Many travellers to Thailand often do so independently, booking hotels, tours and even flights when they arrive in Thailand. For some people this is not something they would dream of doing and need to plan their Thailand holiday. Planning is something you should do if you have never been before or want to explore a new area but booking internal flights or hotels is possible when you arrive.

If you are really adventurous you can even arrive in a location without anything booked. Airports, bus stations and train terminals all have tour desks that will offer you every type of hotel, hostel, tour and onward travel arrangements. These travel operators get a real hard time from some tourists because they feel they are being over sold on what it is they really want. Quick news flash: you get over sold on everything you buy, home or on holiday. Ever went to the supermarket for 1 item and went home with 5? It’s the same thing but only a little more in your face with these tour operators.

Well before you ignore all these sales pitches just think that maybe joining one of these tours in Thailand would be a practical and convenient way to explore the  country’s best attractions. Independent travel is a great way to travel Thailand but you must have an open mind when you do and be prepared to change your travel plans when something better comes along. When booking your hotel with the agent in the airport have a listen what else they are trying to sell you, hell it may be better than what you had planned for the location. If it’s not better then thank them for the information decline the service and move on.

You can look at the Internet for highly regarded travel agents in Thailand but if they don’t have an online booking function or you are traveling independently then these tour operators become an invaluable resource. Many  of the operators will have prices listed on message boards in their offices but don’t assume that it is the price. If you book  a few tours or include some tour with your hotel booking tour companies won’t offer it but you should make sure to ask for a discount remember haggling in Thailand is the typical thing to do.

Thailand has many different sightseeing tours on offer and it may become a little daunting separating the the good from the bad. I have attempted to list a few of the excursions here that should be considered when you travel to Thailand , cooking course, city excursions, cruises, diving, eco-adventure tours, treks and tribes.

Thailand Scuba diving

• Similan Liveaboards
• Surin and Similan Islands
• Diving Burm
• Diving Phi Phi Isslands
• Diving Phuket
• Diving Koh Samui
• Diving Koh Tao

Bangkok tours

• Grand Palace Tours
• Half Day Temple Tours
• Ayutthaya Temples
• Loy Nava Dinner Cruises
• Bangkok Floating Market
• Klong (canal) Tours

North Thailand Tours

• Mae Hong Son
• Chiang Mai city Discovery
• Chiang Rai Tours
• Hmong and Hilltribe Adventure
• Golden Triangle
• Chiang Dao trekking
• 4×4 Safari and Rafting

South Thailand Tours

• Kayaking in Phang Nga
• Khao Sok National Park
• Island and Beach tours

Other Thailand Sightseeing Tours

• River Kwai Tour
• Thailand Trails and Treks
• Khao Yai National Park
• Khon Kaen Tour

This is only a short list of the things I’ve done when traveling Thailand, and yes I booked everyone only after I arrived in the country. My personal holiday plans for Thailand only every involve booking my first 2 nights hotel in Bangkok

but I do have a general plan of where I want to go after this. I use my time in Bangkok to plan my travel, book my internal flights or train travel and maybe my accommodation if I see something I like.

This all takes time, conversation and questions so after a few hours in the tour operators office I know they are glad to get rid of me and often I’ve got myself some nice discounts but more importantly I’ve just planned the rest of my travel in Thailand.