Background

Thailand has a huge variety of interesting things to do. Places like Phuket and Krabi, near the Andaman Sea, are great for island hopping and boat tours, while cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai have some amazing cuisine to try and traditional style Buddhist temples to see.

Climate

The climate of Thailand is tropical, so the weather is hot and humid year round. The rainy season runs from May to October (but especially the months of August and October), and the sunny season runs from November to April. It’s still possible to visit Thailand in the rainy season, but give yourself some extra days as a buffer in case of bad weather.

Safety

Thailand is a relatively safe place to travel, with a low violent crime rate of 3.24 per 100k inhabitants (48% lower than the global average). I’ve traveled in many parts of Thailand and witnessed very little crime. The biggest safety risks are probably motorbike accidents and natural threats, like dengue fever. Be sure to wear mosquito spray in rural areas, especially during the rainy season.

Budget

Thailand is a very budget friendly travel destination, with hostels available from $5 and private hotels from $10. Meals are also cheap, costing about $1 to $5 depending on location. Transportation in Thailand is generally by motorbike or car, and these can be rented, but hiring a driver is sometimes preferable. The Grab transportation app can be used in Thailand, but the prices are a bit inflated here because of price fixing by the Thai taxi industry.