Bangkok's street food and rooftop bars, Phuket beaches, Koh Samui bungalows and Chiang Mai temples. Thailand remains the UK's favourite long-haul Asian holiday.
Thailand has been the UK's top Asian destination for 30+ years — the combination of low prices, reliable weather, beautiful beaches and gentle Buddhist culture is hard to beat. Around 700,000 Brits fly in each year, mostly for 2–3 week trips between November and March.
Bangkok is the usual arrival point — chaotic, thrilling, and home to some of the world's best street food (Michelin has handed stars to stall-cookers here). Most travellers then split into two routes: south to the beaches (Phuket, Krabi, Koh Samui, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Tao), or north to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai for temples, hill tribes and elephant sanctuaries.
Value is extraordinary. Beach bungalows £25 a night. Pad thai for £1.50. An hour-long Thai massage for £10. Domestic flights across the country are often under £40.
Only Heathrow flies direct to Thailand. All other UK airports connect via Dubai, Doha, Singapore or Helsinki.
| Visa (UK passport) | No visa required for stays up to 60 days (extended from 30 days in 2024). Passport valid 6+ months from entry. |
|---|---|
| Currency | Thai Baht (THB, ฿). 1 GBP ≈ 45 THB. Cash is king for street food and markets; cards at hotels, malls and bigger restaurants. |
| Time zone | ICT (UTC+7) — 7 hours ahead of UK (winter), 6 hours ahead (UK summer). No DST. |
| Language | Thai. English widely spoken in tourist areas — Bangkok, Phuket, Koh Samui, Chiang Mai. |
| Best months | November–February (cool, dry). Avoid June–October in the south (monsoon). |
| Flight times from UK | BKK 11h 20m direct · HKT 14h+ via BKK or 1 stop |
| Plug type | Type A/B/C — mixed. Bring a universal adaptor; UK plugs don't fit at all. |
| Health | No required vaccines but Hep A + Typhoid recommended. Bottled water only. Dengue risk in monsoon — use repellent. |
November to February is the sweet spot across most of Thailand — 28–32°C, low humidity, no rain. March–May is extremely hot (38°C+ in Bangkok). June–October is monsoon — still enjoyable but daily afternoon downpours. Note: the Gulf coast (Koh Samui, Koh Tao, Koh Phangan) has a different pattern — its rainy season is October–December.
Cool, dry, beach-perfect. Book hotels 2–3 months ahead.
Very hot (38°C+). Bangkok Songkran festival mid-April.
Daily rain on west coast. Cheap flights, quiet beaches.
No. UK passport holders get visa-exempt entry for up to 60 days (as of 2024, up from 30). For longer stays you can extend by 30 days at an Immigration office (fee ~1,900 THB / £40).
The Thai Baht (THB, ฿). 1 GBP ≈ 45 THB. Withdraw from ATMs in Thailand for the best rate — but note the 220 THB (£5) foreign-card ATM fee. Revolut / Starling avoid extra conversion charges.
November to February for the whole country — dry, cool, beach-perfect. March–May is hot. June–October is wet season on the Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi); the Gulf coast (Koh Samui) is driest June–September.
11 hours 20 minutes direct with BA or Thai Airways from Heathrow. 1-stop flights via Dubai, Doha or Helsinki from other UK airports are typically 14–16 hours total.
No required vaccines. NHS recommends Hepatitis A and Typhoid for most travellers; Rabies and Japanese Encephalitis for longer or rural stays. No malaria in the main tourist areas. Dengue exists year-round — use DEET repellent, especially in wet season.
Yes — Thailand is genuinely one of the safest popular destinations. Main risks: motorbike scooter accidents (rent only with correct licence and helmet), scams at tourist attractions (fake gems, tuk-tuk "temple closed" detours to tailor shops), and drink spiking in some Bangkok/Patong party areas. Avoid any involvement with drugs — penalties are severe.