Thailand is extremely diverse and impresses with its grandiose cuisine, wonderful beaches and friendly people. But when is the best time of year for a vacation? Thailand is featured in the brochures of most mainstream tour operators and it is the most visited country in Southeast Asia.
Fauna and Flora
According to payhelpcenter, Thailand has many national parks with a diverse flora and fauna, mountain regions with their original hill tribe and pristine beaches where fishermen bring their catch to shore every day. So it is very possible to enjoy untouched nature and tranquility away from mass tourism.
Whether you are looking for adventure, beach or culture, Thailand has it all and is a top travel destination for all nature enthusiasts.
Climate in Bangkok
The maximum temperature in Thailand is 35 ° C in April. In December the thermometer rises to a maximum of 30 ° C. The summer (June to September) with average 32 ° C hot . In the winter months it is around 32 ° C hot . During the day, the average annual temperature in Thailand is 32.3 ° C.
At night it gets coldest with 20 ° C in December. The thermometer rarely falls below 26 ° C in April. While the nights in summer are averages of a pleasantly warm 25 ° C, the thermometer drops to a pleasantly warm 22 ° C between November and March. The temperature averages a pleasant 23.8 ° C at night all year round.
The water temperature is up to 28 ° C, in January and December the sea has a maximum of 26 ° C. In the summer months from June to September the water is very warm with an average of 28 ° C. Between November and March the values are a very warm 27 ° C. Over the year, the sea has an average temperature of 27.3 ° C.
With 17 rainy days, September is the rainiest month of the year. The January , February and December are with 1 days of rain, the driest months of the year . From June to September Thailand is relatively humid with an average of around 14 rainy days each, the winter (November to March) is very dry with only 2 rainy days. An annual average of 8.0 days of rain falls per month.
Religious sites, temples and monks
It is considered impolite in Thailand to show the soles of your feet and they should never be pointed at a Buddha image. Do not touch anything that is of religious significance, such as Buddha statues, altars, and burial sites. Although Thailand has largely become used to western tourists, it is important to dress respectfully when visiting religious sites. So take off your shoes and hats before entering a religious building.
Locals and customs
If someone bows and folds their hands (a “wai”), it is polite to do the same in return, unless they are hotel workers, waiters, etc. However, a “wai” becomes very much of them too estimated. Thais speak softly and avoid confrontation. Try not to scream or raise your voice. Public affection, such as hugging and kissing, is considered embarrassing. Always take off your shoes when visiting the home of local people. The people of Thailand prefer to be neatly dressed and appreciate it when visitors do the same. Thais are very tolerant of most behaviors as long as the royal family or their religion is not offended.
Tip
Tips for good service are welcomed all over the world. In Thailand, too, tipping is becoming more and more common, but it is not part of Thai culture and you should therefore not feel obliged to tip. 10% is a common benchmark in restaurants. In many hotel restaurants and upscale restaurants, this 10% is added to your bill as a service charge.
Language
Thai is the official language. English is spoken across the country. In the larger cities you can get by very well with English, in rural regions and especially with older people it can be more difficult. Fortunately, there are almost always helpful people who translate and help.
Thailand is a well-known beach destination, but our specialists know there is much more to it than just palm-fringed sand. After you’ve toured the vastness of the country, based on your preferences, they can tell you the best places to visit to get the most of your Thailand vacation.
Inland you will find temples in the form of Isaan’s Khmer complexes and the UNESCO-protected ancient capital Siam in Sukhothai and, more recently, the bridge on the Kwai. National parks maintain elephants and gibbons, and hills preserve a rich tribal culture. There are also the cities that provide a way to explore Thai cuisine, such as the street markets in Chiang Mai and cooking classes in Bangkok. Along the coast, you’ll find sleepy villages where you can watch local fishermen bring in the day’s catch. The limestone islands jutting out of the sea form the focal point for rewarding cruises.
Best travel time
Although the climate varies across Thailand, you can visit all year round. The best time to travel is during the cool and dry season between November and the beginning of April. In the south, the climate differs between the eastern and western coasts. The west coast is cheaper in the winter months when diving and snorkeling are best. The east coast weather is good for most of the year, with the lowest rainfall in January and February and the highest in November.
Hilltribe visits
If you want to take photos of hill tribes, you are likely expecting a small donation of money or the tribes who think it is unfortunate ask you not to take their photos. Please always ask permission before taking a picture.
Royal family
Any portrait of the king or members of the royal family must be treated with great respect. That goes as far as the currency. Should you drop a Thai coin or bill, be sure to save it. Never stand on a coin or bill when you see one lying on the floor. In addition, you are not allowed to lick stamps with your tongue. Usually a small sponge is always available to stick the stamp on. To celebrate the king’s 60 years on the throne and to show their love for their king, you will see many Thai people wearing yellow t-shirts, especially on Mondays. Thais are very happy when “farang” (foreigners) do the same.
Money and expenses
The Thai currency is the baht. Bank notes are divided into the values 1000, 500, 100, 50 and 20 Baht. Coins are in denominations of 10, 5, 2 and 1 baht and 50 and 25 satangs. However, as a tourist, you will rarely use satangs.
Automatic ATMs are particularly widespread in large cities. Most machines accept all major credit cards as well as Cirrus, Plus, Maestro and Solo cards. Visa and Mastercard are accepted as well as bank cards. Please note that many banks charge a fee for use abroad.
Allow around € 16-18 per day for meals and drinks. A local beer costs a little more than € 1 in Thailand, a 2-course menu for lunch is available for € 6 and a 2-course dinner is available for just under € 9, depending on where you want to eat.
Food and drink
Thai cuisine is full of delicious flavors of exotic herbs like lemongrass and kaffir lime. This makes it one of the highlights of any trip to Thailand. The best cuisine can often be found in the local, inconspicuous restaurants and at the street stalls, where it is quite normal to sit on plastic stools.
A local whiskey, for example Mekhong or Sangthip, is also worthwhile. Incidentally, Mekhong is the first whiskey produced in Thailand. The local beer (e.g. Singha, Chang) is everywhere and is highly recommended. Make sure to try coconut milk straight from the fruit, it is available everywhere during the harvest season.
