bangkok (real gym, not tourist bout)
Ethical elephant sanctuary day — we book only the ones we've vetted
Good to know
Visa
Indian passport holders currently qualify for visa-free entry to Thailand (60 days) under the ongoing scheme. We reconfirm at booking as this is a temporary policy.
Currency
Thai Baht (THB). Cards work almost everywhere; ATMs are easy.
Language
Thai. English widely spoken in tourism zones.
Getting there
Direct flights from most Indian metros to Bangkok (~4 hrs).
Bangkok layover trick
Even a 1-night stopover works if you're heading elsewhere in Asia.
When to go — month by month
Three seasons: cool-dry (Nov–Feb, best), hot (Mar–May), rainy (Jun–Oct). KEY: the Andaman (best Nov–Apr) & Gulf islands (best Feb–Sep, wettest Oct–Dec) are OPPOSITE — there's almost always a good beach.
| Month | Weather (general) | Andaman Coast (Phuket/Krabi/Phi Phi/Lanta) | Gulf Coast (Samui/Phangan/Tao) | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Cool-dry; peak season. | PERFECT — dry & calm. | Dry & good. | North cool & clear. Best month nationwide. |
| February | Cool-dry. | Excellent. | Dry; one of its best. | North clear (flower festivals). Excellent everywhere. |
| March | Heating up. | Hot but dry; good. | Dry; great. | North HAZE (crop burning) begins. Great islands; skip the smoky north. |
| April | Very hot; Songkran (~13). | Hot, late dry season. | Dry; excellent. | North hottest + haze; Songkran fun. Islands good. |
| May | Hot; SW monsoon begins. | Wet season begins (rougher). | Good. | Rains clear the haze; north green. Favour Gulf & north. |
| June | Rainy on the Andaman. | Wet. | One of its driest/best. | North green. Head to the GULF (Samui/Tao). |
| July | Rainy Andaman. | Wet. | Good. | North lush. Gulf best; brief Andaman showers. |
| August | Rainy. | Wettest spell. | Good-ish. | North lush & green. Gulf & north over Andaman. |
| September | Wettest (Andaman). | Peak wet — quiet & cheap. | Turning. | North lush, fewer crowds. Quietest/cheapest; Gulf decent. |
| October | Rain easing late (Andaman). | Improving late month. | WET season begins. | North clearing & beautiful. Transition month. |
| November | Cool-dry returns. | Drying out, good late; Loy Krathong. | Wettest (Nov heaviest). | North cool, clear — Yi Peng lanterns! Lovely north & Andaman. |
| December | Cool-dry; peak. | Excellent. | Some rain early, improving. | North cool & clear; peak. Festive — Andaman & north shine. |
Know before you go
Entry / Visa (in flux)
As of mid-2026, Indian passport holders get 60-day VISA-FREE entry for tourism (extendable once by 30 days at an immigration office, ~THB 1,900) — no advance visa needed. HOWEVER Thailand has signalled possible changes (e.g. a shift toward visa-on-arrival), so this is in flux — CONFIRM the current rule with the Royal Thai Embassy, New Delhi before any non-refundable booking.
MANDATORY — TDAC Arrival Card
ALL foreign arrivals must complete the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online at tdac.immigration.go.th within 72 hours before arrival, regardless of visa status (it replaced the paper card in May 2025). Save the QR code. WARNING: only the official .go.th site is free — sites charging a fee are scams.
Currency
Thai Baht (THB). Cards are widely accepted in cities & resorts; carry cash for street food, markets, songthaews & islands. ATMs are everywhere (foreign-card withdrawal fee ~THB 220 per transaction).
Connectivity
Cheap tourist SIM/eSIM (AIS, TrueMove, dtac); excellent 4G/5G nationwide, even on most islands.
Getting Around
Bangkok's BTS Skytrain & MRT beat the traffic. Intercity is easy: cheap domestic flights (AirAsia, Nok, Bangkok Airways), comfortable trains (sleeper to Chiang Mai) & buses/minivans. Islands: ferries & speedboats. Rent a scooter with care — licence/IDP needed, and accidents are the #1 tourist injury; always wear a helmet.
Climate Strategy
The Andaman coast (Phuket/Krabi/Phi Phi/Lanta) is best Nov–Apr; the Gulf islands (Samui/Phangan/Tao) are best Feb–Apr & Jun–Sep and wettest Oct–Dec — so there's almost always a good beach somewhere. AVOID the north (Chiang Mai/Rai) in Mar–Apr due to crop-burning haze.
Songkran
Thai New Year (~13–15 Apr) is a nationwide water-fight festival — joyful chaos where everyone gets soaked. Great fun if you join in; waterproof your phone & valuables, and note transport books out around it.
Etiquette & Respect
Dress modestly at temples (cover shoulders & knees; remove shoes). NEVER disrespect images of the King or the Buddha — lèse-majesté laws are strict and taken very seriously. Don't touch people's heads or point your feet at people/Buddha images. The 'wai' greeting is appreciated.
Food
A global favourite: pad thai, green/massaman curry, tom yum, som tam, mango sticky rice, boat noodles. Street food is superb & safe at busy stalls. Vegetarians/vegans can manage (ask for 'jay'; watch for fish sauce & shrimp paste) — useful for Indian travellers — and the fresh fruit is excellent.
Health & Safety
Very safe & tourist-friendly. Watch scooter safety, monsoon rip currents (heed beach flags), and common scams (tuk-tuk 'gem'/overpriced tours, jet-ski damage claims). Drink bottled water. Travel insurance with scooter & medical cover is strongly recommended.
Suggested routes
CLASSIC (10–14 days): Bangkok + Ayutthaya/Kanchanaburi + Chiang Mai/Chiang Rai (+ Pai) + an island
BEACH FOCUS: Phuket/Krabi/Phi Phi (Nov–Apr) OR Samui/Phangan/Tao (Feb–Sep)
NATURE: Khao Sok + islands
QUICK: Bangkok + Hua Hin for a short city-and-beach trip