Sawadee ka! Thailand is the ultimate getaway whether you’re looking to go backpacking or stay at a 5-star resort. With a number of flights leaving NZ every day and the cost of travelling through the country so cheap, there are a tonne of activities you can do without breaking your budget. If you’re in need of some inspiration, we’ve got you covered.
Ticked off the bucket list
Bangkok
Chang Mai
Phuket
Ko Samui
Ko Pha Nhan
Ko Tao
Top songs on the playlist
Tenerife Sea – Ed Sheeran
7 years – Lukas Graham
(Escape) pina colada song – Rupert Holmes
Santeria – Sublime
Gin and Juice – Snoop Dogg
Electric feel – MGMT
What to do
Bangkok
- Shop on Khoasan road
- Visit the Wat Arun and Wat Pho
- Visit the Golden Palace
- See the reclining Buddha
- Check out Siam Center
- Have a cocktail at the Baiyoke sky tower
Chang Mai
- Visit an elephant sanctuary
- Explore the local markets
- Have a thai massage
- Visit the many temples
- Take a trek to the hill tribes
The islands
- Snorkelling
- Learn to dive
- Hire a scooter and go exploring
- Kayak
- Go for nature hikes
- Take a boat tour
- Shop at local markets
Travel hacks
- There are no visa requirements but you will need to complete entry and leaving documents. Ask your travel agent for more information
- Bartering – any street vendor will give you a price that is twice of what they will expect you to pay. If you start negotiating, you will both come to a reasonable price
- Most places are cash only with some higher-end places having credit card facilities
- Buy bottled water – don’t drink from the tap
- Take plenty of hand sanitiser and wet wipes
- If taking a taxi, make sure you take a metered taxi. Ask your travel agent for more information.
- Some places do free pour their alcohol so make sure you watch as your drinks are being made
- Beware of scammers who have relatively good English and will tell you that temples are closed for holidays. Just politely say you aren’t interested and keep walking
- Be brave and ride a tuk-tuk
- Bangkok has great public transport and the sky train is a great way to get around
- Tipping is customary as the living wage is low
- Thailand is hot, hot, hot so be sure to drink a lot of bottled water to stay hydrated
Same same but different – what’s your favourite thing about Thailand?
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Written by Emily Blake
The source of our #fomo, Emily is constantly jetting overseas. A coffee aficionado, you’ll most likely find her swiping right on Tinder and daydreaming about her next adventure.
Favourite karaoke song: Wonderwall by Oasis
My Mum is actually in Thailand as I write this!! First time there and she is loving it! I’ve only been out of NZ once in my life back in 2003 to Fiji (and I’m 46), but need to get away next year I think so will def keep this destination in mind 🙂
I would love to go to Thailand one day.My parents have been and loved it.
I have the elephant sanctuary on my bucket list. I wouldn’t want to ride one, but I’d love to see them where they are safe and happy ❤️