Thailand
Kingdom of Thailand
South-Eastern Asia · THA
Editorial Snapshot
Why Go To Thailand
Thailand is one of Asia's easiest all-round picks for travelers who want food, beaches, temple culture, and a trip that can swing between cities, islands, and northern mountain towns without much friction. It works for first-time Southeast Asia trips, shorter warm-weather breaks, and repeat visits built around a single coast or region.
Popular For
Things To See
- Bangkok
- Chiang Mai
- Phuket
- Krabi
- Ayutthaya
- Koh Samui
Best Months
Know Before You Go
- November through February is the easiest broad window for first visits, especially if you want to mix Bangkok, the north, and beach time.
- Thailand is easy to split into Bangkok and central sites, the north around Chiang Mai, and island or beach trips in the south.
- Monsoon timing differs between the Andaman side and the Gulf islands, so beach choice matters as much as the month.
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Flights
Hotels & Accommodations
Compare stays across major booking options
Open hotel and accommodation options for Thailand.
Guidebooks
Lonely Planet Thailand
Lonely Planet
Detailed guide with itineraries covering Bangkok, beaches, and regional provinces.
View on Amazon →
DK Eyewitness Thailand
DK Eyewitness
Visually stunning guide with illustrated maps, photos, and essential information on Thai destinations.
View on Amazon →
Lonely Planet Thailand's Islands & Beaches
Lonely Planet
Specialized guide focused on Thailand's best islands, beaches, and coastal destinations.
View on Amazon →Tours & Activities
Country Data
Stats At A Glance
Practical travel, safety, climate, and quality-of-life stats for Thailand.
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Bangkok
- Population
- 65,859,640
- Area
- 513,120 km²
- Region
- South-Eastern Asia
Languages
- Thai
Currency
Thai baht (฿)
THB
1 USD = 32.19 THB
Cost of Living (World Bank)
29.7
Price level index (US = 100)
- Groceries
- 44.4
- Restaurants
- 25.0
- Rent
- 13.9
Safety & Peace
lower score = more peaceful · 1.0–3.5 scale
Monthly Climate Averages
These weather averages are based on data for Bangkok (13.75°N, 100.52°E).
LGBTQ+ Friendly
77/100
Traveler LGBTQ score
- Legal protections
- 90/100
- Lived safety
- 54/100
This traveler-facing score is lower than the legal protections score because lived-safety context is weaker, based on broader traveler safety and development conditions.
This score blends legal protections with lived-safety context so strong laws alone do not automatically push a country to the top of the ranking.
- Homosexuality legal✅
- Relationship recognitionMarriage
- Adoption recognition✅
- Anti-discrimination laws✅
- Employment protections✅
- Legal gender recognition✅
- Conversion therapy ban❌
Human Development Index (UNDP)
0.798
High human development
- 5-year change
- +0.002
- 10-year change
- +0.046
- Trend
- stable
- Data year
- 2023
- Gender Dev. Index (GDI)
- 1.008
- Gender Inequality Index (GII)
- 0.288
- Planetary-adjusted HDI (PHDI)
- 0.726
UNESCO World Heritage Sites (8)
- 🏛️
Phu Phrabat, a testimony to the Sīma stone tradition of the Dvaravati period
Inscribed 2024
- 🏛️
The Ancient Town of Si Thep and its Associated Dvaravati Monuments
Inscribed 2023
- 🌿
Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex
Inscribed 2021
- 🌿
Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex
Inscribed 2005
- 🏛️
Ban Chiang Archaeological Site
Inscribed 1992
- 🏛️
Historic City of Ayutthaya
Inscribed 1991
- 🏛️
Historic Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns
Inscribed 1991
- 🌿
Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries
Inscribed 1991
Natural Beauty (World Bank)
- Protected land area
- 18.4%
- Forest cover
- 38.7%
Source: World Bank.
Wildlife & Birdwatching
- Threatened mammal species (IUCN)
- 64
- Threatened bird species (IUCN)
- 66
Source: World Bank / IUCN Red List. Higher counts indicate richer biodiversity, typically in tropical rainforest, island, and savannah ecosystems.
Food & Cuisine
66/100
Food and dining score
Built from two layers: dining-scene breadth and open prestige signals. We combine restaurant density, cuisine diversity, distinguished restaurants, and gastronomy-city recognitions from open data sources.
Luxury Infrastructure
93/100
Luxury & premium accommodation score
Based on OpenStreetMap luxury hotel density and World Bank international tourism receipts.
US Travel Advisory
The advisory level was increased to Level 2. An area of increased risk was added. The advisory summary was updated. Exercise increased caution in Thailand due to risk of unrest. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Do Not Travel to: Areas along the Cambodian and Thai border due to armed conflict. Advisory summary: Exercise increased caution due to civil unrest associated with ongoing insurgent activities in the Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat provinces. Periodic violence between Thai security services and armed insurgents has been known to occur in Thailand’s three southernmost provinces of Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat. Seventeen districts in these provinces remain under a declared state of emergency due to ongoing violent conflict. There is a collateral risk of violence for U.S. citizens in Thailand’s southernmost provinces due to low intensity conflict. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in these provinces as U.S government employees must obtain special authorization to travel to these provinces. Level 4 - Do Not Travel Thailand - Cambodia Border: Do not travel to areas within 50km of the Thai-Cambodian border due to ongoing fighting between Thai and Cambodian military forces. There are reports of fighting, including rocket and artillery fire, between Cambodian and Thai forces along the border. Armed conflict has led to civilian casualties, and the Thai government has ordered the evacuation of certain areas. There is a collateral risk of violence, and U.S. citizens are advised to avoid all but essential travel to within 50km of these border areas until further notice. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in these provinces due to the ongoing risk of armed conflict. Read the destination information page for additional information on travel to Thailand. If you decide to travel to Thailand: Have evacuation plans that do not rely on U.S. government assistance. Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrolling helps the U.S. embassy or consulate contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency. Review the Country Security Report for Thailand. Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist. Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel. We highly recommend that you buy insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancellation coverage..
Read full advisory →Data current as of May 2026 and subject to change. Travel advisory information is sourced from the U.S. State Department and reflects conditions at the time of data collection, not real-time conditions. Do not rely solely on this information for travel decisions. Always check current government advisories for your nationality. Terms of Use · About our data