What to expect
Thailand is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia, due to its stunning beaches with crystal clear waters, lively party culture, distinct cuisine, and welcoming locals. While the southern region of Thailand is known for its beaches, the northern and eastern parts are characterized by hills and tropical landscapes, respectively. This time I covered mostly the southern part starting my journey from Phuket – the largest island in Thailand. I went there in December to celebrate Christmas and New Year and this being my first international trip, I was quite excited!
1. Currency
Thai Baht (THB)
1 THB is equal to approx. 2.3 INR. Numerous ATMs are available, but they will charge you a fixed amount of 200THB every time you do a transaction. So it’s better to plan the budget beforehand to minimize the number of transactions.
2. Best time to visit Thailand
From November to April, the weather is pleasant, making it the best time to travel. December and January are peak tourist season.
3. Visa Requirements
For Indians, it is visa on arrival and you will be charged approx. 2500 THB. You can also consider filling up the details beforehand online to avoid the crowd(extra charges apply). But personally, I found the whole offline process completely smooth and fast, considering I travelled in December.
4. Where to stay
During my trip, I found many reasonably priced boutique hotels and resorts. To book my stays, I used booking.com and agoda.com, both of which met my expectations.
Phuket
In Phuket, the most popular area to stay in is near Patong Beach, known for its lively nightlife. I stayed there for a week and enjoyed it. If you’re looking for a peaceful and less crowded area, Karon and Kamala Beach are also great options. Additionally, the beaches in these areas are stunning.
Staying at Old Phuket town can also be another great option if and only if you are not planning to go to beaches as all of them are far away. This place has a market area which is my favourite place in all of Phuket. It has numerous cute cafes and bakeries, food joints and shopping options.
Phi Phi Islands
Many people visit this island as a day trip, but I highly recommend staying for at least two days as this place has such a unique vibe. It’s a little hippy island where the only mode of transportation is by walking. The entire island has walking paths lined with cafes, shops, and homestays on both sides. The resorts are located high up on the hills, and you’ll need to climb stairs to reach them. I had booked a room at one of those hotels, but the staff was kind enough to carry our luggage all the way to our room from the pier. I spent three days here, celebrating Christmas, which was definitely not enough time for me!
From here, you can book multiple boat trips for island hopping, scuba diving, kayaking, snorkelling, and multiple water activities and end the day with partying at Slinky Bar.
5. Transportation
Minivans and tuk tuks
These are the most common modes of transportation with sharing options. But if you’re going solo hiring a Tuk Tuk can become expensive for you. Travelling on a tuk-tuk can be a fun experience if you are travelling with a group of friends as they have stereo speakers and some good lighting, it kind of becomes a party on wheels! Minivans are mostly for hotels or airport transfers.
Public transport
In my opinion, public transport is not so great here. To some part of the town, local buses are available but you might have to walk a lot to reach a bus stop.
Grab and Gojek
Grab and Gojek are there, but I mostly saw the motorbike options, which were not that cheap, better option would be to grab a Tuk Tuk.
6. Food
If you follow a vegetarian diet, you may find it challenging to find good food in this area. During my stay, I had limited options and mostly had to settle for bread toast or waffles for breakfast, vegetarian pizza for lunch, which was not very satisfying, and dinner at Indian restaurants. While the last option may be a bit more expensive, it assures that you won’t accidentally consume non-vegetarian items. However, if you are near Old Phuket Town, you can find some great food options, including both vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices. This area has a variety of cafes and restaurants to choose from. Phi Phi also has quite satisfactory options and you don’t have to worry much here.
Some of the unique delicacies that I tried here are Coconut Ice cream(my favourite), mango sticky rice and banana pancakes. These were all vegetarian and can be found in all local food joints.
I couldn’t help but marvel at the incredible experiences this country had to offer. From the dazzling shores of Phuket to the charm of Old Phuket Town and the unique aura of Phi Phi, my journey was a whirlwind of beauty, culture, and adventure. Thailand’s allure goes beyond its delectable cuisine and lively parties; it’s a place where every moment is a cherished memory. I’m grateful for the memories, and I know I’ll be back someday.
