Thailand travel advice
Tips on getting away from it all
Dee Edwards, from our partner Tell Tale Travel, shares her Thailand travel advice on avoiding the crowds – without having to travel too far: “You don’t actually need to be geographically very far from somewhere to be off the tourist trail. For example, in the last few years tourism in Krabi has exploded. There are so many big resorts, a lot of three star resorts, the main sea front is almost like Benidorm – it’s what a lot of people want. But just 15 minutes away from Krabi, people are living traditional lives, and there are little resorts you can stay in.”
Tips on whether to choose a guided tour
Lesley Schofield, from our partner All Points East, shares her Thailand travel advice:“One of the perceptions of Thailand is that it’s very well known, there are an enormous number of tourists that go every year, so people think it’s very easy to do on your own. And in some ways it is. But the majority of people that go there will go to three or four places – all well-known places that are massively commercialised, and certainly for the beach resorts you could be anywhere in the world. But what Thailand offers beyond that is loads and loads of beautiful little islands, loads of unspoilt places – which is what we take people to. It’s much more much more “real” Thailand. So you can do Thailand by yourself, but to really get to know people, to get out to the areas where they don’t speak English and where they’re not as affected by tourism, it’s best to have a guide.”
Tip on visiting ancient cities
Liddy Pleasants, from our partner Stubborn Mule Travel, shares her Thailand travel advice:“One of my top recommendations is an ancient city called Kamphaeng Phet, which is in the middle of Thailand. It’s not very well known, unlike Sukhothai. Kamphaeng Phet is older and in a really lovely, peaceful forest setting. It’s perfect to tour by bike as it’s a very small town, easy to get around with not very busy roads. The ruins are just gorgeous to tour by bike. That’s one of the true off the beaten track places – if you end up there, you’re going to have a complete ball.”
Beach advice
Liddy Pleasants, from our supplier Stubborn Mule Travel, shares her Thailand travel advice:
“You need to be really careful with which beaches you go to. Many of the west coast places in particular are very, very developed and not at all like the pristine brochure images. There are highrise buildings, loads of girly bars and gap year students. You need to look a bit harder – but there are still some nice islands. On Koh Jum, for example, you can get away from everyone else and it’s a Robinson Crusoe-style island. It’s not got the amazing beaches with palm trees that you see in the brochures, and it’s rather rocky – but there’s also no crowds, high rise buildings or girly bars, so from that point of view it’s lovely.”
“You need to be really careful with which beaches you go to. Many of the west coast places in particular are very, very developed and not at all like the pristine brochure images. There are highrise buildings, loads of girly bars and gap year students. You need to look a bit harder – but there are still some nice islands. On Koh Jum, for example, you can get away from everyone else and it’s a Robinson Crusoe-style island. It’s not got the amazing beaches with palm trees that you see in the brochures, and it’s rather rocky – but there’s also no crowds, high rise buildings or girly bars, so from that point of view it’s lovely.”
Thailand tailor made holiday, elephants, jungle & beach
Elephant encounters, jungle treehouses and stunning Thai islands
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14 days
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Thailand adventure holiday, self drive Tuk Tuk
A Tuk Tuk Adventure in the stunning mountains of Thailand
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11 days
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Family adventure holiday in Thailand
Private family tour of Thailand - May to October
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14 days
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Northern Thailand small group tour
Temples, ancient ruins & exotic markets of Northern Thailand
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£810 to £1150
8 days
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Thailand family tour
Sandy beach, great street food and a smile at every corner
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Thailand family holidays
A fabulous family holiday including the best of Thailand
From
£2375 to £2975
15 days
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Thailand tips from our travellers
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travellers are often... other travellers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful Thailand travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday - and the space inside your suitcase.
We have selected some of the most useful Thailand travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday - and the space inside your suitcase.
If you want to get away from it all, Khao Sok National Park is the place. There are attractions for all your senses and authentic Thai hospitality. Do not expect luxury – instead, let the place enchant you by its simplicity and beauty.![]()
– Magdalena Bakowski
“Get out there and experience. The guides are there to make sure you are safe, but it’s up to you to bring back the greatest memories!” - Federico Mingozzi
“Take lots of currency in 100s and 20s, most of the holiday these are the notes you will use.” - Suzanne Smith
“Take few clothes and get those you do take with you washed locally - very great service and very cheap. Take advantage of local massages.” - anon
“Take twice us much sunscreen and insect repellent, you quickly run out of them.” - Jennie Agustin
“Don't go if you like Big Macs and daytime telly. On seconds thoughts, do. It will broaden your horizons.” – Guy Hart
“Take lots of currency in 100s and 20s, most of the holiday these are the notes you will use.” - Suzanne Smith
“Take few clothes and get those you do take with you washed locally - very great service and very cheap. Take advantage of local massages.” - anon
“Take twice us much sunscreen and insect repellent, you quickly run out of them.” - Jennie Agustin
“Don't go if you like Big Macs and daytime telly. On seconds thoughts, do. It will broaden your horizons.” – Guy Hart
Cycling in Bangkok is not suitable for young children as a lot of it is on busy roads. ![]()
– Afsha Malik
“Expect to get dirty: the combination of mosquito repellent, sun cream, sweat and jungle dirt has imprinted itself forever in two of my favourite t-shirts!” - Franck Schmidlin
“The Bangkok train south overnight made me feel young again – we made good use of the bar and then slept very well.” – Marian and Richard Beaver
“Thai people are very open and kind. I had fascinating conversations with them about their lives and they were more than happy to recommend interesting places to visit.” - Ora Culmer
“We each had a sick day or two so bring medicine for your stomach.” - Marc Teicholz
“We all like nice hotels, but doing a homestay was fantastic as the families were so welcoming and they involve you in local life, which you would never get staying in the usual holiday 'bubble'.” - Michael Anderson
“The Bangkok train south overnight made me feel young again – we made good use of the bar and then slept very well.” – Marian and Richard Beaver
“Thai people are very open and kind. I had fascinating conversations with them about their lives and they were more than happy to recommend interesting places to visit.” - Ora Culmer
“We each had a sick day or two so bring medicine for your stomach.” - Marc Teicholz
“We all like nice hotels, but doing a homestay was fantastic as the families were so welcoming and they involve you in local life, which you would never get staying in the usual holiday 'bubble'.” - Michael Anderson
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