The top choice for solo travellers and groups of bachelors, Thailand holds a special interest among couples and senior citizens as well. All-night beach parties, affordable spa treatments and heart-warming hospitality make India to Thailand trips much coveted. We bring you all that you need to know for your next Thai vacation.
Indians’ Love for Thailand
Indians absolutely love Thailand! It is not just a matter of cheap flights, affordable hotels and visa on arrival facilities but of incredible experiences that this Asian paradise offers. There is a certain freedom that the mostly restrained Indian back home enjoys when he/she heads out in Thailand.
From being able to wear their favourite bikinis (which is almost impossible in most public beaches in India) to getting massages for less than what they would pay in their home country, the quintessentially laidback Thai lifestyle is appealing to Indians who crave to lose their inhibitions. The naturally diverse Thai landscape and the widespread practice of Buddhism also allows for much sightseeing across temples, beaches, mountains, villages and forests.
Where is Thailand?
The Kingdom of Thailand is located on the Indochinese Peninsula in Southeast Asia. Mostly landlocked, there is a long narrow stretch of Thailand that has the Andaman Sea on one side and the Gulf of Thailand on the other. Spread over 5,13,120 square kilometres, this country is in the northern hemisphere as it is 15 degrees above the equator. The land officially follows the ICT (Indochina Time) or UTC+7.
India to Thailand Map
Thailand is located to the east of India. While both the countries are in the Indian Ocean, they are separated by the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea. If you look at the world map, Thailand appears considerably smaller than India, but you will keep coming back for more of the beautiful destinations that it is home to.
India to Thailand Distance
The aerial distance between India and Thailand is just 1,600 km while the shortest road that connects the two lands is 1,700 km long. The distance from India to Thailand by sea is approximately 1,348 nautical miles.
Which is Closer to India? Thailand or Bali?
India to Bali takes at least 8 hours as there are no direct flights to this Indonesian province whereas several airlines offer direct connections to Bangkok – the capital city of Thailand. Even in terms of distance, Thailand is much closer to India as Bali is at least 5,000 km away.
In terms of religion though, a vast majority of Bali follows Hinduism, making it spiritually closer to India which has a Hindu majority. The prevalence of Buddhism in Thailand also places it quite close in terms of religious culture to the Buddhists in India.
How to Reach Thailand from India?
Thailand is reachable from India by air, sea and road. While cruises are infrequent and only come by one every few years, you can easily find daily flights or take on a long and enduring driving experience as per your schedule and convenience.
India to Thailand by Flight
Flying down from India to Thailand is not only the shortest but also the cheapest way to travel. Several airlines operate between the two Asian countries, connecting various cities in each destination.
Thailand Airport
There are 6 major international airports in Thailand and many more smaller international and local airports. While most Indian cities have direct connections to Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok Airport), it is possible to find indirect flights or routes with layovers to other international airports such as Phuket International Airport, Mae Fah Luang – Chiang Rai International Airport, Krabi International Airport, Chiang Mai International Airport, U-Tapao–Rayong–Pattaya International Airport and Samui International Airport.
Flight Duration from India
The shortest flight between India and Thailand is from Kolkata to Bangkok, taking just 2 and a half hours. Non-stop flights are available from various Indian cities, mainly to the capital of Thailand. Even routes with layovers rarely exceed 10 hours.
Flight Operators from India to Thailand
Non-stop flights from India to Thailand are operated by GoAir, SpiceJet, Asiana Airlines, ANA (All Nippon Airways), Thai Airways, Druk Air, Emirates and Thai Lion Air. For flights with stopovers, you have the choice of many more carriers like Singapore Airlines, Thai Vietjet Air, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, IndiGo, Ethiopian Airlines, Vistara, Thai Smile, Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways, Air India – the national carrier of India, China Airlines and Etihad.
Departing Cities from India and Average Ticket Price
Flying to Bangkok Airport is a breeze from cities such as Kolkata, New Delhi – the capital of India, Mumbai and Ahmedabad as there are non-stop flights from these cities. Connections with layovers are available for many other Indian destinations such as Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Cochin, Pune, Goa, Nagpur and Surat.
The cheapest one-way fares can sometimes be as low as INR 6,000 per economy class seat while return fares can cost INR 12,000. However, average single-journey rates tend to cross INR 10,000 for peak times and if you are making last minute bookings.
India to Thailand by Cruise
While the sea route is highly preferred for cargo, commercial cruises between India and Thailand are announced sparingly. In the past, Viking Ocean Cruises floated a leisurely 16-day itinerary from Mumbai to Thailand, with provisions to dock at Goa, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and two ports in Thailand – Koh Samui and Bangkok.
The next voyage which is up for grabs is run by Crystal Cruises. With a planned sail in January 2023, the route traces its way from Mumbai to Cochin to Sri Lanka to Myanmar to Phuket in Thailand (by the 13th day). The journey will continue through Malaysia and Singapore though.
Sea Route Distance and Time Taken
When seafaring from India to Thailand, the distance from the port of Chennai to the port of Phuket is the shortest – 1,348 nautical miles. This distance can be negotiated in a matter of 4 days on an average.
Cruise Fare
There are only a handful of Thailand vacation packages from India that can arrange for a luxury cruise. If you plan to cruise aboard Crystal Symphony, you will be paying at least USD 5,300 per person. For the sake of comparison, the Viking Orion fares began at USD 4,999 per head.
India to Thailand by Road
The India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) Highway has paved the way for a road trip from India to Thailand. While this route takes at least 31 hours of non-stop driving, the adrenaline rush of going on a cross-country road trip through South Asia is unbeatable.
Regardless of the Indian state you start from, you will have to arrive in Manipur to get on the IMT Highway. A large part of this trip passes through our neighbour – Myanmar, finally bringing us to Thailand.
Visiting Thailand from various Indian Cities
There are frequent and affordable connections from many Indian airports to Bangkok International Airport in Thailand. However, one will have to take connecting domestic flights to reach other popular Thai destinations.
Delhi to Thailand
Delhi is 2,920 km away from Bangkok by air. Non-stop direct flights from New Delhi to Thailand are operated by GoAir and SpiceJet – both low cost Indian airlines that take just 4 hours to 4 hours and 10 minutes. The cheapest one-way fare starts from INR 6,638 per head. For connections with layovers, the average journey duration is 9 hours while the average cost of an economy class ticket is INR 8,500.
Airlines apart from the non-stop ones that ply on this route are Thai VietJet Air, Vistara, Thai Smile, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, IndiGo, Thai Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Emirates, AirAsia (India), Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Qatar Airways, Air India and Etihad. You can expect international halts in Kuala Lumpur, Doha, Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Singapore or Dhaka. Flights to Phuket are also quite common.
The road distance between Delhi and Thailand is 4,133 km. This 77 hour-drive journey would actually take about a week if you factor in night halts and meal breaks. The states in India that you would cross are Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Nagaland and Manipur. Thereafter, you just drive past Myanmar to get to Thailand!
Mumbai to Thailand
The aerial distance between Mumbai and Bangkok is about 3,000 km. While the shortest flights take anywhere between 4 hours and 10 minutes to 4 hours and 40 minutes, the average journey time is 12 hours with stopovers. The cheapest one-way fare from Mumbai to Thailand is INR 6,400 while average economy class rates are around INR 10,000 per person.
Non-stop flights are operated by GoAir and SpiceJet while other connections are serviced by Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Air India, China Airlines, Etihad and Singapore Airlines. International halts will most likely be in Singapore, Doha, Hong Kong, Taipei, Abu Dhabi or Dubai.
Luxury travellers can look at cruising from Mumbai to Koh Samui, Phuket or Bangkok. However, remember that just the onward journey will take you over a couple of weeks. Operated by Crystal Cruises, the Crystal Symphony is set to sail within 2 years.
The road journey between Mumbai and Thailand stretches for almost 5,000 km. The long driving expedition will take about 9 days for the onward leg. You will pass through the Indian states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Nagaland and Manipur. The international portion of the drive crosses Myanmar to reach Thailand.
Bangalore to Thailand
The distance from Bangalore to Bangkok is 2,461 km by air. In the past, non-stop flights from Bangalore to Thailand were run by Thai Airways, ANA (All Nippon Airways) and Thai AirAsia. However, there are currently no non-stop routes.
One-way economy-class airfare for a single person begins at INR 7,100 while the average fare hovers around INR 9,000. Historically, the shortest flight between Bangalore and Bangkok was just under 4 hours while now it is 9 hours including layovers.
Airlines that fly between Bangalore and Thailand are GoAir, SpiceJet, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Air India, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Etihad and SriLankan Airlines. International stopovers are generally in Hong Kong, Malé, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Singapore, Dubai or Colombo.
The driving time from Bangalore to Thailand is almost 100 hours. If you account for breaks along the 5,200 km stretch of road, it will take you almost 10 days. You will pass through the states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Nagaland and Manipur. Then, you will cross International borders at Myanmar and Thailand.
Chennai to Thailand
Chennai is almost 2,200 km away from Thailand. All flights from Chennai to Bangkok have at least one layover, and the onward journey will take minimum 11 hours. One-way ticket prices start from INR 9,000 and cost INR 13,000 on an average. Airlines that fly from Chennai to Thailand are SpiceJet, GoAir, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Air India, Cathay Pacific and Etihad. Foreign layovers are generally in Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Hong Kong.
A road trip to Thailand from Chennai is almost 4,900 km long. If you drive at a comfortable pace, you will take about 10 days to reach Thailand, including sufficient breaks. You will have to drive past Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Assam, Nagaland and Manipur within India. After exiting India, you must cross Myanmar to arrive in Thailand.
Kolkata to Thailand
Thailand is located 1,611 km from Kolkata. You can find the shortest India to Thailand flight from this city as the duration is only 2 hours and 25 minutes. One-way economy class airfare begins at INR 7,900 per person while the average flight cost stands at INR 14,000. If you cannot manage a non-stop flight, the journey duration from Kolkata to Thailand will be upwards of 13 hours.
Airlines that currently fly from Kolkata to Bangkok are SpiceJet, Air India, Cathay Pacific and Biman Bangladesh Airlines. Previously, air carriers such as All Nippon Airways (ANA), IndiGo, Thai Airways, Druk Air and Thai AirAsia also had non-stop flight schedules on this route. International stopovers are most likely to be in Dhaka and Hong Kong.
A road trip from Kolkata to Thailand extends over 3,200 km and requires 66+ hours of continuous driving. A reasonable journey estimate is 6 days. Along the way, you will pass through the Indian states of West Bengal, Assam, Nagaland and Manipur before driving off through Myanmar to reach Thailand.
Hyderabad to Thailand
Hyderabad and Thailand are separated by almost 2,400 km. Previously, Thai Airways and ANA All Nippon Airways had non-stop flights from Hyderabad to Bangkok which would take 3 hours and 35 minutes to reach. However, there are no non-stop connections presently.
The shortest journey duration is 7 hours whereas it takes over 12 hours on an average to fly from Hyderabad to Thailand. Economy class tickets cost upwards of INR 9,000 for a one-way journey per head.
Airlines flying between Thailand and Hyderabad are SpiceJet, GoAir, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Air India, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Etihad. Expect layovers in Dhaka, Hong Kong, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Dubai.
The road to Thailand is 4,600 km from Hyderabad. Negotiating this journey could take you almost 9 days including breaks for rest and meals. You will cross Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Nagaland and Manipur. International border crossings happen at the intersection of India-Myanmar and Myanmar-Thailand.
Ahmedabad to Thailand
3,100 km away, Thailand has only one non-stop flight from Ahmedabad. Also the shortest flight from Ahmedabad to Thailand, SpiceJet takes just 4 hours and 10 minutes to arrive into Bangkok without any halts.
Ticket prices for a one-way seat aboard any Ahmedabad flight bound for Bangkok start from INR 6,600, averaging to about INR 8,000 per head. The average journey time for flights with layovers is around 14 hours.
Other airlines that fly from Ahmedabad to Bangkok are GoAir, Cathay Pacific, Air India, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Etihad and Ethiopian Airlines. International halts are usually in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Singapore and Doha.
The road from Ahmedabad to Thailand stretches for 4,700 odd kilometres. The 90-hour drive actually takes about 9 days to finish comfortably. There are two routes to choose from. After exiting Gujarat, you can either go via Rajasthan or continue with Maharashtra and cross the other Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Nagaland and Manipur. Remember to carry your international driving permit (IDP) as you pass through Myanmar to get to Thailand.
Goa to Thailand
Goa is 3,300 km away from Bangkok and there are no direct connections between the two destinations. The cheapest Goa to Thailand flight comes at INR 8,000 for an economy class ticket while the average one-way fare is INR 10,000. It takes at least 10 hours to fly from Goa to Bangkok, including layovers. Airlines that connect Goa and Thailand are GoAir, SpiceJet, Air India, Cathay Pacific, Etihad and Singapore Airlines. Overseas stopovers are likely to be at Singapore, Hong Kong or Abu Dhabi.
In the past, Viking Cruises had a route that passed through Goa and made its way to Koh Samui and Bangkok, making it possible to sail on a commercial luxury cruise liner to Thailand. However, at present, there are no passenger ships that sail from Goa to Thailand.
Goa is 5,200 km away from Thailand by road and requires a 10-day leisurely car trip. The shortest route goes through Goa, Karnataka, Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Nagaland and Manipur within India. The next phase is on the IMT Highway through Myanmar and into Thailand.
Pune to Thailand
About 2,900 km from Pune, Bangkok can be reached via flights that have at least one halt in between. One-way economy class airfare starts from INR 9,000 while average single journey rates stay around the INR 11,000 ballpark figure. The total journey can be anywhere between 11 and 18 hours.
Airlines that fly from Pune to Thailand on the same PNR are SpiceJet, GoAir, Air India, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Etihad and China Airlines. International layovers may be in either Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, Taipei or Singapore.
If you dare to drive to Thailand from Pune, you will have to cover almost 4,900 km. The journey will take 95+ hours of driving or 9 days. The path will take you through Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Nagaland and Manipur. You can also bypass Madhya Pradesh by taking the road through Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Jharkhand, before reconnecting in Bihar. The final leg goes past Myanmar to Thailand.
Cochin to Thailand
Cochin is around 2,650 km away from Bangkok. While there are no non-stop flights from Cochin to Thailand, there are plenty of connections with one or more halts. One-way air tickets for economy class start at INR 9,400 and average at INR 13,000. The total journey time is upwards of 11 hours, including layovers.
Airlines that connect Kochi to Bangkok are GoAir, SpiceJet, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Air India, Cathay Pacific, Etihad and China Airlines. International stopovers will most probably be at Dubai, Hong Kong, Doha, Abu Dhabi or Taipei.
For the well-heeled, cruises are an option. Although hard to come by, there is a cruise that connects Cochin to Phuket. Operated by Crystal Cruises, this voyage is set to sail in January 2023. It will take 9 days to get from Kochi to Thailand via the opulent Crystal Symphony that will cruise over the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea.
The road from Cochin to Thailand is 5,800 km long. Plan for a 10-day trip to be able to rest along the way. The route passes through Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Nagaland and Manipur. Overseas, you only cross Myanmar to arrive in Thailand.
Nagpur to Thailand
The air line distance from Nagpur to Thailand is 3,800 km while the road distance is almost 4,200 km. Flight fares begin from INR 8,400 while the journey takes at least 10 hours including layovers. Air India, GoAir, Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines connect Nagpur to Thailand. Overseas halts can be at Hong Kong and Singapore.
A road trip to Thailand from Nagpur will take about 8 days as you cross the Indian states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Nagaland and Manipur. Once you leave India, you must drive through Myanmar before reaching Thailand.
Surat to Thailand
The aerial distance between Surat and Bangkok is 3044 km. Unfortunately, there are no flights from Surat to Thailand. The best way to travel is to drive to Ahmedabad or Mumbai and take a direct flight to Bangkok from there.
There are two driving routes to cross the 5,000 odd kilometres between Surat and Thailand. After you pass through Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, you can either drive through Uttar Pradesh or go via Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Jharkhand. Thereafter, the routes merge as you cross Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Nagaland and Manipur before embarking on the international leg through Myanmar, on to Thailand.
India & Thailand’s Currency
Thailand’s currency is baht. Often called Sing or Sing-dollar, it is denoted by THB or ฿. Each Thai baht is subdivided into 100 satang. Commonly used coins are in the denominations of 25 and 50 satang, ฿1, ฿2, ฿5 and ฿10 while popular banknotes are ฿20, ฿50, ฿100, ฿500 and ฿1,000.
Accepted Currencies
The Indian rupee (INR) is not a valid tender in Thailand as it is a restricted currency. To pay for hotels in Thailand or other expenses, you must exchange your money to Thai baht. Currencies that are easily changeable at Thai banks or money changers are US dollars (USD), British pounds (GBP) and euro (EUR).
Average Conversion Rate
To book activities in Thailand or pay for street food with cash, some useful currency conversion rates (as of May 2021) are below:
- 1 THB = 2.34 INR
- 1 USD = 73.28 INR
- 1 USD = 31.34 THB
- 1 GBP = 103.32 INR
- 1 GBP = 44.19 THB
- 1 EUR = 89 INR
- 1 EUR = 38.07 THB
Is USD accepted in Thailand?
The US dollar is not commonly accepted in Thailand but some high-end hotels might accept it occasionally. It is quite hassle-free to exchange USD into THB, so it’s better to convert your dollars after arriving in Thailand.
Thailand Visa details for Indians
Indians must apply for a visa within 30 days of travelling to Thailand. For a tourist visa to be stamped on your passport, it takes up to 4 days for processing by the Thai embassy or consulate. They also offer e-Visa and an express tourist e-Visa which is processed within 24 hours. While single entry visas are commonly issued, you can also get a multiple entry visa that lets you stay for up to 60 days in Thailand.
Is a Passport required for Indians?
Yes, Indians are required to have a passport to enter Thailand.
Thailand Visa Fee
If you apply for a Thailand visa from India, you will pay only about INR 2,000. However, if you opt for a visa on arrival at any Thai airport, you will need to pay THB 2,000 (approximately INR 4,676) in cash, that too in baht.
Thailand Visa on Arrival
Thailand visa on arrival is available to Indians, but this only allows for a maximum period of stay of 15 days in the country. For this, one must queue up with a filled visa application form, have confirmed return tickets and proof of accommodation. There are two queues at the airport – regular and express. If you do not want to wait too long, you can pay extra (over and above the 2,000 baht which you must pay in cash) and join the express queue.
Communication in Thailand
AIS, DTAC and TrueMove H are some of the popular mobile network providers in Thailand. Prepaid SIM cards are readily available at various kiosks at the airport. Tourist SIMs start from as low as THb 59.
International SIM Cards from Indian Airports
TSIM, Matrix and UniConnect let you buy a Thailand SIM while you are still in India. You can either opt for the home delivery of your international SIM card or buy it at some of the international airports in India.
Airtel Call Rates from Thailand to India
If you are an Airtel customer, choose an international roaming pack to cut back on inflated charges on calls and data. These packs start from just INR 649. Make use of unlimited incoming calls and up to 500 free minutes of calling to India.
India to Thailand Phone Code
The international dialling code for Thailand is +66. This must be prefixed to any Thai number that you call from an Indian SIM.
Availability of Indian Cuisine in Thailand
Although Thai cuisine packs quite a punch, and offers a heady mix of strong and mild flavours from indigenous ingredients, you might be missing home food. Indian restaurants can be easily found in most popular tourist cities in Thailand such as Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket.
Indian cuisine will generally be more expensive than local food though. Budget for THB 200 to THB 500 for one meal. If it’s vegetarian fare that you’re after, there are several Thai dishes you can try – som tum (raw papaya salad), jackfruit curry, sweet roti and pad Thai (rice noodles) with veggies/tofu.
Respect to Thailand’s Culture & Sentiments
Thailand’ history & culture is rooted in Buddhism and also has some influences from Hinduism and Chinese religions. In general, elders and family members are given great importance. Here’s a quick list of things to be mindful of:
What to Do and What Not To
To avoid making any faux pas in Thailand, keep these rules in mind:
- Do not touch a monk. Thailand is a country with a lot of Buddhist monks who usually dress in saffron or maroon.
- Many temples require you to take off your shoes outside before entering. This is also true for visiting a local’s home.
- Do not speak against the religion or culture of Thailand or its head of state.
- When travelling in a bus, offer your seat to any monk to sit if there aren’t enough vacant places.
Dress Code
In general, there are no dressing rules for Thailand. However, you will have to dress conservatively while entering temples. At some touristy Buddhist temples, you will even be offered complimentary returnable sarongs to cover up if you are wearing shorts or short skirts. The dress code extends to footwear when it comes to entering religious places of worship. At most shrines, you will have to leave your shoes outside and enter barefoot.
What to Carry
Thailand’s weather is seasonal, and it sees very heavy rains in the monsoon, scorching heat in the summers but mild winters. While you will almost never need winter clothes, you must carry a raincoat and an umbrella if visiting between July and October. Slip-on shoes are recommended since you will often have to take them off when visiting locals or a temple.
For the dry months of November to June, pack some shorts, tees and even full pants or long skirts (for entering shrines). If participating in Thailand walking tours, a backpack with some water is highly recommended.
Things to Note if Travelling with Kids
Many Thailand tour packages from India include special discounts for children. Apart from scouting for offers, you should also keep some things in mind when travelling with kids:
- Avoid booking Thailand resorts or hotels that are on the seedy streets of Pattaya, Phuket of Bangkok.
- To keep your little ones engaged, take them to various national parks, gardens and animal sanctuaries in Thailand where they will be able to identify different animals and even interact with some.
- Do not venture in the red light areas that have cheap bars lined up on either side, especially when visiting Thailand with kids.
- Beaches are great places for bonding with the children. Make the most of the sunny evenings and play on the soft sands that line the coastline of the ‘Land of Smiles’.
Activities & Things to Do
Thailand packs a punch when it comes to sightseeing and keeping oneself occupied. Some of the best activities to do in Thailand are:
Visit the Floating Markets
A unique way to shop in Thailand, this country has numerous floating markets which are essentially narrow canals where sellers display their goods (fruits, vegetables, spices, mementos, handicrafts, etc.) on boats that float over the water body. Explore the vibrant floating markets of Pattaya, Ayutthaya and Chao Phraya River in Bangkok.
Attend a Beach Party
Backpackers and solo travellers will love the all-night parties that many beach destinations of Thailand are famous for. Go clubbing at Patong Beach in Pattaya, chill at a swim-up bar in KOh Samui, attend the full moon parties of Koh Phangan or watch the fire shows of Koh Phi Phi.
Try some Water Sports
Thailand is insanely popular for its water sports. If you want some easy options, try banana boats, sailing, undersea walks, snorkelling or kayaking. For the more adventurous ones, there’s scuba diving, wakeboarding, white water rafting over frothy rapids, kite surfing, flyboarding, windsurfing, parasailing and water skiing.
See the Ornate Temples
Steeped in mythology and mysticism, Thailand’s temples are also intriguing for their exceptional architecture. Some of the most photogenic shrines to visit are the castle-like Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) in Chiang Rai, The Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya, Wat Tham Suea (Tiger Cave Temple) in Krabi and Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) in Bangkok.
Trek through a Tropical Jungle
Hiking is the best way to explore the natural beauty of Thailand, blessed as it is with mountains, forests and rivers. Climb through the hilly routes of Chiang Rai which often surprise you with dense woods or camp in Khao Sok where you can discover limestone caves and waterfalls. You can also spot the elephants of Hua Hin or interact with the tribal communities of Chiang Mai.
What to do in Thailand for Honeymoon
Choose from Thailand honeymoon packages that offer you exclusivity as a couple while also letting you experience the serenity of this land. Krabi’s gorgeous coral islands are perfect for a romantic cruise and swim, whereas the pool villas of Kanchanaburi make it possible to vacation luxuriously without breaking the bank. Go on a fishing trip in the Phi Phi Islands or book a couple spa in Phuket.
What to do in Thailand with Family
Family time will be more fun when you spend it at the Safari World in Bangkok, watching lions, bird shows, the antics of orangutans and the playful dolphins at the Marine Park. If yo’re looking for adventure parks or water parks, visit Siam Park City or Fantasia Lagoon. You can even try indoor ice skating or meet some giants at an elephant sanctuary.
What to do in Thailand on a Budget
Counted among budget travel destinations, Thailand is a sweet deal for cash strapped tourists. Bunk at a hostel and visit during the low season of April to September to save more. Get your local food fix from the hand carts on the alleyways instead of stepping into fancy restaurants. Sightseeing can almost be free if you hit the beaches, go hiking or visit some non-touristy temples.
What to do in Thailand for Non Swimmers
Thailand is not all about water and water-based activities, so you will have a lot to enjoy even if you are a non-swimmer. Learn the art of haggling at a wet market, go pub-hopping with a local guide, dance the night away at an open-air discotheque, tour the city sights on foot or go on a river trek in the wilderness. Even some water activities like dinner cruises, canoeing and jet skiing are safe for those who cannot swim.
The excitement will only go higher once you get on that flight from India to Thailand! It is not just the popular destinations of Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket that await but also the lesser known attractions of Trang, Koh Tao and Udon Thani.