THE THAILAND DIARY · FIELD NOTES
One country.
88 ways in.
Practical, source-led research for travellers who want to understand the place—not simply collect it.A different kind of Thailand guide
Choose less by hype.
Choose more by fit.
Each note starts with the decision that matters, shows you what deserves time, and tells you what to re-check before committing the Diary.DESTINATIONS
Destinations
25 field notes
FIELD NOTE 01 · Central
Bangkok complete guide
Thailand’s capital rewards neighbourhood planning more than attraction collecting.
Begin here →02NorthChiang Mai complete guideA layered northern city where Lanna history, food and mountain landscapes meet.→03AndamanPhuket complete guideA large island with distinct beach towns, heritage streets and major boat connections.→04AndamanKrabi complete guideLimestone cliffs, island routes and several very different bases make Krabi more than Ao Nang.→05GulfKoh Samui complete guideA comfortable Gulf island combining resorts, independent beach towns and marine-park access.→06GulfKoh Phangan complete guideAn independent island of coves, wellness communities and event nights.→07EastPattaya complete guideA high-energy coastal city with island escapes, family attractions and nightlife.→08Upper GulfHua Hin complete guideA practical mainland coast break built around markets, food and easy Bangkok access.→09NorthChiang Rai complete guideNorthern art, mountain landscapes and Mekong-border history in a slower city base.→10NorthPai complete guideA small mountain town known for slow days, scenery and a social traveller circuit.→11CentralAyutthaya complete guideA former royal capital where temple ruins sit among working neighbourhoods and rivers.→12Lower NorthSukhothai complete guideA quieter historical-city experience designed for unhurried cycling and early light.→13WestKanchanaburi complete guideRiver landscapes, wartime history and waterfall country within reach of Bangkok.→14SouthKhao Sok complete guideRainforest, limestone and lake journeys offer a different southern Thailand.→15AndamanKhao Lak complete guideA relaxed mainland beach base with strong access to parks and dive routes.→16AndamanKoh Lanta complete guideA long, laid-back island suited to independent travel, families and slower stays.→17GulfKoh Tao complete guideThailand’s compact diving island also works for snorkelling, viewpoints and beach days.→18EastKoh Chang complete guideA forested eastern island combining developed beaches with waterfalls and quieter coastlines.→19Deep SouthKoh Lipe complete guideA small Andaman island with walkable beaches and access to Tarutao’s marine world.→20AndamanTrang Islands complete guideA lower-key island chain for limestone scenery, clear water and slower resort stays.→21NortheastIsaan for first-time visitorsThailand’s northeast offers food, Khmer heritage and Mekong landscapes beyond the main circuit.→22NortheastKhon Kaen guideA confident regional city and useful base for understanding contemporary Isaan.→23NortheastUdon Thani guideA transport hub linking prehistoric heritage, lotus wetlands and the upper northeast.→24MekongNong Khai guideA relaxed Mekong city with riverfront life and a strong sense of border geography.→25SouthNakhon Si Thammarat guideA culturally rich southern province of temples, craft and mountain-to-coast landscapes.→
AREAS & BEACHES
Areas & beaches
20 field notes
FIELD NOTE 01 · Bangkok
Bangkok Old Town
The strongest base for early temple days and historic atmosphere.
Begin here →02BangkokBangkok ChinatownDense food streets, gold shops, markets and historic lanes around Yaowarat.→03BangkokBangkok RiversideA scenic base where boats and hotel ferries become part of the day.→04BangkokBangkok SukhumvitA large modern corridor for rail access, restaurants, shopping and nightlife.→05BangkokAri neighbourhood guideA calmer pocket for cafés, local restaurants and a residential Bangkok rhythm.→06BangkokThonglor and EkkamaiContemporary dining, design and nightlife east of central Sukhumvit.→07BangkokSiam area guideCentral shopping, major rail interchange and easy indoor plans in hot or wet weather.→08PhuketPhuket Old TownSino-European streets, food heritage and creative businesses away from the beach strip.→09PhuketPatong guidePhuket’s busiest beach town for nightlife, convenience and a highly social stay.→10PhuketKata Beach guideA balanced west-coast base with a usable beach and broad visitor facilities.→11PhuketBang Tao guideA long beach area mixing resorts, beach clubs and residential pockets.→12Chiang MaiChiang Mai Old CityTemple-rich streets and a walkable first base inside the moat.→13Chiang MaiNimman guideA compact modern district for cafés, creative businesses and evening dining.→14Chiang MaiMae Rim guideA greener base north of the city for gardens, mountains and resort stays.→15Koh SamuiChaweng guideSamui’s busiest beach base for nightlife, restaurants and convenience.→16Koh SamuiBophut and Fisherman’s VillageA polished north-coast base with old shophouse character and easy evenings.→17Koh SamuiLamai guideA developed beach town with a more relaxed scale than Chaweng.→18KrabiAo Nang guideKrabi’s practical tourist hub for boats, restaurants and varied accommodation.→19KrabiRailay guideA boat-access peninsula of cliffs, beaches and internationally known climbing.→20Koh PhanganSri Thanu guideA west-coast wellness and community base with sunset beaches.→
MARKETS
Markets
15 field notes
FIELD NOTE 01 · Bangkok
Chatuchak Weekend Market
A vast weekend market best treated as districts rather than a single shopping list.
Begin here →02BangkokYaowarat night food guideA moving evening feast through Chinatown rather than one fixed market.→03BangkokOr Tor Kor MarketA polished fresh-food market useful for understanding Thai produce and prepared foods.→04BangkokPak Khlong Talad flower marketBangkok’s flower trade creates its own late-night and early-morning rhythm.→05BangkokWang Lang MarketA compact local food and shopping market beside the river.→06Samut SongkhramMaeklong Railway MarketA working market shaped by trains passing directly through its central track.→07Samut SongkhramAmphawa Floating MarketA canal-side weekend experience with food, boats and evening atmosphere.→08RatchaburiDamnoen Saduak floating marketThailand’s best-known floating-market image, busiest on organised morning trips.→09Chiang MaiChiang Mai Sunday Walking StreetA weekly old-city street of craft, food and performance.→10Chiang MaiChiang Mai Saturday Walking StreetA Saturday evening market along Wua Lai with a strong craft identity.→11Chiang MaiWarorot MarketA central everyday market for northern food, textiles and useful souvenirs.→12PhuketPhuket Sunday Walking StreetOld Town’s weekly evening brings food and performance to Thalang Road.→13KrabiKrabi Walking StreetA weekend town market that gives inland Krabi its own evening identity.→14Hua HinHua Hin Night MarketA central evening market known for seafood, snacks and holiday-town energy.→15Koh SamuiFisherman’s Village marketBophut’s market evening combines old shophouses, food and a polished visitor scene.→
THINGS TO DO
Things to do
20 field notes
FIELD NOTE 01 · Bangkok
Grand Palace visitor guide
Bangkok’s most significant royal complex deserves preparation, respectful dress and an early plan.
Begin here →02BangkokWat Pho guideA major temple complex known for the Reclining Buddha and traditional medicine heritage.→03BangkokWat Arun guideThe riverside Temple of Dawn changes character with light and viewpoint.→04AyutthayaAyutthaya Historical ParkA broad archaeological landscape best understood as several temple clusters.→05SukhothaiSukhothai Historical ParkA spacious World Heritage landscape ideally explored by bicycle in softer light.→06Chiang MaiDoi Suthep guideThe mountain temple is both a sacred place and a defining view over Chiang Mai.→07Chiang MaiDoi Inthanon guideThailand’s highest mountain offers forest, waterfalls and cool high-elevation walks.→08ThailandChoosing an ethical elephant experienceA welfare-first framework for assessing elephant venues without relying on marketing language.→09NortheastKhao Yai National ParkForest, waterfalls and wildlife close enough for a Bangkok extension.→10KanchanaburiErawan Waterfalls guideA tiered waterfall system where an early start changes the whole experience.→11Khao SokCheow Lan Lake guideLimestone towers and floating stays create one of southern Thailand’s most distinctive landscapes.→12AndamanPhang Nga Bay guideA sheltered seascape of limestone towers, caves and mangrove channels.→13AndamanPhi Phi Islands guideSpectacular limestone islands that need thoughtful timing and realistic crowd expectations.→14AndamanSimilan Islands guideSeasonal marine-park islands known for clear water and diving.→15GulfAng Thong Marine ParkAn archipelago of limestone islands reached on weather-dependent trips from Samui and Phangan.→16KrabiRailay climbing guideWorld-known limestone climbing with routes for first sessions and experienced climbers.→17Phi PhiMaya Bay planning guideA protected bay whose conservation rules are central to visiting responsibly.→18Koh TaoKoh Tao diving guideA practical framework for choosing dive training, sites and responsible operators.→19Prachuap Khiri KhanKhao Sam Roi Yot guideLimestone peaks, wetlands and coastal landscapes south of Hua Hin.→20ThailandThai temple etiquetteSimple respectful behaviour makes cultural visits more comfortable for everyone.→
PLANNING ESSENTIALS
Planning essentials
8 field notes
FIELD NOTE 01 · Thailand
Getting around Thailand
A route-planning guide to flights, trains, buses, ferries and local transfers.
Begin here →02ThailandThailand train travel guideRail travel can be part of the journey, particularly between Bangkok, the north and the south.→03Coasts & islandsThailand ferries guideFerry planning is about season, pier, transfer chain and realistic connection buffers.→04ThailandThailand domestic flights guideFlights save time on long routes, but airport location and baggage rules shape the real journey.→05ThailandThai food for first-time visitorsA practical introduction to regional dishes, ordering and enjoying street food thoughtfully.→06ThailandThailand cultural etiquetteA calm guide to greetings, temples, shoes, public behaviour and respectful travel.→07ThailandThailand safety planningPractical preparation for transport, heat, water, nightlife and emergencies.→08ThailandThailand entry planningA source-first checklist for passports, entry rules, onward travel and declarations.→