Thailand is one of the most flocked to countries in Southeast Asia. In 2019 Thailand was visited by almost 40 million tourists. And for good reason. The food is out of this world, the culture is stunning, and the landscape and scenery are pure paradise, a big reason Thailand is often used as the destination for filming locations. People visit Thailand for holidays, honeymoons, Business trips, backpacking and much more. I highly recommend Thailand as one of the top locations for first time solo backpackers.
If you are unsure where to go for your first solo backpacking trip, I highly recommend considering Thailand! It’s a good place to start and build your confidence. Plus so many other backpackers go there, which makes it SO good for people who are solo, as you get to meet so many others!
With a population of just under 70 million people, and 1430 Islands, you won’t be short of something to do. The main language spoken in Thailand is Thai, and I really recommend learning the basic greetings for your visit, it’s fun and polite!. English is spoken in many tourist areas, so no need to worry that you won’t be able to get by.
When you land in Thailand you will notice straight away the common gestures and cultural body language that Thailand people use in their day-to-day lives. The Bowing of the head, with their hands clasped together, in a sort of prayer formation.
It’s very polite for you to do the same whilst visiting Thailand. It’s also greatly appreciated when you can say Basic greetings in Thai, such as hello and thank you. So I have listed these greetings below so you can practice!
Please note that it is slightly different for male (Khrap) and female (Kha)
Female: Hello = Sawasdee kha ( sounds like saa-waa-dee ka)
Male: Hello = Sawasdee Khrap ( sounds like saa-waa-dee cup)
Female: Thank you = Kop Kun Kha
Male: Thank you = Kop Kun Khrup
When is the best time to visit Thailand?
Thailand has a tropical climate, which typically means wet and dry. The best time to visit Thailand really does depend on your personal preference on weather. Some like it hot, some like it cold. And believe it or not Northern Thailand can get pretty chilly at night. It’s I personally love getting burnt to a crisp. Only joking please wear suncream, but I do love the sun! See below the months, and what you can typically expect Thailand to be like.
Temperatures
March- June temperatures between 25 and 40° degrees
July- October temperatures between 18 and 32 degrees
November – February temperatures between 25 and 34 degrees
Rainy season
The rainy season is usually between may and October, even though it’s still warm, you can expect heavy showers most days.
Overall best time to visit Thailand
The overall best time to visit Thailand he is usually between November and early March, due to the fact the temperature is a lot more bearable for people that aren’t used to that climate. And also the fact that the rainy season is over with, so you can count on clear skies and lovely sunny weather.
What visa do I need to visit Thailand?
Most nationals will receive a free 30 day visa upon arrival to Thailand. Depending on your vaccination status, will determine what you have to do upon arrival. Please visit https://tp.consular.go.th/en/plan to select the plan relevant to you. This is for fully vaccinated and non vaccinated passengers, as of 2022. You must apply for this before your arrival. Please note that registration for entering Thailand and the visas are two separate things. You have to register your arrival beforehand. Your visa will be granted upon arrival at the airport. Please also make sure your passport is valid more than 6 months from the date you will arrive, or you may be refused entry.
Daily budget for Thailand
The very first time I went to Thailand I spent a fair amount at the en, as I stayed in a resort in Phuket. I wasn’t backpacking I was travelling for one month, so you really can spend a lot or spend a little. Especially when it comes to bartering! So I have put together a couple of daily budgets for backpacking below:
Budget backpacker: £20-£30 per day – sticks to budget, cooks own food most of the time, drinks sometimes.
Bita both Backpacker: £30-40 per day – somewhere in the middle of both!
Boujee Backpacker: £40+ per day – eats out all of the time, stays in hotels and private rooms sometimes, does all of the tours, shopping, and is boujeeeeee!
Okay, now you’ve covered the basics. Let’s get to the good stuff and start planning your trip to Thailand. Head back to the main page of Thailand, and read through the locations you want to visit
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