Thailand

Thailand gives you two holidays in one trip: a few days of temples, canals and street food in Bangkok, then a week or more on a tropical coast. Direct flights from London make the long haul simple, and good-value hotels mean you get a pool, a beach and a proper breakfast without paying a fortune.

Why go

Walk past the gilded spires of the Grand Palace and the 46-metre Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho, then take a longtail boat through the canals of Thonburi. Day-trip to the ruined royal capital of Ayutthaya. On the Andaman coast, limestone cliffs rise straight out of the sea at Phi Phi, Phang Nga Bay and Krabi. On the Gulf side, Koh Samui mixes long beaches with the 42 islands of Ang Thong Marine Park. You can meet rescued elephants at a genuine no-riding sanctuary and learn to cook a green curry from scratch.

When to go

Thailand has two coasts with different weather, so there is a good beach somewhere most of the year. November to February is the cool, dry season in Bangkok and the peak time for Phuket and Krabi. March and April are the hottest months. From May to October the south-west monsoon brings showers and rougher seas to the Andaman coast, while Koh Samui stays fairly dry. Samui's own wet spell comes from about October to December, and January and February are its best months.

Getting there from the UK

EVA Air flies non-stop from London Heathrow and British Airways from London Gatwick to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, in around 11 to 12 hours. From Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and other regional airports you connect in the Gulf or Europe. From Bangkok, short domestic flights reach Phuket, Krabi and Koh Samui. Tell us your airport and we'll find the best routing.

Where to stay

• Bangkok: the riverside is ideal for sightseeing, with the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Chinatown close by and river boats instead of traffic.
• Phuket: Patong is lively, with nightlife and shopping; Kata is calmer and suits families and couples.
• Krabi (Ao Nang): a relaxed beach town backed by limestone cliffs and the jumping-off point for the four-islands trip and Railay.
• Koh Samui: Chaweng has the longest beach and the most going on; Bophut and its Fisherman's Village are quieter, with good restaurants.

What to do

• Temples and canals in Bangkok, and a day trip to Ayutthaya
• Speedboat to the Phi Phi Islands and Maya Bay, or a big-boat trip to James Bond Island in Phang Nga Bay
• A longtail trip to Krabi's four islands
• Kayaking and the Emerald Lake in Ang Thong Marine Park
• A cooking class with a market visit
• A morning with rescued elephants, observation only

Food

Thai food is a daily highlight: pad thai and grilled satay from street stalls, green and massaman curries, tom yum soup, som tam papaya salad and mango with sticky rice. Seafood is excellent on the coasts. Ask for "mai phet" if you prefer your food mild.

Good to know

• Currency: Thai baht (THB)
• Time: UTC+7, so 7 hours ahead of the UK in winter and 6 in summer
• Plugs: 220 V; sockets usually take flat two-pin and European round-pin plugs, so bring an adaptor
• Language: Thai; English is widely spoken in tourist areas
• Temples: cover shoulders and knees, and take your shoes off before entering
• Entry rules change: check GOV.UK before you travel