Thailand’s main destinations range from Phuket, the country’s largest island1, to Chiang Rai, the northernmost major city in Thailand2. The country welcomed 32,974,321 foreign tourists in 2025, and its five largest source markets that year were Malaysia, China, India, Russia and South Korea. The Tourism Authority of Thailand is targeting 36.7 million foreign arrivals in 20263. Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport is the busiest in the country and handled 62,234,693 passengers in 20244.
Regions and main cities
In the north, Chiang Mai is the largest city in northern Thailand and the capital of Chiang Mai province; Wat Suan Dok5, a 14th-century temple, stands just west of its old city wall. Chiang Rai lies further north, and the Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet, is 55 kilometres north-east of the city2.
Sukhothai was the capital of the first Kingdom of Siam6 in the 13th and 14th centuries.
Phuket lies off the west coast of mainland Thailand in the Andaman Sea, and its province takes in another 32 smaller islands1 off its coast. Koh Samui is an island off the east coast of Thailand, in the Gulf of Thailand, about 35 km northeast of Surat Thani town7.
Getting there and around
Suvarnabhumi is one of two airports serving Bangkok4; the other is Don Mueang. Since 1 May 2025, every foreign national entering Thailand by air, land or sea must complete a digital arrival card online, and you can register for it within 3 days before you arrive8.
As of October 2026, the UK advice says land borders and crossings between Thailand and Cambodia remain suspended9, and not all land border crossings into Laos10 are open to foreign nationals.
Renting a scooter or motorbike in Thailand requires a motorcycle licence, according to the Dutch government, which also warns that many rental scooters are not insured11 and that many rental firms ask for your passport or driving licence as a deposit. The UK advice says do not hand your passport over as a guarantee, for example to motorcycle or jet-ski rental businesses. UK drivers need both the 1968 international driving permit and their UK driving licence. On the road, the UK advice suggests taking care in open transport like tuk-tuks12 and avoiding sleep on buses and trains, as people have had items taken from bags while asleep.
When to go
The rainy season is generally from May to October12, and the Dutch advisory adds that the south and the south-east coast can also see a lot of rain from October to January11. As of October 2026, the UK advice reports severe flooding in parts of Thailand after heavy rainfall, with all 50 districts of Bangkok9 declared disaster-affected areas.
The traditional Thai New Year, Songkran, is a national holiday held on 13–15 April13.
Money, safety and visas
Foreign visitors spent 1.53 trillion baht in Thailand in 20253. You may be asked to show that you have enough money for your stay: at least 10,000 Thai baht per person or 20,000 per family8. The UK advice reports incidents of ATM skimming12 and suggests using an ATM in a bank. Prices and budgets are on the costs page.
As of October 2026, the UK advises against all but essential travel to Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat provinces and four districts of Songkhla near the Malaysian border, and to areas within 20km of the land border with Cambodia9. The Dutch advisory, also as of October 2026, is red for a 5-kilometre strip along the Cambodian border11 and orange from 5 to 20 kilometres. More on the safety page.
Since 15 September 2026, visitors entering under the visa exemption scheme can stay for up to 30 days, for tourism only; the Dutch government notes the period was cut from 60 to 30 days11. Visa-exempt entry through land-border checkpoints is normally limited to 2 entries per calendar year, and your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after arrival. An overstay costs 500 Thai baht a day, up to 20,000 baht8. Details per passport are on the visa page.