Thailand

In July 2025, I had the honor of being invited as a speaker at the SPLASH Soft Power Forum in Bangkok, Thailand. I joined the panel during the session titled SPARK: Global Lens on Local Treasures, where we discussed the power of Thai festivals and how influencers can help elevate them to the global stage. It was a proud moment for me and for the Traveltomtom brand to be part of such a forward-thinking and globally relevant discussion.

Planning a trip to Thailand and wondering what is the best eSIM for Thailand in 2026? In this updated guide I compare the best Thailand eSIM plans based on price, network coverage, data allowance, Fair Use Policy and real travel value.

After comparing the latest eSIM plans for Thailand, my top recommendation is the DTAC Happy Tourist eSIM from SimOptions. It connects directly to the local DTAC network in Thailand, includes truly high speed unlimited data, comes with a Thai phone number for calls and SMS and starts from around ~$10 USD for 10 days.

I have traveled to Thailand more than 25 times and in total spent almost one full year exploring the country. From Bangkok and Chiang Mai to Phuket, Krabi, Koh Samui and remote national parks, reliable mobile data has always been essential for navigation, booking transport, ordering taxis and staying connected.

Landing in Thailand and wondering how to get connected right away? Buying a SIM card at Bangkok Airport is by far the easiest way to get mobile data as soon as you arrive. Whether you land at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) or Don Mueang Airport (DMK), there are multiple kiosks selling tourist SIM cards from the main Thai operators like AIS, True and dtac.

I have personally traveled to Thailand more than 25 times over the years and every time I land in Bangkok one of the first things I do is get a local SIM card. Having mobile data immediately makes everything easier: ordering a Grab, navigating the city, checking hotel reservations or messaging friends and family.

Thailand needs no introduction when it comes to serving the most amazing street foods. This world-renowned food paradise is considered to be one of the best places to try out some of the traditional street food dishes for an unforgettable gastronomic experience. It doesn’t really matter what brings you to Thailand but your visit wouldn’t be complete without trying some of their street food.

You think you know everything about Thailand? Well... you couldn't be further from the truth. This beautiful country is known as Prathet Thai which means 'land of the free'. Apart from its incredibly friendly people, Thailand is full of diverse ecosystems which include lush jungles, rugged coastlines, hilly forests, endless pristine beaches, fertile rice fields, rivers, plains, waterfalls, and so much more.

Oh yeah and Thailand has more than 1,400 islands to explore.

Bangkok is one of the most exciting cities in the world and the list of things to do in Bangkok is almost endless. Most travelers visit famous attractions like the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Chatuchak Market or Khao San Road. But if you look a little deeper you will quickly discover that the Thai capital is full of hidden corners, strange attractions and experiences that rarely make it into traditional travel guides.

After visiting Thailand more than 25 times and spending months exploring Bangkok, I can confidently say that some of the best experiences in the city are the ones most tourists never see. From secret street food markets and abandoned skyscrapers to bizarre museums, canal life and local hangouts, there are countless unique and unusual things to do in Bangkok if you are willing to step a little off the beaten path.

There’s always this dilemma of how to travel around Thailand. Do I take the train, bus or even a flight. This time I wanted to travel to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and although flying was cheaper and faster I decided to take on the adventure and book a train from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur.

It was a little more complicated and expensive but the adventure was worth it. Read all about my experiences in my blog below about my overland travel experience in Thailand.

How long does it take from Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok by train? A flight is only 1,5 hours, but the journey by train is around 36 hours! You will first take a train from Bangkok to Hat Yai and then cross the border into Malaysia by direct bus towards Kuala Lumpur.

I had just finished an amazing overland trip in Asia but I wanted my trip to finish on an even more epic high so I thought I would do something that hundreds of local people do every day and take the train from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur. God damn, it was a long few days on the track but it was incredible.

I need of a Thailand itinerary that shows you nature, culture, islands & beaches? Click on the link to check out my 4 different Thailand itineraries! Also don't forget to read all my essential Thailand travel tips or my simple tips on how to stay connected when traveling to Thailand.

Where to book a train ticket?

To start off the overland experience, you’ll need to book your ticket and no better place to do this than through 12Go Asia. This is an online tour company responsible for train, boat and bus tickets to get you around Asia. The advantage of booking your train ticket online is that it is simple, reliable and convenient.

There is also an train ticket office opposite Hua Lamphong in Bangkok, but online is so much easier.

3rd, 2nd or 1st class train?

There are three classes to choose from when booking a train ticket from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur:

• first class with AC, bed and linen
• second class with AC, bed and linen
• second class with a fan, bed and linen
• third class being the cheapest option gives you a basic seat that doesn’t recline and a fan.

Which one to choose? Well that depends on your budget, but for just a couple dollar more you buy yourself a whole lot of comfort.

Packing list for Thailand? Check my article with a list of 40 things to bring when traveling to Thailand.

Lower bed or upper bed?

If you decide to book either first or second class, be sure to book a lower berth not an upper berth as a lower berth gives you your own window which might not seem much but I can assure you it adds a lot to the adventure.

Route train from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur

The train route from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur is somewhat surprising as nowadays the train from the border of Thailand to Kuala Lumpur is mostly substituted for a ultra modern luxury coach. The first stretch from Bangkok to Hat Yai, one of the Southernmost cities in Thailand, will take 16-18 hours.

Thai Railways train #171 leaves at 1.00 pm from Bangkok Hua Lamphong station towards Hat Yai.

In Hat Yai you will have between 3 to 5 hours transit time before your direct luxury bus leaves towards Kuala Lumpur. The bus station in Hat Yai is 500 meters away from the train station and easily walkable within 5-10 minutes.

Costs/price train from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur

Although there are two stretches you will buy just 1 ticket, a so called joint ticket. In your mail you will then receive both tickets in 1 document.

The costs for the joint ticket train from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur is between $50 and $90 depending on your class you book. Here are the up to date prices:

• First class sleeper: $70
• Second class - AC: $40
• Second class - fan: $28

The bus from Hat Yai Station to Kuala lumpur has a fixed price of $21. Click on the links above to get the exact details of the trip of do a search in the 12GO Asia search engine.

My experiences from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur by train

Right, all the boring stuff is now done so it’s time for my experiences traveling across Thailand by train into Malaysia.

The Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur train ride starts at Hua Lamphong in Bangkok, which is the biggest station in Thailand serving places such as Chaing Mai, Kachanaburi and Nakon Sawan to almost every destination in Thailand. 

Train from Bangkok to Hat Yai

The train to Hat Yai usually is an afternoon train, 1.00 pm to be precise and leaves from one of the tracks on the main concourse. When booking your ticket through 12Go Asia they will ask you to be there 1 hour before departure but honestly that’s a bit silly, 20 to 30 minutes will suit you just fine. Just be sure to know which carriage and seat number is on your ticket and navigating the train station will be very easy.

Remember that the train ride from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur is a long trip so stock up on food and snacks but don’t worry if you forget to, you are guaranteed to be pestered on the train until you buy something. Vendors are constantly walking from carriage to carriage selling everything from cold drinks, hot meals and things that I have no idea what they actually are. 

Buying food on the train from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur is also a lot cheaper than buying from a shop like Tesco. Expect to pay 20 THB ($0,60) for rice, basil mince and an egg. 

For the first part of the journey, things are super slow going as the train makes its way out of Bangkok. This can take 2 or 3 hours so don’t expect the train to get to top speed yet. The first few hours are the most boring however traveling through the back parts of Bangkok is interesting as it gives an insight into life around Thailand’s train tracks.

Once the train gets to Nakhon Pathom, things get a little bit more interesting as the train rolls out of the city towards Ratcha Buri, the point at which the train starts heading south towards Hat Yai. If you don’t already know, Thailand’s country side consists of rice paddy fields stretching as far as the eye can see often backed by limestone karst mountains jutting from the edge of the horizon as rivers flow from the Kaeng Krachan National Park into the picturesque Gulf of Thailand.

Back on board the train, it’s very limited on what you can do to pass the time as there is NO WIFI onboard. Here are some tips for the first stretch on the train from Bangkok to Hat Yai:

• Get a SIM card for Thailand to stay connected. Click here to read what is the best prepaid sim card for Thailand or simply order an eSIM from my list of the best eSIMs for traveling to Thailand.
• Eat as much food as possible as there are always vendors walking back and forth with meals. There will also be vendors at train stations along the way so be prepared so have your THB ready to go! When you buy food at a station, the vendor will pass the meal through the window which is pretty cool and what is even better is that the meals are hot and come with utensils. 
• Drink as little as possible! The toilets are nothing to be proud of so if you can I would advise holding it until the train arrives at Hat Yai.
• At the front and back of each carriage, doors are open allowing you to get a touch of fresh air however be careful you don’t lose your hat or your head. It can get windy!

If the train is running on time, expect to be in Hua Hin around 6:30 pm. If you’re lucky you catch the sunset in the train, quite a treat as this part of Thailand is pretty spectacular. Hua Hin is a coastal town backed onto stunning National Parks and this is another reason why you’ll want a lower berth when booking your train ticket from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur.

As the train heads on into the night, the cabin starts to transform into a sleeping area but don’t expect to have your bed made straight away as there are a damn lot to make on the train. Once the beds are made, you’ll finally get some privacy with your own curtain and your own window!

I must say the beds are quite comfortable and warm but there’s a good chance you will not need blankets as it’s warm all year round in Thailand and for the pillows, don’t expect too much as they are thin and hard. With the curtains closed, keep the window open and watch the world go by. If you’re lucky it will be a clear night, sky dazzling with stars as a distant thunderstorm flashes away. 

Quick tip: make sure you close the train window overnight as grass seeds, spiders and insects can land on you whilst sleeping. I woke up the following morning covered from head to toe because I wanted to cool down throughout the night… bad idea!

Around sunrise the train ride from Bangkok to Hat Yai is almost over. At the dawn of day it is only around 1-2 hours until Hat Yai. One of the good things about sleeping in first or second class is you can stay in bed right up until the train arrives at the train station which will be around 7.00 am in the morning. 

On disembarking from the overnight train from Bangkok to Hat Yai, it’s simple to exit the station as you can follow the crowd to the large building on the left hand side of the train or exit through the unused carpark.

Layover in Hat Yai

I am not a fan of layovers as I just want to get to my destination so I had to hold my horses and chill out for almost 5 hours in Hat Yai before catching the second part of the train journey from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur. 

Hat Yai is a strange city with its oddly designed buildings, run-down shop fronts and one way streets however the city has done wonders to zap some life into the place with vast amounts of effort gone into painting buildings in an assortment of colours.

Hat Yai is perched on the U-Ta Phao River fed by the Songkhla Lake to the north-east making it an ideal place to sit by the cooling river to pass the time or opt for the Toei River. Hat Yai is only a small city however one thing in common with places like Bangkok is the amount of shopping malls it has but there is a downside, most malls in Hat Yai will not open till 10.00 am, leaving you to walk the streets of the city with no real place to go. 

I passed quite a bit of time here by having breakfast and lunch while watching a few episodes of The Grand Tour and there will be a few of you saying “why are you on your phone when you could be out exploring the city”, but you will find out yourself… there aren’t many things to do in Hat Yai.

The Bus from Hat Yai to Kuala Lumpur

The 2^nd part of the overland journey begins in Hat Yai and depending on which company you are travelling with, buses will depart from different locations in Hat Yai but mostly around 12.00 pm or 1.00 pm. 

Buses that travel interstate or to another country or any long distant are generally super comfortable when traveling in Thailand or Malaysia. I got a VIP bus with reclining seats, air conditioning, USB outlets and onboard WIFI. The only thing that wasn’t on board the bus was a toilet, which apparently is illegal in Malaysia.

The first part of the bus drive from Hat Yai to Kuala Lumpur is quite slow and boring as the bus makes its way past border towns. Remember to have your passport on you at all times as the bus will be crossing the Thai-Malaysian border within the first hour of the journey so don’t get too settled in as you’ll have to get off the bus to clear immigration and security before boarding once again.

Crossing the border into Malaysia is super easy and for most passport holders you do not require a visa however in some instances, requirements state that you need to have a booked flight or mode of transport out of Malaysia before entering the country. Check before your trip.

Malaysian roads are mostly in great conditions and really well maintained so the ride will be basically bump free which is a plus compared to the train from Bangkok to Hat Yai. From the border town of Bukit Kayu Hitam the bus travels on the AH2 highway all the way to Penang, a largely popular seaside destination which is definitely a place I will be visiting when traveling to Malaysia next time.

One of the things that you will notice while on the 9 hour bus from Hat Yai to Kuala Lumpur is the amount of Palm Oil Plantations and how far they stretch. Palm oil trees require vast amounts of space to grow therefore to do so, intensive logging of rainforests all over Malaysia and Borneo has taken place to the point where the Orangutang is now critically endangered and rainforests now lie on the brink of total destruction. Palm oil is used in most foods like crisps, chocolates, beverages as an additive.

The bus continues south along the AH2 to Perak past Mount Yong Belar, a spectacular 2,183 metre mountain and one of the highest in Malaysia. You don’t want to fall asleep as there are sections of trip where vast limestone karst mountains extrude from the lush valley floors. 

On dark, some 9 hours into the bus drive from Hat Yai the lights of Kuala Lumpur become visible for the first time. One of the buildings you will see will be the iconic Petronas Towers piercing its way into the lowly clouds of Kuala Lumpur. The Petronas Towers rise some 451 metres above the city floor and seeing it at night is one of the most incredible things to do in Kuala Lumpur.

Arriving in Kuala Lumpur

After a solid 10 hours on the bus and thank god the seats are comfortable and the roads are smooth, the bus arrives at Terminal Bersepadu Selatan or TBS for short. I was the only passenger to disembark from the bus that night as the rest of the passengers stayed a board and headed to Singapore so be sure to get all of your belongings as there’s a very slim chance that you will never see that bus again.

Once at TBS get an Uber into the city which is still about 20 minutes away. You can get a train which is vastly cheaper but by the time the bus gets into the city, most trains stop operating. If you don’t have any currency, there are a few ATM’s located inside the TBS building. Unfortunately the currency exchange desk closes a few hours prior to the bus arriving at the terminal, one of the downsides arriving late at night.

The whole 36 hours of being stuck on a bus and train from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur has its ups and downs but it really isn’t that bad. If you were to catch a plane from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur it would be super boing as you would spend most of the time in a terminal, sitting on the plane possibly the aisle seat then arriving in a new country with no real story to tell. 

It cost me $55 USD for the bus and train combined as for the plane ticket it would have cost me $75 USD and that would have allowed me to only have a 5 KG carryon bag! So taking the plane is surely more expensive than getting a train from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur. 

Prices for the train from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur or vice versa are pretty fixed, but click the search button below to get up to date prices.

By far the best part of this journey is the train section and if you can afford a few extra dollars I highly recommend booking a lower berth in 2^nd class even better, a first class lower berth. If you are on a super strict budget, the overnighter in 3^rd class will be rough but you can make up for lost sleep on the reclining seats on the bus to Kuala Lumpur.

I hope the above tips for taking the train from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur were helpful for your upcoming Thailand trip. This blog was written with the help of my friend Calumn Hockey an avid travel photographer who also took all the photos for this article.

In case you have any questions don't hesitate to send me a message on my Instagram account @traveltomtom. In total I have been to Thailand more than 20 times as of December 2023, so Im sure I can help you out.

I also wrote an island hopping Thailand guide, island hopping itineraries, a Koh Tao travel guide, top things to do in Bangkok and almost 50 more Thailand travel blogs.

Enjoy the pictures and wanderlust vibes on my Instagram as Im trying to travel to every country in the world.

Find here my best travel adventures from around the world or when interested in how to earn money from a travel blog or how I became a professional travel blogger then click on the links to read my story.

Enjoy your trip to Bangkok!

If there is one question I get over and over again before a Thailand trip, it is this: what should I pack for Thailand? And honestly, it makes sense. Thailand can mean tropical islands, chaotic Bangkok streets, jungle hikes in the north or temple hopping in 35°C heat. Packing wrong can make your trip uncomfortable very quickly.

This is my ultimate Thailand packing list (updated for 2026), based on years of travelling around the country. No overpacking. No unnecessary gear. Just the essential things to bring to Thailand so you stay comfortable in the heat, know what to wear in Thailand (including temples), and are prepared for sudden tropical rain.

Last updated: February 2026.

Most people that visit Thailand assume that taking busses, trains and boats are the easiest ways to get around Thailand. But in fact the best, fastest and easiest way is by finding domestic flights in Thailand. But isn't that expensive? Nope! Don't worry backpackers even domestic flights in Thailand are cheap! In this blog I will show you how to find these flight deals, where to book them and everything else you need to know: luggage allowance, airlines, safety issues, etc.

Since I lived, traveled, partied, visited, explored and adventured in Thailand more than 20 times, trust me this is the most comprehensive Thailand travel tips guide that you will find on the internet. Let me help you getting started for your trip to Thailand with info about: things to do and not do, cultural guidelines, places to visit, standard travel tips, how to get around and everything else you need to know when visiting Thailand.

There are decided advantages and disadvantages to traveling abroad for any reason. Students and independent student travelers looking to study abroad have some of their questions and concerns that should be sorted out before traveling. The advice we have to share will offer a unique insight into the opportunities and concerns that students visiting Thailand should consider beforehand.

Planning your trip to Thailand for 2 weeks? Unfortunately there are too many cool places to visit in Thailand so you will have to make choices. Ideally I would suggest a 4 weeks itinerary around Thailand, but it is understandable that not everyone has the time and money to travel to Thailand for 4 weeks.

It is hard to come up with the ultimate 14 days itinerary for Thailand and therefore I created 4 different itineraries so you can choose the one you prefer most!

Driving a motorbike in Thailand is nothing like back home. There are different rules, road conditions can be bad, it looks chaotic and there are a lot of crazy tourists on the road that think they are TripleX. Be careful, drive safely! Have a look through these motorbike tips for Thailand and make sure driving a motorbike is fun and does not ruin your holiday. If you travel to Thailand it should be one big adventure. Best places for renting a motorbike is when you go island hopping in Thailand. 

When people ask me about the best country I have been, I hardly ever name Thailand or Philippines. First off I think it is really hard to compare countries as every place is unique and has its own charm. I always come forward with a list of 5 amazing countries (Argentina, Nepal, South Africa, New Zealand and Hawaii) in where I had fantastic travel adventures and it goes without saying that traveling to Thailand and traveling to Philippines can be added to that list.

The thing is, I have been to both countries so many times, I kind of take it for granted sometimes.

Looking for the perfect route to visit the islands in Thailand? I got you covered with 5 different island hopping itineraries to make the most of your trip to Thailand.

In this Thailand travel blog you will find itineraries from Phuket, island hopping itineraries around Krabi and of course island hopping from Koh Samui. You can choose from 1-week itineraries as well as complete itineraries for 2 weeks island hopping in Thailand.

Island hopping Thailand is probably one of the most popular holiday packages in Asia for young people. Everyone once heard stories about the Full Moon party, crazy nights in Koh Phi Phi or the early mornings in Phuket. But it is not only about partying, there are way more things to do in Thailand than just getting drunk. Let me show you the best islands in to travel in this amazing country. Im sure you will find the right one in this list.

Dreaming about your first big trip? The first time overseas with your friends or even more adventurous you are thinking about traveling to Thailand by yourself? Many people dream about it, still not everyone has enough courage to do it. A solo trip to Thailand can be life changing and therefore I would recommend everyone to try it at least once in their lives. Let me help you planning a trip to Thailand by giving you as many travel tips as possible and a guideline where to start.

Bangkok was the most visited city in the world before the global pandemic, yet still everyone is having doubts about the safety situation in Thailand. With so many happy tourists telling their friends about island hopping in Thailand and their jungle trekking and motorbike tours in Chiang Mai and crazy nights in Bangkok I would suggest word of mouth would do its job, right?

Well apparently there are still a lot of doubts if it is safe to travel to Thailand.

The vast majority of Thailand tourists leave the country with great memories, but on the flipside there are also some horror stories like the Koh Tao murders and disappearing people in Bangkok. So how safe is Thailand actually in 2026?

The main reason I love to travel in Asia is because it is affordable and the value for money is the best in the world. I have managed to stay on the road for 4 years without working a single day, so I can understand people keep on asking me the same question over and over again. How do you afford to travel? Then I explain them, traveling does not have to be expensive. So their next question always is: how much does a trip to Thailand cost for example…

The time that this little island was solely a diving paradise is long gone! Just like any other tourist destinations in Thailand, Koh Tao is getting more popular each year. Many tourists and travelers finding its way to this tiny little nirvana in the Gulf of Thailand. Traveling to Koh Tao is popular than ever before and there are numerous things to do besides diving. Hiking in Koh Tao is fabulous and with so many cool viewpoints it is one of the reasons to travel to Koh Tao in 2023.

Being away from Thailand for more than 6 months made me realise there are a bunch of things I miss about Thailand. The last years I have been back for several months each year, but so far I have no plans to go back in 2017. That saying I am somehow sure I will end up there again anyway! LOL :)

Thinking about traveling to Koh Tao? Despite its very bad reputation, I have always enjoyed visiting Koh Tao and it is one of the most visited places in Thailand for me. Therefore you can also find loads of Koh Tao travel tips on my website. So I am more than happy to help you enjoying this beautiful island as much as I always do.

Let me show you the best ways how to get to Koh Tao from Bangkok. in the most convenient way. There is no airport on Koh Tao the tiny hilly island so it's actually it is pretty straightforward since there is only one way: taking a boat to Koh Tao. But of course there are many routes to get from Bangkok to Koh Tao. When traveling to Thailand make sure you include this little paradise to your island hopping itinerary.

Checking in to a resort was like changing office for me while travelling in Asia. Definitely after I just did a city hotel tour in Singapore where I stayed in all the best luxury hotels in Singapore in 2 weeks. I landed at Phuket International Airport and made my way to Sri Panwa where I was about to stay a couple days and it was one of those places I definitely want to go back some day… WOW!

Always wanted to know where your favourite pop idols are celebrating their holiday? I have been staying in the most amazing hotels, but for most celebrities that is just too ordinary. Apparently they rent amazing villas, secluded places where they can’t be seen and where they can do whatever they want behind closed doors. Rihanna was one those celebrities that rented Samsara Phuket and I got to stay in the exact same villa!

By the time I got back to Bangkok last month I was in serious need of relaxation, and I was happy to be invited at one of the coolest boutique hotels in Bangkok: the Siam at Siam Design Hotel. It is one of Bangkok’s oldest family-owned hotels and lately completely refurbished. Siam at Siam Design Hotel is a boutique hotel with a contemporary, luxurious, and unique style right in the heart of Bangkok.

The Layana Resort & Spa is consistently voted among the best hotels in Thailand and it was no wonder that I was really pleased and excited to spend a couple nights in this little gem on my Thailand trip in 2017. Talking to other guests we all wondered why the resort is not called a retreat. It is such a peaceful and rejuvenating place that the addition of the word retreat wouldn’t be misplaced. If you Google ‘Thailand adults only resorts’, the Layana Koh Lanta will come up first and after experiencing this top-notch luxurious retreat I can understand that this place ranks number 1 in many lists. I was happy I was able to included this resort in my Thailand itinerary!

In June 2016 after visiting Thailand for more than 10 times I finally got to travel to Koh Lanta for the first time. I was invited to come and review Crown Lanta Resort & Spa and give my opinion about their resort. Crown Lanta is situated on the tip of a tiny peninsula in the North of Koh Lanta. Tucked away from the mass tourism of the popular East side of Koh Lanta, the Crown Lanta Resort and Spa has a fabulous location. In this review I will discuss all the things you need to know before you book the Crown Lanta Resort.

Leave Phuket behind you and explore the surrounding islands. Koh Yao Yai is one of my favorite islands out there and only 30 minutes away from Phuket. Still untouched and a place where island life is the number one feeling. When you decide to go island hopping in Thailand then put this on your list. In a hidden bay in Koh Yao Yai you can find Glow Elixir, a lovely 4* resort in a tranquil bay.

Go off the beaten path when traveling in Thailand and check in to the Rayong Marriott Resort & Spa, the number one hotel in Rayong. Rayong is a not yet discovered region by mass tourism not far away from the immense popular beach destination Pataya. Travelling East from Bangkok never really appealed to me, but when I was invited by the Rayong Marriott I thought lets just wing it. Actually I had never heard of the region. Exploring new territories in Thailand was great and after I have been to Marriott Rayong I can now say that it is totally worth visiting this undiscovered region of Thailand.

There are so many luxury hotels in Bangkok that prices are very competitive and staying in one of those fantastic places won’t be as expensive as you might think. I could have easily made a list op top ten hotels in Bangkok, but I chose to write about the 4 places I recently stayed at. To me the best areas to stay in Bangkok are Silom and Sukhumvit. I

Island hopping Thailand is probably the most popular first big trip for young travelers and I can totally understand why! Traveling to Thailand is hot again after the global pandemic! Some may say the islands are overcrowded and the authentic Thai lifestyle is gone. I am the last one to deny this as Thailand tourism changed a lot over the years. But hey... I am just as much guilty as I have visited Thailand almost 20 times.

Island hopping in Thailand never gets boring and is always something to look forward to. The uncomplicated and laid-back vibe is something hard to explain, but it makes me book a Thailand holiday over and over.

Bangkok can be intimidating at first, but give it a chance and you will start loving love it. Embrace the chaos and find the beauty in what may seem like a dirty city, but there is so much going on it can be a bit overwhelming.

There are so many cool things to do in Bangkok that it is hard to tell you where to go and what to do. I have traveled to Bangkok about 20 times and I was always the first person people would reach out to when they booked a trip to Bangkok.

Therefore I decided to put this list together of the 10 best things to do in Bangkok or first timers.

SO Sofitel Hua Hin is a modern and trendy beach resort where design meets the white sand in the Gulf of Thailand. A perfect retreat for hipsters and trendsetters looking to escape bustling Bangkok. It is where the SO concept is taken to the beach in Hua Hin.

The Sofitel So Bangkok only opened in 2012. A fashionable and trendy hotel, located at the beginning of Sathorn Road in front of Lumpini Park, Bangkok’s largest green area. So Sofitel is all about art and style; chic but playful. It was the famous French designer Christian Lacroix who designed the hotel’s interior, the staff uniforms and the executive lounge. On my trip to Thailand in 2017 I had the privilege of staying there and write a Sofitel So Bangkok review. 

Bangkok tourism is booming and so are Bangkok cycling tours. Co van Kessel is a Dutch company founded by Co, a late Dutchman. He started cycling in Bangkok over 30 years ago, taking tourists to the best places to visit in Bangkok. First time I took the tour was in 2009 and since then the business grew a lot and they are offering multiple tours a day ranging from 3 to 9 hours long. I opted for the ‘Co Combo tour’, a 5-hour bike/boat tour through the remote areas of Bangkok.

What is the best thing about traveling to Thailand? Exploring, the food and the people would probably come up in your mind first and I can understand. Isn't that why we travel the world? In total I have now been in this country more than 15 times and it still is intriguing enough to come back. All my experience and travel tips for Thailand I bundeled in more than 40 travel blogs. Check them out in the link.

Looking for a luxury hotel in Bangkok? Thought about staying in the W Hotel in Bangkok? It was my first time and like all first times they are hard to forget, right? I was happy to get a slice of luxury hotel life in Bangkok on my trip to Thailand and I enjoyed it to the fullest. This is my full review.

Finding the best beach when you travel to Krabi can be a hard job. With so many amazing places and beaches to visit in Thailand you can spend several weeks island hopping in Thailand and come across the most amazing beaches. You will for sure find one you like the most, but this article is here to help you a little. Around Krabi there are many islands, but some of the best beaches in Krabi are not even located on an island...

Looking for the best SIM card for Thailand in 2026? In this guide I show you exactly how to buy a prepaid SIM card in Thailand, what tourist SIM plans cost, where to buy them at the airport or in the city and which network gives the most reliable coverage for real travel routes.

I have traveled to Thailand more than 25 times and spent almost a full year exploring the country. From Bangkok to Chiang Mai, from long-distance bus rides down south to Krabi and the islands, and even places like Khao Sok National Park and Pai, I have tested SIM cards while being on the move.

You only have a couple days on the island and don't know where to go out in Koh Tao? With this complete restaurant and bar guide for Koh Tao I will give you some insider tips for when you travel to Thailand. I have lived on Koh Tao for 6 months and visited 5 times, and I know most places by now. You are spoilt for choice with upscale dining, local Thai cuisine, party places, live music and of course beach lounge bars, most of them all clustered around Sairee Beach.