I’m not usually one of those people who returns to the same destination over and over again. There’s still so much of the world I want to see. But Thailand is different.
Firstly, it’s relatively easy to get to from Australia, which is one of the reasons Asia continues to be such a popular choice for Australian travellers. But more than that, Thailand just has a way of pulling people back in, well for me, especially.
The food is incredible. The kind of meals you think about long after you come home. Late night markets, fresh fruit smoothies, spicy curries, and khao soi until your heart is content.
And when it comes to value for money, Thailand is still hard to beat. Whether you’re travelling on a budget or looking for luxury without the Europe price tag, it’s still one of those destinations where your money can go surprisingly far in 2026.
Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, I can help you discover a side of Thailand beyond the usual tourist trail. Hidden waterfalls, sunset spots, mountain towns, incredible food, beautiful resorts, and experiences you probably wouldn’t stumble across on your own.
Bangkok is usually where most first time trips to Thailand begin, and honestly, I think it deserves more credit than people give it.
Yes, it’s busy. Yes, it’s chaotic. The traffic is wild and the humidity hits you the second you step outside the airport. But once you settle into the rhythm of the city, Bangkok becomes one of the most exciting places to explore.
One minute you’re walking through a gold covered temple, the next you’re sitting on a tiny plastic stool eating some of the best food you’ve ever had for a few dollars.
I always recommend giving Bangkok at least a few nights, especially if it’s your first visit. It’s a city that rewards curiosity. Explore the night markets, take a longtail boat through the canals, spend too much money at the huge shopping centres if that’s your thing, and finish the night with rooftop cocktails overlooking the skyline.
Bangkok suits travellers who love food, culture, nightlife, shopping, and a little bit of organised chaos.
Chiang Mai is probably the part of Thailand I connect with the most.
Everything feels softer there. Slower mornings, cooler evenings, mountain views, night markets, little cafes tucked down laneways, and some of the best food in the country (in my humble opinion).
It has a completely different energy to Bangkok. Less rush, less noise, and somehow still so much happening around you.
One of my favourite things about Chiang Mai is how easy it is to settle into daily life there. Wake up slowly, grab coffee from a local cafe, wander through the old town, stop for mango sticky rice, then finish the night at the markets eating khao soi for dinner.
If you love food, nature, markets, temples, wellness experiences, or just destinations that feel easy to breathe in, Chiang Mai is usually the place people end up falling in love with.
It’s also a great base for day trips, waterfalls, mountain scenery, ethical elephant experiences, and exploring Northern Thailand more deeply.
Pai feels like stepping into a completely different version of Thailand.
Tucked up in the mountains north of Chiang Mai, it’s smaller, slower, and a little bit chaotic in its own backpacker town kind of way, but that’s also part of the charm.
The road getting there is famous for its endless turns, but once you arrive, everything suddenly feels calm.
Days in Pai are usually spent chasing waterfalls, stopping at little cafes, soaking in hot springs, riding scooters through the countryside, and watching the sunset over the mountains.
It’s the kind of place where people plan to stay for two nights and somehow end up there a week later.
Pai definitely has more of a laid back backpacker vibe compared to other parts of Thailand, but I think that’s exactly why so many people love it. It feels relaxed, social, affordable, and connected to nature in a way that’s becoming harder to find.
One of the best things about Thailand is how different each island experience can feel.
Some are built around luxury resorts and slow beach days, while others are more social, lively, and packed with nightlife.
For first time travellers, I usually recommend choosing islands based on the kind of holiday you actually want, not just what looks best on Instagram.
Phuket is often the easiest starting point because it has direct flights, plenty of accommodation, great restaurants, beach clubs, day tours, and easy connections to nearby islands.
Krabi is perfect if you want dramatic scenery, island hopping, limestone cliffs, and a slightly more relaxed feel.
Koh Samui suits couples and travellers looking for a more polished resort style experience, especially during certain times of year when weather on the opposite coast works better.
And honestly, some of my favourite moments in Thailand haven’t even been the big attractions. They’ve been the simple ones. Watching the sunset with a cocktail on the beach, ordering fresh fruit or a smoothie from a tiny roadside stall, getting caught in a tropical storm for twenty minutes before the sun suddenly comes back out again.
Thai food honestly deserves its own reason for visiting.
And while everyone talks about pad thai (drool), there’s so much more to experience once you start exploring regional dishes and local markets.
Northern Thailand became one of my favourite food regions very quickly. Khao soi alone is worth the flight. Rich coconut curry broth, crispy noodles on top, soft noodles underneath, lime, chilli, pickled greens. I still think about it constantly…
Then there’s the night markets. Grilled meats, fresh seafood, mango sticky rice, roti, tofu sticks, fruit smoothies, satay skewers, spicy papaya salad, and tiny plastic tables somehow serving meals better than restaurants back home.
One of the best things about Thailand is that incredible food exists at every budget level. Some of my favourite meals there have cost less than a coffee in Australia.
Food becomes part of the experience in Thailand. It’s not just something squeezed between activities. Some days genuinely revolve around what you’re eating next.
Thailand has definitely become more expensive over the years, especially in popular tourist areas, but compared to many destinations around the world, it still offers incredible value.
You can still find beautiful hotels at surprisingly affordable prices, massages for a fraction of what you’d pay in Australia, amazing street food for only a few dollars, and luxury stays that would cost significantly more elsewhere.
That’s part of why Thailand works so well for so many different travel styles.
Backpackers can still travel Thailand affordably, while couples and honeymooners can experience beautiful resorts, private transfers, rooftop bars, and luxury hotels without needing a Europe sized budget.
It’s one of the few destinations where both styles of travel can exist side by side so easily.
For a first trip to Thailand, I usually recommend combining a few completely different experiences so you can really see how varied the country is.
Something like:
3 nights Bangkok
4 nights Chiang Mai
5 nights island stay
This works really well for first time travellers.
You get the energy and excitement of Bangkok, the slower pace and food culture of Northern Thailand, then finish with beaches, sunsets, and time to properly relax before heading home.
Thailand is one of those destinations where the flow of the trip really matters, and having the right balance between cities, nature, and downtime can completely change the experience.
If Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand are already calling your name, check out our Ultimate Guide to Visiting Northern Thailand with more travel tips, favourite experiences, and inspiration for the region.
Thailand has this way of becoming more than just a holiday destination.
It’s the smell of street food drifting through the air at night. The sound of tuk tuks weaving through traffic. The quiet moments watching the sunset from a beach bar somewhere. The tiny local restaurants you accidentally stumble into and end up talking about for years afterwards.
It’s exciting, chaotic, relaxing, emotional, affordable, beautiful, and somehow comforting all at once.
And no matter how many times you visit, there’s always another side of Thailand waiting to surprise you.
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