Thailand Honeymoon Guide

In the mood for romance? This Thailand Honeymoon Guide has got you covered on the best way to start life as a married couple.

Brilliant weather, incredible scenery, delicious food and cheap prices all combine to make the Kingdom of Thailand one of the top spots in the world for a honeymoon.

Regardless of what ‘type’ of couple you are, Thailand is pretty ideal. Big cities? Check. Deserted island paradise? Check. Incredible natural beauty, dense jungle and abundant national parks? Double check.

So whether you’re an adventurer or a beach bum, a luxury seeker or looking to get back to basics, you’ll find what you’re looking for on a honeymoon in Thailand.

And, best of all, if you want a taste of everything the Kingdom has to offer, you can. An impressive domestic flight network, extensive public transport links and dirt cheap taxis are all immediately available to transport you in between destinations at your will and pleasure.

Let’s take a look at some of the places you might want to tick off on your Siamese honeymoon.

City Break

If you’ve never been to Thailand before, it’s easy to write off the cities as nothing more than a stopover on the way to the beach.

But that would be criminally underselling them. Bangkok and Chiang Mai are two of the most incredible cities in Southeast Asia, if not the world, that boast more character in a square metre than most other honeymoon destinations can manage between them.

Even if you only stay for a couple of days, it’s fair to say that you’ll never forget the time you spent in Thailand’s cities.

Bangkok

Believe everything you hear about Bangkok. Is it too hot, too noisy and too smelly? Without a doubt. Is it full to the brim with incredible cuisine, wonderful people and a healthy dose of crazy? Undeniably.

Many tourists and honeymooners arrive in Bangkok with low expectations, only to fall in love with the city and wish they spent much more time here. It’s full to the brim with places to go and people to see, and can be enjoyed whatever budget you’re restricted to or liberated by post-wedding.

Honeymooning activities:

• A dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River (“The River of Kings”)
• Exploring Chinatown (one of the biggest in the world) and gorging on street food
• Sunset cocktails on the rooftop bars of Sirocco, Moon Bar, Octave or Above Eleven
• Indulgent spa day at Oasis Bangkok
• Drop-in salsa class at La Rueda Latin Club
• Not buying a puppy at Chatuchak Weekend Market
• Discovering the past (and navigating the Chinese tour groups) at the Grand Palace
• Dragging your new husband away from Soi Cowboy

Romantic places to stay:

• St Regis Bangkok ($$$)
• The Sukosol ($$)
• Salil Hotel ($)

Chiang Mai

A total contrast to Bangkok as far as cities go, Chiang Mai is the capital of Northern Thailand and the place to go if you want to better understand Thailand’s past and stay in a place of historical and cultural importance. There’s still plenty to do here in terms of nightlife, attractions and the food scene too.

It’s much more laidback than the capital, and attracts a diverse array of tourists and expats who’re looking for a hub of creativity in an urban metropolis, that’s not too far from the mountains and jungle. Temples are everywhere.

Honeymooning activities:

• Visit Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep and look down on the city
• Take the nature trail in Doi Inthanon national park to gaze upon the twin chedis
• Release lanterns together during the Yi Peng festival in November
• Buy each other gifts at the Sunday Walking Street Night Market
• Take a cookery class together
• Bathe and feed the elephants at the Elephant Nature Park
• Take a zip line over the rainforest with Flight of the Gibbon

Romantic places to stay:

• 137 Pillars House ($$$)
• Aruntara Riverside Boutique Hotel ($$)
• Rustic River Boutique ($)

Island Paradise

If there’s one thing that Thailand does well, it’s islands. There are literally hundreds of islands littering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, all offering something a little different to those who dare to venture there.

Some are well established, with luxury accommodation and a popping nightlife scene, while others require getting back to basics and holing out in a tent or hut. Whatever tickles your pickle!

We’ve included just a few of Thailand’s most beautiful islands that are best suited for honeymooners looking to bliss out on a beach. They’re all easily accessible and with at least some degree of development to make your stay as idyllic as possible.

Koh Samui

A short flight down to the South brings us to the beautiful island of Samui. This is really tropical island paradise as you’ve always imagined it: white sand beaches, turquoise waters and smatterings of palm trees. Flights straight to the island are notoriously expensive, so if you’re on a budget, catch a flight to nearby Surat Thani (on the mainland) and then take the ferry over instead.

Koh Samui is one of the most popular destinations in Southeast Asia for weddings and honeymoons, as well as being a cracking tourist destination in its own right. The crowds tend to flock to Chaweng and Lamai beaches, so avoid these if you’re after some peace and quiet.

Honeymooning activities:

• Take a day trip to An Thong National Marine Park and experience the incredible diving and snorkelling
• Explore the charming Bophut Fisherman’s village
• Find the Big Buddha at Bang Rak
• Best beaches for lovers: Mae Nam, Choengmon and Big Buddha
• Scale the Namtok Hin Lat waterfall

Romantic places to stay:

• Four Seasons Resort ($$$)
• Centara Villas Samui ($$)
• Secret Garden Beach Resort ($)

Koh Lanta

You’ll need to catch a ferry from Krabi or Trang to get to Koh Lanta, which is actually a group of islands in Southern Thailand. Koh Lanta Yai is the main port of call and where all the accommodation and attractions are, however.

Koh Lanta has become relatively popular in recent years for those seeking relaxation and gorgeous long, white sand beaches. It’s not nearly at the level of commercialisation as Phuket, Koh Samui or Koh Phi Phi, but there’s still plenty to do and definitely a great spot for honeymooners seeking paradise.

Honeymooning activities:

• Diving and snorkelling around the coral reefs and incredible marine life
• Trek the rainforested mountains
• Take a day trip to Koh Phi Phi to see where The Beach was set
• Explore the island by hiring motorbikes
• Visit the Khao Mai Kaew Caves
• Best beaches for lovers: Klong Dao, Kor Kwang, Relax Beach at Pra Ae and Kantiang Bay

Romantic places to stay:

• Layana Resort & Spa ($$$)
• The Houben Hotel ($$)
• Long Beach Chalet ($)

Phuket

Phuket is Thailand’s most popular island destination and another perfect spot for honeymooners. It’s home to an international airport, and is well connected to a ferry network too.

The island is large to the extent that it’s easy to actually forget that you’re on an island, and while some places are rowdy with tourists — Patong, for instance — there are lots of spots of solitude and relaxation to be found.

Thanks to development and a thriving tourist industry, there is plenty to do in Phuket regardless of your sensibilities. The smattering of islands in its vicinity, and in nearby Phang Nga Bay, mean that there are plenty of opportunities for day trips.

Honeymooning activities:

• Watch the sunset at Phromthep Cape, the most southerly point
• Take a liveaboard dive trip to the incredible Similan Islands
• Climb up to the Big Buddha at Naka Kerd Mountain for some incredible views
• Visit the Phuket Gibbon Rehabilitation Project
• Take a canoeing trip around Phang Nga Bay and visit James Bond Island
• Best beaches for lovers: Kamala, Rawai, Kata, Naithorn, and Nai Yang

Romantic places to stay:

• Trisara Phuket ($$$)
• U Zenmaya Phuket ($$)
• Navatara Phuket Resort ($)

Koh Chang

Koh Chang is a large island found in the Gulf of Thailand, just off the coast of Trat province. It’s become more popular in recent years with backpackers, tourists and honeymooners, but has managed to retain its rugged sense of natural beauty, thanks to its incredible beaches and prominent mountains. It’s surrounded by around 50 other, much smaller islands.

One thing to note with Koh Chang is that it’s rainy, with the season lasting from May to the end of October. The best time to go (although inevitably the busiest) is between November and February.

Honeymooning activities:

• Rent a scooter and explore the island
• Penetrate the jungle and find the 8 incredible waterfalls
• Take a trip to nearby Koh Mak or Koh Kood
• Diving in the Koh Chang Marine Park
• Embark on a sea kayaking adventure

Romantic places to stay:

• The Chill Resort & Spa ($$$)
• The Emerald Cove ($$)
• Ramayana Koh Chang Resort ($)

Koh Lipe

Koh Lipe is truly the epitome of island paradise — fine, white sands, clear cerulean sea with water shallow enough to snorkel in, thick jungle fringing, no cars and some of Thailand’s most incredible sunrises and sunsets. You will need to fly from Bangkok to Trang or Hat Yai and get a ferry from the mainland.

Long tail boats can be hired from all around the island which can take you to the delights of the nearby Tarutao National Marine Park and its many islands. The island itself is relatively quiet, although travellers are cottoning on to all that Lipe has to offer. Pattaya Beach is the busiest hub here.

Honeymooning activities:

• Explore Mu Ko Tarutao by long-tail boat
• Take a trip to Koh Bu Tang for some incredible diving
• Enjoy a Thai massage at the Wat Pho Massage Schhol
• Take a freediving course on Sunrise Beach
• Sail or kayak around the island and its reef
• Best beaches for lovers: Sunrise, Sunset and Karma

Romantic places to stay:

• Idyllic Concept Resort ($$$)
• Mali Resort Pattaya Beach ($$)
• Sawan Resort ($)

Getting Muddy

For those of you looking to do something a little different for your honeymoon, Thailand will provide.

Stepping away from the tourist track and getting up close and personal with nature will be one of the most rewarding experiences you can have in this country. And to do that with your ‘just married’ partner? Priceless.

Here are a few options for those looking to get away from the cities and the touristy islands. It’s time to get muddy…

Mae Hong Son Loop

The Mae Hong Son loop is a 600km circular journey around Mae Hong Son — a beautiful Northern province on the Burmese border. It is quite literally lush here — we’re talking incredible mountains and dense greenery.

The trip requires at least four days (although we would stretch it to a week to really make the most of it) and most people like to complete it by motorbike and scooter. It starts in nearby Chiang Mai and ends up back there too.

Here’s the journey:

• Chiang Mai
• Pai
• Mae Hong Son
• Mae Sariang
• Chiang Mai

Potential stops along the way:

• Doi Inthanon
• Mae Um Long Luang Hot Springs
• Salawin National Park
• Mae Surin Waterfall
• Tham Pla Fish Cave
• Pam Bok Waterfall
• Pai Canyon
• Huai Nam Dang National Park

There are guesthouses to stop into along the way and you should plan your route according to your needs and budget. Here’s a potential route to follow.

Khao Sok National Park

Found in Surat Thani province in Thailand’s South, Khao Sok is one of the country’s most incredible national parks, thanks to the beautiful landscape and scenery and spectacular array of flora and fauna. You should fly from Bangkok to Surat Thani before taking a minivan to the park.

Most people choose to take a tour — and most trails are only accessible with a guide — and you should be cautious and responsible if you choose to go it on your own. The entry fee is 300 baht per day, and most people either walk or hire mountain bikes. Most multi-day tours include accommodation; some even include a night in a floating raft house!

Guesthouses are all located on the main road near the park. You can arrange tours from here.

Unmissable things to see and do:

• Cheow Larn Lake — a 165 square metre artificial lake dotted with limestone mountains
• Ratchaprabha Dam — viewpoint overlooking the lake
• Canoeing, kayaking or bamboo rafting down the Sok River
• Trekking the world’s oldest evergreen rainforest with a local guide
• Ziplining through the forest canopy

Animals to watch out for:

• Tiger
• Clouded leopard
• Malayan sun bear
• Elephant
• Crested serpent eagle
• Hornbill
• Kingfisher
• Thai black tarantula
• Scorpion
• King cobra
• Reticulated python

Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary

Most people stay in Chiang Mai when they choose to trek in Thailand, but Umphang is truly the jewel of Thailand when it comes to spectacular nature. Located in Tak province, it borders Myanmar just south of Mae Hong Son in Thailand’s West.

You’ll need a four wheel drive to access the sanctuary, which is around 12km from the town of Umphang. There are guesthouses and accommodation in the town, and opportunities to book onto guided tours.

The sanctuary itself covers the country’s Western Forest Complex, characterised by miles upon miles of mountains and rainforest. The main attraction for many is undoubtedly Thi Lo Su waterfall (pictured above); a triple waterfall with drops of 200, 300 and 400 metres. It’s pretty huge.

Things to do and see:

• Thi Lo Su waterfall — the 6th most beautiful waterfall in the world
• White water rafting along the Mae Khlong River
• Catch the views from Doi Hua Mot
• Explore Ta Ko Bi Cave
• Visit the nearby Karen hill tribe villages
• Trekking the rainforest on a multi-day tour

What’s your Thailand honeymoon pick?

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