A photograph of Thailand

Country guide

Thailand

Thailand is 513,120 km² and 76 provinces, plus Bangkok, which is not a province at all but a special administrative area with an elected governor of its own. Th...

Photograph · Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 3.0

9,526 Places
3Cities

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

Thailand is 513,120 km² and 76 provinces, plus Bangkok, which is not a province at all but a special administrative area with an elected governor of its own. The 65,975,198 people counted in 2024 spread across four regions that behave like four separate trips: the central plain along the Chao Phraya, the north around Chiang Mai and the old Lan Na kingdom, the Khorat Plateau in the northeast, and the long strip of the Malay Peninsula in the south. Most itineraries take two of the four. Taking all four is largely a schedule of internal flights.

Checked 2026-08-25

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information

Language spoken
Thai
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+66
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Thai baht (THB)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
191 police · 1669 medical
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type A, B, C and O · 220 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Not recorded
No verified nationwide drinking-water statement was recorded

Planning a visit

Seasonal closures come from recorded opening hours.

  1. January: no seasonality data recorded
  2. February: no seasonality data recorded
  3. March: no seasonality data recorded
  4. April: no seasonality data recorded
  5. May: seasonal closure recorded
  6. June: seasonal closure recorded
  7. July: seasonal closure recorded
  8. August: seasonal closure recorded
  9. September: seasonal closure recorded — this month
  10. October: seasonal closure recorded
  11. November: seasonal closure recorded
  12. December: seasonal closure recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

  1. Bank of Thailand Museum Bank of Thailand Museum
    07 1 hr 30 min

    Bank of Thailand Museum

    พิพิธภัณฑ์ธนาคารแห่งประเทศไทย

    The Bank of Thailand Museum occupies the vault of Thailand's first banknote printing works, on Samsen Road in Phra Nakhon, and is the museum arm of the Bank of Thailand Learning Center.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Bangkok
  2. Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles
    08 1 hr 15 min

    Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles

    พิพิธภัณฑ์ผ้าในสมเด็จพระนางเจ้าสิริกิติ์ พระบรมราชินีนาถ

    The Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles is a textile museum inside the Grand Palace, occupying the Ratsadakorn-bhibhathana Building just inside the palace's outer court, and it is the quietest, most air-conditioned room on the whole compound.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Bangkok
  3. National Museum of Royal Barges National Museum of Royal Barges
    09 45 min

    National Museum of Royal Barges

    พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติ เรือพระราชพิธี

    The National Museum of Royal Barges is a single covered boat shed on the bank of Khlong Bang Kok Noi, on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya, where the Fine Arts Department keeps the royal ceremonial barges out of…

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Bangkok
  4. Children's Discovery Museum Children's Discovery Museum
    10 1 hr 30 min

    Children's Discovery Museum

    พิพิธภัณฑ์เด็กกรุงเทพมหานคร

    Children's Discovery Museum is an educational attraction in Bangkok designed for young visitors to learn through interactive play. The museum focuses on hands-on experiences rather than traditional exhibits.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Bangkok
  5. Bangkok Folk Museum Bangkok Folk Museum
    11 1 hr 30 min

    Bangkok Folk Museum

    พิพิธภัณฑ์ชาวบางกอก

    Bangkok Folk Museum, locally called พิพิธภัณฑ์ชาวบางกอก, preserves the domestic world of Bangkok families during the early and mid-twentieth century. Set within a historic residence, it offers a close look at household routines, architecture and personal possessions.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Bangkok
  6. Bangkok Doll Museum
    12 1 hr 30 min

    Bangkok Doll Museum

    Bangkok Dolls Museum

    Bangkok Dolls Museum is a specialised museum in Bangkok dedicated to the art of doll-making. It showcases traditional Thai and international dolls, reflecting cultural heritage and craftsmanship.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Bangkok
  7. King Prajadhipok Museum King Prajadhipok Museum
    13 1 hr 30 min

    King Prajadhipok Museum

    พิพิธภัณฑ์พระบาทสมเด็จพระปกเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว

    The King Prajadhipok Museum is a Bangkok institution dedicated to the life and reign of King Prajadhipok, Rama VII, the last absolute monarch and first constitutional king of Siam.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Bangkok
  8. Thai Labour Museum Thai Labour Museum
    14 1 hr 30 min

    Thai Labour Museum

    พิพิธภัณฑ์แรงงานไทย

    The Thai Labour Museum presents Thailand’s social history through the experiences of workers and the development of labour movements. Its subject is useful for travelers who want to understand the country beyond royal, religious, and commercial narratives.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Bangkok
  9. Chiang Mai City Art & Cultural Center Chiang Mai City Art & Cultural Center
    15 1 hr 30 min

    Chiang Mai City Art & Cultural Center

    หอศิลปวัฒนธรรมเมืองเชียงใหม่

    The Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Centre is a museum and cultural institution located in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

    • Notable
    • Museum
    • Chiang Mai
  10. Artist House Artist House
    16 1 hr 30 min

    Artist House

    บ้านศิลปิน

    Artist House, known locally as Baan Silapin, is a historic wooden residence along a Bangkok canal. The building serves as a cultural venue preserving traditional Thai arts, particularly puppetry.

    • Notable
    • Museum
    • Bangkok
  11. Baan Chinpracha
    17 1 hr 30 min

    Baan Chinpracha

    บ้านชินประชา

    Chinpracha House stands as Phuket's best-preserved private Sino-colonial house museum, representing a core element of the old-town interior. This historic residence exemplifies the architectural fusion of Chinese and European colonial influences that characterises Phuket Town's heritage district.

    • Notable
    • Museum
    • Phuket
  12. Chiang Mai Historical Centre Chiang Mai Historical Centre
    18 1 hr 30 min

    Chiang Mai Historical Centre

    Chiang Mai Historical Centre is a museum about the city’s history and cultural development. Its story follows Chiang Mai from the era before the Mangrai dynasty through Burmese rule, integration into Siam, and the present day.

    • Notable
    • Museum
    • Chiang Mai
  13. Corrections Museum Corrections Museum
    19 1 hr 30 min

    Corrections Museum

    พิพิธภัณฑ์ราชทัณฑ์

    The Corrections Museum occupies a former prison compound in Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon district. It preserves the history of Thailand’s penal system within structures connected to incarceration.

    • Notable
    • Museum
    • Bangkok
  14. Lanna Traditional House Museum CMU.
    20 1 hr 30 min

    Lanna Traditional House Museum CMU.

    พิพิธภัณฑ์เรือนโบราณล้านนา มช.

    The Lanna Traditional House Museum is a cultural heritage site in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, dedicated to preserving and showcasing traditional Lanna architecture and domestic life.

    • Notable
    • Museum
    • Chiang Mai
  15. Madame Tussaud's Bangkok
    21 1 hr 30 min

    Madame Tussaud's Bangkok

    มาดามทุสโซ กรุงเทพฯ

    Madame Tussauds Bangkok is a wax museum and tourist attraction located in the Thai capital. It belongs to the global Madame Tussauds chain, which operates similar venues worldwide.

    • Notable
    • Museum
    • Bangkok
  16. Museum of World Insects and Natural Wonders
    22 1 hr 30 min

    Museum of World Insects and Natural Wonders

    พิพิธภัณฑ์แมลงโลกและสิ่งมหัศจรรย์ธรรมชาติ

    The Museum of World Insects and Natural Wonders is a specialized museum in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand. It was established by Dr. Rampa Rattanarithikul, a Thai entomologist, and her husband Manop Rattanarithikul.

    • Notable
    • Museum
    • Chiang Mai
  17. Patpong Museum Patpong Museum
    23 1 hr 30 min

    Patpong Museum

    Patpong Museum is a museum located in the Patpong area of Bangkok. The museum documents the history and development of the Patpong district, which has been known internationally for its night market and entertainment venues.

    • Notable
    • Museum
    • Bangkok
  18. Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall
    24 1 hr 30 min

    Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall

    นิทรรศน์รัตนโกสินทร์

    Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall is a permanent exhibition space in Bangkok's historic Rattanakosin Island district. The facility presents displays related to Thai heritage, culture, and the history of the Rattanakosin period beginning in 1782.

    • Notable
    • Museum
    • Bangkok
  19. Silp Bhirasri National Museum Silp Bhirasri National Museum
    25 1 hr 30 min

    Silp Bhirasri National Museum

    พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติศิลป์พีระศรี

    The Silp Bhirasri National Museum is a national museum in Bangkok dedicated to the life and work of Silpa Bhirasri, an Italian-born sculptor who became a pivotal figure in modern Thai art.

    • Notable
    • Museum
    • Bangkok

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Thailand be?

Ten to fourteen days allows three or four days in Bangkok, about three in Chiang Mai, and a separate southern base. If an island follows an international arrival, keep a spare transfer day because the last road or ferry connection may not align with the flight.

What entry documents are needed for Thailand?

Thailand's entry permission depends on the traveller's passport, purpose, and stay length. Use the linked Thai immigration guidance to confirm the applicable visa route and whether a Thailand Digital Arrival Card is required for the arrival date.

What is the best way to travel around Thailand?

Bangkok anchors Thailand's transport network. The Tourism Authority of Thailand lists buses, trains, urban rail, vans and songthaews for land journeys, alongside domestic aviation and boat services. Check any island's final sea or road connection separately before booking the inbound leg.

When is a practical time to visit Thailand?

November through February is the broad starting point for this route, not a nationwide weather guarantee. Northern conditions and the monsoon timing on each coast differ, so choose dates around the island or ferry leg rather than Bangkok alone.

What money and payment basics apply in Thailand?

Thailand uses the Thai baht (THB). Cards may work in larger hotels and businesses, but market purchases and some island transport can require cash, so retain a modest baht reserve without assuming a particular exchange fee.

What practical safety details should I save for Thailand?

Record 191 for police and 1669 for medical emergencies in Thailand. Power is 220 V with Type A, B, C, and O sockets; tap-water safety is not recorded here, so ask the accommodation rather than treating the missing entry as approval.