Thailand

Thailand is best for...

Thailand is best for…

Couples: Perfect for an evening walk with your partner, Cicada and Tamarind offer an endless variety of goods and souvenirs to purchase, magic shows and live music, and finally Thai food and local alcoholic beverages like mekhong rum whisky or sato, the Thai rice wine. Attracting locals and tourists alike, night markets are the ideal places to visit with small company.

Culture-lovers: For those curious about local culture and history, Thailand has over 30.000 temples spread all around the country, each with its own story and design. Among the 300 in Bangkok, there is Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), dedicated to the Hindu god Aruna and representing the Hindu cosmology. Or you could take a slow hike up what is colloquially called Monkey Mountain in Hua Hin and watch the indigenous monkeys that surround the Wat Khao Lad temple. Feeling like something more contemporary? Then head over to Pattaya and make sure to check out the annual Pattaya International Music Festival, a celebration of multiple genres of music spread out over Beach Road and Bali Hai Pier.

Night-owls: Thailand is a prominent centre of nightlife in East Asia, if not the most. From Bangkok’s Khaosan Road to Pattaya’s Walking Street, the after dark hours in Thai cities are known for countless bars, exotic street food, dance and music clubs. Just like the rest of the country, the nightlife scene in the big cities is especially renowned for their LGBTQ+ friendliness.

Getting around Thailand

By car rental: So long as you have a valid driver’s license, you can rent a car from any rental car agency, which are abundant and popular among the tourists.

By metro: Cities like Bangkok and Pattaya have multiple metro lines. From the moment you land in Bangkok, you can take Airport Rail Link and explore the city with the underground MRT or BTS Skytrain line.

By tuk-tuk: Tuk-tuks are Thailand's iconic three-wheeled mini vans and, because of their compact size, they are perfect for travelling around in cities like Bangkok and Pattaya.

By ferries: Ferries and boats are indispensible in the coastal regions of Thailand, where they connect islands and the mainland on a frequent basis.

Fast facts for Thailand

Language: Thai. Another widely spoken language is English, especially in the main tourist areas. To be on the safer side, make sure to bring a phrasebook or download a translation app for your visit.

Currency: Baht (THB)

Local Time: GMT+7

Fly to

  • Suvarnabhumi Airport: For visits to Bangkok and Pattaya
  • Phuket International Airport: For visits to Phuket
  • Krabi International Airport: For visits to Krabi

Flight time from the UK: It usually takes around 11 to 13 hours of flight from the UK.

Tourist Information: For more information on all Cyprus locations, please visit the official tourism website here.

Visa/health: If you are a UK citizen and have a valid passport, you do not need a visa for Thailand holiday visits for up to 30 days. Visit the official UK travels website for restrictions, travel advice, visa requirements and health advice here.

More travel guides: Curious for more? We have a range of travel guides and holiday
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Your Guide to Thailand holidays

  • Food & Drinks
  • Beaches
  • We Love
  • At a Glance

Food & Drinks

Thailand is where all the cuisines of Southeastern Asia come to meet and the variety speaks for itself. Accommodating
all dietery preferences, Thailand will leave no visitor hungry or asking for more!

  • Pad Thai is a legendary dish that has made its way to all the corners of the globe in one way or the other. It consists of rice noodles and a bunch of additional, yet optional ingredients stir fried in a wok.
  • Alternatively, you could treat yourself with khao pad.Prepared with Thai jasmine rice, a meat option, and usually soy sauce, Khao pad is served with fresh vegetables like cucumber, lime, and tomatoes.
  • Make sure to try khao soi while you're in Bangkok. Indigenous to Northern Thailand with Chinese and Burmese roots, khao soi consists of egg noodles served in coconut milk curry broth and is commonly served with chicken or beef.

Beaches

Thailand is a paradise thanks to its beaches of platinum-white sand and crystal azure waters. Among the most liked are

  • Karon Beach is the best option for families. It attracts just the right amount of people needed to liven up the place. What is more, the shallow water is ideal for those with children, and the beach is wide and long enough for walks along the shore.
  • Patong Beach is arguably Phuket’s liveliest beach thanks to numerous beach vendors offering you local snacks and drinks, restaurants, and souvenir shops.
  • Located on Phi Phi Islands in Andaman Sea, Tonsai Beach is one-of-a-kind as it offers climbing and hiking opportunities on the side, and small reggae bars that keep the fun going after the sunset.
  • A special one: Mai Khao Beach deserves a special mention for its popularity among plane spotters. Here you can enjoy all the pleasantries of a Thai beach while watching airplanes glide over you and land at Phuket Airport.

We Love

In Thailand, unique cultural landmarks and unadulterated natural wonders co-exist as they embellish each other. All the way from the Bay of Bangkok in the North to Andaman Sea in the South, the scale of city life and nature leans one way or the other without depriving you of the beauties of either.

  • Khao Lak is a series of tourist-oriented villages about 100 kilometres to the North of Patong. It is the best option for those that wish to have easy access to dozens of quiet yet well-regulated beaches all around Phuket. Here, you can enjoy tranquility on your own, with your partner or your family, and try out a new beach every day.
  • Patong Carnival in Phuket, held on November 1 each year for three days, is a mixture of colorful parades, sports events, and beauty competitions. It attracts significant participation from both foreign tourists and Thai nationals. Taking place alongside of Patong Seafood Festival, you will witness Phuket at its finest while enjoying dishes from all over Eastern Asia.

At a Glance

The average flying time from the UK to Thailand is around 12 hours. You can fly from all UK airports depending on the final destination in Thailand. The transfer time is between 30-120 minutes depending on the resort. Time zone is GMT+7.

travel advice

Get advice about travelling abroad,including the latest information on coronavirus, safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings on the

FCDO website.

Frequently Asked Questions