Thailand

A jade Buddha enshrined inside a palace crowded with gilded spires. Shoulders and knees must be covered to enter.

A tower decorated with pieces of porcelain, standing on the Chao Phraya. The view from the far bank at sunset is the famous one.

Brick towers and Buddha images left where the old capital fell. The head wrapped in banyan roots has become its emblem.

Attached to the mainland but walled off by cliffs, so boats are the only way in. It is also a well-known climbing area.

A hillside temple reached by a staircase, looking down over the Chiang Mai basin. It is the showpiece of northern temple architecture.

Traditional markets where goods are sold from boats along the canals. Go early if you want to see real trading rather than a show.

Destroyed in the eighteenth century and deliberately never rebuilt. Most people cover it by bicycle or tuk-tuk.

Ponds and Buddha images spread across a wide park. Quieter and more ordered than Ayutthaya.

Burial ground showing early farming and bronze working in Southeast Asia. Best known for its painted pottery.

A large protected forest holding tigers and elephants. General visitor access is limited.

Forest running along the Myanmar border, known for birdwatching. Roads are restricted during the rains.

Temples, towers and markets in one city. All international and domestic flights pass through.

Temples packed inside the old walled town. Cooler and slower than Bangkok.

Limestone islands and green water. The difference between wet and dry season is dramatic here.

Its rainy season runs opposite to the Andaman side, so you can choose around the weather. Each island has its own character.

A white temple, hill villages and the border triangle. Connected to Chiang Mai by bus.

Less heat and little rain make this the easiest time to travel. Room prices peak.

The hottest and most humid stretch of the year. The Songkran water festival falls in mid-April.

Heavy downpours once or twice a day, then clear. Prices drop and the landscape is at its greenest.

Koh Samui’s wet season does not match the Andaman side. Pick the coast to suit your dates.

Short tourist stays need no visa, though the permitted length changes with policy. Check current notices and any electronic arrival form before you travel.

Sleeveless tops and shorts will be refused at the gate. Never point your feet toward a Buddha image.

Lese-majeste is prosecuted in practice and carries serious penalties. It is not a subject for jokes.

Street stalls and markets run on cash; cities use QR payment heavily. City exchange counters usually beat airport rates.

The country is long, so domestic flights are common. In Bangkok the elevated and underground lines beat the traffic.

The tourist police on 1155 answer in English and are the most useful line for visitors. Never enter the water when the beach flag is red.