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World Travel — Thailand Collection

Thailand Tours
from Australia

Bangkok's golden temples at dawn. Chiang Mai's hill-tribe villages. Phuket's turquoise bays and limestone karsts. The Land of Smiles — expertly guided from Australia.

6Destinations
5–14Days Duration
From $1,990Per Person AUD
4–5 hrFlight from Australia
4.8 ★50,000+ Travellers
ATAS Accredited — Australian Travel Agent
60-Day Visa-Free — No advance application needed
4–5 Hour Flight — Closest international destination
Expert Local Guides — Thai-speaking with English
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.8/5 — TripAdvisor Excellence

Thailand's Greatest Destinations

From Bangkok's gilded spires to the emerald bays of the south — Thailand rewards Australians with extraordinary value, incredible food and a warmth of welcome that keeps them coming back.

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Bangkok

Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Chao Phraya river, Chinatown night markets and extraordinary street food around every corner.

From $1,990 pp
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Chiang Mai

Ancient Lanna temples, hill-tribe villages, Thai cooking classes, artisan workshops and the cool northern highlands.

From $2,890 pp
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Phuket & Islands

Thailand's island showpiece — Phi Phi, Phang Nga Bay, Krabi's limestone karsts and the Andaman Sea's turquoise water.

From $2,490 pp
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Krabi

Iconic Railay Beach, sea kayaking through mangroves and the spectacular Ao Nang coastline.

Included in island tours
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Koh Samui & Gulf Islands

The Gulf of Thailand's palm-fringed islands — Koh Tao for diving, Koh Phangan and the bays of Koh Samui.

From $2,690 pp

Golden Triangle

Where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet — ancient history, rice paddies and the Mekong River.

North Thailand extensions

Thailand Tour Itineraries

Three of our most popular Thailand itineraries in full — so you can see exactly what each day looks, smells and tastes like before you decide.

D1
Arrive Bangkok — Chao Phraya at SunsetPrivate transfer from Suvarnabhumi Airport to your central Bangkok hotel. Evening orientation cruise on the Chao Phraya river — the city's arterial waterway flanked by golden temple spires, crumbling colonial shophouses and gleaming modern towers all at once. Welcome dinner of authentic Thai classics at a riverside restaurant.
D2
Grand Palace, Wat Pho & ChinatownEarly morning entry to the Grand Palace complex before the busloads arrive — your guide explains the Emerald Buddha, the Chakri dynasty and the extraordinary gilded architecture in context. A short walk to Wat Pho for the 46-metre Reclining Buddha and an optional traditional Thai massage. Afternoon in Chinatown (Yaowarat) — the world's greatest Chinese street food market, open only at dusk.
D3
Canal Boat, Wat Arun & Old BangkokLongtail boat through Bangkok's klong (canal) network — floating markets, orchid farms and the quiet wooden houses of old Bangkok that tourists rarely reach. Disembark at Wat Arun — the Temple of Dawn — with its ceramic-encrusted spires rising from the river bank. Free afternoon for the Chatuchak weekend market or a rooftop bar above the city.
D4
Ayutthaya Day TripDrive 90 minutes north through the rice paddies to Ayutthaya — Thailand's ancient capital and UNESCO World Heritage site. Over 400 temples and 1,700 chedis in various states of ruin. Your guide brings the city's history alive across the key sites including Wat Mahathat's famous Buddha head encased in tree roots. Return by train for the atmospheric ride back.
D5
Bangkok Markets & DepartFinal morning at Or Tor Kor market — Bangkok's most beautiful fresh produce market, used by the city's best chefs. Street-food breakfast and time to pick up provisions. Private transfer to Suvarnabhumi for your international connection back to Australia or onward to Chiang Mai or Phuket.
D1
Fly to Chiang Mai — Night BazaarFly from Bangkok to Chiang Mai (1 hour). Transfer to your old city hotel. Evening walk through the famous Chiang Mai Night Bazaar — over 500 vendors selling textiles, woodwork, silverware and the city's best street food. Your guide navigates the best food stalls as a warm introduction to northern Thai cuisine.
D2
Old City Temples & Doi SuthepMorning walk through the walled old city exploring Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh with an expert local guide who understands the Lanna Kingdom's history and how it differs from central Thai Buddhist practice. Afternoon drive up Doi Suthep — the sacred mountain overlooking the city, with a temple founded in 1383 and views across Chiang Mai's valley.
D3
Morning Market & Thai Cooking ClassEarly visit to Warorot Market — the real market used by locals rather than tourists — to select ingredients with our chef guide. Then a hands-on northern Thai cooking class: khao soi (the city's iconic curry noodle soup), larb, green papaya salad and mango sticky rice. You'll eat everything you cook for lunch.
D4
Hill-Tribe Community VisitDay trip to visit a Karen hill-tribe community in the highlands — a responsible, community-run encounter where we learn about traditional weaving, natural dye techniques and agricultural practices. The community controls access and pricing, ensuring our visit benefits them directly. No elephant riding or other exploitative activities are included or suggested.
D5
Chiang Rai & White TempleDrive north to Chiang Rai through rice fields and teak forests. Wat Rong Khun — the extraordinary all-white contemporary temple — and the Blue Temple. Overnight in Chiang Rai for an evening free to explore the city's night market.
D6
Golden Triangle & Mekong RiverDrive to the point where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet — the notorious Golden Triangle, once the world's largest opium-producing region. Board a longtail boat to reach the Laos bank, then a scenic cruise along the Mekong River with views across to Myanmar's golden pagodas.
D7
Artisan Workshops & Return to Chiang MaiVisit an umbrella-making village at Bo Sang, a silversmith cooperative and a silk weaving studio — purchase directly from the makers. Return to Chiang Mai for a final evening with dinner recommendations from your guide.
D8
Depart Chiang MaiFree morning for a last market visit or spa treatment. Transfer to Chiang Mai Airport for your connection to Bangkok, Phuket or international departure back to Australia.
D1
Arrive Phuket — Promthep Cape at SunsetFly direct from Brisbane or Sydney to Phuket. Transfer to your hotel. Evening drive south to Promthep Cape — Phuket's most spectacular viewpoint — to watch the Andaman Sea sunset. Welcome dinner of fresh seafood at a beachfront restaurant.
D2
Old Phuket Town & Kata BeachMorning in Old Phuket Town — the island's undervisited gem. Sino-Portuguese shophouses painted in pastel colours, independent coffee roasters, street art and a genuinely local food scene that has nothing to do with the tourist beach strip. Afternoon at Kata Beach for swimming and a first taste of the Andaman's extraordinary clarity.
D3
Phang Nga Bay — Sea KayakFull day in Phang Nga Bay — the extraordinary seascape of vertical limestone karsts rising from the emerald water. Sea kayak through sea caves and hongs (collapsed limestone chambers open to the sky) with a marine environment guide. James Bond Island for the famous needle karst. Lunch on a private beach.
D4
Phi Phi IslandsEarly speedboat to Phi Phi — Maya Bay, snorkelling at the coral gardens of Hin Klang, swimming in the clear water of Pileh Lagoon. Your guide knows the timing — arriving before the day tours and staying for the quieter afternoon when the light is best and the crowds thinner. Beach barbecue lunch included.
D5
Transfer to Krabi — Railay BeachFerry southeast to Krabi and a longtail boat to Railay Beach — the peninsula only accessible by boat, with sheer limestone cliffs rising from the sand. Afternoon free for rock climbing, kayaking or simply sitting at the world-famous beach. Overnight in Krabi Town for the night market.
D6
Krabi Four IslandsMorning boat tour to the Four Islands of Krabi — snorkelling at Koh Poda's clear water, Chicken Island's natural rock arch and the shallow seagrass of Koh Tub at low tide. Afternoon free for massage, shopping or the emerald pool inland at Khao Phra Bang Khram.
D7
Depart KrabiTransfer to Krabi Airport for your domestic connection to Bangkok or international departure. Optional add-on: extend to Koh Lanta (quieter island with excellent snorkelling) or Koh Samui for the Gulf side of southern Thailand.

Thailand Tour Packages

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Tour Package Duration Highlights From (AUD) Details
🏛 Bangkok City Highlights5 DaysGrand Palace, Wat Pho, canal boat, Ayutthaya, night markets$1,990 ppView ›
🏺 Bangkok & Ayutthaya Heritage5 DaysBangkok temples, Ayutthaya UNESCO ruins, river, markets$2,190 ppView ›
🌿 North Thailand Cultural Trail8 DaysChiang Mai, cooking class, hill-tribe, Golden Triangle, Mekong$2,890 ppView ›
🏝 Phuket & Islands Adventure7 DaysPhang Nga Bay, Phi Phi Islands, Railay Beach, sea kayak$2,490 ppView ›
🌴 Koh Samui & Gulf Islands8 DaysKoh Samui, Koh Tao diving, Koh Phangan, Gulf of Thailand$2,690 ppView ›
🇹🇭 Thailand Grand Tour14 DaysBangkok, Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai, Golden Triangle, Phuket, Krabi$4,490 ppView ›

💡 Prices per person in AUD, excluding international flights from Australia. Thailand has direct routes from all major Australian cities — Brisbane and Sydney to Bangkok take approximately 9 hours, Darwin to Bangkok 5 hours. Contact us for flight booking advice and package combinations.

Thailand's Greatest Experiences

From the ancient to the electric, the serene to the spectacular — Thailand delivers a breadth of experience no other destination near Australia can match.

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Temple Immersion

From Bangkok's Grand Palace to Chiang Mai's Doi Suthep and Chiang Rai's surreal White Temple — Thailand's Buddhist architecture is among the world's most extraordinary.

BangkokChiang MaiChiang Rai
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Thai Cooking Classes

Start at a traditional market to select ingredients, then cook khao soi, pad thai, green curry and mango sticky rice in a real kitchen. Take the recipes home — they actually work.

Chiang MaiBangkok
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Sea Kayaking & Islands

Paddle through the towering limestone sea caves of Phang Nga Bay, explore Phi Phi Island's crystal lagoons and glide through the mangrove channels around Krabi at low tide.

PhuketKrabi
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Coral Reef Diving

Koh Tao is one of Asia's best dive sites — shallow, warm and populated with whale sharks, reef sharks, turtles and extraordinary soft coral. PADI courses and certified dives available.

Koh TaoSimilan Islands
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Night Markets

Bangkok's Chinatown, Chiang Mai's Saturday Walking Street, the Phuket Old Town Sunday Market — Thailand's night markets are a nightly festival of food, craft and community.

All destinations
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Ayutthaya Ruins

Thailand's former capital — over 400 temples and 3,000 monks in the 16th century, now a haunting UNESCO landscape of weathered chedis, headless Buddhas and ancient city walls.

Central Thailand
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Traditional Thai Massage

At Wat Pho's traditional massage school or the street-level massage shops of every Thai city — an hour of traditional Thai massage is one of the world's great physical reset experiences.

All destinations

River & Canal Boats

Longtail boats through Bangkok's klong network, a Chao Phraya river cruise at sunset, a Mekong boat to Laos and a sea taxi to Railay Beach — Thailand is as much water as land.

BangkokGolden TriangleKrabi

Essential Thailand Travel Information

Key practical details for Australians visiting Thailand — the world's most welcoming destination.

✈️

Flights from Australia

Direct flights: Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Darwin all have direct routes to Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi BKK), typically 8–9 hours. Budget airlines also fly direct. Phuket (HKT) and Koh Samui (USM) have direct services from some Australian cities. Thailand is the closest major international destination from most Australian departure points and is excellent value year-round.

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Visas & Entry

Visa-free: Australian passport holders receive a 60-day visa exemption on arrival — no advance application needed. Extended from 30 days in 2024. This is for tourism only. Always check Smartraveller.gov.au for current entry requirements before booking. Carry your passport and return ticket details through Thai immigration.

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Currency & Costs

Thai Baht (THB). Budget: AUD $80–150/day for personal expenses on top of your tour. Thailand remains one of Asia's best-value destinations — excellent meals for $5–15 AUD, tuk-tuk rides for $1–3, and world-class Thai massage from $20/hour. ATMs are widely available. Notify your Australian bank before travel. Cards accepted in most hotels and larger restaurants.

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Best Time to Visit

November–April is the cool dry season — the best time for Bangkok, the north and the south's Andaman coast. May–October is wetter and hotter. The Gulf coast (Koh Samui) has a different rainy season — best October–April. Australians often visit in July–August (Australian school holidays) — this is perfectly fine for Bangkok and Chiang Mai though the Andaman islands get afternoon rain.

Bangkok Grand Palace at golden hour with tourists
Phi Phi Island beach with turquoise water
35+Years Taking
Australians to Thailand

Australia's Trusted Thailand Tour Specialist

Thailand is the most visited overseas destination by Australians — and one where local knowledge makes an enormous difference to the experience you actually have.

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Thai-Speaking Local GuidesOur Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket guides speak both Thai and English fluently — and crucially, they know which temple to visit at which hour, which market is actually local and which street food vendor has been the best for 30 years.
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Responsible Tourism StandardsWe don't include elephant riding, tiger temples or any activities that exploit animals or disadvantage local communities. We partner with responsible operators and community-run ventures that benefit Thailand, not just extract from it.
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Built for AustraliansOur Thailand tours are sized for Australian pace — not the frantic coach-tour model. We schedule early mornings for temples, rest time in the middle heat and evenings for the food culture where Thailand truly excels.
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Hand-Picked HotelsCentral, characterful and clean — we don't use the cheapest option or the most luxurious, we use the ones that are genuinely best placed for the day's activities and serve the best breakfast.

Thailand Tour Reviews

From Australians who have explored Thailand with Cooee Tours.

★★★★★

"Our guide Nong took us to a soup kitchen in Bangkok that she has been going to for 20 years. The owner didn't speak a word of English and the menu was hand-written in Thai. Best meal I have ever eaten in my life — $3 Australian. That's what a real guide gives you."

PL
Patricia L.
Sydney, NSW
Bangkok City Highlights
★★★★★

"The cooking class in Chiang Mai was the highlight of the trip — and the trip was already extraordinary. We went to the market at 7 AM, chose our own ingredients, and by 10 AM we were eating khao soi we had made ourselves. I've cooked it at home three times since returning. It works."

JW
James W.
Melbourne, VIC
North Thailand Cultural Trail
★★★★★

"Phi Phi Island from a speedboat at 7 AM before any other boats had arrived. We swam in Maya Bay with four other people in the water. By 11 AM it was unrecognisable — hundreds of tourists from twenty boats. Cooee's timing is everything. They know when to go."

SK
Sarah K.
Brisbane, QLD
Phuket & Islands Adventure

Thailand Tours FAQ

Everything Australians ask before booking their Thailand holiday with Cooee.

November to April is the best time to visit most of Thailand — the cool dry season brings clear skies, low humidity and ideal conditions for both sightseeing and beach time. For Chiang Mai and the north, November to February is particularly pleasant with cool mornings. Australians often visit during July and August (Australian school holidays) — this is perfectly fine for Bangkok and Chiang Mai, though the Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi) has afternoon showers. The Gulf side (Koh Samui) is better in the Australian summer months.
Australian passport holders can enter Thailand visa-free for up to 60 days for tourism — extended from 30 days in 2024. No advance application is required, your passport is stamped on arrival. There is no cost. You must hold a valid passport with at least 6 months validity and carry evidence of onward travel. For stays longer than 60 days, a tourist visa can be obtained from the Thai Embassy before departure. Always verify at Smartraveller.gov.au before booking as policies can change.
Thailand is one of the most popular destinations for Australian tourists and is generally safe. The main concerns are petty theft in crowded tourist areas, road safety (always use metered taxis or licensed apps like Grab rather than flagging random tuk-tuks for longer journeys) and tourist scams near major attractions such as the Grand Palace. Our tours use vetted, licensed transport and our guides brief groups on current local conditions and which scams to look out for. Check Smartraveller.gov.au for any specific current advisories.
Our Thailand packages include hotel accommodation (typically 3–4 star, centrally located), all listed transport and transfers, expert English-speaking local guides, entrance fees to listed temples and attractions, and most meals as specified in each itinerary. International flights from Australia are not included — this flexibility lets you choose your preferred airline and routing. Optional extras including cooking classes, diving, spa treatments and island day-trip upgrades can all be arranged at the time of booking.
Absolutely — Thailand combines brilliantly with neighbouring countries. Popular multi-country routes include Bangkok and Angkor Wat in Cambodia (2 hours by air), Thailand and Vietnam's highlights, or a Southeast Asia overview combining Thailand, Vietnam and perhaps Laos or Malaysia. Our Asia specialists can design bespoke multi-country itineraries of any length. See our full Asia Tours collection for inspiration, or contact us to start planning a custom Southeast Asian route.