Thailand is in the centre of the Southeast Asian Indochinese Peninsula and is known as the ‘land of smiles’. Its pristine and turquoise waters are so welcoming and the culture and history makes this a magical place to visit. This island is also inexpensive when you compare it to other tropical islands. The best way to explore most of the islands of Thailand is by island hopping.
We island hopped three of the islands in Thailand – Phuket, Koh Phi Phi and Ao Nang. The only regret we had was that we couldn’t stay longer!
DESTINATIONS
Information
Currency: The currency in Thailand is called Thai Baht.
1 USD will get you 32 Thai Baht
1 EUR will get you 37 Thai Baht
1 RAND will get you 2 Thai Baht
Language: Thai (Luckily Google translate has this feature where you can take a photo of something and it’ll translate it for you to your desired language – a good app to have when visiting Thailand, as most things are written in Thai).
Credit Cards and ATMs: Most of the main cities and retailers do have card facilities available, but if you plan on visiting the markets, then you’ll need cash to pay for your goods. ATMs are also easily available at supermarkets.
Plugs: Thailand has a type A, B and C with a standard voltage of 230V.
Getting around
There are different transport methods to choose from.
Taxi – Your best option to get from the airport to your accommodation. This is an expensive option, so I would suggest to rather opt for the other options.
Scooter – The most popular option and the best way to explore the island.
Tuk-Tuk – This can also be a bit expensive, but I believe you should at least drive in a Tuk-Tuk once when you visit Thailand!
Tail Boat – These are when you want to travel between the different islands and will definitely give you that Thai-experience.
Best time to visit
Thailand has three official seasons:
- You have your hot season from March to June;
- The monsoon season is from June to October; and
- Then there is the cool season from November to February.
Most people believe that the best time to visit Thailand is during the dry season from November to February. During this time, the temperatures are cooler which makes outdoor activities much better. However, flights are more expensive, as well as accommodation.
We travelled Thailand during the monsoon season which is from July to October. During this time, you will avoid the crowds and the flights and accommodation are much cheaper. It is important to know that monsoon season does not mean continuous rain, but rather short-lived rainstorms.
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