The Ultimate Thailand Honeymoon Guide

Thailand has something for every type of honeymooner, so if you can’t decide between a beach escape or a city break, a jungle adventure or a cultural trip then you should choose this Asian idyll, where you can enjoy it all. From the islands in the south to the jungle of the north, this exotic beauty is full of amazing honeymoon destinations. If you have enough annual leave it makes sense to do a multi-stop trip, where you can spend time on white-sand beaches as well as look around awesome temples and take in the buzz of the capital.

Wherever you decide to go you’ll find that the ‘Land of Smiles’ delivers on your honeymoon dreams and then some, with award-winning luxury resorts aplenty and exciting excursions that will become treasured memories of your first holiday as a married couple.

Bangkok

A Thailand honeymoon should definitely include a stopover in the country’s vibrant capital especially as you’ll probably be flying to and from the city. There’s no city quite like Bangkok for mixing modern architecture and lifestyle with buzzing traditional Asian everyday life.

The streets are lined with market stalls selling authentic and delicious Thai dishes for mere pennies, impossibly shiny ancient gold temples sit next to designer shopping malls and luxury hotels and you’re just as likely to bump into a Buddhist monk as you are a smartly dressed businessman. Whether you want to join the mayhem of the roads or glide serenely along the river watching it all from afar, Bangkok has something to delight every type of honeymooner.

Phuket

Probably the most famous of all Thailand’s islands, Phuket is also the largest and allows travellers to enjoy both beach time as well as some more cultural and urban activities. The southern and western coasts are lined with talcum power sand beaches, with the swaying palm trees and azure waters you’ll have in your mind’s eye when you think of this country.

There are small towns to suit all tastes – from Patong for nightlife right through to Bang Thao where you’ll find jet setters at the luxury beach clubs. Culture lovers and foodies should head to Phuket Town and inland you’ll find more than enough temples, national parks, and elephant reserves to fill an exciting holiday itinerary.

Krabi

If you want to see the impossibly blue seas with verdant limestone stacks rising out of them that you’ve seen on the front of postcards then you’ll want to head to idyllic Krabi in the south. Some of the most heavenly islands in Thailand are located in Krabi province – the Phi Phi islands, Koh Lanta, Koh Poda and Koh Hong. Railay Beach is often described as the most spectacular and is only accessible by boat and a trip to Krabi’s magical mangroves is a must.

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai in the mountainous northeast is home to the most amazing temples thanks to the fact that it was once the home of the Lanna Kingdom. It’s a very authentically Thai place to visit and has a wonderfully calm atmosphere. There’s plenty to do and see here, such as visiting an elephant sanctuary, excursions into the nearby rainforest and tours of the temples.

Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai is as far north as you can get in Thailand and it’s worth the trip to see this enchanting area known as the Golden Triangle. This part of the country is where Thailand meets Myanmar and Laos across the Mekong River and it’s possible to take trips into both of these contrasting countries. The area itself is full of fabulous temples and is a much quieter and off-the-beaten-track destination for active honeymooners who don’t want to bump into backpackers.

Koh Samui

Beach-seeking honeymooners should head to Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand on their Thailand honeymoon. There’s a beach to suit everyone here – party goers, seclusion seekers, and foodies. Koh Samui has some of Thailand’s most luxurious hotels and spas too, so is ideal for honeymoons and is well known for its amazing food scene. And, if you’re looking for a wellness holiday full of yoga, chakra-balancing and cleansing spa treatments, this is the island for you.

Phang-Nga Province

Phang-Nga is a national park in Thailand where you’ll find crystal clear waters punctuated by incredible limestone karsts and amazing mountainous jungle-covered islands. If spending time on and under the water is important on your honeymoon then this is the place to head as some of Thailand’s most spectacular underwater scenes can be found here. Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Not are a pair of large islands in the middle of Phang-Nga Bay and are a more secluded and quiet option if Phuket is too crowded for you.

Khao Lak

Khao Lak is a peaceful Andaman Sea resort surrounded by three stunning national parks. It’s an excellent choice if you want to enjoy both coastal and inland delights. From this white sand beach location you can easily reach the diving hotspots of the Similan and Surin Islands too.

Koh Phangan

This island is well known for its Full Moon parties, but there is a more romantic side to entice honeymooners. Koh Pha-Ngan is one of the country’s wildest and untouched islands and its interior jungle is incredible. The beaches are stunning too – miles of white sand meeting turquoise waters. Divers will be in their element with 20 nearby sites to discover. Avoid the full moon if you don’t want the bustle of crowds, although if you really want to celebrate your newlywed status in style head to Hat Rin for a party like no other.

Kanchanaburi

Culture lovers and history buffs might want to add this province into their itinerary as it’s home to a rather dark, but interesting history – during World War Two the Japanese used Allied prisoners to build a railway from Thailand to Burma here. It’s not all harrowing history though – this province is the ideal starting point for visits to the west’s national parks, for bamboo boat rides down the River Kwae and Khmer temple tours.

Hua Hin

City meets the sea at Hua Hin, so don’t expect castaway palm-fringed beaches here. This is a destination for those who like a more traditional beach resort with plenty of bars, water parks, restaurants, golf courses and hotels to choose from. Pair Hua Hin with Bangkok if you want some beach time but without spending half your honeymoon travelling from island to island.

Where to start with romantic activities in Thailand? There are just so many! With its heady mix of world-class beaches, turquoise bath-warm seas, jungles, buzzing cities and incredible ancient culture you can pack your destination honeymoon to the rafters with wonderful trips, visits and experiences. Our top romantic activities to enjoy on Thailand honeymoons are:

• Walk with and bathe elephants at a sanctuary in Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai
• Enjoy a sunset boat cruise round Phang-Nga Bay
• Hike to the top of Koh Phi Phi island for a view from the film The Beach
• Hire a traditional long-tail boat and snorkel or dive from it
• Enjoy a Thai couples massage on the beach or at one of the amazing spas
• Learn Muay Thai Boxing together
• Take part in a Thai cookery course together

Thailand is a year round honeymoon destination, although UK travellers will find that the cool and dry season from November to April is the most comfortable time to visit. The temperature during these months will range from around 29 degrees celsius to 34 degrees. However, if you head into the hills in the north it could be cooler than this. The other months of the year have similarly balmy average temperatures, but you could experience more tropical rain as well as higher humidity.

As the temperature in Thailand is fairly constant, it’s an easy honeymoon destination to pack for as you’ll just need your summer clothes. Shorts, t-shirts, swim wear, sandals, dresses and linen shirts will be your honeymoon staples here, but make sure you consider your specific honeymoon activities too in case you need anything specific.

If you’re hoping to look around the temples you’ll want something to cover up too much skin as a mark of respect, and if you’re heading into the hills to see elephants you’ll want to pack clothes that work for a walk through the jungle or any elephant-based activities.

The sun here is pretty relentless, so make sure you pack a good sun hat and sun screen as well as your sunglasses. Some of the luxury honeymoon resorts will have smart inside restaurants too that are air conditioned so you’ll want a jacket or cardigan to keep you warm.

Thailand is a long distance honeymoon if you’re travelling from the United Kingdom, however as there are direct flights from London to Bangkok airport that take 11 hours and 30 minutes it’s very doable for British honeymooners. British Airways, Thai Airways and EVA Air all have direct flights to the capital, while during high season you can also take a direct flight from London to Phuket airport with Thai Airways. Unlike many mini-moon/staycation destinations, the average cost of a honeymoon to Thailand will be significantly higher – and flights have a lot to do with that!

Thailand honeymoons almost always include a cookery class as the hotels and locals are so proud of their famous cuisine, so once you’ve learned how to make some of the classics like Pad Thai, Massaman Curry, and Satay you might want to bring some cooking souvenirs such as a bamboo steamer or locally made chopsticks home.

Keep space in your suitcase for pretty homewares and textiles. Thai silk is particularly exquisite and colourful, you’ll find intimately decorated wooden boxes, carvings and lanterns and you can pick up some heavenly smelling spa products too.

If it’s your style you might end up buying lots of pretty clothing too – floaty dresses and shirts being the most popular. Traditional jewellery and handbags are also classic honeymoon souvenirs from this magical country. You’ll get incredible value for your money in Thailand.

 

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