THE SOLO WOMAN’S TRAVEL GUIDE TO THAILAND

THE IDEA OF TRAVELING ALONE as a woman can be Frightening. But we are able to't Enable that halt us — And by chance, we haven't: Solo woman journey is among the fastest growing demographics inside the business. And although independent Females adventurers are going just about almost everywhere, couple places have noticed this growth much more than Thailand. Past getting safe and welcoming, it's spending budget-friendly, easily accessible, and however nevertheless thoroughly envy-inducing. It's a triple risk.

Thailand is household to unique locations, Just about every with its very own Delicacies and society. To obtain a grasp on the place, you'll should see them all. With the roots from the Lanna Kingdom in Chiang Mai as well as the Hill tribes from the north, for the Babas over the island of Phuket inside the south (and, certainly, the behemoth that may be Bangkok), we'll stroll you with the Principles.

Get around the capital, solo

 

 

Thailand travel

Bangkok (identified to locals as Krungthep) has transformed drastically in the last few many years. The sheer degree of matters to accomplish — museums, restaurants, retailers, and marketplaces — makes it one of the better cities on the planet to visit or are in, and it's fairly Protected for solo feminine travelers, Specifically because it's basic for getting all over.

The BTS (Bangkok Transit Systemand inexpensive metered taxis make Bangkok a fairly easy destination to navigate. Most indications are in both Thai and English, way too. Tuk tuks — the carriage connected to a bike You could have noticed in Darjeeling Restricted— are Yet another pleasurable method of getting round the city, however you could be expecting to pay more in your novelty trip (but don't shy faraway from haggling beforehand). While it might be a tiny bit more expensive, you are able to't go to Thailand without having Driving a tuk tuk at least once.

Spend a night on the town.

 

Thailand travel

 

Look into Bangkok's major bars inside the business district of Silom (just like the 1930s-cabaret-themed basement bar Maggie Choo's, in the Novotel Bangkok Fenix Silom close to the Surasak and Taksin BTS stations; or the best rooftop see in Bangkok, Cloud 47, near the Sala Daeng station). Sukhumvit is additionally stuffed with fashionable parts. Get some fish at Tororo Sushi in advance of hitting the nightlife in the Thonglor-Ekamai community, in which you'll have your alternative of dance golf equipment actively playing leading 40 Thai hits, bars serving beer from world wide, and swanky rooftop patios.

One more excellent option for a unforgettable night time is really a Chao Phraya Princess Supper Cruise — you'll get an upscale buffet evening meal whilst seeing the landmarks together the Chao Phraya riverside float by.

Treat yourself to a night of luxury

  

Thailand travel

 

With plenty of economical accommodation — which include listings on Airbnb, hostels, and cheap inns — an evening of notroughing it's well worth the splurge. Look into the Windsor Lodge, with views throughout the entire metropolis. It's centrally located in Bangkok and has some fantastic street food stuff nearby, plus it's correct close to an enormous BTS interchange (Asok/Sukhumvit) that allows you to bounce within the skytrain or even the subway. Hunt for deals on the web and you may be able to look for a space for as very little as $50.

Want to really splurge? The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok has a hundred twenty five yrs of experience producing its attendees come to feel like queens. With out of doors pools and cabanas, tennis courts, a full-assistance spa with Thai massages, yoga courses, and 10 restaurants, this stay will set you back numerous hundred bucks, however , you'll definitely encounter a throwback on the golden age of Thai luxury travel.

Head south on a one-woman road trip

 

 

Thailand travel

 

Southern Thailand is gorgeous — and the proper spot for a solo highway trip. Vehicle rentals can be organized on the net throughout the area, and obtaining your own private wheels offers you the flexibleness to prevent when and in which you want.

This A part of the nation is all about Checking out the smaller villages and towns that punctuate the miles and miles of beaches. Character fans will benefit from the "Very little Amazon" of Takua Pa in Phang Nga, in the vicinity of Khao Lak — exactly where no making is allowed to stand taller than the usual coconut palm tree — and only some hrs from Phuket. Prevent in Khao Lak within the beachside Khaolak Laguna Vacation resort (in the center of city) and have a tour with the close by waterfalls, go for a hike in Khaolak-Lumru Countrywide Park, or merely take pleasure in a consume by the pool while observing the tide roll in.

Next, generate up the Coastline to Ranong, a lesser-recognized city that was after a well known destination with the now-defunct Phuket-Ranong visa run. There's a fantastic sizzling spring, inexpensive but tasty places to eat (Le Ranong Cafe has awesome banana smoothies), along with the Rattana Rangsarn Throne Corridor, a wood palace reproduction with gardens that's a wonderful afternoon looking through place.

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

 

Thailand travel

 

Phuket is Thailand's largest island and has in excess of 30 beach locations. Regardless of the normally-expressed sentiment that it's way too touristy, the fact will depend on which Component of the island and which era of calendar year you check out. Close to the southern idea, Nai Harn Seaside isn't as occupied as Patong and it is a local favourite. It has a couple of beachside places to eat, a temple to investigate, in addition to a huge lake that's a favorite managing place for expats. Also look at Nai Yang beach (from the north, close to the airport), an excellent place to go kiteboarding while not having to steer clear of a throng of swimmers.

If you've had your share of sand and surf, head into city to examine Old Phuket City — it's stuffed with Chinese temples and museums, and it's smaller sized than you'd imagine, thinking about the popularity of many of the nearby seashores. This can be the heart of your island and the destination to be over the once-a-year Vegetarian Competition.

Kopi de Phuket is a good possibility in city for lunch or coffee. It's also walking distance to Jui Tui Shrine — follow the smell of incense to this Chinese Temple on stunning grounds. Sunday is the best day to walk in Aged City, snap pics on the Sino-Portuguese houses, and revel in the street meals and leisure of the strolling sector on Thalang Road since the Sunlight goes down.

Take time to explore inwards.

 

Thailand travel

 

If encountering Thailand spirituality is a thing you're into, check out the temple-loaded northern city of Chiang Mai. You usually takes an overnight coach directly from Bangkok or an air-conditioned bus — both of those solutions really should get you there in below 12 hours. An alternative choice is the former funds of Siam, Ayutthaya, inside the Central Plains (an easy journey at fewer than 60 miles from Bangkok). It's full of ruins and temples like Wat Phra Si Sanphet and Wat Mahathat, home in the renowned Buddha statue within an aged tree.

Want to go genuinely solo? Dhamma Kamala in Prachinburi offers 10-working day silent courses in Vipassana meditation. This is often legit silence — no speaking, no texting, and no creating for ten straight days. It's operate on a donation program, consists of uncomplicated lodging and meals, and will give you much more time than you ever thought possible to replicate with your only continuous travel companion: by yourself.

Check out the north on a motorbike

 

Thailand travel

 

With scooters, mopeds, and bikes readily available for rent in in essence each and every metropolis, city, and village in Thailand, jetting off like Audrey Hepburn (but without the additional pounds of Gregory Peck to the again) is a breeze. You'll want to ensure you have enough insurance plan, a helmet, and beefy more than enough tires for the types of streets you take into consideration. And don't forget to snap some images with the bike before you depart to make sure you aren't charged for almost any hurt you didn't bring about.

The modest cities and quiet roads of northern Thailand make for especially awesome motorbike touring. Chiang Rai is a relatively quick drive from Chiang Mai; you'll go various cafes and strawberry farms alongside the way. Quit within the Doi Chaang Espresso farm (within the village of exactly the same title) to grab a Chunk to take in and buy some natural and organic coffee to get residence with you.

Chiang Rai's Night Bazaar is a great put to have a couple beers and sample dishes like seafood soup within a steaming hotpot even though people-viewing and Hearing community musicians. It's centrally Found and in just walking distance in the golden clock tower, which resembles the look of Wat Rong Khun (the White Temple), a modern art show while in the type of a Buddhist temple, also in Chiang Rai.

Meet your fellow wanderers on an organized tour

 

 

Thailand travel

 

For those who're ever in need of companionship, your choices are a great deal. Head to Ayutthaya to check out temples and sites by bicycle, exactly where quite a few tour firms (for example Grasshopper Adventures) have full- and half-day excursions along back again lanes and previous appealing cultural web-sites. You may as well consider an right away Mekhala cruise within the Chao Praya River from Bangkok, floating in the restored teak rice barge.

For a longer excursion and the opportunity to commit some severe time with other tourists, try reserving by way of a tour corporation like Oriental Escapes, which runs multi-working day journeys across the country and it has a very good standing (and a assurance to prevent tourist traps).