Giant rock and boats on a beach in Thailand

SAWATDEE THAILAND

Name: Essential Thailand
Brand: Costsaver
Price: 1295.0 GBP
Availability: InStock

Destination guide

You can’t help but fall in love with Thailand. From the friendly locals and world-class food, to the paradise islands and glittering temples, you’re sure to be charmed. While we take care of all your Thailand tour essentials, you’ll have the freedom to create your own adventure, with optional experiences to tailor your dream Thailand trip. From sailing through the stunning islands of Phang Nga Bay, to visiting a hill tribe village in the northern mountains, get out there and find out why you'll fall head over heels for Thailand.

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ESSENTIAL THAILAND BUCKET LIST ITEMS BY US

A Thailand tour with Costsaver shows you all the iconic sights you can’t miss, from the famous floating markets to the dazzling temples and palaces.

Sculpture in front of the shrine in Bangkok, Thailand

VISIT WAT PHO AND THE GRAND PALACE IN BANGKOK

We’ll take you sightseeing on your Bangkok trip to discover the top spiritual delights, starting with Wat Pho, the city’s most ancient temple. See the massive Reclining Buddha, the largest in Thailand, then head to the Grand Palace to be wowed by the intricate architecture and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

TAKE A BOAT TRIP ALONG THE MEKONG RIVER

There's something truly special about cruising the mighty Mekong, the longest river in Southeast Asia. We’ll get to sail through the lush jungle to the exact spot where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet. You can also make a quick stop in Laos, where you can go shopping for all kinds of local wares at the Don Sao Island Markets.

Woman in a hat transporting garlic on a raft in Sankamphaeng, Thailand

EXPLORE THE HANDICRAFT AREA OF SANKAMPHAENG

Put your haggling skills to the test on San Kamphaeng Road, the ‘handicraft highway’ that stretches for 10km all the way from Chiang Mai to the village of San Kamphaeng. It’s a must see in Thailand and you're sure to pick up some beautiful souvenirs here, whether you’re in the mood for pottery, sculptures, wood carvings, jewellery or silk products.

THAILAND TAILORED BY YOU

You’ll get to tailor your Thailand trip your way with our range of Optional Experiences. Choose from adventures like taking a delicious Thai cooking class or or discovering an incredible South East Asian art collection.

People eating traditional thai meal with chopsticks

Katie Birtles

happy Get Going past guest

THAI COOKING EXPERIENCE

We couldn't wait to learn the secrets of that iconic Thai flavour at a cooking class in Chaing Mai. The class was held in a traditional teak wooden houses surrounded by an organic farm, and we got to choose fresh ingredients from a market, then cook and eat all our favourite Thai dishes.

Little shrine inside Jim Thomson House in Thailand

Deyana Petrova

Costsaver team member

EXPLORE JIM THOMPSON HOUSE IN BANGKOK

There were endless treasures to explore in the Jim Thompson House, the former home of the American businessman and architect who devoted his life to the revival of Thai silk. He designed the house in 1958 and there are six traditional Thai houses packed with his collections of Thai paintings and Buddhist statues.

Irina Gorskaia

Costsaver team member

GO SCUBA DIVING IN KRABI

If scuba diving is your thing, don’t miss out on the incredible liveaboard boat trips in Thailand that are a must for avid divers. Krabi, along with all the surrounding islands, has incredible marine life which is why a trip to explore the underwater world is something I would highly recommend.

WHAT TO EAT & DRINK IN THAILAND

Fried rice, pad Thai, green curry, red curry, som tum, and every type of curry, soup and stir-fry you can dream of…. Thailand’s food is the gift that keeps on giving.

PHUKET LOBSTER

The lobster is the king of seafood in Thailand, especially in Phuket where it’s beautifully decorated and cooked all kinds of ways. Phuket lobster is known for its rich, sweet taste and whether you like it steamed, grilled, roasted or fried, your lobster experience will be something to remember.

CHAI YEN (THAI ICE TEA)

Chai yen has got to be the most popular drink in Thailand, and you won’t get far in this country without spotting someone sipping at a cool Thai ice tea. It’s super sweet, creamy and nothing like the regular black tea you know, and you’ll soon be hooked!

GAENG KEOW WAN GAI (GREEN CHICKEN CURRY)

Everyone raves about Thai curries and one of the best is the green chicken curry. It’s made with creamy coconut milk, spicy green chillies, chunks of chicken and Thai aubergines and beans, dished up with a bowl of fluffy steamed rice. It’s a volcano of flavour and we’ll show you all the best spots to try it.

WHEN IS BEST TO VISIT THAILAND

We love Thailand all year round, whether it’s the dry season when the sun is out, or the wet season when the landscapes are lush and green.

BEST TIME TO GO ISLAND HOPPING IN THAILAND

Anywhere from November to February brings blue skies and sunshine in the southern islands of Thailand, while things really heat up from March to May - perfect for a Thailand cruise or beach holiday!

BEST TIME TO EXPLORE NORTHERN THAILAND

The northern regions like Chiang Mai are beautiful all year round, but the dry season from November to February is best for exploring Thailand's northern jungles.

BEST TIME TO VISIT THAILAND’S CITIES

You’ll enjoy a Bangkok tour any time of the year, whether it’s the dry season (perfect for exploring the floating markets!) or the wet season (great to visit all those museums and mega-malls!)

PACKING TIPS FOR THAILAND

Thai phrasebook

The Thai locals always appreciate any attempts to learn their language and you’ll be rewarded with plenty of smiles if you try out a few phrases. Start with sawatdee (hello!)

Slip on shoes

You’ll need to get into the habit of removing your shoes before entering houses, temples and some restaurants, so bring a comfortable pair of sandals you can easily slip out of all day.

Your swimsuit

Don’t forget to pack your swimsuit for all the watery adventures on your Thailand trip, from exploring the gorgeous islands and white sandy beaches to taking a dip in the jungle waterfalls.

HOW TO TRAVEL RESPONSIBLY IN THAILAND

Be mindful of local customs

It’s extremely offensive to show the soles of your feet in Thailand as these are the lowest points of the body. On the other hand, you should never touch anyone’s head as this is the sacred highest point of the body.

Don’t cuddle the tigers

You may see many animal parks and zoos advertising the chance to cuddle a tiger cub or other big cats, but you should never support them as the animals have most likely been bred illegally, drugged or kept in unacceptable conditions.

Dress modestly

It’s important to respect Thai culture and dress modestly by covering your shoulders and knees, especially when visiting religious sites in Thailand. See what the locals wear and follow their lead!

YOUR ASIA, YOUR WAY

Traditional Chinese building on the background of the city

CHINA

JAPAN

INDIA

VIETNAM