Thailand Trip Essentials: Your Complete Guide

I had been dreaming of visiting Thailand since 2017. This jungle paradise called my name, drawing me in with its bright exotic fruits, verdant forests, and ornate golden temples. I had planned a visit to this country as my first trip abroad since I was 18 years old, counting on 2020 to be the year I finally set out on my own.

Well, we all know how that year turned out.

I won’t dishearten readers with the details, and instead turn an eye to how I- as we all have- adapted to the changes we now see around us. After years of prolonging my dreams of travel, things started to look up again. The weather turned and cases started falling. I checked the news every day (a bad habit many of us gravitated to as a false sense of control over our novel situations), and as soon as Thailand opened up for travel in 2022, I booked my tickets for March and dusted off my years old itinerary with a newfound sense of determination. I was finally going to go. 

This itinerary has gone through many iterations along with my moods, vacillating from two weeks to three to forty days in the country; my Google Map markers bobbing all over, chasing an ever moving target like a fast moving fish. I had also intended to visit this country alone as a solo journey to test my confidence, but by happenstance decided to go with my older brother. I am glad that I did, because not only was it fun to share the journey with someone, it also gave me a real chance to get my travel legs under me before I jumped into the deep end. 

What I have finally settled on, the road at long last I traveled, is what I am now presenting to you. It is the culmination of years of research, frustrating obstacles, passion for travel, and a genuine joy of planning. It is thus detailed and personal, not necessarily something I would present again when I travel elsewhere and upload my journey. 

As a result of COVID-19, there are a great many things on this itinerary that future travelers may feel free to ignore. I have a different article going into the detailed and myriad changes that resulted from the pandemic, some that were not as obvious as you may think. We certainly had a few stumbles on this journey, but overall, even with travel being in its newly resurrected infancy, it is still worth it to go now. 

I hope that this itinerary will be of some use to any who reads this, as I know I would have appreciated when I was just 18, my budding desire for travel outweighing the anxiety and obstacles in my way. 

You have my heartfelt wishes that your travels be smooth, and experiences as awe-inspiring as you hope, and more. Let’s begin.

Before You Go: Why Visit Thailand and What to Know

Before I dive into MY trip and what I learned from my first travel planned by myself (spoiler: a lot), here is a brief overview of all things Thailand!

Why Visit?

Thailand has earned its place as one of Southeast Asia’s most beloved destinations for good reason. The country seamlessly blends ancient Buddhist culture with modern amenities, offers incredible value for money, and welcomes visitors with genuine warmth. From the bustling streets of Bangkok to the turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea, from misty northern mountains to sleepy Mekong River towns, Thailand delivers diverse experiences within one accessible country. The food alone is worth the flight, the temples inspire awe, and the beaches rival any in the world.

Language

Thai is the official language, and while it uses its own script that can look intimidating at first, you’ll find English widely spoken in tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants. Learning a few basic Thai phrases will earn you smiles and often better prices. End words in “krap” if you’re a guy or “ka” if you’re a girl. Try “sawadee krap/ka” (hello), “khop khun krap/ka” (thank you), and “mai phet” (not spicy) if you can’t handle the heat. “Aroi” means tasty, and we used that a lot!

Currency

The Thai Baht (THB) is the local currency. As of late 2024, rates hover around 35-36 baht to 1 USD, though this fluctuates. ATMs are everywhere and generally offer the best exchange rates, though your bank may charge foreign transaction fees. Credit cards are accepted in most hotels, malls, and upscale restaurants, but cash remains king at street food stalls, local markets, and small shops. Always carry small bills, as vendors often claim not to have change for large notes.

Weather and Best Time to Visit

Thailand has three seasons: cool (November to February), hot (March to June), and rainy (July to October). The best time to visit is during the cool season when temperatures are more comfortable (75-85°F/24-29°C) and rainfall is minimal. This is peak tourist season, so expect higher prices and more crowds.

The hot season brings intense heat, particularly in April, but also better hotel deals and fewer tourists. The rainy season doesn’t mean constant downpours—expect short, heavy afternoon showers followed by sunshine. Southern beach destinations have slightly different patterns: the Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi) is best from November to April, while the Gulf coast (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan) is ideal from December to August.

How Long to Spend

Two weeks is ideal for a first visit, allowing you to experience Bangkok, visit northern cultural highlights like Chiang Mai, and relax on the islands. If you only have a week, focus on two or three areas rather than trying to see everything. Three weeks or more lets you venture off the beaten path to places like Pai, Sukhothai, or the less-touristed islands. Remember that Thailand rewards slow travel, so resist the urge to pack too much into your itinerary.

Packing Essentials

Pack light, breathable clothing in natural fabrics. The tropical climate means you’ll sweat through everything quickly, but laundry service is cheap and fast everywhere. Bring modest clothing for temples (covered shoulders and knees required), comfortable walking shoes, sandals, sunscreen (expensive in Thailand), insect repellent, a reusable water bottle, a small daypack, and any prescription medications. A sarong is incredibly versatile, serving as a beach towel, temple cover-up, or light blanket on cold buses. Don’t overpack—you can buy almost anything you need for less than at home.

{OUTFIT CAROUSEL OR 3 PICS SIDE BY SIDE}

SIM Cards and Connectivity

Getting a local SIM card is easier than it sounds. Major providers like AIS, TrueMove, and DTAC (we used this one) have booths in the airport arrivals hall offering tourist packages with data and some international calling. Expect to pay 200-500 baht for 7-30 days of service with plenty of data. You’ll need your passport to register. WiFi is available in virtually every hotel, café, and restaurant, but having mobile data gives you freedom for maps and translation apps on the go. Get this just for your own piece of mind, honestly!

Must-Try Foods

Thai cuisine is a harmonious balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors. Don’t leave without trying pad thai (stir-fried noodles), tom yum goong (spicy shrimp soup), green curry, som tam (papaya salad), massaman curry, mango sticky rice, and khao soi (northern Thai curry noodles). Street food is not only safe but often the most delicious and authentic option. Look for busy stalls with high turnover, and don’t miss the night markets for the full culinary experience.

Other Essential Tips

Respect local customs, particularly around temples and the monarchy. Remove shoes before entering homes and temples. Dress modestly at religious sites. Never touch anyone’s head or point your feet at people or Buddha images. The Thai smile goes a long way, and losing your temper is considered extremely poor form. Bargaining is expected at markets but not in stores with fixed prices. Tuk-tuks and taxis should use meters in Bangkok, or agree on a price before getting in. Always carry toilet paper or tissues, as not all bathrooms provide it. Finally, get travel insurance—medical care is excellent and affordable, but you want coverage for any serious emergencies or trip cancellations.

Thailand is a remarkably easy country to navigate, endlessly rewarding to explore, and likely to leave you planning your return trip before you’ve even left.

My Thailand Trip Overview: 23 Days at a Glance

Day One: The Plane

We flew out of LAX on March 12 at 11:30 in the morning. A twelve-hour flight that felt like the usual long-haul blur of movies, cramped naps, and the steady crawl over the Pacific.

Day Two: The Never Ending Day

Somewhere between time zones, March 13 and March 14 blended into one very long stretch of hours. I still need to count how many hours were actually spent in that one “day.” Flights to Asia are roughly 20 hours in length- good lord.

Though, I must say, maybe it was the sleep-deprived delirium, but watching the dark skies dump buckets of rain onto the ceiling-tall glass at a Tokyo airport while we rested on the seats and contemplated our life choices was a strange memory I’ll never forget. Airports, liminal spaces, all that. A reminder that you can almost always find joy in the moment.

{TOYKO AIRPORT}

Day Three: One Night in Bangkok

We arrived in Bangkok at midnight (so technically our hotel stay was for the night of March 13–14), and immediately kicked things off on hard mode by realizing we had both forgotten our debit cards. No cash. At all. A rough start.

Note to self: even though pickpocketing is a concern, always bring a debit card so you can withdraw local cash. Ideally, take money out once you arrive (fees are often lower than exchanging cash in your home country) or pack your card securely in a locked, zippered bag or money belt. My money necklace was always sweatily sticking to me, but it kept my stuff safe.

After a painfully long verification process (thanks to new SIM cards, different time zones, and being in an entirely different country), we managed to wire ourselves a 10,000 THB cash advance (roughly $300 USD), with about $10–20 in fees (6–12%). Crisis… mostly averted.

We picked up prepaid SIM cards ($18 each for 30GB unlimited on DTAC) and relied on Grab for all transportation. After surviving quarantine protocols and getting our noses jammed with q-tips, we flew onward to Phuket that evening—5:30 pm flight, $95 total for two tickets, arriving at 7:45 pm, followed by a 1 hour 10 minute bus ride and a short walk to our hotel. On our walk we passed rats (I literally jumped over one), skirted around wild night markets, and human feces. Welcome to Phuket.

Exhausted doesn’t even begin to cover it. We ordered our first FoodPanda (food delivery service- super cheap and useful) in Thailand and immediately collapsed into bed.

While this kind of back-to-back-to-back travel may have worked when we were young twenty-somethings (I mean, technically we survived), I would absolutely not plan it this way again. Over 24 hours of travel from LAX to Bangkok, one night waiting out quarantine, another flight to Phuket, a bus to the hotel—and the very next morning, a taxi and ferry to Koh Lanta. What was I thinking? Oh right- I had never planned a trip before.

The start was rough, but we put on our best travel-tude and pushed through. I learned more in these first 48 hours than any guidebook could teach me, and I’ll be sharing all my hard-earned recommendations along the way.

Hotel Costs:

$21.18 — One night in Phuket (March 14–15)

$126.04 — One night at The Citrus (March 13–14), including PCR test and transfers (COVID-era detail, now obsolete)

Turtle Tip

If I were to plan this trip again, I would fly into Bangkok, spend a day or two there (check out my Bangkok itinerary- even if you don’t like cities, there’s a ton of stuff to do in/around here!) to get acclimated and my sea legs under me, THEN take that mini-flight into Phuket, spend a day or two there, THEN take that speedboat ride to the islands. Thailand may look small on the map, but getting from Bangkok to the islands is a bit of a trek, especially if you’re just coming from a 20 hour flight into the eastern hemisphere. Turtle out.

Day Four: Phuket to Koh Lanta

An early taxi, a smooth speedboat ride, and a warm island welcome brought us to Koh Lanta—where sunset drinks and slow living officially began. More on this day here.

Day Five: First Forest Foray

Motorbikes, jungle trails, a national park hike, and sunset beach dining gave us our first taste of Koh Lanta’s wild side.

Day Six: Finding Nemo (and All His Friends)

A perfect snorkel day filled with clear water, bright fish, banana-leaf-wrapped lunch, and watching warm rain fall from our bungalow.

Day Seven: Big Blue Lobster

We moved hotels, rode across the island, explored Old Town, ate cliffside banana pancakes (JAck Johnson style), and met Koh Lanta’s iconic blue lobster statue.

Day Eight: The Private Chef

A hands-on cooking class became one of the best meals of the trip, followed by rainy beach hopping and a quiet night in a bamboo bungalow.

Day Nine: Street Market

We left Koh Lanta, returned to Phuket, and spent the evening wandering the lively Sunday Walking Street Market.

Day Ten: My Stupid Hike

A short but brutal hike in Phuket’s humidity taught us respect for Thailand’s heat—rewarded with coffee, monkeys, and air conditioning.

Day Eleven: A Prehistoric Encounter

A relaxed day exploring King Rama IX Park before ending the night with an indulgent sushi buffet.

Day Twelve: Catch-Up and Laundry Day

Dim sum, cozy cafés, pool lounging, noodles, and laundry—an essential reset day in the middle of long-term travel.

Day Thirteen: Bus Plane Bus

A full transit day from Phuket to Bangkok, capped off with Indian food, dramatic coffee pours, and a saltwater pool stay.

Day Fourteen: The Kanchanaburi Express

A scenic train ride (Studio Ghibli vibes!!) led us to riverside markets, bike rides, banoffee discovery, and a slower-paced town full of charm.

Day Fifteen: Big Leathery Beasts on Parade

A deeply memorable day spent feeding, bathing, and learning from rescued elephants at a sanctuary outside Kanchanaburi.

Day Sixteen: I’m Collecting National Parks Like Pokémon Cards

Waterfalls, hikes, and emerald pools at Erawan National Park added another natural wonder to the itinerary.

Day Seventeen: A Small Slip Leads to a Faceplant

Missed buses and broken plans forced us to slow down and accept that not every travel day goes as expected.

Day Eighteen: Flower Markets & Temples

An early start led to Bangkok’s flower market (WOW!), iconic temples, river crossings, and a packed but unforgettable sightseeing day. Classic Bangkok!

Day Nineteen: The Never Ending Day (Again)

Ancient City and the Erawan Museum were gorgeous and unforgettable, thought for us, it also felt eerily empty, like walking through a beautifully abandoned version of Thailand. You’re unlikely to get that experience though, as it’s now thoroughly post-covid.

Day Twenty: The Real Ghost Town

A tense travel day brought us to Pak Chong and an unexpectedly abandoned attraction that truly felt frozen in time.

Day Twenty-One: Khao Yai

Another national park adventure filled with green landscapes, wildlife potential, and Korean BBQ to end the day.

Day Twenty-Two: I Get Stabbed. A Lot.

COVID tests, transit chaos, and a powerful Sak Yant tattoo ceremony made for one of the most intense days of the trip.

Day Twenty-Three: Homeward Bound

An early checkout, long flights, and time zone gymnastics carried us back to LAX- tired, changed, and already nostalgic.

10/10 would travel again! Until next time!

rpt

Want to see more out of Thailand? Check out my posts here!

Posted In: Asia, Destinations, Thailand, Travel

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