THE SOLO WOMAN’S TRAVEL GUIDE TO THAILAND

THE IDEA OF TRAVELING ALONE as a woman might be Frightening. But we could't Permit that cease us — And fortuitously, we haven't: Solo female journey is amongst the speediest escalating demographics from the market. And although impartial Ladies adventurers are likely nearly almost everywhere, number of spots have witnessed this growth over Thailand. Over and above becoming Protected and welcoming, it's price range-pleasant, easily obtainable, and nonetheless still entirely envy-inducing. It's a triple danger.

Thailand is house to different areas, Each and every with its own Delicacies and culture. To secure a grasp from the state, you'll really need to see them all. Through the roots in the Lanna Kingdom in Chiang Mai and also the Hill tribes on the north, to the Babas to the island of Phuket within the south (and, needless to say, the behemoth that may be Bangkok), we'll stroll you with the Fundamentals.

Get around the capital, solo

 

 

Thailand travel

Bangkok (known to locals as Krungthep) has adjusted radically over the past few many years. The sheer amount of points to do — museums, eating places, retailers, and markets — makes it probably the greatest metropolitan areas on this planet to visit or are now living in, and it's rather Risk-free for solo woman travelers, Primarily mainly because it's simple to receive all around.

The BTS (Bangkok Transit Systemand inexpensive metered taxis make Bangkok a fairly easy destination to navigate. Most signals are in both equally Thai and English, far too. Tuk tuks — the carriage connected to a motorbike you might have seen in Darjeeling Restricted— are A different enjoyable method of getting within the town, although you are able to anticipate to pay more for the novelty journey (but don't shy away from haggling beforehand). Whilst it could be a tad costlier, you could't drop by Thailand without the need of Driving a tuk tuk a minimum of as soon as.

Spend a night on the town.

 

Thailand travel

 

Look at Bangkok's major bars within the industrial district of Silom (much like the 1930s-cabaret-themed basement bar Maggie Choo's, within the Novotel Bangkok Fenix Silom close to the Surasak and Taksin BTS stations; or the ideal rooftop view in Bangkok, Cloud 47, near the Sala Daeng station). Sukhumvit is usually packed with stylish spots. Purchase some fish at Tororo Sushi ahead of hitting the nightlife from the Thonglor-Ekamai community, in which you'll have your decision of dance golf equipment taking part in top rated forty Thai hits, bars serving beer from throughout the world, and swanky rooftop patios.

An additional superior choice for a memorable night is really a Chao Phraya Princess Evening meal Cruise — you'll get an upscale buffet meal though watching the landmarks alongside the Chao Phraya riverside float by.

Treat yourself to a night of luxury

  

Thailand travel

 

With loads of reasonably priced accommodation — together with listings on Airbnb, hostels, and inexpensive accommodations — a night of notroughing it is definitely worth the splurge. Check out the Windsor Hotel, with sights over the complete metropolis. It's centrally located in Bangkok and it has some wonderful Avenue food stuff close by, additionally it's appropriate close to a big BTS interchange (Asok/Sukhumvit) that enables you to leap to the skytrain or the subway. Hunt for offers on the internet and you could possibly look for a place for as minor as $50.

Want to really splurge? The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok has one hundred twenty five many years of practical experience making its company truly feel like queens. With out of doors pools and cabanas, tennis courts, a full-company spa with Thai massages, yoga classes, and 10 eating places, this stay will set you back many hundred dollars, however you'll definitely practical experience a throwback to the golden age of Thai luxury journey.

Head south on a one-woman road trip

 

 

Thailand travel

 

Southern Thailand is magnificent — and the perfect spot for a solo highway vacation. Motor vehicle rentals is often organized on line through the region, and obtaining your own wheels provides you with the flexibleness to stop when and in which you want.

This Component of the state is about Checking out the compact villages and metropolitan areas that punctuate the miles and miles of seashores. Nature fans will enjoy the "Minor Amazon" of Takua Pa in Phang Nga, close to Khao Lak — where no developing is allowed to stand taller than a coconut palm tree — and only a few hours from Phuket. Halt in Khao Lak on the beachside Khaolak Laguna Vacation resort (in the center of town) and take a tour from the nearby waterfalls, Choose a hike in Khaolak-Lumru Countrywide Park, or merely love a drink with the pool while watching the tide roll in.

Next, drive up the Coastline to Ranong, a lesser-regarded city which was the moment a well-liked location for that now-defunct Phuket-Ranong visa run. There's a tremendous incredibly hot spring, affordable but delicious dining establishments (Le Ranong Cafe has magnificent banana smoothies), as well as the Rattana Rangsarn Throne Corridor, a picket palace replica with gardens that's an excellent afternoon looking at spot.

See the other side of one of Thailand's most popular tourist spots

 

Thailand travel

 

Phuket is Thailand's greatest island and it has over 30 seashores. Regardless of the frequently-expressed sentiment that it's much too touristy, the reality relies on which part of the island and which time of year you check out. Close to the southern tip, Nai Harn Beach front isn't as busy as Patong and is a neighborhood favorite. It's got a number of beachside dining establishments, a temple to explore, along with a big lake that's a well-liked jogging place for expats. Also check out Nai Yang Seashore (inside the north, close to the airport), a fantastic spot to go kiteboarding while not having to steer clear of a throng of swimmers.

Once you've experienced your share of sand and surf, head into town to explore Previous Phuket City — it's stuffed with Chinese temples and museums, and it's scaled-down than you'd picture, thinking about the popularity of many of the close by beaches. This is actually the heart of your island along with the destination to be in the course of the yearly Vegetarian Festival.

Kopi de Phuket is a great selection in town for lunch or espresso. It's also going for walks distance to Jui Tui Shrine — Keep to the scent of incense to this Chinese Temple on gorgeous grounds. Sunday is an ideal working day to stroll in Outdated City, snap pics of your Sino-Portuguese homes, and luxuriate in the road foods and leisure with the strolling sector on Thalang Street as the Sunlight goes down.

Take time to explore inwards.

 

Thailand travel

 

If going through Thailand spirituality is one area you're into, look into the temple-loaded northern metropolis of Chiang Mai. You normally takes an right away teach straight from Bangkok or an air-conditioned bus — both of those solutions really should get you there in fewer than 12 several hours. Another option is the former funds of Siam, Ayutthaya, within the Central Plains (a simple journey at a lot less than sixty miles from Bangkok). It's filled with ruins and temples like Wat Phra Si Sanphet and Wat Mahathat, home of the popular Buddha statue in an old tree.

Choose to go truly solo? Dhamma Kamala in Prachinburi gives 10-working day silent courses in Vipassana meditation. This really is legit silence — no speaking, no texting, and no creating for 10 straight times. It's operate on the donation technique, contains simple lodging and foods, and will give you extra time than you ever assumed attainable to replicate with your only continuous vacation companion: oneself.

Check out the north on a motorbike

 

Thailand travel

 

With scooters, mopeds, and bikes obtainable for hire in fundamentally each and every town, town, and village in Thailand, jetting off like Audrey Hepburn (but without the included bodyweight of Gregory Peck to the again) is usually a breeze. You'll would like to be sure to have suitable insurance policies, a helmet, and beefy plenty of tires for the categories of roadways you have in mind. And don't overlook to snap some shots in the bike prior to deciding to depart to ensure you aren't charged for just about any destruction you didn't bring about.

The little cities and tranquil streets of northern Thailand make for Specially wonderful motorbike touring. Chiang Rai is a comparatively fast push from Chiang Mai; you'll move quite a few cafes and strawberry farms together the way. Prevent for the Doi Chaang Coffee farm (while in the village of the same identify) to seize a Chunk to consume and purchase some natural and organic coffee to get household with you.

Chiang Rai's Night time Bazaar is a fantastic area to possess a couple beers and sample dishes like seafood soup in a very steaming hotpot whilst people-looking at and listening to local musicians. It's centrally Positioned and within just strolling length within the golden clock tower, which resembles the design of Wat Rong Khun (the White Temple), a up to date art show during the style of a Buddhist temple, also in Chiang Rai.

Meet your fellow wanderers on an organized tour

 

 

Thailand travel

 

When you're ever looking for companionship, your options are lots. Head to Ayutthaya to investigate temples and web sites by bicycle, wherever a number of tour businesses (including Grasshopper Adventures) have entire- and 50 percent-working day excursions along again lanes and earlier fascinating cultural internet sites. It's also possible to get an overnight Mekhala cruise on the Chao Praya River from Bangkok, floating inside a restored teak rice barge.

For an extended excursion and the chance to invest some critical time with other tourists, attempt scheduling by way of a tour corporation like Oriental Escapes, which operates multi-day outings across the nation and has a very good name (and a guarantee to stay away from tourist traps).