Getting to Thailand´s islands and best beaches
Most international flights arrive in Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi airport or Don Mueang airport). But there are also flights directly to Phuket, Krabi or Koh Samui.
From Bangkok to the south and east
by plane
Nokair, Airasia and Thai Lionair offer cheap daily flights from Bangkok Don Mueang to:
Krabi - Phuket - Trang - Hat Yai - Suratthani - Ranong
Bangkokair flies to Trat and Koh Samui
Nokair and Airasia also offer combined flight-minibus-boat tickets to some of the islands and beaches (check their websites).
by bus
Buses are leaving Bangkok several times per day to the east (Ekamai (east) and Morchit (north) bus terminal) and the south (southern bus terminal Sai Tai Mai) of Thailand. Airconditioned buses are overland non-stop buses. The fares are quite unexpensive and traveling is more or less comfortable. But it needs many hours to arrive at the destination (e.g. five hours to Trat or 12 hours to Phuket).
check and buy bus tickets online
Visa for Thailand
Tourists of most countries don´t need a visa to travel to Thailand for holiday reasons up to 30 days. One re-entry is possible. It only needs a valid passport and to fill an arrival card to pass immigration.
Weather and climate
The climate in most parts of southern Thailand is tropical with a rainy period from June till end of October. From November till May the weather is usually fine and calm with sunshine and blue seas. The daytime temperature ranges between 28 and 33 degrees Celsius and the water temperature is around 29 degrees. High season is from December till March.
Best traveling time
For most beaches and islands the best time to travel is during the dry season from November till May, while March and April are the hotest months.
Just Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao make a difference. The rainy season on these islands is from September till end of December. The best months are February till April and July and August.
Since the weather changes due to climate change, the strict recommendation of the past is no longer valid and there might be rainy periods also in the dry season.
Actual exchange rate
Some words in Thai
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hello
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good bye
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thank you
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you are welcome
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the bill please
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what is the price?
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sawadii Kha/Khrap
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sawadii kha/khrap
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khop khun kha/khrap
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jindi kha/khrap
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gep thang
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thaorai?
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