6 Tips for Travel to Thailand to Avoid the Tourist Crowd

Hundreds and thousands of visitors flood into Thailand every year, especially between the month of November and February, for its quality beaches and islands, good-taste cuisines, and fascinating temples and pagodas.

With such a busy crowd, it can be hard to immerse yourself in the authentic Thai culture and beautiful nature. There are some tips for travel to Thailand to avoid the tourist crowds.

Avoid Peak Season from November to February

Between November and February, the weather in Thailand tends to be cool, which is the best time to visit Thailand. Northeast monsoon brings refreshing winds to keep temperatures not hot. Very little rain falls and you can expect sunny weather every day. However, the great weather brings crowds of visitors.

Hotels and travel-related industries take advantage of the peak season to charge higher prices. The truth is you may pay two times more for a room. Especially when Christmas and New Year are celebrating, the prices are at their highest.

March and April is getting hotter gradually and May sees the start of heavy rainfall, lasting to October. Touring Thailand during these months enable you to escape the crowds and save budget as well. Rainfall that occur often late in the afternoon or early morning makes prices all negotiable, beaches and popular attractions less busy, and countryside more refresh.

Thai countrysides after the rain will become more refresh.

Seize a Good Timing to Visit

Main attractions are extremely busy at weekends. So if possible, arrange to see the normal tourist sights on weekdays. Early birds get the first worm. Waking up early offers the best chance to see Thailand without crowds of tourists ruining your photo opportunities. Besides, cooler air in the early morning is able to beat the heat.

One of the easiest ways to beat the crowds is by skipping the line at major attractions. So remember to purchase tickets for major attractions before your arrival. By the way, online tickets often come with discounts.

Escape the Most Popular Beaches

To the west is the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, Thailand boasts plenty of quality beaches and fantastic islands. A throng of tourists and local Thai people flock to its shores for sunshine, sands and turquoise water. To help you avoid the crowds, there are some much quieter and far more beautiful beaches to recommend.

In Phuket, not too far from Patong Beach, Freedom Beach is a peaceful and beautiful alternative. The difficulty to access it on foot makes it not busy. To get there, you need to pay for longtail boat price. The beach itself is gorgeous. Other quiet beaches in Phuket include Kata Noi, Haad Sai Kaew, Ao Yon, Ao Sane, Laem Sing, etc.

Kata Noi is one of the quietest beach in Phuket.

In Krabi, you can explore further to Railay Beach and Phra Nang Beach by boat. Koh Samui’s tranquil beaches cover Bang Por, Chaweng Noi, Samrong Beach and Tonson Bay, etc.

Explore the Underwater World

Many thrilling underwater activities available in Thailand. There are lots of great place for diving or snorkeling. Below the waves, you can see corals, fishes, turtles and even sharks. No crowds of tourists block your sight of the beauty of nature and no party’s shouting and baby’s crying ruin the pulse of lives in the water.

Best places to go diving in Thailand is in the Andaman Sea, featuring better visibility and a great diversity of sea life, compared to the Gulf of Thailand. The sea full of colorful corals and vibrant marine life is a dream land for all scuba divers.

Similan Islands is one of the best diving sites to spot manta rays and whale sharks. You can spend a day or two to join a boat tour to head further to some diving spots around the islands, like Richelieu Rock, Elephant Head, and Beacon Point.

You can spot manta ray in Richelieu Rock of Similan Islands.

Two world-class diving sites that you shouldn’t miss are Hin Daeng, known as the Red Rock, and Hin Muang, usually called the Purple Rock. The two amazing sites locate in Koh Lanta on the coast of Andaman Sea. Leopard sharks, giant moray eels, manta and wale shark can be found here.

Discover Less-visited Sights in Central and Northern Thailand

Except for beaches and tropical islands in the south, there is so much more to expect in Thailand. Central Thailand contains many historical sites. Thailand in the far north is a mix of Buddhist atmosphere, hill tribe culture and beautiful nature. Compared to the busy southern shores, the central and northern Thailand see less visitors flood into.

A visit to central Thailand will take you to Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Siam, Sukhothai, a UNESCO World Heritage City, and the old city of Phitsanulok.

In Ayutthaya Historical Park, you can see marvelous Khmer-style temples such as Wat Chaiwatthanaram, Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, Wat Ratchaburana, etc. The old city of Phitsanulok was founded over 600 years ago, housing many interesting temples and museums like Wat Nang Phaya, Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat and Wat Ratburana, etc.

Today’s UNESCO World Heritage City - Sukhothai was the first capital of the Kingdom of Siam. To witness the once flourishing Thai civilization, you can spend a day wandering around the Sukhothai Historical Park that covers the remains of 21 historical sites and four large ponds within the old walls, with an additional 70 sites within a 5km radius.

Pang Oung in Mae Hong Son is a haven of peace and tranquillity.

Besides, more treasures are hidden in the far northern part. Down the years, Pai has earned itself a reputation of paradise for backpackers. For more laid-back vibe and picturesque setting, Mae Hong Son town is your place. It is surrounded by evergreen hills, dotted with tea plantations and wild flowers.

Hire a Private Guide or Ask a Local

Hiring a private guide is one of the easiest tips for travel to Thailand to skip the crowds. Your guide will be smart to avoid the busy hours of main attractions and find the quieter corners of a city or town. Or you can ask a local for help to save money. Try to look online for itineraries written by local bloggers, or just ask around for advises upon arrival.

Indochina Tour, a local travel operator, offers services including private guide and driver, itinerary planning, accommodation, and meals. Speak out what you want, and we will try our best to make it happen.

Summary

Thailand has earned itself the fame as one of the hottest travel destinations in the world. Every day, crowds of tourists flock to its shores, visit Bangkok's popular temples like Wat Arun or the Grand Palace, and throng into restaurants scatted in the streets and lanes.

Hope these mentioned tips for travel to Thailand can help beat the crowds. Avoid the peak season between November and February, escape the most popular beaches, or explore the sea world under the waves. To seek for a laid-back atmosphere, you can head to central and northern part to have an exploration. A private guide should help a lot to sidestep the crowds.