Located in Southeast Asia, Thailand is a prime destination for couples and honeymooners. This tropical paradise offers a rich cultural experience and some of the most vibrant landscapes anywhere on Earth. Surrounded by the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, the country also features an archipelago of small islands separated by thousands of colourful coral reefs and marine life.
There are plenty of other reasons to visit Thailand for a honeymoon, apart from what we’ve outlined above. Here are some:
Thailand is a country that never fails to tell a story—whether through its food, festivals, traditions, or architecture. In fact, its rich cultural heritage is evident all over the country, making it a perfect destination for couples interested in history.
When honeymooning in Thailand, you’ll be hard-pressed to find buildings and places without a hint of local culture. The country is filled with opulent temples and Buddha statues, quaint fishing villages, ornate royal palaces, ancient ruins, and fascinating historical monuments.
Known as the Land of Smiles, Thailand is home to some of the most hospitable people in the world. In fact, Thai people always seem to be wearing a smile—from the cashier at the local grocery to the elderly people you’ll encounter on the street.
Apart from their vibrant personalities, Thai people are always ready to help tourists. Any time you feel unsure about where to go, you can always approach a local for recommendations on the best restaurants or directions. This makes visiting a foreign country a bit easier.
Best of all, Thailand is one of Asia’s most LGBTQIA+-friendly nations. In fact, it’s working on potentially passing a law that would allow same-sex marriage and gender identity rights. There are also a number of hospital services tailored to the needs to LGBTQIA+ patients.
There is nothing quite like the waters surrounding Thailand. While the views from the surface are certainly beautiful, it is hard to match the vibrance of the country’s underwater world.
Thailand has no shortage of beautiful coastlines, clean beaches, and azure oceans. Honestly, it may be the main reason why tourists visit the country—although it has much more to offer. Thailand is the ideal place for trying out watersports, including snorkelling, scuba diving, sea kayaking, and paddleboarding.
Apart from water activities, Thailand’s beaches are also home to some of the craziest beach parties. In fact, the world-famous Full Moon Party takes place in Koh Phangan!
If you want to get the most out of your honeymoon, Thailand is one of your best best. The country has evolved over the past years to become a top destination for tourists. However, one thing remained the same—you’ll still get amazing value for your money.
There is a wide range of accommodation options in the country ranging from budget to luxury. The country also offers a variety of food options from delicious street food to fine dining.
In addition, Thailand offers a favourable exchange rate and great prices, allowing honeymooners to easily opt for luxury at a really affordable rate. While this is an estimate, a two-week trip in Thailand for two people can cost under $3,000.
As mentioned above, the country features an archipelago of small islands, each of which caters to different kinds of travellers. Here are some of the best places to visit while you’re on a honeymoon.
Bangkok
The country’s capital, Bangkok, is perhaps the most lively and vibrant city in Thailand. Known as the “City of Angels,” Bangkok is the perfect destination for couples interested in arts, fashion, entertainment, and nightlife. Trust us, the capital feels more alive than ever when the sun goes down.
There are plenty of things that honeymooning couples can do in the capital. For instance, couples can take long romantic walks at the Promenade and visit the world-famous Reclining Buddha.
Couples can also visit the Chatuchak Weekend Market, the largest market in Thailand and Asia. Chatuchak Market is home to over 8,000 stalls selling cheap clothing, pieces of jewellery, furniture, collectables, and rare finds. The market is also home to vendors selling some of the most delectable street food in the country.
To cap it off, Bangkok also offers a romantic two-hour champagne dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River where couples can enjoy a candlelight buffet dinner of Thai and international flavours. The cruise ship glides past illuminated landmarks, including the Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Arun.
Phuket
Probably the most famous among the country’s islands, Phuket allows travellers to enjoy the sandy beaches and cultural activities in an urban setting. Out in the island’s countryside, however, travellers will be treated to amazing jungles and natural landscapes that leave viewers in awe.
There are so many things to do and see in Phuket. For instance, couples can go on romantic strolls along the island’s glittering coast or try on a myriad of water sports, including snorkelling and scuba diving. There are also a number of nearby islets that make for great day trips. These include Phi Phi Islands, Coral Island, Racha Island, Koh Bon, Similan Island, and James Bond Island—a famous landmark that found itself on the international tourist map after it was used as the setting for the James Bond movie “The Man with the Golden Sun.”
Unlike other places in Thailand, the energy doesn’t die when the sun sets. The nightlife scene in Phuket, especially for couples, is beyond compare. The city is smacked full of bars, restaurants, beach clubs, and Go-Go bars, all of which serve affordable and delicious eats and drinks.
Chiang Mai
If it’s culture you’re looking for, then Chiang Mai should definitely be on your list of cities to visit. The Old Walled City of Chiang Mai is filled with heritage sites and temples where guests can wear a traditional Thai floral dress and get their picture taken.
Apart from the city’s cultural sites, it is also home to the Saturday and Sunday Walking Streets where vendors sell little trinkets, handcrafted wares, and customised art pieces. The Walking Street is also home to great dishes, including Khao Soi or Egg Noodle Curry, Khanom Jeen or Khanom Chin or soup with thin rice noodles, Sai Oua or Grilled Spicy Herb Sausage, and Thailand’s beloved Sticky Rice.
Apart from shopping, couples who visit Chiang Mai can also engage in a number of activities, including visiting the Cat Cafe and Elephant Nature Park, or enrolling in a cooking class where they’ll be taught how to pick out the freshest ingredients from the market, how to prepare the said ingredients, and how to cook some of the most beloved Thai dishes.
Koh Samui
Ask any couple who’ve honeymooned in Thailand their five favorite spots in the country and we’ll assure you that Koh Samui would likely be on their list. Located near the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Samui is one of the best places for newlyweds to spend some quality time together.
The island of Koh Samui features azure-coloured waters, vibrant coral reefs, stunning waterfalls, and lush coastal landscapes. Spend a few days on the island and fully explore Koh Samui’s variety of beaches where guests can also engage in water sports or lounge while sipping cocktails and sunset drinks.
If you’re a couple looking for loud parties, Koh Samui’s beaches are home to some of the craziest beach parties in the country. In fact, many couples are seen enjoying the loud music and cocktails in Koh Samui as they dance the night away.
Thailand is known for its mouthwatering cuisine and intense flavours. Authentic Thai cuisines combines many different ingredients to create bold combinations and hearty meals. These ingredients range from fresh vegetables and coconut to spices and chillies.
Another reason why Thai food is so popular is that it caters to people with dietary restrictions. People who don’t eat meat can still find plenty of food options to suit their tastes. People looking for a balanced meal also won’t be hard-pressed to find a nutritious plate.
Having said all that, it can be particularly hard to decide what to eat during your holiday in Thailand. The streets are often lined with vendor after vendor and store after store selling the cheapest to the most expensive Thai dishes. To help you out, here are our selection of the most popular Thai dishes to try.
Pad Krapao is a classic Thai street food dish that features ground pork, which is stir-fried with holy basil, oyster sauce, chillies, green beans, and garlic. This dish is definitely a 10/10 in the umami category and is often served at hawker stalls and restaurants across Thailand.
Arguably one of the most popular Thai dishes, Guay Teow is a noodle soup that can be found almost anywhere in the country. Thai noodle soups can feature anything from chicken, pork, beef, or vegetables paired with either rice noodles or egg noodles. Most of the time, vendors also add wontons or meatballs to the bowl.
Thai noodle soups are best topped with either one or all of the following condiments: sugar, chillies, lime juice, fish sauce.
Grilled pork skewers are a favorite choice among locals and tourists alike. They are a quick and easy snack that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or any time between meals. These skewers feature thin slices of pork rolled in a savoury marinade and brushed with unsweetened coconut cream as it cooks over charcoal.
Moo Ping is one of the simplest and cheapest Thai street food, costing around 5 to 10 THB each ($0.14 to $0.28). You can also add a portion of sticky rice for about 15 THB ($0.43) and you have a filling meal.
If you’re a seafood lover, this iconic bowl of steaming goodness is just for you. Tom Yum Goong is a world-famous dish that features bold, aromatic flavours with a fairly strong spicy kick. The soup is often created with shrimp broth as the base and mixed with Thai ingredients like lemongrass, chillies, galangal, shallots, and fish sauce. Some vendors also add coconut cream to the mixture for a creamier soup.
No list of Thai food would be complete without mention of Som Tam. Hailing from the north-east region of Isaan, this dish is deliciously addictive and is a great way to start any meal.
Som Tam features strips of unripe green papaya mixed with other ingredients, including chillies, dried shrimp, green beans, peanuts and tomatoes. This salad is sold in restaurants and food stalls. If you’re walking on the street and craving for Som Tam, look for a food stall with a mortar and pestle. There is a high chance they are selling this salad.
Looking for dessert? Khao Niao Mamuang, also known as sticky rice with mango, is a crowd-pleaser and an excellent way to start your exploration of Thai food. Khao Niao Mamuang is simple as it is essentially just sticky rice, fresh mango slices, and lashings of sweet condensed milk and/or coconut cream. However, it is extremely delicious and a great palate cleanser after a hearty meal.
Khao Niao Mamuang is a bit harder to find compared to other street food dishes. You can often find at least one vendor in Thailand’s morning or evening markets.
There is no set answer for this question. You can visit Thailand any time of the year. However, it is most recommended to visit the country in the dry season (November to April). During this time, temperatures are cooler and the weather is almost always perfect for outdoor activities and excursions.
That being said, the dry season is when the country sees the most number of tourists. Flights and accommodation prices are also higher than usual.
If you want to avoid the crowds, you can visit Thailand between May to October during its shoulder- and rainy season. While you may have to contend with short-lived rainshowers, you’ll get much cheaper flight prices and accommodation rates.
Language: The official language in Thailand is Thai. Many locals can speak some or fluent English. However, it is recommended that you learn some Thai, especially for bartering in markets.
Currency: The currency used in Thailand is Thai Baht.
Payment options: In Thailand’s main cities, you won’t find any problems with using credit cards as a form of payment or ATMs to withdraw cash. However, you’ll need to pay cash for your purchases at local markets and small eateries.
Plugs: The standard voltage in Thailand is 230 V. The plugs are types A, B, and C.
