When it comes to spending one month in Thailand, I have good news and I have…not as good news.
The good news is that a month allows you to see many places. Regardless of how long in Thailand you spend, travel within the Kingdom can be slow; if you have a month or so, this helps offset some logistical difficulties you might face.
The not-so-good news? A month feels like a long time, but it’ll pass quickly if you plan a trip to Thailand with someone who doesn’t know they’re talking about—thankfully, I do.
Who Should Spend a Month in Thailand?
If you’ve never been to the Kingdom, one month in Thailand sounds like a long time. This is especially true if you come from places like Canada, Australia or the US, which are many times larger than Thailand. In reality, you’ll cover less ground in Thailand than you would in countries such as these, both due to infrastructural deficiencies, as well as a generally slower and more chaotic pace of life.
Assuming devoting a month to travel isn’t an issue for you, a month in Thailand will suit you well if you fall into one of two camps. Some travelers will simply want to maximize the places to visit in Thailand they see, even if they only stay a couple of days in each. Others will want to dig deeply into particular destinations or regions, be that the beachy south, the lush north or the eclectic provinces that encircle Bangkok. Now, let’s talk about what to do in Thailand for a month.
How to Spend a Month in Thailand
Bangkok and Environs
I’m not going to commentate on how many days in Bangkok you should spend directly, though if you have a month in Thailand, you’ll probably spend a few at the beginning of your trip and a couple at the end. Regardless, I imagine you’ll spend time both in Bangkok’s city center (the modern one, and the old cities of Rattanakosin and Thonburi) also also on day- and weekend-excursions, be they to ancient Ayutthaya or lush Kanchanaburi.
Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Lampang
After finishing up most things to do in Bangkok (you’ll be coming back—remember?), continue your one month in Thailand by heading north. Although travelers on a two-week trip will have to choose between Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai, you can do both. Additionally, whether you continue from Chiang Rai northeastward to the scenic Golden Triangle, or head south from Chiang Mai to Sukhothai, these two core cities are just the beginning. I also highly recommend underrated Lampang!
Thailand Island Hopping
I’ve written a guide to the best islands to visit in Thailand, which I’d recommend you read in-depth after you finish with this article. For now, I’ll give you the Cliff’s Notes. After deciding whether you want to visit the Andaman Sea or Gulf of Thailand, choose between mainstream options (Phuket/Krabi and Koh Samui, respectively) or go off the beaten path to the Trang and Trat archipelagoes.
Unadulterated Southern Thailand
Another popular answer for where to stay in Thailand for a month is the country’s off-the-beaten-path south. Assuming 3-5 days in Bangkok, and a week each in the north and the islands, this leaves you with about 10 remaining days of your month in Thailand. One way to continue this is to stay in the south and explore underrated (and honestly, not-so-beachy) provinces. Whether that entails someplace on the verge of being mainstream (Phang Nga) or someplace truly unadulterated, like Nakhon Si Thammarat or Hat Yai, is truly up to you.
To Isaan or Not to Isaan?
Another place to explore Thailand off the beaten path? The country’s wild northeast, colloquially known as Isaan. Whether you visit the rough-and-tumble city of Ubon Ratchthani during the annual candle festival, Thailand’s “Grand Canyon” (aka Sam Phan Bok) or the so-called “Red Lotus Sea” of Talee Bua Daeng near Udon Thani, Isaan is a place you can’t miss, though it’s also not for the faint of heart, certainly not among the examples I’ve provided of where to stay in Thailand for a month.
Other Ways to Spend a Month in Thailand
Some people who spend a month in Thailand aren’t sightseeing. For example, you might decide to rent an apartment in Bangkok (or Chiang Mai or Phuket—you get the idea), and “live” in Thailand for a month. (If you do this, I’d recommend exploring options for Thailand visas beyond the visa-exempt landing stamp, so you don’t have to leave abruptly when your month is up.)
Another way to spend one month in Thailand, whether or not you base yourself at a central residence, is to explore one city or region. For instance, you could focus your entire Thailand one month energy on islands, whether it’s the south more generally, or archipelagoes like Trang, Chumphon or Trat. Other travelers might prefer a northern adventure filled with waterfalls, temples and coffee farms.
Do You Really Need a Month in Thailand?
I’ll be honest: For a large majority of travelers, two weeks in Thailand is plenty. It’s not enough to see “everywhere” in Thailand, or to hang around very long in one spot, but it’s enough time to get a taste of all Thailand’s many facets. (It’s also a good length of trip in general: Long enough that you don’t need to rush, but short enough that you don’t get burnt out.)
Which is not to say these options—two weeks or one month—are the only choices for how long to spend in Thailand. Although you theoretically need an onward ticket (not to mention the fact that most nationalities receive a maximum of 30 days upon arriving to Thailand), there is something to be said about taking a trip with no fixed duration in mind, whether you travel Thailand for a month or a year.
Other FAQ About Spending a Month in Thailand
How much money do you need for a month in Thailand?
The cost of spending 1 month in Thailand varies from traveler to travelers, but I’d say you need a minimum of $1,500 and ideally around 3,000 USD to live comfortably, not including the cost of international flights. This breaks down to between 50-100 USD per day, to cover accommodation, transport, food and activities.
How can I spend one month in Thailand?
I like to split a month in Thailand up between regions. The most common way is to start with 3-5 days in around Bangkok, before heading north to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, where you’ll spend at least a week. Some travelers follow this up with a few days in the Isaan region, while others head south to enjoy the last half of their month in Thailand, dividing it between mainstream island destinations like Phuket, Krabi and Samui, and more off-the-beaten path options like the Trat and Trang archipelagoes.
What’s the cheapest month to travel to Thailand?
Your core 1 month in Thailand cost is going to be roughly the same, no matter when in the year you visit. However, rainy months between about July and September are slightly cheaper, as are “shoulder” months such as May, June, October and November, which are sandwiched between dry, cool peak periods and the hotter, wetter Thai summer.
The Bottom Line
Whether you spend your one month in Thailand spending a few days in several destinations within the Kingdom, or digging deeply into one particular region, it’s just what the doctor ordered. A long trip to Thailand such as this also allows you to play with structure. Some travelers will base themselves in one city and explore via day- or weekend-trips, while others will hop from places to place and cover more ground that way. A month is plenty of time to explore Thailand, but let’s face it: You might not have much time before your trip to plan it. Why not commission a custom Thailand itinerary, 1 month or longer, and let me sweat the details?