Thailand Country Information

Lonely Planet: The world's leading travel guide publisher

Lonely Planet's Thailand is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Learn to cook authentic Thai dishes in Chiang Mai, rock-climb the limestone karsts (or watch from the sugar-white beaches) of Railay, and trek through dense jungle and stay in tree-top bungalows in Kanchanaburi - all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Thailand and begin your journey now!

Inside Lonely Planet's Thailand:

• Colour maps and images throughout
• Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests
• Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots
• Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices
• Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sightseeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss
• Cultural insights provide a richer, more rewarding travel experience - covering history, people, music, landscapes, wildlife, cuisine, politics
• Covers Bangkok, Central Thailand, Ko Chang, Chiang Mai Province, Northern Thailand, Hua Hin, Southern Gulf, Ko Samui, Lower Gulf, Phuket, Andaman Coast

The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet's Thailand is our most comprehensive guide to Thailand, and is perfect for discovering both popular and offbeat experiences.

• Looking for just the highlights? Check out Pocket Bangkok and Pocket Phuket, our handy-sized guides featuring the best sights and experiences for a short visit.
• Looking for more extensive coverage? Check out Lonely Planet's Thailand's Islands & Beaches and Bangkok guides for an in-depth look at all these regions have to offer.

About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company and the world's number one travel guidebook brand, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers. You'll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, video, 14 languages, nine international magazines, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more.

'Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' - New York Times

'Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves, it's in every traveller's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' - Fairfax Media (Australia)

For more than 60 years, Frommer’s’ guides have cut through the noise and hyperbole to deliver what no other books can: Honest talk, frank advice, and an affectionate insider’s secrets to appreciating and affording vacations around the world. Don’t travel like a mere tourist―discover the full experiences of Thailand, from Bangkok to its sublime cuisine to its world-famous island escapes. Whether your budget is large or tight, Frommer’s shows you Thailand like a local. Frommer’s takes you to the experiences that only locals know about!

-Insider advice on how to best experience the historic and natural wonders of Thailand, and little-known secrets about where to eat and drink

-Where to find the best beaches, resorts, markets, hiking trails, scenic vistas, from the jungles of the north to the sugar-sand beaches of the south.

-Insightful commentary on Thailand’s stunning national parks, ruins, historic sites, and architectural highlights, plus an in-depth discussion of its rich cultural history so you’ll appreciate what you’re seeing. Frommer’s has been to all of them!

-Opinionated reviews. No bland descriptions and lukewarm recommendations. Our expert writers are passionate about their destinations―they tell it like it is in an engaging and helpful way.

-Exact prices listed for every establishment and activity―no other guides offer such detailed, candid reviews of hotels and restaurants. We include the very best, but also emphasize moderately priced choices for real people.

-User-friendly features including star ratings to point readers to great finds, excellent values, insider tips, best bets for kids, special moments, and overrated experiences.

This new edition has been FULLY-REDESIGNED with a fresh layout and beautiful images for more intuitive travel planning!

Fodor’s Essential Thailand includes:

• AN ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE GUIDE that visually captures the top highlights of Thailand, as well as neighboring Cambodia and Laos.

• SPECTACULAR COLOR PHOTOS AND FEATURES throughout, including special features on the Grand Palace, Angkor Wat, Thai markets, the Buddha in Thailand, and Thailand’s beaches.

• INSPIRATIONAL “BEST OF” LISTS identify the best things to see, do, eat, drink, and more.

• MULTIPLE ITINERARIES for various trip lengths help you maximize your time.

• MORE THAN 50 DETAILED MAPS AND A FREE PULLOUT MAP help you plot your itinerary and navigate confidently.

• EXPERT RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS offer options for every taste.

• TRIP PLANNING TOOLS AND PRACTICAL TIPS include: guides to getting around, saving money and time, beating the crowds; basic Thai phrases; and a calendar of festivals and events.

• LOCAL INSIDER ADVICE tells you where to find under-the-radar gems including: “20 Things to Eat and Drink in Thailand,” “10 Unique Places to Stay,” “10 Ethical Animal Encounters,” “Best Outdoor Adventures,” and lists of the best temples and natural wonders

• HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL OVERVIEWS add perspective and enrich your travels.

• COVERS: Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Ayutthaya, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Samui, Cambodia, and Laos, and includes the Ruins of Ayutthaya, Khao Suk National Park, Phanom Rung, the Grand Palace, Angkor Wat, Koh Similan, and more.

ABOUT FODOR'S AUTHORS: Each Fodor's Travel Guide is researched and written by local experts. Fodor’s has been offering expert advice for all tastes and budgets for over 80 years.

Planning on visiting more of Southeast Asia? Check out Fodor’s Essential Vietnam.

Bangkok | Chiang Mai |Krabi & Railay | Koh Phi Phi | Koh Samui | Koh Phangan| Koh Tao 

Updated July 2019!! If you're going to Phuket - purchase the "Thailand Islands and Beaches" Guide!

Ditch the generic travel guides that are impersonal AF and feel like they were written for your nerdy cousin who wears socks with sandals.

A true Thailand vacation should be equal amounts Thai culture, street food, and tan lines. And that’s exactly what this guide is!

The Solo Girl's Travel Guide shows you...

• What to Pack
• The Best Islands, Beaches, and Hotels for your Budget
• Local Places to Eat, Shop, and Explore along the way
• Sights & Temples you MUST See (and which sights are a waste of time)
• Hidden Bars where you can make friends with Locals & Expats
• How to Take Public Transportation around the City
• And the nerve-racking stuff like how to get to your hotel from the airport without getting scammed

Plan the perfect itinerary for 1 week, 10 days, 3 weeks - without breaking your budget. 

What this Guide is not…

• An overwhelming deep-dive into Thailand’s history
• A 5-hour read with historical dates and ancient facts
• A book written by some man who doesn’t even live here…

Speaking of men, since the success of The Solo Girl’s Travel Guide, I’ve had many dudes ask me, “Yeah, but why a girl’s guide?”

Um, because we have boobs. And for some reason, that’s enough for the world to treat us like toys. We constantly have to ask ourselves questions like….

• Are there drugs in my drink?
• Is that dark alley filled with serial killers?
• Am I going to be kidnapped and sold to the highest bidder?

The answer is usually no, but for us girls, “usually” doesn’t cut it. In order to be wild and carefree, we’ve got to feel 100% safe.

And I’ve never found a travel guide to take my safety into consideration…so, here we are.

PS. If you're going to Phuket - purchase the "Thailand Islands and Beaches" Guide! This guide skips Phuket...and for good reason.

Remember!

You don’t need a boyfriend, a travel partner or anyone’s approval to travel the world. And you don’t need a massive bank account or an entire summer off work. All you need is some courage in your bones and a good book in your hands. If you’ve doubted yourself for one moment, remember this:

Millions of girls travel across the globe all by themselves every damn day and you can, too.

You are just as capable, just as smart, and just as brave as the rest of us. You don’t need permission- this is your life. Listen to your gut, follow your heart, and just book that ticket already!

Oh, and once you’ve bought this book…we’re officially friends. I’m here if you need me, just write me on Instagram - you'll find my handle inside. 

Ps. Phuket is sleazy - don't even bother. I don't include it for a reason. 

The best collection of tips, tricks and secrets EVERY first-time traveler to Thailand must read.

After reading this concise and powerful travel guide, you'll be traveling like it's your 10th trip, not your 1st, or 2nd.

Minimize the learning curve.

I've been living in and traveling to Thailand for nearly a decade, and it took MANY years to learn how to get over the numerous barriers …something IMPOSSIBLE for a first-timer…unless they read up.

This book is a direct download of everything I WISH I would have known right from the start.

You REALLY DO need to know some things that nobody else seems to tell you in any other books! 

What this travel guide is not:

• Long and detailed Lonely Planet travel guide;
• Collection of maps, restaurants and popular tours;
• Thorough history lesson.
• Someone else’s own personal adventure (No thanks, I make my own).

Thailand is incredibly complex, and that stuff won’t help you get inside.

What you'll learn in this book:

• Key culture traits, lessons and how to seem like an expat who knows things.
• How each and every monetary transaction is structured, and how to negotiate with Thais.
• The best of Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Koh Samui, Krabi, Chiang Mai and more!
• Key phrases and language tips.
• Where to stay for the best time.
• Where the nightlife is.
• The best activities to get a true experience.
• How to do ALL of that efficiently and safely, like you've done it before!
• How to avoid all of the SCAMS and legal trouble.
• Ingrain yourself and get to know the REAL Thailand.

When I say the REAL Thailand, I mean behind the facade the tourism industry wants you to see. Things are NOT as they appear in the Land of Smiles.

Navigating this complex and intriguing environment requires an understanding of the unique culture, and a roadmap to help you approach common situations you're sure to run into.

This concise, to-the-point guide will give you a good starting point to plan from and minimize the learning curve!

Chokh di krap! (Good luck!)

• DK Eyewitness Travel Guide Thailand

DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Thailand will lead you straight to the best attractions this country has to offer.

Whether you're traveling to major destinations such as Bangkok and Phuket or want to experience diving in Ko Tao, elephant riding in Chiang Mai, or the monuments in Wat Si Chum, DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Thailand explores the culture, history, and architecture of this beautiful and diverse nation.

Discover DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Thailand.

With hundreds of full-color photographs, hand-drawn illustrations, and custom maps that illuminate every page, DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Thailand truly shows you what others only tell you.

Series Overview: For more than two decades, DK Eyewitness Travel Guides have helped travelers experience the world through the history, art, architecture, and culture of their destinations. Expert travel writers and researchers provide independent editorial advice, recommendations, and reviews. With guidebooks to hundreds of places around the globe available in print and digital formats, DK Eyewitness Travel Guides show travelers how they can discover more.

DK Eyewitness Travel Guides: the most maps, photographs, and illustrations of any guide.

• Lonely Planet Vietnam Cambodia Laos Northern Thailand

Lonely Planet: The world's leading travel guide publisher

Lonely Planet Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos & Northern Thailand is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Tempt your tastebuds with pho noodle soup in Vietnam, sail past the limestone peaks of Halong Bay, or experience the transcendent tranquility of temples like Angkor Wat -all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos & Northern Thailand and begin your journey now!

Inside Lonely Planet's Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos & Northern Thailand Travel Guide:

• Colour maps and images throughout
• Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests
• Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots
• Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices
• Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sight-seeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss
• Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - customs, history, art, music, dance, landscapes, environment, cuisine
• Over 70 maps
• Covers Hanoi, Halong Bay, Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Golden Triangle and more

The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos & Northern Thailand , our most comprehensive guide to Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos & Northern Thailand, is perfect for both exploring top sights and taking roads less travelled.

About Lonely Planet: Since 1973, Lonely Planet has become the world's leading travel media company with guidebooks to every destination, an award-winning website, mobile and digital travel products, and a dedicated traveller community. Lonely Planet covers must-see spots but also enables curious travellers to get off beaten paths to understand more of the culture of the places in which they find themselves. The world awaits!

Lonely Planet guides have won the TripAdvisor Traveler's Choice Award in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016.

'Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves, it's in every traveller's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' - Fairfax Media

'Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' - New York Times

Lonely Planet: The world's leading travel guide publisher

Lonely Planet's Discover Thailand is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Get your fill of temples in Bangkok and Ayuthaya, take a cooking course in Chiang Mai, and find your perfect beach spot-all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Thailand and begin your journey now!

Inside Lonely Planet's Discover Thailand:

• Full-color maps and images throughout
• Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests
• Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots
• Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices
• Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sightseeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss
• Cultural insights provide a richer, more rewarding travel experience - covering history, food & drink, dance, religion, architecture, landscapes, wildlife
• Free, convenient pull-out Bangkok map (included in print version), plus easy-to-use color maps for easy navigation
• Covers Bangkok, Hua Hin, Ayuthaya, Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, Nong Khai, Ko Pha-Ngan, Ko Samui, Railay, Phuket, Ko Phi-Phi, and more

The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet's Discover Thailand is filled with inspiring and colorful photos, and focuses on Thailand's most popular attractions for those wanting to experience the best of the best.

Looking for more extensive coverage? Check out Lonely Planet's Thailand or Thailand's Islands & Beaches guides.

Looking for a guide focused on an individual city or region? Check out Lonely Planet's Bangkok for an in-depth look at all the city has to offer. Or Pocket Bangkok, Pocket Ko Samui and Pocket Phuket, our handy-sized guides featuring the best sights and experiences for a short visit.

About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company and the world's number one travel guidebook brand, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveler since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travelers. You'll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, video, 14 languages, nine international magazines, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more.

Phuket | Krabi | Koh Lipe | Koh Samui | Koh Phangan | Koh Tao | Koh Lanta and more... 

White Sand Beaches. Bright Turquoise Water. Neon Green Palm Trees. 

"Thailand Islands and Beaches" is the #1 Travel Guide for REAL girls traveling Thailand's Islands and Beaches in a short amount of time on a realistic budget.

Ditch the generic travel guides that are impersonal AF and feel like they were written for your nerdy cousin who wears socks with sandals.

All while avoiding the scams, creeps, and sketchy hangouts.

What this Travel Guide is…

• A Vacation Planner that shows you the best beaches, resorts, markets, and social hotspots
• A Money Saver that gets you a luxury vacation without spending your life savings.
• A Thailand Bucket List that tells you which spots to skip and which are totally worth your time. 
• Your Golden Ticket to Thailand: Actual local secrets, advice, and off-the-beaten-path adventures

Plan your Trip 

• Day to Day Itineraries
• Safety tips and advice
• Survival Thai Language Phrases
• What to Pack for Southeast Asia
• How to get to your hotel when you Land without paying 3x the local price!
• Personal Access to me...ask me anything, girl.

What this Guide is not…

• An overwhelming deep-dive into Thailand’s history
• A 5-hour read with historical dates and ancient facts
• A book written by some man who doesn’t even live here…

The Solo Girl's Travel Guide answers THE MOST important questions like…

• Is it really worth $50 to take a day trip to an island?
• Can I realistically visit 5 islands in 2 weeks (Yes)?
• Can I stay in a gorgeous beachfront resort for $30? (YAS)

AND

• Are there drugs in my drink?
• Is that dark alley filled with serial killers?
• Am I going to be kidnapped and sold to the highest bidder

No heavy encyclopedia here - If you want to travel with your nose in a book, check out Lonely Planet.

Click 'Add to Cart' now, and plan the trip of a lifetime IN THAILAND!

REMEMBER...

You don’t need a boyfriend, a travel partner or anyone’s approval to travel the world. And you don’t need a massive bank account or an entire summer off work.

If you’ve doubted yourself for one moment, I want you to know...

Millions of girls travel across the globe all by themselves every damn day and you can, too.

You are just as capable, just as smart, and just as brave as the rest of us. You don’t need permission- this is your life.

Listen to your gut, follow your heart, and just book that ticket already!

Your copy of The Solo Girl's Travel Guide is waiting to dissolve your worries and give you that extra push you need to JUST DO IT> 

PLUS! I'm here if you need me. Just send me a quick message on Instagram - my handle is in the guide!