Take off to Thailand, the land of smiles
The place you wake up in is called the land of smiles because everyone there is positively beaming. Perhaps it’s due to the abundance of stunning beaches. Maybe it has to do with the relaxed way of living. Perhaps it’s because of the magnificent mountains and enchanted rainforests. Perhaps it’s due to the peace and quiet of the numerous uninhabited islands. Most likely, it’s each of these. Each new experience and location you discover over even a brief vacation here will make you smile.
The frantic activity in Bangkok
In this city of contrasts, you can find ultra-modern shopping malls next to 200-year-old village homes, gleaming temples nearby neon-lit city strips, long-tail boats gliding past tail-to-tail street traffic, and skyscrapers with the best restaurants overlooking street food carts. Bangkok is a city where you never know what to anticipate, which makes it so much fun to explore.
paradise islands
In Thailand, there are limitless beaches to be found. With islands that match paradise strewn throughout the warm, clear waters, its two jungle-covered coastlines offer some of the most picture-perfect beaches. Ko Lipe is the destination for you if you can surf. Visit Ko Tao if diving with whale sharks sounds like your kind of adventure. In Ko Phi-Phi, you can find the party scene if you’re seeking for it. Or visit Railay beach in Krabi to see monkeys scaling rocky cliffs. Ko Samui is the ideal location to truly unwind if you want a more serene setting.
Both Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai
Chiang Mai has the air of a tranquil small town in the middle of a verdant landscape. Explore the magnificent jungles here, which are home to elephant sanctuaries and waterfalls. The lowland Mekong River floodplains and Thailand’s most northern region, Chiang Rai, both provide stunning scenery that are worth exploring.
Thais eating their meals
Thai cuisine is a stimulating experience for your taste senses, with pungent lemongrass, scorching chiles, and luscious fish. For genuine, fresh street food, check out the various noodle stands, seafood stands, and Burmese market booths.
What season is ideal for travelling to Thailand?
Thailand’s three main seasons are rainy (May to October), chilly (November to February), and hot (March to May). A great time to travel is during the cold season when temperatures can still exceed 30°C as opposed to the oppressive 35°C of the hot season. But keep in mind that the cooler months are also the busiest.
We at TravelUp know how to do Thailand properly, taking you to all the hotspots and attractions at the lowest possible cost. Why not challenge us to find you the ideal vacation to the land of smiles and put us to the test?
Things to do in Phuket
Visit the Incredible islands
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From Phuket, you may embark on a leisurely cruise across Phang Nga Bay, navigating your way through the steep limestone karsts that rise vertically out of the emerald-green ocean. You can disembark to visit some of the bay’s well-known locations, including James Bond Island and Koh Panyee, or you can choose to lounge on the deck and enjoy the ever-changing scenery. The fantasy vacation spot Phi Phi Island is another option. Majestic, beachfronted jungle transitions from majestic, towering cliffs, and neither Phi Phi Leh Island nor Phi Phi Don have even a single road. We advise visiting the Similan Islands if selecting the ideal diving location is a key component of your trip.
The world’s best beaches
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Kata Beach is a laid-back but always busy location with lovely sandy sand, palm palms, and clear seas ideal for snorkelling and surfing. Since Freedom Beach is the only place on the island that can be reached by longtail boat or a steep hillside pathway, it can be compared to a pristine desert island. Then there is Kata Noi, a much smaller beach area where you may find some of Phuket’s top dining establishments. Paradise beach is the next stop; it’s a small cove close to Patong that lives up to its name with its quiet waves, plush bottom, warm white sand, and swaying palm trees.
Nightlife and night markets
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For Phuket’s best nightlife, you want to be on Bangla Road. The road becomes a strip of neon lights and music when the sun sets and is thereafter closed to traffic. Nearly all of the taverns are outdoors or have open fronts, and there are usually acts on the streets every night. If bars aren’t exactly your thing, the night markets might be. They have a distinct festival atmosphere, frequently featuring live music and street entertainment, and you may sample authentic Thai street food from hot food vendors. Chillva Market Phuket is a hip, stylish night market that offers a wide variety of cuisine and clothing in a bohemian setting.
When to visit Phuket
Similar to the rest of Thailand, Phuket has wonderful weather. However, it’s vital to keep in mind that the nation experiences a rainy season from May to October. Despite this, temperatures will still be mild with highs of 28°C, storms usually don’t last very long, and it’s uncommon for the island to have days of nonstop heavy rain. It’s also the least expensive and most tranquil time to go. The southern Thai province of Phuket has three distinct seasons due to its tropical monsoon climate, which is affected by two opposing monsoon winds. The rainy season lasts from the middle of May to the middle of October and is marked by hot, humid southwest monsoon rains. The greatest time to travel is during the winter, which lasts from mid-October to mid-February and is rain-free with cold, dry northeast monsoon winds. Mid-February through mid-May are the summer months, which include hotter days and more humidity but very little possibility of rain.
Top Attractions in Phuket
Phuket Town
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Phuket Town is situated in a beautiful and picturesque bay on the island’s southeast coast. Due to its numerous hotels, eateries, go-go bars, massage spas, and other tourist attractions, the city serves as a major tourism hub for the Phuket region. The town’s architecture displays a close affinity for the Chinese immigrants, a significant Portuguese influence, as well as opposing Thai architectural styles. Experience the vibrant, bustling streets of Phuket’s Old Town while strolling among its many attractions, including Sino-Portuguese houses, Thai temples and shrines, as well as numerous restaurants, nightclubs, hotels, hostels, and stores selling trinkets.
Karon Viewpoint – Three Beaches Hill
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A renowned vantage point that offers panoramic views of Phuket’s three most stunning beaches, Kata Noi, Kata Yai, and Karon Beach, is situated south of Kata Noi Beach. The vistas are renowned and have appeared in numerous travel publications, websites, Instagram, Pinterest, and numerous travel postcards. Climb the Three Beaches Hill and trek to the top for sweeping views of an island with white sand beaches, a deep blue sea, and lush green hills. Visitors can see Kata Noi Beach, Kata Bay, Karon Beach, and Koh Pu Island from this vantage point. Koh Pu Island is also visible on the left side.
Rawai Village
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The Moken people, commonly referred to as “Sea gipsies,” reside in Rawai Village, a small settlement on the island’s east coast. This genuine village has a strong culture with a foundation in history, tradition, and its own set of values and practises. The majority of the Moken people live by the sea and are semi-nomadic on land; they have ties to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as well. Men serve as guides for fishing and sea trips in the mostly fishing community of Rawai. Rawai is fortunate to have a small fishing port and a narrow stretch of beach lined with swaying palm and coconut trees, swamp oaks, and bobbing fishing boats.
Frequently Asked Questions on Phuket Holidays
Northwest of Phuket Island is where Phuket International Airport (IATA Code: HKT) is located. After Bangkok, this international airport serves as Thailand’s second-largest hub. Several Southeast Asian cities, including Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Jakarta, as well as the Middle East, India, Australia, and occasionally seasonal flights from Europe, all have significant air traffic to and from Phuket International Airport.
Thailand and the UK participate in a visa waiver programme. Tourists from the United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are eligible for the program’s 30-day visa-free stay in Thailand, which can be extended by an additional 15 days.
Thailand’s national currency is the Thai Baht (THB). 34 THB to 1 USD, 37 THB to 1 EUR, and 41 THB to 1 GBP are the current exchange rates for THB. Depending on the currency, exchange rates might fluctuate by a factor of 1 to 2. The most extensively used credit cards are American Express, MasterCard, and Visa.
In Thailand, travel insurance is required as of March 2022. 1.75 million Thai Baht (or $50,000 USD) must be covered by Thailand travel insurance for accidents, unexpected illnesses, and COVID-19. It must include hospitalisation, emergency transport, in-patient and out-patient care, as well as medication. The insurance must be in effect for the entire journey.
Phuket’s official tongue is Thai. Although there are many fluent English speakers in Phuket’s hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, stores, marketplaces, and all the main tourist attractions because it is a prominent tourist destination in the nation.
Locals are picked up and transported all over the island by songthaews, which are unofficial vehicles. Air-conditioned, convenient Phuket Smart Buses run between the airport and the major cities and a number of beaches. For local transportation, prepaid taxis, bike taxis and tuk-tuks are additional options. You can also hire companies that rent cars and bicycles.