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 = 33.63 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
- 53/100
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 decreased to 1. There were no changes to the risk indicators. An area of increased risk was added. Advisory summary was updated. Exercise normal precautions in Thailand. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Exercise Increased Caution near the Thai-Cambodian border due to the risk of armed conflict. Exercise Increased Caution in the Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat provinces due to the risk of unrest. Advisory summary Thailand is generally a safe destination for travelers. Review our Travel Guidance for Thailand to learn how to prepare for a safe trip. Risks in specific areas Level 2 – Exercise Increased Caution Thailand – Cambodia border Exercise increased caution in the Cambodia border region due to the risk of armed conflict. Thai authorities may establish security exclusion zones with little notice. This is to protect the public from possible unexploded ordnance or if there is an assessed risk of possible military conflict. Follow all directives and instructions issued by Thai military and security personnel. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens near the Thai-Cambodian border due to the safety risks. Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat provinces Exercise increased caution in the Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat provinces due to the risk of unrest. The potential for overall collateral risk is elevated for Americans in Thailand’s southernmost provinces due to low intensity conflict. Sporadic incidents of violence between Thai security services and insurgents have been occurring in Thailand’s three southernmost provinces of Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat. Various districts in these three provinces remain subject to Emergency Decree, which provides Thai security services special powers to address security concerns in the area. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to Americans in these provinces due to the safety risks. U.S government employees must obtain special authorization to travel to these provinces. If you decide to travel to Thailand: 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 Have a plan to leave in an emergency that does not depend on U.S. government help. Review our information on Crisis and Evacuations. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the latest Travel Health Information for Thailand. Whether you’re a first time or frequent traveler, use the International Travel Checklist. We highly recommend that you buy travel insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancelation coverage.
Read full advisory →Data current as of July 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