Thailand, like all countries, is a complex interaction of its history, culture, geography and of course, its people. The changes that these factors have brought mean that Thailand today has a feel that is completely unique. One of its major charms is the fact that it is so variable – from the sun, sea and surf of the islands in the south, to the metropolitan hustle and bustle of Bangkok, and the mountainous terrain occupied by hill tribes of the North, there’s certainly a destination that will suit every taste. Whether you’re a student on your gap year, an intrepid explorer well-used to foreign travel, or a honeymooning couple looking for a romantic getaway, Thailand has it all.
   
The South is where the beach action’s at – all those island paradises you’ve seen in the brochures are here. Phuket, Ko Phi Phi, Ko Samui and Ko Phangan are the four main destinations but there are plenty of others to choose from, depending on what you’re looking for. Ko Phangan is the site of the famous Full Moon party so if 30,000 dancing and drinking revellers on a beach doesn’t appeal, you’d be best off giving this one a miss at full moon time. Phuket is full beautiful resorts, so a great one for the couples but some might consider it overdeveloped. It’s really down to your individual tastes.
   
Slightly further North, you’ve got Bangkok, the capital. It’s as hectic as you can imagine it would be, since this urban sprawl is home to over 10 million. With a relatively large ex-pat community there are spots that cater to every sort of tourist. Veer off the beaten track and explore the sides to Bangkok that you would never normally entertain, whether for you, that’s eating at a street vendor (perfectly safe and very cheap!) or sitting down to lunch in an upscale eatery. It’s a huge city – just try to explore as much of it as you can!

Lastly, there’s the North, where you’ll find Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Chiang Mai is the next largest city behind Bangkok but although it’s large, it’s far more manageable than the capital. Lots of the hostels up here offer treks into the surrounding mountains, where you can visit the local hill tribe villages, ride elephants and see the rice paddy fields. Being in the North, the climate is more temperate than the dry air of Bangkok and visitors often welcome the change of pace in their holiday.

Try DialAFlight for a selection of cheap flights to Thailand including Phuket flights starting at £461 including tax.