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Be My Travel Muse

Solo Female Travel

For those chasing summer, for lovers of history and culture, for beach bums, and for those who love a good party, Thailand offers up some of the best of what Southeast Asia has to offer. Known as the Land of Smiles, Thailand also carries a rich cultural history as the only nation in Southeast Asia never to be colonized, retaining a strong identity that can be seen from the ancient kingdoms to the street food stalls serving up authentic and delicious favorites. Thailand is the land of elephants, home to beautiful national parks, and famous for activities like trekking and scuba diving. Though a bit more touristy than other countries in Southeast Asia, Thailand is the perfect place to begin your Southeast Asian travels, and to return to again and again.

Where in Thailand?

Thailand Placeholder
Thailand

Get to Know Thailand

A Solo Female Travel Guide

20 of the Most Beautiful Places in Thailand

Thailand bucket list: 50 things to do

Thailand budget guide

The best hostels in Thailand

The story of my tattoo from a Thai monk

Returning to Thailand After 5 Years

Do a silent meditation retreat

You Might be a Backpacker in Southeast Asia if…

Watch My Vlog from Thailand

https://youtu.be/IWnYJvzjBdo
https://youtu.be/wb8UK-fcaFA
https://youtu.be/h4tuyUar7Aw

Quick Tips

  • 'Hello' and 'Thank You' in Thai: "Sa wat dee ka" (females) and "Sa wat dee kap" (males), and "Kap kun ka" (females) "Kap kun kap" (males)
  • Currency: Thai Baht (click for current conversion rates)
  • Visa rules: Generally 30-day visa-on-arrival (click here for your specific country's guidelines)
  • Safety rating: Ranked 117 on the Global Peace Index with a score of 2.28 (USA is ranked 128 with a score of 2.40)
  • Solo Travel Friendliness: A well-worn destination, Thailand is super easy to travel in, and locals are used to seeing tourists. I have not once felt unsafe in Thailand, not even during the Coup D’etat.
  • Climate: Hot and humid year-round. Rainy season lasts from May to October
  • Best SIM card: dtac- prepaid SIM cards can be purchased at 7-11 but data credit must be applied at a dtac location
  • Modesty Considerations: All of the Buddhist temples will require you to have your shoulders and knees covered up. On the islands, bikinis are totally acceptable but it is polite to cover up when you are not on the beach.
  • Random useful tip: It is considered rude to point one's feet at anyone else, especially in religious institutions, and to touch children on the head.

Accommodation

Low Budget Solo Travelers ($5 - $7): With thousands of hostels and guesthouses competing with one another, you are in for a treat when picking a place to stay in most parts of Thailand. Even in major cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai, as little as $5 could get you an air-conditioned room with strong Wi-Fi and great shower, and in smaller towns even cheaper, if you’re willing to do it on a shoestring! However, expect to pay a little bit more for dorms on the islands. Click to read my full guide to the best hostels in Thailand!

Mid Budget Solo Travelers ($10 & up): By topping up $10 , you can easily get yourself a cozy little room at most hostels, or a simple bungalow by the beach with a priceless view. A 3-star hotel room typically costs $20 - $40; Airbnbs run from $10 for a shared room to $50 for a private unit, and Couchsurfing is popular in major cities.

Food

Local Food Spots ($0.5 - $5): Street food is incredibly delicious, plentiful, and cheap in most places in Thailand. A plate of steamy Pad Thai on the roadside could run as low as $1 and one can easily eat at a night market, sampling several different eats, for just a few dollars. Generally, prices are not negotiable and the asking price should be paid. There’s really no need for negotiation when you can fill your tummy up to the point where moving becomes an obstacle with only $5, though!

Cafes & Restaurants ($5 - $10): All major cities have dynamic café and restaurant scenes, serving local and international cuisine of all kinds. Inexpensive restaurants are typically located in shopping malls, costing about $5 for a complete meal. In Bangkok, there are specialty restaurants that serve “royal Thai” cuisine that use premium quality ingredients, giving classic Thai cuisine a royal spin. Fast food chains are available everywhere, with a set meal costing $3 - $5.

Transportation

Getting There: There are six international airports in Thailand, the most popular one being Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, which is very likely to be your first and last stop in Southeast Asia. There are direct flights from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and all of Southeast Asia. Crossing borders overland is simple and cheap from its neighbouring countries using buses, trains and private cars.

Getting Around Town: Options include Tuk-tuks, buses, moto taxis, cabs and songthaews. With Tuk-tuks and moto taxis, make sure to negotiate and confirm the price before you get in. You can also easily rent a motorbike or bicycle from shops and hostels. Make sure to check the vehicle’s condition and take pictures of any existing damages because while the rental and fuel is cheap, repair costs could make you drop your jaw. For solo travelers who can’t ride a bike, take a moto taxi. In certain areas like Chiang Mai, there are red Baht buses (Songthaews) that go everywhere including the airport for a fixed price of 20 THB within the city walls and slightly more to head outside of them. Uber and Grab are also available in major cities, though protests from cab drivers are making it difficult for them to enter and exit certain areas.

Inter-city Travel: Long distance trains and buses in Thailand are efficient and comfortable for the most part. There are different classes (1st, 2nd and 3rd class for trains; VIP and non-VIP for buses) at different price points so how much an inter-city journey costs depends on how much you value comfort. Minivans are cheap but almost never come with assigned seats, and you will wait for the driver to pick you up at a designated bus stop, with the minivan usually already over occupied. As for island hopping, it is usually cheaper to get the bus/boat transfer packages than buying them separately. Always make sure that your valuables are close to you.

Things to Do

Northern Thailand

Play with elephants: Get up and close with those beautiful, regal creatures. Pick a reputable organization that actually focuses on taking care of the elephants and not milking them for money. I personally recommend Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, where the elephants are not threatened with sticks or hooks, and are given a chance to be elephants again.

Take part in the local Festivals: There are two main festivals celebrated in the North – Songkran in April, and Yi Peng in November. Many people head to Bangkok for the annual water fight, but up North in Chiang Mai is where the real party’s at. Yi Peng in November involves releasing decorations made out of flowers and banana leaves down the river, and releasing lanterns up into the sky. Chiang Mai is also the place to be for this festival.

Chill in Pai: Pai is a hippie haven about a 2.5 hour bus ride from Chiang Mai. Personally, I have returned 4 times. That says a lot about this place considering that I am always on the lookout for new places to discover. Rent a motorbike and ride to the waterfalls, canyons, and the land split.

Check out the White Temple in Chiang Rai: Trust me when I say this temple is like no other. It started construction in 1997 and is on track to be finished in 2070. Words can’t describe the White Temple but you can check out my attempt here, or better yet, go see it yourself.

Central Thailand

Hike Khao Yai National Park: While I have yet to check this national park out myself, I have only heard of good things about this place. It is apparently an excellent hiking and swimming spot, with opportunities to chance upon wild elephants. Sounds pretty darn good, if you ask me!

Shop at Chatuchak Market: Known as the ultimate Bangkok market, Chatuchak stretches out more than half a mile, with more than 10,000 booths selling everything and anything. Dress light and put on sufficient sunscreen as you will very likely spend the entire day there.

Picnic at Lumpini Park: I call this place Bangkok’s version of Central Park. Pack some light snacks with you, find a quiet spot to sit down and people watch. If you want to see how life is lived away from tourist-packed areas, this is the right place to be.

Visit Thailand’s ancient capital, Sukhothai: Think Angkor Wat, minus the crowds. Rent a bicycle and explore the ruins by yourself.

Southern Thailand

Go Island Hopping: My personal recommendations include (but are not limited to) Koh Chang, Koh Yao Noi, Koh Pha Ngan, Koh Tao, Koh Samui, and Khao Lak. Whether it’s a quiet, isolated beach or a party island that you are looking for, there has to be an island that fits the bill. Read the complete list here.

Join a 10-day Silent Meditation Retreat: There is a monastery on the mainland in the south of Thailand that offers a monthly 10 day silent meditation beginning at the end of every month. I attended the meditation that took place over New Year’s in 2013 and it was one of the more challenging but rewarding experiences of my travels.

Apps to Download

BangkokGate (helps finding routes when navigating through Bangkok via trains), Wongnai (an awesome local food guide)

Posts About Thailand

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The Solo Female Traveler’s Guide to Thailand

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Thailand Bucket List: 50 Things to Do

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20 of the Most Beautiful Places in Thailand

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Hidden Thailand: 8 Amazing Day Trips From Chiang Mai

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Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat: Thailand’s Floating Pagodas

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Going Back to Thailand After Five Years

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Koh Chang: The Perfect Thai Island For Solo Travelers

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The Ideal Thailand Backpacking Route

How to Participate in a 10-day Meditation Retreat at Wat Suan Mokkh

Ringing in the New Year With Ten Days of Silent Meditation

Exploring the Ancient Kingdom of Sukhothai

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How to Get SIM Cards in Southeast Asia

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5 Delightfully Unique Temples in Chiang Mai, Thailand

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The 8 Chillest Places in Asia

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9 Awesome Things to Do in Chiang Mai

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The Best Way to Play With Elephants in Thailand

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How to Really Fall in Love With Bangkok

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My Favorite Hostels in Thailand

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8 Reasons Why I’m so Hopelessly in Love with Pai

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The Pai Land Split: A Testament to Human Perseverance

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Thousands of Lanterns Become Stars in the Sky

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Sak Yant Tattoos: The Ultimate Travel Memento

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Offbeat Travel: Climbing to the Railay Beach Lagoon

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Under the Deep Blue of the Surin and Similan Islands

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Tonsai Beach: When are you Coming Back?

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Offbeat Travel: Bottle Beach on Koh Phangan

Offbeat Travel: Getting a Sak Yant Tattoo From a Monk

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The Harrowing Journey From Bangkok to Siem Reap

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Getting Scammed by Tuk-Tuk Drivers in Bangkok

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Thailand on BMTM’s Instagram

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Instagram post 17860505164210220 What an adventure! I just wrapped up a Northern Thailand road trip and I’m mind blown by how much there is that isn’t on the tourist radar, starting with this Thai cenote. For real, this jungle sinkhole is in Thailand! We couldn’t find an English translation, but some things need no words. Just look at this crystal clear perfection! Blog post and YT video with info on how to get here coming right up!
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Instagram post 17923030645033082 Don’t you just love watching the tides and waves play their game? This sand bar appears, and disappears, and reappears. It’s magic. • • • •

#kohyaoyai #kohyaoyaiisland #southeastasiatravel #southeastasiatrip #thailanddiaries #amazingthailand #beachdays #wearetravelgirls #travelgram #dronestagram #dronephotography #dronesofinstagram #fromewhereidrone
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Instagram post 17842161814014783 Only two places from the past year that I want to return to, and Pai in #Thailand is one of them.
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Instagram post 17842054108014783 Peaceful Pai #thailand
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Instagram post 17841958567014783 I posted the other too soon! The #sunset got even better, complete with lightening, in #Bangkok tonight.
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Instagram post 17841555949014783 Hanging out in Pai. Surprise, surprise #3rdtime #loveit #thailand

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