Thailand
Bangkok
Golden temples, markets and skyscrapers: a capital that never sleeps.
See the Bangkok pageBangkok or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai is about an hour’s flight or a night train from Bangkok.
Thailand
Chiang Mai
The great city of the north, with its temples, markets and surrounding mountains.
See the Chiang Mai pageOur advice
Rather Bangkok for: nightlife and fun.
Rather Chiang Mai for: nature and the great outdoors.
Both feature in our ideas for January.
| Bangkok | Chiang Mai | |
|---|---|---|
| Best months (our ideas) | January, December | January, February, November |
| Atmosphere | Cities and culture, Nightlife and fun | Cities and culture, Nature and the great outdoors |
| First visit: where to stay | Sukhumvit | Old city |
| Neighbourhoods | Sukhumvit, Silom and Sathorn, Chao Phraya riverside, Old town (Rattanakosin, Banglamphu) | Old city, Nimman, Around the Night Bazaar |
| Languages | Thai | Thai |
| Currency | Thai Baht (THB) | Thai Baht (THB) |
| Power plugs | A, B, C, O | A, B, C, O |
| Driving | On the left | On the left |
| Time | UTC+7, no daylight saving | UTC+7, no daylight saving |
| Our guides |
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