Travel advice for Thailand
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Thailand
Book your individual trip, stress-free with local travel experts
written by Tamara Hinson
updated 28.10.2021
Asked to name the world’s best wine country and you’ll most likely tout the undulating vineyards of Italy, France or California. But Thailand? With its smouldering weather and chalky soil, Thailand is not top of a wine lover's bucket list. But Tamara Hinson discovers why it should be.
Cocktails and Chang beer are no longer the only drinks being served in Bangkok‘s chicest rooftop bars. The city’s upwardly mobile masses have a new-found thirst for wine – but the extortionate taxes slapped on imported alcohol mean that it’s a luxury few could enjoy. Until now.
5 days / from1180 USD
Chiang Mai Safari Adventure
The perfect trip for some family fun and adventure, lovely Chiang Mai with its lush valleys and national parks ticks all the boxes. Expect majestic cliff-top temples, sprawling national parks and exciting safari adventures.
view tour ⤍12 days / from2750 USD
Thailand's Islands and Highlands
Experience the best of Thailand as you discover glitzy Bangkok's temples, markets and waterways. Compare the bustling, lively capital with the glorious rolling hills and lush interior of mountainous Chiang Mai before heading south to beach bliss and unexpected cultural delights in hedonistic Phuket.
view tour ⤍12 days / from2450 USD
Thailand Discovery
A great way to discover Thailand, take in the Central Plain and Bangkok, the north with Chiang Mai and the south at the lively resort of Phuket.
view tour ⤍8 days / from1250 USD
Bangkok-Pattaya Explorer
The perfect trip for adventurers, sun seekers and lovers of island life: take in cosmopolitan Bangkok’s wats or temples, street markets and waterways. Witness the excitement of Bangkok before heading to Thailand’s east coast for island-hopping in the sunshine.
view tour ⤍5 days / from950 USD
Pattaya Sun
The sandy beaches and tiny offshore islands, dense forests and hidden waterfalls are a natural draw to Thailand’s Eastern Seaboard. Pattaya abounds with activities – from watersports to international-standard golf courses.
view tour ⤍5 days / from1150 USD
Chiang Mai Sustainable Trails
Chiang Mai offers a balmy escape from Bangkok’s humidity. Regarded as the cultural heart of the country, come here for nature, lovely Lanna-style temples, museums and the infamous night bazaar.
view tour ⤍3 days / from615 USD
Thailand Luxury Camping
Experience Thailand in a different light, with this unique glamping trip. This trip is the perfect add-on to any trip to Thailand. You'll stay at the Hin Tok River Camp, near Kanchanaburi, one of Thailand's finest tented luxury camps, and explore the surrounding area, including the River Kwai.
view tour ⤍8 days / from1150 USD
From Bangkok to Hua Hin
Ideal for those not wishing to travel too far, this multi-centre trip to Thailand combines exciting Bangkok city with royal-favourite resort Hua Hin, just a few hours from the capital.
view tour ⤍5 days / from1350 USD
Southern Thailand Explored
Discover the best of Southern Thailand: soak in the serenity at a forest temple, experience the opulence of a summer palace fit for a king, marvel at seemingly impossible limestone formations and walk bare-footed along pristine white-sand beaches – all of this, and much more, with this unique trip!
view tour ⤍7 days / from1750 USD
Northern Thailand Explored
Experience the best places to visit in Thailand, from the majestic former capital of Siam at Ayutthaya and the ancient temples and pagodas at Sukhothai, to the beautiful green hills of Chiang Mai and the famous Golden Triangle, all with this unique trip!
view tour ⤍8 days / from1150 USD
Thailand exploration with nature and beach
Dreaming of a trip that allows you to spend time in the jungle and on the beach? You can do both on this 8 day Thailand exploration trip! From Bangkok head down south by overnight train, to explore the jungle in Khao Sok and stunning beaches in Krabi.
view tour ⤍14 days / from2450 USD
Explore Northern Thailand with beach days in Koh Samui
Thailand has a lot to offer and this trip will take you to the best natural and cultural spots in the country! Spend the first part of your trip exploring the cities, national parks and cultural sites of Northern Thailand, then head down to the stunning island of Koh Samui for some relaxation.
view tour ⤍5 days / from829 USD
Krabi Beach Escape
Stretching along Thailand’s spectacular Andaman Coastline, bordered by striking limestone karsts and providing visitors with a relaxing getaway is Krabi. Soft-sand beaches and inviting turquoise waters await, as well as rainforest excursions and boat trips to iconic Ko Phi Phi.
view tour ⤍13 days / from7235 USD
Thai Sojourn
This ultimate luxury multi-centre tour of Thailand combines cosmopolitan Bangkok with the lush valleys, mountains and national parks of Chiang Mai before venturing south to the amazing beach bliss to be found at stunning Khao Lak. A wonderful overview of Thailand in style and complete comfort.
view tour ⤍5 days / from751 USD
Bangkok Sustainable Trails
Visit Thailand’s must-see capital Bangkok with its evocative markets, glitzy malls, Buddhist philosophy and traditional reserve. Discover its fabulously rich culture, great nightlife and have lashings of fun.
view tour ⤍5 days / from990 USD
Bangkok Culture
Visit Thailand’s urban capital for a fabulous cultural experience. Explore Bangkok’s wonderfully ornate wats, learn about history at the stunning Grand Palace, tour the eccentric floating market and get a taste of Siam Thai culture.
view tour ⤍22 days / from4799 USD
The Ultimate Southeast Asia Grand Tour
Explore the highlights of four countries in a bit over 3 weeks: Halong Bay & the Mekong Delta in Vietnam combined with the cities Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Proceed to Cambodia with Angkor Wat before watching the monks in Luang Prabang/Laos. Your trip ends in Thailand with elephants and Bangkok.
view tour ⤍6 days / from1200 USD
Krabi Discovery
Visually striking, Krabi and its islands make for one of Thailand’s most charming spots. It’s perfect for beach-lovers, sports enthusiasts and those seeking a bit of adventure around the Andaman Coast.
view tour ⤍12 days / from2150 USD
Thailand Explorer
A great way to see Thailand, this multi-centre trip takes you from lively Bangkok to the beach resort of Pattaya before completing your circuit in the fresher climate of verdant Chiang Mai.
view tour ⤍5 days / from1450 USD
Bangkok Gourmet
Enjoy a culinary whirlwind tour of Bangkok. Partake in one-to-one cookery classes, explore the fragrant markets and delight your tastebuds with Michelin-star menus and street food alike. Take some time out to explore the city too and meet monks at Wat Pho and visit the Grand Palace.
view tour ⤍15 days / from5250 USD
Family Time in Thailand
Explore incredible Bangkok city before heading to the verdant Chiang Mai area to meet elephants in their natural habitat. From here, it’s down to the spectacular beach resort of Khao Lak for complete family relaxation. The perfect trip for the whole family to enjoy.
view tour ⤍3 days / from680 USD
River Kwai Discovery
Discover the stunning River Kwai and its surroundings with this unique, compact trip, which would make the perfect add-on to an existing trip to Thailand. Experience unforgettable scenery, walk along the spot where the infamous Thailand-Burma Railway once stood and canoe down the River Kwai!
view tour ⤍4 days / from730 USD
Hua Hin Getaway
Thailand’s Northern Gulf Coast is home to attractive sandy beaches, good weather, interesting towns and two national parks. Come stay in chic Hua Hin, a popular getaway spot with Thai royalty.
view tour ⤍12 days / from1750 USD
Bangkok-Pattaya Safari Adventure
Visit Thailand’s exciting capital Bangkok where you can explore the city by bike and see giant Buddhas and extravagant temples. Then head east to the coastal resort of Pattaya for some watersports and beach time.
view tour ⤍5 days / from1400 USD
Thailand's Golden Triangle
Tour Thailand's glorious Golden Triangle. An almost untouched region, come here for a sense of romance and adventure as you travel through the verdant hills and river valleys of Thailand's lush north taking in both Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai's markets, temples and mouthwatering northern cuisine.
view tour ⤍9 days / from1850 USD
Off the beaten track in Thailand
Are you ready to explore the lesser-known destinations in Thailand? From busy Bangkok to relaxing Chiang Mai, along the way, you will explore off the beaten path cities, such as Uthai Thani, Phitsanulok and Lampang, where temples, rivers, mountains and local markets are waiting to be discovered!
view tour ⤍12 days / from1980 USD
Unique Thailand
Discover the hidden treasures of Bangkok, Hua Hin and Chiang Mai. A unique multi-centre trip around Thailand, this is the perfect package for those seeking adventure, culture and an off-the-beaten-track experience.
view tour ⤍10 days / from1850 USD
Best of Thailand with Phuket
Discover Thailand's busy capital Bangkok with its unique markets and temples before heading north to Chiang Mai - the cultural center of Thailand offers authentic family experiences as well as elephants up close. End your trip with beach days in beautiful Phuket.
view tour ⤍13 days / from2050 USD
Olde Thailand – North & South
This is a trip to Thailand for the adventurer. It takes in must-see Bangkok, exploring the city’s waterways by boat and delving into its lively and unique markets. From here you will head to Chiang Mai to admire awe-inspiring temples and then on to Hua Hin, just a few hour’s drive from Bangkok.
view tour ⤍15 days / from3715 USD
Signature Vietnam & Thailand
Discover 3 main areas in each country: Vietnam with Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and the Halong Bay. Thailand with Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket. Discover authentic food experiences, historic city tours with knowledgeable guides and much more on this two week itinerary.
view tour ⤍Tucked between the rolling hills of Hua Hin, away from the coastal region’s sandy beaches and five-star resorts, Monsoon Valley Wines‘ vineyard is a hive of activity. Local workers move slowly along the vines, filling baskets with ripe grapes and wafting away the heat with homemade fans. A family of four cycles past, leaving behind wisps of chalky soil.
This hot, humid chunk of Thailand isn’t an obvious choice for a vineyard. The same could be said for the entire country. But that didn’t deter Chalerm Yoovidhya, who founded Monsoon Valley Wines in 2001.
Yoovidhya, the Thai billionaire behind the Red Bull empire, had always loved fine wine, and felt that a Thailand-based winery would boost the blossoming wine culture in his country.
The tourists who flock to this beautiful corner of Hua Hin to sip wine in the sun have little idea about the challenges faced by Thailand's winemakers
Critics scoffed, pointing out that decent wine simply couldn’t be made in this hot, humid country, with its chalky soil and searing heat. But Yoovidhya persisted, and today his company is one of Asia‘s most successful wine brands, with the largest network of international distributors.
But it wasn’t easy. Luckily, Yoovidhya had the financial clout to assemble a crack team of wine experts, including Kathrin Puff, a German winemaker.
Chief winemaker Kathrin, who studied viticulture in Spain and New Zealand before landing a job in Tuscany, jumped at the opportunity to join a young brand based in a country not known for its wines.
Since then, Monsoon Valley Wines has won countless awards.
The winery’s accolades include a gold at the world-renowned Decanter World Wine Awards, and its portfolio boasts reds, whites, rosés and sparkling wines.
Kathrin splits her time between the winery at Samut Sakhon, south of Bangkok, and the vineyard in Hua Hin. Today, it’s one of the area’s biggest tourist attractions.
But the tourists who flock to this beautiful corner of Hua Hin to sip wine in the sun have little idea about the challenges faced by Thailand’s winemakers. Surprisingly, the biggest obstacle isn’t the climate, although Kathrin admits that she’s seen her vines succumb to diseases she’d never seen during her stints in vineyards in Tuscany and New Zealand.
Monsoon Valley Wines has some of the world’s top viticulturalists on its payroll, and Yoovidhya spends a huge amount of money on research.
The brand is currently working with a German university to develop a type of grape which can cope with Thailand’s searing summers and torrential rainy seasons.
“The biggest obstacle is actually the high tax on wine in Thailand,” says Kathrin.
“The local excise tax is absurdly high – whether you’re a local producer or not. So Thai wine is very expensive, which puts people off. The other obstacle is that we’re unable to mechanise much of the vineyard.” This is due to the tropical location, which produces plants which mature at different times.
Critics scoffed, pointing out that decent wine simply couldn’t be made in this hot, humid country, with its chalky soil and searing heat
“Even in the same row, plants can have completely different maturity stages,” explains Kathrin. “So we could never pass a harvester through our vineyard as there are too many differences in the ripeness of the grapes.”
Another obstacle has been filling the various roles: “In Thailand, it’s hard to find people with a viticultural background. People who like to work outside in the fields in the heat all day long are also hard to find.”
But Yoovidhya’s efforts have paid off. Monsoon Valley may initially have been viewed by many as an indulgent hobby by a wine lover with too much money – but the bulging awards cabinet is proof of the brand’s success. And that’s surely something worth raising a toast too.
Got the taste for some Thai wine? We've picked the top places across the country to try it:
Monsoon Valley's sprawling Hua Hin vineyard can be explored by jeep or by bike. There's a shop and a restaurant, and a wide range of activities for wine lovers, including bottle-painting sessions, wine tastings and wine safaris. The tours include the nearby Kuiburi National Park, as well as of the vineyard.
This 1000-acre vineyard, perched on a hill next to Khao Yai National Park, was founded in 1989 by Thai businessman Dr Piya Bhirombhakdi. PB Valley Khao Yai Winery produces eight wines, including a rosé and sauvignon blancs, several of which have been served at official functions attended by the Thai royal family.
At the helm is Prayut Piangbunta, the country's first Thai winemaker. For this reason, Khao Yai is seen as the birthplace of new latitude wines. There are daily tours of the vineyard, which includes a restaurant and shop.
Silverlake's vineyard can be found in Pattaya – a region more associated with full moon parties and backpackers than fine wine. Founded in 2002 by Surachai Tangjaitrong and Supansa Nuangpirom, this vineyard is known for its hi-tech machinery (imported from Italy) and has been credited with promoting Thailand as a top new latitude wine region.
Tangjaitrong and Nuangpirom are both keen music lovers, and the Silverlake music festival, held on the estate every year, is now one of Thailand's most popular music events. There are daily tours of the vineyard, which offers overnight accommodation, and there's also a restaurant, café and shop.
Looking for other wine regions of the world? Don't miss our guide to Chile's best wine-growing regions.
written by Tamara Hinson
updated 28.10.2021
Tamara is a former snowboard instructor who's been a freelance travel writer for 12 years. She loves snowboarding, hiking, mountain biking and scuba diving, and the regions she knows best are Asia, America and Africa. Europe-wise she knows Germany and France very well. In normal times she does two or three trips a month. Follow her on Twitter @tamarahinson
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From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Thailand