r/InfoTravelThailand

My husband’s leave was just approved for our November trip, and we will now be accompanying some family to Hong Kong from Nov 17-22. Afterwards we’d like to go to Chiang Mai for the Yi Peng festival and explore around Thailand… but here’s where we’re a bit stuck:
- do we stay in Thailand and explore until we go home Dec 10?
- do we explore what we can of Thailand until around Nov 29 then travel to Vietnam and spend the rest of the time there until we fly out?

Would appreciate some suggestions for how to plan this to be able to see the most but not feel like we’re running through or spending all our time en route.

We are both 30 and have never been to either destinations. We enjoy being outdoors, walking through cities, appreciating architecture and culture. I’d like to be able to see some wildlife ( am looking into ethical elephant sanctuaries), do a cooking class or make something unique to the area we’d be going to. We’re both fairly active people. Not looking to backpack through the countries by any means. This will most likely be our last trip for the next few years.
Happy to provide more insight for must-see suggestions!
TIA!

Flying in from Bangalore for a quick 3 day trip, either last week of Aug or first week of Sep. First time in Thailand. Solo, normal budget, will spend on food but don't care about fancy hotels.

Rough plan: Wat Pho and Wat Arun one morning (thinking of skipping Grand Palace, tell me if thats dumb), Chatuchak if I land on a weekend, street food night in Yaowarat, maybe Jodd Fairs, one rooftop bar somewhere. Planning to stay near BTS, people keep saying Sukhumvit.

Stuff I actually want to know:

How bad is rain end of August really? Like afternoon showers I can work around or full washout days?

Food - if you had 3 dinners where do they go. Street stalls over restaurants for me but I'll do one nice meal.

Whats the biggest waste of a half day that every first timer does anyway?

Is the river boat worth it or just take BTS and Grab everywhere?

Any newer scams to know about? I know the gem shop and "temple is closed" stuff already.

Not asking anyone to plan my trip, just don't want to burn one of my 3 days on something you all know is a trap. Will post back after with what worked.

Also since I'm solo, if anyone's in Bangkok around those dates and wants to grab street food or a beer, open to that. Always better eating with someone who knows what to order.

US passport if that matters, entry looks straightforward.

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Hi,

I am planning to visit thailand in mid November. I have total 13 days planned. Currently I have planned 3 days in phuket, 3 days in krabi and 3 days in Bangkok.
Need some advice on how should I plan the remaining 4 days. I was thinking of 1 day in khao sok or maybe day trip from krabi only.
Preference: Nature

Hey everyone!

I’m planning a 35-day trip around Southeast Asia, and I’ll be spending around 10 days in Thailand. I’ll be flying into Krabi, then making my way to Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

I’d love to hear your advice, especially from people who have travelled around Thailand before!
Where would you recommend staying in Krabi, Bangkok and Chiang Mai?

Which areas/neighbourhoods are best to stay in, especially for a first-time visitor?
What are the must-see places and things to do in each destination?

How would you divide the 10 days between Krabi, Bangkok and Chiang Mai?

Any tips for getting around, booking accommodation or avoiding tourist traps?

And if there’s anything you wish you had known before visiting Thailand, I’d love to hear it!

Thanks! 🙏🇹🇭

The Thai government has launched a coordinated push to streamline international passenger processing at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, pledging to expand automated passport gates to 31 additional nationalities by the end of August 2026.

I’m a male from Canada and I’ve been to Thailand a few times, I have to return soon. I’m wondering how the visa situation works, I thought it was 30 days visa free with a possible 30 day extension. I’m hearing it’s 60 days with 30 day extension. Does anyone have confirmation?
There’s the flight situation as well, I’m hearing that you need a return flight booked when you arrive. Can I get a return flight that’s easily cancelled, and rebook at a later date? Only so I can work around the 30 day limit, since there aren’t much round trips with good prices that go past this.

Hello guys, gonna get married in February, planning a trip to Thailand in March.

It's going to be my first international trip. How should I plan it and what all things are to be done for the trip when I'm in India and what is to be done after I reach there.

Currency exchange, sim cards, etc like what all things am I supposed to do after I reach there? How do I book the hotels, activites, transport, etc.

All your comments are appreciated

Will be visiting Phuket in 1st week of September, what would you advise, don't have any plans for island visit like Phi phi

Hey wannabe Thais. I'm in Bangkok for another week and I'm looking for a salon or a barber to bleach my hair. Must be a mid-life crisis, I guess 🤷‍♂️.

I'm at Nana station right now and the salon I went to is charging me 3000 THB. Do you have any suggestions that charge less? All recommendations are welcome ✌️.

Thanks in advance!

Hey everyone! 23F here, this’ll be my second international trip and I’m stuck between two options and could really use some real experience.

**Option 1: Thailand — Sept mid to end (8 days)** Route would be Bangkok → Pattaya → Phuket → Krabi. I really want the city + nightlife + island combo, but everything I’m reading says September is peak monsoon on the Andaman coast (Phuket/Krabi side) and I’m worried about rain wrecking the island days or rough seas cancelling boat trips to Phi Phi.

**Option 2: Same route but Sept 30–Oct 8**
This is the latest I can push my dates. Would this actually make a meaningful difference weather-wise, or is it still too early to expect decent conditions?

**Option 3: Bali instead**
I know September is supposed to be Bali’s best month weather-wise (dry season), but I’d be trading Thailand’s nightlife/city energy for Bali’s beach-club vibe instead, which isn’t quite the same thing I’m looking for.
I’ll be travelling either solo or with a friend. Really want the Phi Phi Island experience if I go Thailand.

**Questions for anyone who’s actually been:**
If you’ve done Phuket/Krabi in September or early October, was it actually bad, or is the “monsoon” fear overblown?

Did boat trips to Phi Phi/Maya Bay run fine, or did you get cancellations?

Would you personally choose the early-Oct window over Bali if nightlife + islands both matter to you?

Appreciate any real experiences over travel blog fluff 🙏

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Hey guys! I’m travelling to Thailand for the first time for Tomorrowland and will be staying in Pattaya for 4 days for the festival. I’ve got 2 extra days before that, so I’m thinking of exploring somewhere else as well.

Has anyone from India explored the islands around Pattaya, especially Koh Samet? Would love to know how your experience was and whether it’s worth spending a day or two there.

Also, I have an Airtel postpaid SIM and don’t really want to buy a local SIM. How’s the network situation there?

Would love to hear from anyone else going for Tomorrowland too! 🙌🎶🇹🇭

I’ve shaved down and changed my itinerary a few times now, I just want it finalised so I can book accommodation.
Background is we are two friends in our late 20s, we like the beach, good cocktails and good food. We enjoy some nightlife but nothing crazy, don’t want to be partying with 20 year olds or staying out all night. However we do enjoy going out to a certain extent. Mainly looking to do cool activities, eat good food and relax on nice beaches.
Here’s my itinerary:

2 nights Bangkok
5 nights Phuket
3 nights Koh lanta
4 nights Krabi
2 nights Koh sok
1 night Bangkok before flying home in the evening on day 18

Please advise on whether this is doable

Thanks!

Hey guys,

I’m a French citizen but I’m not a French resident, I live abroad.

I’m looking to get a Thai car driving licence from scratch. I currently don’t have a driving licence.

My idea is basically to fly to Thailand, stay a week or two max, do everything needed (driving school/tests/paperwork), get the actual Thai driving licence and leave.

I’m seeing very mixed information online, especially about tourists being able to get a residence certificate and then apply for a licence.

So, is this actually possible in 2026?

If yes:

● Which city is the easiest/fastest? Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi, etc.

● Can the whole process realistically be done in a week or two?

● Do I need a residence certificate even if I’m only there as a tourist?

● Can a driving school/agent arrange the paperwork and appointments?

● How much does it cost roughly?

I’m specifically looking for a real Thai driving licence, not an IDP or temporary tourist driving permit.

If anyone has actually done this recently as a tourist, I’d really appreciate your experience/recommendations 🙏

I’m planning a first time solo trip to Thailand
I have scheduled 4 nights in Bangkok and 4 in Chiang Mai. Suggestions on where to spend my next 4 nights. I’m not sure I want to do beach areas due to projected weather conditions.
I love food/culture/nature. Not into parties.