Thailand Travel Notes

How to plan around the cool season, the rainy season and Songkran, with transport, hotels and temple tickets from Bangkok to the islands.

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Where to Stay in Bangkok 2026: Siam, Sukhumvit or the Riverside? Hotels

Where to Stay in Bangkok 2026

Bangkok splits into 3 areas: Siam for shopping, Sukhumvit for interchanges, the riverside for views. BTS walking times and booking windows explained.

Chiang Mai Food Guide 2026: Khao Soi, Nam Prik Ong and the Sunday Walking Street Food

Chiang Mai Food Guide 2026

12 Lanna dishes and 4 food districts. Khao soi from 50 baht, the Sunday Walking Street opens at 16:00, and songthaew fares explained.

Phuket Attractions Guide 2026: Big Buddha, Promthep Cape and Phi Phi Island Hopping Attractions

Phuket Attractions Guide 2026

Entry fees and drive times for 12 Phuket sights. The Big Buddha is free, Phi Phi costs a 400 baht park fee, and the south loop runs 45 km.

Phuket Island Hopping 2026: Phi Phi, Racha Island and the Similans Island Hopping

Phuket Island Hopping 2026

Phi Phi costs a 400 baht park fee and the Similans 500 baht, with crossing times and seasonal limits for the three main routes.

Phuket Hotel Guide 2026: Choosing Between Patong, Kata and Chalong Hotels

Phuket Hotel Guide 2026

Patong has the most complete services, Kata is quieter and Chalong saves the most time on island trips — with the drive times and rate gaps.

Chiang Mai Night Markets 2026: The Sunday Walking Street, Chang Khlan and the Saturday Market Night Markets

Chiang Mai Night Markets 2026

The walking street opens at 16:00 and Chang Khlan trades from 17:00 nightly, with the size and layout of all three.

Bangkok BTS and MRT Guide 2026: Day Passes, the Rabbit Card and the Airport Rail Link Transport & Passes

Bangkok BTS and MRT Guide 2026

The BTS day pass costs 150 baht; here are the Rabbit card deposit rules and the airport rail interchanges.

Bangkok Temples Guide 2026: The Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun in One Route Temples

Bangkok Temples Guide 2026

The Grand Palace costs 500 baht and Wat Pho 300 baht, with the walking route between the three temples and the dress code.

Bangkok Attractions Guide 2026: Chatuchak, Floating Markets and the Riverside at Night Attractions

Bangkok Attractions Guide 2026

Chatuchak opens weekends only and floating markets need a dawn start; here are the drive times for central and outlying sights.

Bangkok Food Guide 2026: Boat Noodles, Hainanese Chicken Rice and Michelin Street Stalls Food

Bangkok Food Guide 2026

Boat noodles from 15 baht a bowl and chicken rice at 50 baht, with the four food districts and their trading hours.

Bangkok Shopping and Night Market Guide 2026: Siam, Asok and the Riverside Night Markets

Bangkok Shopping and Night Market Guide 2026

Malls trade 10:00 to 22:00 and night markets open after 17:00, with routes across the four districts and the VAT refund rules.

Chiang Mai Temples Guide 2026: Doi Suthep, Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang Temples

Chiang Mai Temples Guide 2026

Doi Suthep costs 50 baht and sits 40 minutes up the mountain road, with the walking route linking the old city's three temples.

Chiang Mai Hotel Guide 2026: Choosing Between the Old City, Nimman and Tha Phae Gate Hotels

Chiang Mai Hotel Guide 2026

The old city has the lowest rates, Nimman the nearest cafés and Tha Phae Gate the easiest night-market access, with the distances between them.

Chiang Mai Mountain Trips 2026: Doi Inthanon, Elephant Camps and Hill Coffee Villages Mountains

Chiang Mai Mountain Trips 2026

Doi Inthanon National Park charges 300 baht and sits 2 hours away by road; here are the three mountain routes.

Chiang Rai Temples Guide 2026: The White Temple, Blue Temple and Black House in One Day Temples

Chiang Rai Temples Guide 2026

The White Temple costs 100 baht and the Blue Temple is free, with a charter route covering all three within 15 km.

Krabi Island Hopping 2026: The Four Islands, Chicken Island and Railay Beach Island Hopping

Krabi Island Hopping 2026

A Four Islands day trip runs about 1,200 baht plus a 400 baht park fee; here is how long-tail boats and speedboats differ.

Koh Samui Beaches Guide 2026: Chaweng, Lamai and Maenam Beaches

Koh Samui Beaches Guide 2026

Chaweng has the most complete services, Lamai steadier swell and Maenam the nearest pier — with the conditions on each stretch.

Ayutthaya Ruins Guide 2026: Reclining Buddha, Buddha Head in the Tree and the Park Pass Temples

Ayutthaya Ruins Guide 2026

The historical park pass costs 220 baht and single temples 50 baht, with drive times for a day trip from Bangkok.

Pattaya Attractions Guide 2026: The Sanctuary of Truth, Koh Larn and the Night Markets Attractions

Pattaya Attractions Guide 2026

The Sanctuary of Truth costs 500 baht and Koh Larn is 45 minutes by ferry, with a two-day, one-night route.

Hua Hin Attractions Guide 2026: The Railway Station, Santorini Park and the Night Markets Attractions

Hua Hin Attractions Guide 2026

About 3 hours from Bangkok, with a one-day route covering the station, the beach and three night markets.

Koh Chang Beaches Guide 2026: White Sand Beach, Klong Prao and Bang Bao Beaches

Koh Chang Beaches Guide 2026

The ferry takes 45 minutes and some sailings are cut from May to October; here are the island's three beach stretches.