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Thailand is usually regarded as an ideal country to travel in Southeast Asia, especially for backpackers. But when planning your trip, you might wonder whether to explore the cultural highlands or enjoy vibrant beaches. If you are asking yourself to choose North Thailand or South Thailand, let Asia King Travel help you get the perfect destination for your journey.
Koh Khao Phing Kan, one of the most famous landmarks in Southern Thailand
One of the main differences between the two regions is the landscape. If other parts of Thailand are famous for beaches, then Northern Thailand is quite different. This region is popular with dramatic landscapes, including green hills, jungles, caves, majestic waterfalls, as well as the highest mountains of the country. Northern Thailand is suitable for anyone who is looking for adventures or thrilling experiences.
Northern Thailand has a lot of mountains
In contrast to the northern part, in Southern Thailand, you will have a chance to go down to the sea. Most of the landscape here consists of palm-fringed beaches with white sand and turquoise water. Every island in the region, such as Phuket, Krabi, Koh Samui, etc., offers a lot for you to explore. Moreover, there are many types of accommodation for you to choose from, so you won’t really need to wonder where to stay while visiting this region.
Southern Thailand is famous for its beaches
Another important factor when choosing between the North and South is the weather in Thailand.
There are three distinct seasons in the north of Thailand: the cool season from November to February; the hot season from March to May and the rainy season from June to October. Most travellers would choose to visit here in the cool season, as the temperature ranges from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius. This is said to be ideal for trekking and hiking.
Differing to the north, in Southern Thailand, the weather is warm year-round, and the climate on the west and east coasts is not even the same. While the dry season in the West Coast like Phuket lasts from November to March, that in the East Coast like Samui is from January to August. Either way, you will probably find a sunny spot in this region and spend your time cooling down in the water.
The climate on the west and east coasts of Southern Thailand is different from each other
There are two main airports in Northern Thailand: Chiang Mai Airport and Chiang Rai Domestic Airport. Both of these have connections to Bangkok and vice versa, so it won’t be too hard to arrive here. However, when travelling to other parts of the region, especially those away from the cities, you usually need to travel by public transport, such as buses, trains and tuk-tuks.
Tuk-tuks are commonly seen in Northern Thailand
If you don’t want to rely on other vehicles, you can definitely rent a motorbike in the cities, and then you can explore every corner of the region on your own, but keep in mind that travelling this way might be dangerous.
Southern Thailand is a specialised tourist area, so the transportation system is more developed. The main airports here include Phuket International Airport, Samui International Airport, Hat Yai International Airport, etc. Most of them are available for direct international flights, which makes it much easier to access the land, as well as travel between islands.
You can easily get any means of transportation in Southern Thailand
In addition, Southern Thailand also provides more diverse means of transport. Buses are available at all times, and you can even take numerous overnight buses here. Moreover, speedboats and ferries are widely available. This is because of a large number of islands in the region, and island hopping is one of the popular activities here.
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About places to stay, in Northern Thailand, budget-friendly guesthouses, boutique hotels, or homestays are common, especially in Chiang Mai and Pai. You can both save money and have a closer experience of the local life. For a bit more comfort, there are also mountain resorts with a view of mountains or jungles.
There are mountain resorts in Northern Thailand with majestic views
Southern Thailand offers a wider range of options that fit every budget, from simple bungalows by the beach to luxury resorts, which can be especially seen in Phuket or Koh Samui. If you prefer staying close to the ocean, beach villas or eco-friendly lodges on smaller islands are also popular choices.
You can choose to stay closer to the ocean in Southern Thailand
Northern Thai cuisine is characterised by the savoury, sometimes slightly bitter flavours, as well as the use of many herbs from the jungles. This unique cuisine comes from the influence of the ethnic groups living in the mountainous areas and the Muslims coming from Myanmar and China on trade routes.
Usually, there is always sticky rice as the main dish in a typical Northern Thai meal, often eaten with a dipping sauce made from red or green chillies, along with other dishes such as meat soups and salads. One popular dish you may have heard of is som tum, a type of papaya salad.
The unique Northern Thai cuisine comes from the influence of the ethnic groups and Muslims
Meanwhile, in Southern Thailand, you will love it if you are a fan of hot dishes. The region has a great influence from the neighbouring countries like Malaysia and Indonesia, so the food here is intensely bold and spicy, characterised by curries with a rich coconut base or heavy use of turmeric and fresh herbs. In addition, as this is the coastal part of Thailand, the seafood there is abundantly available, and you will definitely have a chance to try plenty of it.
We recommend you try gaeng tai pla (fish curry), khao yum (rainbow rice salad) and tom som pla krabok (sweet and sour fish soup). The burst of flavours will definitely blow your mind!
Southern Thai food is influenced by Malaysia and Indonesia
Thailand is said to be region-specific, and so are the lifestyles.
In Northern Thailand, the pace of life is considered to be slower than in other parts of the country, but that doesn’t mean this area is boring at all. You can experience the hustle and bustle of big cities like Chiang Mai, known as the “northern capital of Thailand”, especially during the Yi Peng Lantern Festival. You can also come and see ancient temples like Wat Pha Son Kaew, then experience the adrenaline-packed challenges in nature, all in one trip.
Trekking and hiking are the common activities in Northern Thailand
The complete opposite seems to lie in the southern part. If you are more into parties and underwater activities, this is definitely for you. There are numerous beaches and islands, and you won’t even need to worry about what to do there. The popular activities here include relaxing by the beach, of course, snorkelling, scuba diving, as well as some other interesting experiences like island hopping.
You can see the diversity of marine species of Southern Thailand when scuba diving
We bet this is the most concerning part when you are choosing where to travel. According to many travellers, Northern Thailand is more budget-friendly. Even in a big city like Chiang Mai, things here are still cheaper than those in the south of Thailand.
According to many travellers, Northern Thailand is more budget-friendly
Southern Thailand, on the other hand, is said to be more expensive than the north. It is undeniable that this area contains the top destinations in the country; the price will of course go up, especially in the peak seasons. But as mentioned before, there are plenty of special activities that you won’t be able to find in the northern side, so it is still worth spending money on.
Still in doubt about which one to choose? Then here is our summary:
However, if time allows, the best option is not to choose anything at all. You can start your journey by immersing yourself in cultural activities in the North and the other half of the time relaxing by the beaches in the South.
As you can see, either North Thailand or South Thailand has its unique features that can fascinate you in every way. While the North is ideal for enjoying history, culture and adventures with a slower pace of life, the South provides a livelier nightlife with endless parties on the beaches. And if you’re looking for guidance for a tour in Thailand, feel free to contact Asia King Travel for further information.
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