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Tourism in Thailand: Types, Features, and Essential Tips

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In 2024, Thailand welcomed a record number of international tourists — over 35.5 million people, marking a 26.3% increase compared to 2023. This growth was driven by relaxed visa policies and the active restoration of international flight connections. Tourism revenue reached 1.66 trillion THB (approximately 48.5 billion US dollars).

These figures highlight the strong recovery of Thailand’s tourism sector following the COVID-19 pandemic. With current trends, the number of visitors is expected to grow even further in 2025, reinforcing Thailand’s position as one of the world’s leading travel destinations.

From May 1, 2025, all foreign citizens arriving in Thailand must complete a Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) within 72 hours before entry. This innovation replaces the TM6 paper form and simplifies the immigration control process.

Starting in June 2025, all travelers entering Thailand on a visa-free basis are required to obtain an electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before traveling.

Beach holidays in Thailand

The largest resort in Thailand, Pattaya, is located to the south of Bangkok. This small town is visited annually by up to 5.5 million tourists from Europe and East Asia.

Real estate in Pattaya for sale 982 listings on Tranio
First class residential complex on the seafront in Wongamat area, Pattaya, Thailand for From $156,000 From $156,000
First class residential complex on the seafront in Wongamat area, Pattaya, Thailand

Completion in: 2028.III Total of 385 apartments

New high-rise residence with a swimming pool, a water park and a panoramic view of the ocean, Jomtien, Pattaya, Thailand for From $160,000 From $160,000
New high-rise residence with a swimming pool, a water park and a panoramic view of the ocean, Jomtien, Pattaya, Thailand

Completion in: 2027.IV Total of 606 apartments

Low-rise premium residence with swimming pools in the center of Pattaya, Thailand for From $107,000 From $107,000
Low-rise premium residence with swimming pools in the center of Pattaya, Thailand

Completion in: 2028.I Total of 816 apartments

Residence with swimming pools, gardens and around-the-clock security in the center of Pattaya, Thailand for From $81,000 From $81,000
Residence with swimming pools, gardens and around-the-clock security in the center of Pattaya, Thailand

Built in 2019 Total of 1060 apartments

Luxury high-rise residence with a water park, a hotel and restaurants, Pattaya, Thailand for From $122,000 From $122,000
Luxury high-rise residence with a water park, a hotel and restaurants, Pattaya, Thailand

Completion in: 2028 Total of 1400 apartments

Residence with three swimming pools and a roof-top terrace in the center of Pattaya, Thailand for From $111,000 From $111,000
Residence with three swimming pools and a roof-top terrace in the center of Pattaya, Thailand

Total of 188 apartments

Low-rise beachfront residence with a swimming pool, Pattaya, Thailand for From $243,000 From $243,000
Low-rise beachfront residence with a swimming pool, Pattaya, Thailand

Total of 44 apartments

New apartments in an exclusive residential complex, Pattaya, Chonburi, Thailand for From $168,000 From $168,000
New apartments in an exclusive residential complex, Pattaya, Chonburi, Thailand

Completion in: 2025.IV Total of 2470 apartments

Spacious beaches occupy almost the entire coastal strip, and numerous hotel complexes are located in their immediate vicinity. Not far from Pattaya there are several farms where performances with crocodiles, tigers and elephants are regularly held. There is also the Nong Nooch Tropical Park with a cactus garden, orchids and a butterfly hill.

Pattaya’s Mini Siam Park features miniature replicas of the world’s famous landmarks. Tourists prefer to relax on the beaches of Jomtien, the southern suburbs of Pattaya, or on the coral islands located near the coast (less than 1 km).

Real estate in Jomtien 43 listings on Tranio
New high-rise residence with a swimming pool, a water park and a panoramic view of the ocean, Jomtien, Pattaya, Thailand for From $160,000 From $160,000
New high-rise residence with a swimming pool, a water park and a panoramic view of the ocean, Jomtien, Pattaya, Thailand

Completion in: 2027.IV Total of 606 apartments

New high-rise luxury residential complex on the first sea line, in the prestigious area of Jomtien, Pattaya, Thailand for From $124,000 From $124,000
New high-rise luxury residential complex on the first sea line, in the prestigious area of Jomtien, Pattaya, Thailand

Built in 2022 Total of 1644 apartments

Apartment with a private pool in the most popular complex on Jomtien Beach, Pattaya, Thailand for $394,000 $394,000
Apartment with a private pool in the most popular complex on Jomtien Beach, Pattaya, Thailand

1 bedroom 1 bathroom

Elite high-rise complex with first-class infrastructure near the beach in Jomtien, Thailand for From $122,000 From $122,000
Elite high-rise complex with first-class infrastructure near the beach in Jomtien, Thailand

Completion in: 2027.II Total of 899 apartments

Beachfront high-rise residence with swimming pools and gardens, Jomtien, Thailand for From $199,000 From $199,000
Beachfront high-rise residence with swimming pools and gardens, Jomtien, Thailand

Total of 315 apartments

New high-rise premium residential complex at 500 meters from Jomtien Beach, Pattaya, Thailand for From $153,000 From $153,000
New high-rise premium residential complex at 500 meters from Jomtien Beach, Pattaya, Thailand

Completion in: 2027.IV Total of 1800 apartments

Spacious apartment with 2 bedrooms near the beach. 21th floor for $228,000 $228,000
Spacious apartment with 2 bedrooms near the beach. 21th floor

Total area 133 m² 2 bedrooms

Penthouse with 3 bedrooms. 17th-18th floors City/Sea View. Jomtien for $270,000 $270,000
Penthouse with 3 bedrooms. 17th-18th floors City/Sea View. Jomtien

Total area 278 m² 3 bedrooms

Phuket, the largest island in Thailand, is also very popular among tourists. It is renowned for its white sand beaches, coconut groves, and scenic waterfalls. Patong is Phuket’s most famous beach, so it can get crowded and noisy at times. Lovers of quiet and relaxing holidays usually choose Karon and Kata beaches instead. Phuket is home to Khao Phra Theo National Park.

Phuket property for sale 759 listings on Tranio
Apartment in a premium residential complex with lounge areas and swimming pools, within walking distance of Bang Tao Beach, Phuket, Thailand for $305,000 $305,000
Apartment in a premium residential complex with lounge areas and swimming pools, within walking distance of Bang Tao Beach, Phuket, Thailand

Total area 60 m² 1 bedroom

Stylish new apartments surrounded by greenery and sea, Laguna Phuket, Thailand for From $272,000 From $272,000
Stylish new apartments surrounded by greenery and sea, Laguna Phuket, Thailand

Completion in: 2027.IV Total of 220 apartments

New residential complex on the lagoon shore near Bang Tao beach, Phuket, Thailand for From $805,000 From $805,000
New residential complex on the lagoon shore near Bang Tao beach, Phuket, Thailand

Completion in: 2027.I Total of 237 apartments

New residence of comfort class with a swimming pool, a kids' club and a co-working lounge, Phuket, Thailand for From $70,000 From $70,000
New residence of comfort class with a swimming pool, a kids' club and a co-working lounge, Phuket, Thailand

Completion in: 2026.IV Total of 411 apartments

Ready furnished apartment with 9% yield 700 m from Layan beach, Phuket, Thailand for $157,000 $157,000
Ready furnished apartment with 9% yield 700 m from Layan beach, Phuket, Thailand

Total area 30 m² Studio

New complex of family villas with excellent infrastructure in Chalong, Phuket, Thailand for From $493,000 From $493,000
New complex of family villas with excellent infrastructure in Chalong, Phuket, Thailand

Completion in: 2027.II 37 units in total

New stylish residential complex 400 m from Rawai beach, Phuket, Thailand for From $145,000 From $145,000
New stylish residential complex 400 m from Rawai beach, Phuket, Thailand

Completion in: 2027.II Total of 210 apartments

Tranio investor exclusive: apartments with delivery in 2025, Bang Tao beach area, Phuket, Thailand for $185,000 $185,000
Tranio investor exclusive: apartments with delivery in 2025, Bang Tao beach area, Phuket, Thailand

Total area 44 m² 1 bathroom

The Phi Phi islands are located 30 km from Phuket. They feature mountainous scenery and beautiful bays with white sand beaches.

The second and third largest islands in Thailand are Koh Chang and Koh Samui, respectively. Koh Chang is a national park renowned for its waterfalls, while Koh Samui is a coconut plantation with coral sand beaches.

The release of the third season of the HBO series “The White Lotus”, filmed on Koh Samui, has generated significant interest in Thailand as a tourist destination, especially luxury resorts.

In addition, the small town of Krabi is also quite popular among tourists due to the unique nature of its surroundings with coral reefs, quaint caves, and tiny karst islands.

Koh Samui property for sale 173 listings on Tranio
Furnished apartments and villas with private swimming pools and sea view, in a quiet area near Lamai Beach, Samui, Thailand for From $114,000 From $114,000
Furnished apartments and villas with private swimming pools and sea view, in a quiet area near Lamai Beach, Samui, Thailand

16 units in total

Magnificent villa with swimming pools and panoramic sea views, Koh Samui, Thailand for $716,000 $716,000
Magnificent villa with swimming pools and panoramic sea views, Koh Samui, Thailand

Total area 320 m² Land area: 700 m²

First-class villa under construction with stunning sea views, Bo Phut, Koh Samui, Surat Thani, Thailand for $728,000 $728,000
First-class villa under construction with stunning sea views, Bo Phut, Koh Samui, Surat Thani, Thailand

Total area 625 m² Land area: 678 m²

New traditional style villas near Choengmon Beach, Bo Phut, Koh Samui, Surat Thani, Thailand for $604,000 $604,000
New traditional style villas near Choengmon Beach, Bo Phut, Koh Samui, Surat Thani, Thailand

Total area 220 m² Land area: 220 m²

Complex of 6 villas with swimming pools near Choengmon beach, Bo Phut, Koh Samui, Surat Thani, Thailand for $6,000,000 $6,000,000
Complex of 6 villas with swimming pools near Choengmon beach, Bo Phut, Koh Samui, Surat Thani, Thailand

Land area: 2,912 m²

Complex of villas with swimming pools in a quiet and picturesque area, Samui, Thailand for From $339,000 From $339,000
Complex of villas with swimming pools in a quiet and picturesque area, Samui, Thailand

9 units in total

New complex of villas with swimming pools near the beach, Maenam, Samui, Thailand for From $455,000 From $455,000
New complex of villas with swimming pools near the beach, Maenam, Samui, Thailand

Yield 13.0% Built in 2024

Luxury residence with a swimming pool and a panoramic sea view, Samui, Thailand for From $242,000 From $242,000
Luxury residence with a swimming pool and a panoramic sea view, Samui, Thailand

Total of 54 apartments

Cultural tourism

Fans of antiquities and history should definitely visit Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. The city is surrounded on all sides by canals and fortress walls with towers. In addition to housing the royal residence (the Grand Palace), Bangkok is also home to numerous monasteries. Among them are Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha), famous for its 46-metre-long and 15-metre-high statue of Buddha; Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), considered the holiest site in Thailand; and Wat Ratchanatdaram (Temple of the Royal Niece), notable for being the only Buddhist metal building in Bangkok.

Bangkok real estate for sale 3,987 listings on Tranio
High-rise residential complex with a good infrastructure in Sukhumvit, Bangkok, Thailand for From $75,000 From $75,000
High-rise residential complex with a good infrastructure in Sukhumvit, Bangkok, Thailand

Built in 2021 Total of 582 apartments

New residential complex villa with a good infrastructure in Bangkok, Thailand for From $668,000 From $668,000
New residential complex villa with a good infrastructure in Bangkok, Thailand

Built in 2023 72 units in total

Premier residential complex with a huge swimming pool and lush green areas in Suan Luang, Bangkok, Thailand for From $65,000 From $65,000
Premier residential complex with a huge swimming pool and lush green areas in Suan Luang, Bangkok, Thailand

Completion in: 2026.II Total of 1108 apartments

Ready-to-move-in apartments close to motorway, shops and university, Bangkok, Thailand for From $97,000 From $97,000
Ready-to-move-in apartments close to motorway, shops and university, Bangkok, Thailand

Built in 2023 Total of 419 apartments

Residence with a swimming pool and around-the-clock security, Bangkok, Thailand for From $72,000 From $72,000
Residence with a swimming pool and around-the-clock security, Bangkok, Thailand

Total of 464 apartments

High-riser residence with swimming pools and a picturesque view, Bangkok, Thailand for From $122,000 From $122,000
High-riser residence with swimming pools and a picturesque view, Bangkok, Thailand

Total of 1178 apartments

High-rise residence with a swimming pool, a conference room and a co-working area, Bangkok, Thailand for From $145,000 From $145,000
High-rise residence with a swimming pool, a conference room and a co-working area, Bangkok, Thailand

Total of 940 apartments

Residential complex with panoramic views of the river and the city, next to the metro station, Bangkok, Thailand for From $110,000 From $110,000
Residential complex with panoramic views of the river and the city, next to the metro station, Bangkok, Thailand

Built in 2025 Total of 508 apartments

The ancient capital of the kingdom of Ayutthaya is located 86 kilometres north of Bangkok. It is famous for the ruins of historic temples and the remains of the Bang Pa-In Palace. To the west of Bangkok, near the city of Nakhon Pathom, the tallest Buddhist stupa in the world (Phra Pathom Chedi) is located; its height is 127 metres. Not far from the town of Kanchanaburi, there is a bridge over the River Kwai and the Death Railway, built by prisoners of war during the Second World War. The Rose Garden is located near Bangkok (half an hour drive); it is an incredibly beautiful park with flowers and fountains.

In northern Thailand, in the city of Chiang Mai and its environs, there are about 300 temples and historical monuments, including the famous Wat Phra Doi Suthep, located on the mountaintop, and Wat Chiang Man, the oldest monastery in the region, which houses two miniature statues of the Buddha, both statues are 2 thousand years old. Nearby is the city of Mae Hong Son. Its temple (Wat Chong Kham) houses well-preserved ancient wall paintings.

Five sites in Thailand are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List: the archaeological site of Ban Chiang, the ancient cities of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, the Khao Yai National Park and the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary.

Festivals and holidays in Thailand

Every month on the night of the full moon, the Full Moon Party is held on Koh Pha-ngan. DJs from all over the world take part in this grandiose all-night party: from Australia, Great Britain, Germany, the USA, and many others.

Phuket hosts the Chinese Vegetarian Festival every autumn. For nine days, local Buddhists observe a strict fast, abstaining from meat and fish dishes.

Chinese New Year is celebrated in late January and early February, lasting 15 days and ending with the Lantern Festival. In February, the Flower Festival is held in Chiang Mai. In mid-March, there is a kite festival. Songkran (Thai New Year) is one of the most popular holidays in the country; it takes place from April 13 to 19. During this holiday it is customary to pour water on each other, which symbolises cleansing. The second week of May is marked by the Rocket Festival (Bun Bang Fai), which is held in Phaya Thaen Park in Yasothon.

Leisure expenses

Thailand is one of the most affordable countries for a resort holiday. Food, transportation, and attractions are inexpensive here.

You can rent a villa on Koh Samui from 200 US dollars per day. Scooter rental in Thailand costs 150–200 US dollars per month, while petrol costs about 1.5 US dollars per litre. A Thai cuisine lunch costs about 3 US dollars, while a European one starts at 7 US dollars.

Taxi from airport

Accommodation in a 3-star hotel, per day

Sightseeing

Lunch

Bangkok

$9–14

$15–142

$2–15

$3–10

Pattaya

$34–43

$15–121

$11–31

$3–6

Phuket

$19–31

$12–125

$3–9

$2–6

Chiang Mai

$4

$12–93

$3–6

$2–4

The minimum cost of a tour to Thailand, depending on the season, is 2,000–3,000 US dollars. You can save a lot if you visit the country during the rainy season (June — October) or during the heatwave (March — May).

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