Thailand - Useful Information Our Style of Holidays We have carefully selected Thailand's most unique properties and combined them to offer a selection of innovative and luxurious tailor made holidays. Thailand's hospitality and its choice of chic boutique hotels and some of the most beautiful resorts and spas in the world, gives you an opportunity to escape to a land of distinctive culture, rich heritage, remote hilltribes and stunning islands and beaches.  What we seek to provide is more than just a holiday experience and in Thailand we can offer unique hotels, villas and resorts, with sensational cuisine, which is fundamental to enjoying a country's natural experiences; and we appreciate that it is the little touches that really make the difference.  We can tailor-make your luxury holiday by recommending those special hideaway locations, arranging private transfers and tours, and by ensuring we assist in selecting the right property and style of accommodation for you. Time for Travel knows Thailand's secrets and hidden gems; let us help you design your dream holiday. We have introduced cross-border journeys, combining Thailand with Indo China. Thailand serves as a main gateway to Vietnam. We offer bespoke tailor-made itineraries to include Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos - please view our Suggested Itineraries for ideas.  A luxury train journey is a superb way to combine Bangkok with either northern Thailand or Laos. Our Role in Your Travel Plans Let us help with your holiday ideas - whether it be a family holiday, an escape with friends, a rejuvenating spa holiday, an adventure orientated trip or a honeymoon. We are continually heading out on trips to update our knowledge and in association with our partners in Thailand, to discover stunning places and meet interesting people around the country. This local knowledge and quality feedback will help match our itineraries to your hopes and expectations. Special Interest Trips If you have more specific travel requirements we offer support on the ground and can arrange special interest, exclusive group and family trips. We can arrange specialised holidays focusing on cultural experiences, eco-resorts, therapeutic spas and holistic wellness programmes, golf and diving. Map & Regional Information Please click here Best Time to Visit Although Thailand is a great holiday destination year-round, there are some points for consideration when selecting the time most suited to you. See Climate details below for full details. Climate Great holiday destination year-round, there are substantial variations between the climate in the north and south of the country. Central and Southern Thailand The hottest period is from Mar to May with temperatures averaging 20-35 degrees celsius. Dec-Feb is the coolest time. The rainy season, which is Jun-Sep in Central Thailand and May-Oct in Southern Thailand, is characterised by high humidity and a refreshing afternoon downpour. Northern Thailand (Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai) This region has four seasons. The hottest months, Mar-May, temperatures can reach 35 degrees Celsius. Dec-Feb are the coolest months with an average temperature of 20 degree celsius and night temperatures can drop to 12 degree celsius. The wettest period is Jul-Aug, which Dec-May is relatively dry. There is also a variation with the rainy seasons on Koh Samui, as opposed to the rest of Southern Thailand, as reflected in our climate chart below. Thailand's Highlights • Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho), Bangkok • Temple of the Dawn (Wat Arun), Bangkok • Chatuchak Market, Bangkok • Elephant Nature Park, Chiang Mai • Kaohom Thai Culinary Cooking School, Chiang Mai • Spectacular mountain scenery and diverse hilltribes, Chiang Rai • Grand Palace, Bangkok • Tropical forest, marine national parks and long beaches, Khao Lak • Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaeo), Bangkok • Six Senses Spas, focusing on holistic and therapeutic treatments. • Festivals linked to Buddhist or Braham rituals celebrated throughout the year. Personal & Exclusive Everywhere you go, you will experience the excellence and genuine warmth of Thai hospitality. You will come away with an experience few other visitors have had, and with new friends from the places you have stayed in along the way. Passionate about the Ingredients In Thailand you can dine on a vast range of dishes, both European and Asian. Thai food offers some of the best culinary experiences in the world.  Local specialities include : • Tom Yam - the famous hot and sour soup which originates from the Central region. • Yellow Curry - a traditional Southern dish made from fish, green squash, pineapple, green beans and green papaya. • Som Tam - a delicacy in the North where green papaya is pounded in a mortar with lime juice, garlic , fish sauce and a number of other ingredients, served with shrimp, cherry tomato and roasted peanuts. • Snacks - traditional favourites include stuffed dumpling, satay, crisp-fried noodles topped with sweet-and-spicy sauce, and spring rolls. Culture Religion and monarchy are the cornerstones of Thai culture, and they permeate everyday life, from the custom of the national anthem played across towns and villages twice daily, to the predominance of Buddhist temples all around the country. Many festivals are linked to Buddhist or Brahman rituals and follow a lunar calendar. New Year/Songkran, is celebrated in mid-April by ‘bathing’ Buddha images, paying respects to monks and elders by sprinkling water over their hands. The sowing and harvesting of rice has given rise to a cycle of festivals. To kick off the official rice-planting season in May, the king participates in an ancient Brahman ritual in a large field (Sanam Luang) in central Bangkok; a Rocket Festival is held in May in the country’s northeast, using rockets to convince the sky to send rain for the new rice season; and the rice harvest from September through to May leads to joyous local celebrations throughout Thailand. The Vegetarian Festival in Phuket and Trang, during which devout Chinese Buddhists eat only vegetarian food, runs for nine days from late September to early October. Merit-making processions are the most visible expression of this festival, but there are also ceremonies at Chinese temples. During the Loi Krathong Festival, held after the rainy season (usually in November), candle-lit floats are cast into waterways to bring good fortune for the coming year. In Chiang Mai, the launching of small paper hot air balloons into the night sky. Thailand's Events • New Years Eve (31 Dec) | Celebrations And Fireworks Display, The Central World Plaza • Early Feb | Chiang Mai Flower Festival • Late Feb Early March | Chinese New Year • March | Fashion Week, Bangkok • 13 - 15 Apr | Songkran (Water Festival) • Mid May - Mid June | Rocket Festival, Northern Thailand • Mid June | Hau Hin Jazz Festival , Hau Hin • 12 Aug | Queens Birthday, Bangkok (Lights at Royal Palace) • November Full Moon | Loi Krathon, Bangkok And Chiang Mai Geography & Regional Information Please click here Visas British passport holders do not require a visa for stays up to 30 days, but they do require a return ticket. A full and valid passport is essential and must be valid for at least 6 months beyond period of stay. Other passport holders should refer to the consulate for details : http://www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk Health Precautions must be taken to avoid the risk of contracting Typhoid, Cholera and Hepatitis A. There is also a risk of Malaria in certain regions. Time Difference GMT +7 hours Currency Thai Baht, Traveller's Cheque exchange, and most credit cards are accepted. Flights Daily flights from London Heathrow to Bangkok. Flying time is 11 hours & 30 minutes.