Why Thailand’s great for every type of holiday

POV: You’re floating in turquoise water, the sun’s on your shoulders and there’s a longtail boat bobbing nearby. The air is thick with heat, the kind that forces you to slow down. By midday, you’re stretched out on a quiet beach, the sea lapping at the shore, salt clinging to your skin, a mango smoothie beside you. Beneath you is the whitest sand you’ve ever seen, soft and powdery like sugar.  Come evening, you’re wandering through a night market that’s alive with colour. Lanterns are swaying overhead, the scent of lemongrass and jasmine curling through the air.

Thailand isn’t just about getting away, it’s about contrast. Stillness and chaos. Mountains and islands. Coconut palms and neon signs. It’s a place where you can slow down or speed up. Whether you’re looking for rest, adventure, or reconnection, Thailand meets you there.

If your head’s been spinning, your group chat’s gone silent and you can’t take one more grey day, Thailand’s the answer…

Where to go…

For beach energy…

Head south, where the coastline never ends and every sunset feels like a film scene. On the Andaman side, Phuket, Krabi and Koh Phi Phi are the big names. Think dramatic cliffs, island-hopping and nightlife if you want it. But don’t skip the underrated gems: Koh Lanta and Koh Lipe are quieter, slower and packed with that peaceful, toes-in-the-sand magic. If you’re looking for calm, this is it.

Over on the Gulf side, you’ve got Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. Samui brings big-resort energy and dreamy beachfront villas. Koh Phangan’s north coast is laidback and gorgeous, very different from its full moon rep. But for a sweet spot between vibe and chill, Koh Tao is the one. Think jungle-covered hills, clear water, and a kind of island magic that makes it hard to leave.

For city buzz…

Bangkok is electric. Street food sizzles on every corner, golden temples pop up between glass towers, and tuk tuks weave through traffic like it’s a sport. It’s chaotic in the best way. For something slower but still full of culture, head north to Chiang Mai – temple hopping, night markets, and lush mountain views all in one.

For adventure…

Looking to go off-grid? Khao Sok is home to ancient rainforest and floating bungalows on a lake. Or try Pai, a little mountain town with hot springs, waterfalls and some of the most scenic scooter rides in the country. Perfect for the ‘let’s see where the road takes us’ kind of traveller.

For a spiritual reset…

Thailand’s also the spot if you want to fully unplug. From sunrise yoga on the beach to peaceful temples tucked into the jungle, this place invites you to slow down. Head to a retreat in Chiang Mai, visit sacred sites like Wat Pho or Wat Arun in Bangkok. 

My favourite hidden gem in Thailand

Tucked away in the south, Khao Sok National Park feels like another world entirely. I spent two nights here, staying in floating bungalows perched on a jade-green lake, deep inside one of Thailand’s oldest rainforests. No Wi-Fi. No noise. Just jungle, still water and the sounds of birds calling through the mist.

To get there, you board a longtail boat and glide past towering limestone cliffs, like something out of a dream. The water is bluer than blue, the kind you don’t believe is real until you’re in it. There were around a dozen of us staying in the bungalows. We swam off the deck, kayaked and listened to the sounds of the forest. As the sun dipped behind the hills, we shared dinner, played cards by and felt blissfully off-grid

The next morning, we headed out on a boat safari, visited caves and saw even a sticky waterfall (you can actually walk up it barefoot – don’t ask me how, but it works.)

It was hands-down my favourite part of the trip. If you want to see a wilder, quieter, more surreal side of Thailand – Khao Sok is the one.

Big dreams, small budget

Here’s the magic of Thailand: it looks expensive, feels luxurious and you’re able to live like royalty on a backpacker’s budget.

The street food’s unreal and rarely more than £2! I’m talking fresh pad Thai, mango sticky rice and tom yum soup. If you’re lucky, you’ll get a plastic stool and a view of scooters zipping past as your dining setup.

Accommodation? You’ve got options. You can stay in bungalows with jungle views or boutique hotels with rooftop pools, often for under £50 a night. Hostels are cheap and social, or if you’d rather not lift a finger, an All Inclusive holiday makes the whole thing one click and done.

Getting around’s a breeze, too. Ferries between islands are frequent and scenic. Night trains and sleeper buses are cosy, weirdly fun, and save you the cost of a hotel. Tuk-tuks are chaotic in the best way and usually cheaper than your oat milk flat white.

So yes, Thailand is the dream. But it’s also totally doable. Even if payday is still a week away, this trip’s more possible than you think.

Two people standing on a beach in Thailand.