Bangkok and southern islands
Duration : 10 days
Route : Bangkok (3 nights) → Krabi / Koh Lanta (4 nights) → Phuket / Phi Phi (2 nights) → Bangkok (1 night)
Custom travel to Thailand
Thailand is one of Southeast Asia's most complete destinations, where bustling Bangkok meets the peaceful rice paddies of the north, where thousand-year-old temples dialogue with postcard beaches, and where every region reveals its own character. From the tumult of floating markets to the silence of Chiang Mai's Buddhist temples, from the jungles of Khao Sok to the turquoise waters of Koh Lanta, through the royal ruins of Sukhothai and the world's most inventive street food, the country offers a diversity that makes it one of the world's most loved destinations.
Highlights
- Bangkok: temples, floating markets, street food
- Chiang Mai: mountainous north, temples and crafts
- Southern islands: Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi
- Sukhothai and Ayutthaya: UNESCO royal capitals
- Khao Sok and Khao Yai: jungle and wildlife
Sample itineraries
Grand Thailand tour
Duration : 16 days
Route : Bangkok (3 nights) → Ayutthaya (1 night) → Sukhothai (1 night) → Chiang Mai (3 nights) → Chiang Rai and Golden Triangle (1 night) → flight south → Khao Sok (2 nights) → Koh Yao Noi or Krabi (4 nights) → Bangkok (1 night)
Slow Thailand and wellness
Duration : 12 days
Route : Bangkok (2 nights) → Chiang Mai (4 nights, retreat and cooking) → Koh Yao Noi (5 nights) → Bangkok (1 night)
When to go
Thailand is ideally visited November to February: dry season, pleasant temperatures (25-30 °C), low humidity. March-May is very hot (35-40 °C). Monsoon runs June-October on the west coast (Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lanta) and October-December on the east coast (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan), seasons are thus inverted between the two coasts, allowing travel almost year-round by choosing the right island. The north (Chiang Mai) has a dry season October-February, perfect for culture.
- Cool dry season (November – February), All regions, perfect conditions everywhere
- Hot season (March – May), Songkran (Thai New Year, water battles), east coast islands
- West coast monsoon (June – October), East coast (Koh Samui), north (green Chiang Mai), Khao Sok
- East coast monsoon (October – December), West coast (Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi)
Practical information
Thailand is generally very safe, main risks are taxi scams, Bangkok touts, and pickpocketing in tourist zones. A few cultural codes: covered clothing mandatory in temples (shoulders and knees covered, no shorts), remove shoes before entering; don't touch someone's head (seat of the soul in Buddhist culture); don't point feet at a Buddha statue or a person. The royal family is highly respected: never criticize (lèse-majesté). Tap water not recommended, prefer bottled water. A few Thai words (sawatdee, kawpkun ka/kap) always appreciated.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time for a Thailand trip?
November to February offers ideal conditions almost everywhere: dry season, pleasant temperatures (25-30 °C), low humidity, this is the most requested high season. March-May is very hot and dry (35-40 °C), manageable if you stay near the sea or at altitude in Chiang Mai. Monsoon runs June-October on the west coast, Andaman side (Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lanta), and October-December on the east coast, Gulf of Thailand (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan): these inverted seasons let you travel almost year-round by picking the right coast. The north (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai) has its own dry season October-February, ideal for culture, but March-April brings agricultural burning haze that can veil the landscapes.
How long for a Thailand trip?
10 days are enough for Bangkok and the southern islands, a compact format centered on relaxation and urban culture. 14-16 days allow a grand tour combining Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and the islands, the itinerary most often chosen since it alternates city, mountains, and sea without too many domestic flights. 21 days or more allow adding the historic capitals of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya, the Khao Sok jungle, or an extension to Cambodia (Angkor) or Laos (Luang Prabang), easily combined from Bangkok or Chiang Mai.
What budget for a custom Thailand trip?
The budget varies by season, chosen islands, and accommodation level. As a guideline, expect €1,800-€2,500 per person for 10-12 days in comfort (4★ hotels, domestic flights, a few guided experiences), excluding international flights. For a deeper trip with a floating-cabin night and a private guide on key stops: €3,000-€4,000. For an upscale trip with addresses like the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok or a Six Senses resort: €5,000-€9,000. Paris-Bangkok flights range €600-€1,200 depending on season, pricier during year-end school holidays.
Do I need a visa to travel to Thailand?
No visa is required for French, Belgian, and Swiss citizens for a tourist stay under 30 days (entry with a simple passport). Your passport must remain valid at least 6 months beyond your return date, and proof of an onward flight or sufficient funds can occasionally be requested on entry, rarely in practice. Beyond 30 days, a tourist visa (obtained before departure at the embassy) or an in-country extension at an immigration office becomes necessary.
How do I get around in Thailand?
Domestic flights (Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia) remain the best option for long distances: Bangkok-Chiang Mai (1 h 15), Bangkok-Phuket (1 h 30), Bangkok-Krabi (1 h 20). The Bangkok-Chiang Mai night train (about 12 h, air-conditioned sleeper cabins) offers a slower, more scenic experience, boarding in late afternoon lets you enjoy dinner on board. Between islands, longtail boats and ferries handle the short hops, while tuk-tuks and taxis stay affordable in cities (always negotiate the tuk-tuk fare before boarding, or prefer Grab for a fixed price).
Which islands to choose in Thailand?
West coast (Andaman, most beautiful): Phi Phi (lively), Koh Lanta (peaceful), Koh Yao Noi (confidential), Koh Lipe (paradise, south). East coast (Gulf): Koh Samui (family), Koh Phangan (Full Moon Party), Koh Tao (diving). To escape crowds: Koh Yao Noi, Koh Lipe, Koh Kood.
How to see elephants ethically?
Favor sanctuaries without riding (Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, BLES sanctuary in Sukhothai, Boon Lott's Elephant Sanctuary). Absolutely avoid camps offering back rides, shows, or painting, which involve cruel training.
Is Thailand safe for a trip?
Generally very safe. Main risks are taxi scams (insist on meter), Bangkok tourist touts, and pickpocketing in busy zones. Solo female travelers are safe.
What is typical Thai cuisine?
Pad thai, green or red curry, tom yum, tom kha kai, som tam (green papaya salad), massaman curry, mango sticky rice. Bangkok street food is world-famous. Spice level adjustable (mai phet for not spicy). Cooking classes everywhere.
Is Thailand suitable for a family trip?
Absolutely. Safety, warm welcome for children, kid-friendly cuisine (mild on request), kid-friendly experiences (ethical elephant sanctuaries, longtail boats, family beaches), many family hotels. Favor Bangkok + Chiang Mai + Koh Lanta or Koh Samui.
How to pay in Thailand: card or cash?
Cards are accepted in hotels, malls, and established restaurants in major cities, but cash (baht) remains essential for markets, tuk-tuks, street food stalls, and smaller islands. ATMs are plentiful but charge a flat fee of around 220 baht per withdrawal regardless of the amount, so it's better to withdraw larger sums than to make frequent small withdrawals.
What should I pack for Thailand?
Light, breathable clothing for the constant heat, but also an outfit covering shoulders and knees for temple visits (Grand Palace, Wat Pho), mandatory or you'll be turned away at the entrance. A light sweater or jacket for the sometimes icy air-conditioning in buses and restaurants, and for cooler evenings in Chiang Mai during winter. Sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and easy-to-remove sandals, shoes come off before entering temples and many homes.