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If you’ve heard Thailand was a weed-friendly destination, that’s now out of date. The rules changed in mid-2025, and the gap between the old reputation and the current law catches a lot of travelers off guard. What changed Thailand decriminalized cannabis in 2022, which led to a wave of dispensaries and a reputation as one of Asia’s few cannabis-tolerant destinations. That era ended on June 25, 2025, when new regulations reclassified cannabis flower as a controlled herb under

Thailand’s 2026 Michelin Guide results are out, and for the first time the country has two restaurants holding the top three-star rating. If fine dining is part of your Bangkok trip, here’s what changed. The headline result Sühring, a contemporary German restaurant in Bangkok, was promoted to three Michelin stars in the 2026 guide, joining Sorn as one of only two three-star restaurants in all of Thailand. This is a significant jump; three-star ratings are rare even in cities

Past Phuket and Koh Samui, Koh Lanta and Koh Lipe are where travelers go for something calmer, but “calmer” means different things on each island, and the journey to get to either one is part of the decision. Side by side Factor Koh Lanta Koh Lipe Getting there Easy, ferry connections from Phuket and Krabi, short hop from the pier Remote, 1.5–2 hours from Pak Bara Pier, longer from other islands Atmosphere Larger, spread out, quieter and more locally authentic Tiny, walkable,

The Grand Palace is Bangkok’s single most-visited site, and also its most scammed-around, tuk-tuk drivers near the entrance regularly tell tourists it’s “closed today” to redirect them elsewhere. Here’s what you actually need to know. The essentials Item Detail Ticket price ฿500 per person; children under 12 free What it includes Entry to Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) and several other palace buildings Opening hours 8:30am–3:30pm daily Closures Only during spec

If you’re planning a Thailand trip for late in the year, Bangkok’s seasonal air pollution is worth knowing about before you book, not to avoid the city, but to set realistic expectations and know how to check conditions before and during your trip. What’s actually happening Thailand, like much of mainland Southeast Asia, experiences a seasonal rise in fine particulate pollution (PM2.5) roughly from November through March, driven by a combination of vehicle emissions, cooler a

Thailand doesn't have one travel season, it has three, and they don't line up the same way in every region. Picking the right month depends less on "when is Thailand nice" and more on which part of Thailand you're actually going to. The three seasons Season Months What it's like Cool & dry November–February The sweet spot nationwide: 20–30°C in the north, pleasant city weather in Bangkok, dry beach days on both coasts Hot March–April Temperatures push past 40°C in places; Son

If you’re planning a trip to Bangkok for the next few weeks, you may have seen headlines about flooding. Here’s the actual scope of it, based on the latest reporting, and what it does and doesn’t mean for a visit. What’s actually happening Seasonal flooding has affected Bangkok and nearby provinces, including Ayutthaya and parts of Samut Prakan, during September–October 2026. Within Bangkok itself, the impact is partial, not citywide, the main affected areas are eastern distr

If you’ve visited Asiatique The Riverfront before, there’s a new reason to go back: a year-end programme called Bangkok Spectacular has added a dinosaur-themed museum and other attractions to the riverside complex. What’s new at Asiatique Asiatique’s operator has been running an annual year-end programme called Bangkok Spectacular, adding temporary and semi-permanent attractions on top of the existing night market and riverside dining. The most notable recent addition is the

The Full Moon Party at Haad Rin on Koh Phangan remains one of the most searched-for events in Thailand travel planning, and the dates shift every month with the actual moon. Here’s the confirmed schedule through early 2027, plus what to actually expect. Upcoming Full Moon Party dates Date Day Notes October 27, 2026 Tuesday Expect possible rain — October is within the rainier stretch November 24, 2026 Tuesday November is typically Koh Phangan’s wettest month December 24, 2026

Every non-Thai traveler entering Thailand now needs a Thailand Digital Arrival Card, no exceptions for age or visa type. It’s free, but get the timing wrong and you’ll be filling it out at an airport kiosk while everyone else walks through immigration. What the TDAC actually is The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is an online form every foreign national completes before entering Thailand, replacing the old paper arrival card. Submit it, and you receive a QR code by email

Loy Krathong is one of Thailand’s most photogenic festivals, thousands of small floating offerings set adrift on rivers and canals under a full moon. Here’s when it falls in 2026 and the best places to see it in Bangkok, with the nearest BTS/MRT stations. When is Loy Krathong 2026 Loy Krathong falls on the full moon of the 12th lunar month, which in 2026 lands on Wednesday, November 25. Because it’s tied to the lunar calendar rather than a fixed date, it shifts slightly each

If you’ve been following our BTS/MRT guides, here’s a genuinely useful piece of news: Bangkok is preparing a flat fare cap for rail travel, targeted to start January 1, 2027. Here’s what’s actually been announced so far, and what it could mean for how you budget transit on your trip. What’s been proposed Bangkok authorities, working with the Transport Ministry and related agencies, are preparing a rail fare cap of 45 baht per trip, intended to cover the rail network across Ba

Every Bangkok itinerary seems to include “visit a floating market”, but the three main options are genuinely different experiences, and picking the wrong one for your style of travel is a common source of disappointment. Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, it’s how we keep this guide free and up to date. The three options Factor Damnoen Saduak Amphawa Taling Chan Distance f

“Ethical elephant sanctuary” has become a marketing phrase as much as a real standard, plenty of camps use the word “sanctuary” while still offering riding or performances. Here’s how to actually tell the difference before you book. Why this matters: Elephant riding and performances involve training methods that cause lasting physical and psychological harm. No genuinely ethical sanctuary offers either, treat any listing that does as a hard pass, regardless of how the marketi

Travel insurance isn’t currently a legal requirement to enter Thailand as a tourist, but “not required” and “not worth having” are two very different things, especially given what a hospital bill or an evacuation can actually cost without it. Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Is it actually required? Not at the moment for most tourist entries. Thailand’s Ministry of Publi

ICONSIAM sits on the opposite bank of the river from the main BTS network — but between the shuttle boat and the short Gold Line extension, it’s easier to reach than its location suggests. What it is, briefly One of Bangkok’s largest and newest riverside malls, known for its floating market-style food hall on the lower floor, a large aquarium, and river-facing terraces. It’s a genuinely different mall experience from the Siam/Sukhumvit cluster, largely because of the river se

Bangkok has two separate rail systems — the elevated BTS Skytrain and the underground MRT — and they’re run differently enough that picking a hotel near “a train station” isn’t quite specific enough advice. Here’s how the two systems actually differ, and what that means for where you book. The two systems, compared BTS Skytrain MRT (Blue Line) Type Elevated Underground Main lines Sukhumvit Line (Mo Chit–Samrong) and Silom Line (National Stadium–Bang Wa) Blue Line (loop throug

Asiatique combines a night market, restaurants, and river views into one riverside complex — and getting there is a genuinely pleasant part of the visit, not just a means to an end. What it is, briefly A converted riverside warehouse district turned open-air night market and dining complex, with a small Ferris wheel, live music venues, and river views back toward the city skyline. It only really comes alive in the evening — most shops and restaurants open from around 4–5pm. G

Thailand doesn't have one travel season — it has three, and they don't line up the same way in every region. Picking the right month depends less on "when is Thailand nice" and more on which part of Thailand you're actually going to. The three seasons Season Months What it's like Cool & dry November–February The sweet spot nationwide: 20–30°C in the north, pleasant city weather in Bangkok, dry beach days on both coasts Hot March–April Temperatures push past 40°C in places; So

Jim Thompson House is one of the easiest major sights in Bangkok to reach — a short, well-marked walk from a single BTS station, no transfers or boats required. What it is, briefly The teak house-museum of Jim Thompson, the American businessman credited with reviving Thailand’s silk industry, set among a quiet tropical garden in the middle of the city. It’s a smaller, calmer stop than the Old City temples — usually visited in under two hours including the guided tour that com