Such a bounty of contrasting destinations makes a multi-centre holiday hard to beat. Whether you fancy a city and beach combo, an idyllic island-hopping itinerary or maybe a trio of city, rainforest and beach appeals, getting from place to place is easy, thanks to convenient air, boat and road links.

For big city kicks look no further than intoxicating Bangkok with its cacophony of colourful sights, sounds and smells. Head north for charismatic Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai or Mae Hong Son not to mention the hill tribes inhabiting the mountainous landscapes. For soft adventure and ethical elephant encounters Khao Sok National Park is your go to place while, in the historic River Kwai region, see its famous bridge and enjoy downtime in the surrounding national park.

With 1,500 miles of coastline and over 1,400 islands Thailand has no shortage of stunning beaches. Choose from romantic hideaways with more palm trees than hotels, lively resorts thronging with bars and restaurants, top tier dive sites for checking out colourful marine life, or family-friendly options with activities galore, calm waters and powdery sands.

For those that love to shop, have your wallet at the ready. Choose from department stores and chic boutiques within swanky malls or try your hand at bartering with the locals at the floating markets.

The final ingredient to add to your holiday mixture is Thai cuisine which, with its zingy flavours, is quite simply sublime. Tuck into authentic local specialities dished up at street-side food stalls, feast on fresh seafood plucked straight from the ocean or on gourmet delights at one of Bangkok’s Michelin-star restaurants.

 It’s true to say Thailand really delivers as a great holiday destination

Best Time to visit Thailand by its Regions

Because of differing monsoon patterns, you can find sunny weather in Thailand nearly year-round by choosing the right coast.

West Coast (Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi Islands) The best months are November to April. Diving and snorkelling conditions in the Andaman Sea are at their peak during this window.

Gulf Coast (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao)

These islands have a different pattern. The best weather is generally from January to August. Avoid this area from October to December, when rainfall is highest.

North & Central Thailand (Bangkok, Chiang Mai) November to February is ideal for sightseeing as it is less humid. March to May can be oppressively hot, with temperatures often exceeding 35–40°C

“So much of who we are, is where we have been.” William Langewiesche