Thailand | ZHO Travel & Tourism

A Thai journey can start on a long-tail boat in the Andaman Sea and end in the cool hills of Chiang Mai.

The destination

About Thailand

Thailand is the most visited country in South-East Asia. It combines tropical nature, gilded temples and the warm welcome that earned it the name "land of smiles". Few countries offer such range in one trip: the energy of Bangkok one day, a quiet turquoise beach the next.

In the south lie the islands of the Andaman Sea: Phuket, the country's largest island; Krabi, with its tall limestone cliffs; and Phang Nga Bay, scattered with small karst islands. On the Gulf of Thailand side sits Koh Samui and its palm-fringed beaches. The north belongs to Chiang Mai, once capital of the Lanna kingdom, with green mountains, elephant sanctuaries and historic temples.

Thailand is easy for Saudi families. There are direct flights from Riyadh and Jeddah to Bangkok, Saudi passport holders enter without a visa for up to 30 days, and halal food is easy to find in Bangkok and in the south, home to a long-established Muslim community. Bangkok's oldest mosque, Ton Son, dates from the Ayutthaya period.

We arrange the whole journey for you: selected hotels and resorts, domestic flights between cities and islands, private cars with drivers and guided tours, with halal dining, prayer times and family privacy in mind.

Best timeNovember to April for Bangkok, the north and the Andaman coast; January to August for Koh Samui

FlightAbout 6 to 7 h direct from Riyadh or Jeddah to Bangkok, with seasonal direct flights to Phuket

VisaVisa-free entry for Saudi citizens for tourism, up to 30 days; complete the digital arrival card before travel

CurrencyThai baht (THB)

LanguageThai; English is widely spoken in hotels and tourist areas

Time4 h ahead of Saudi Arabia

Ideal stay8 to 12 nights

Ideal for

Family travel Honeymoons Travel with friends

Regions

Where to go

01 · City

Bangkok

Royal palaces and gilded temples, vast malls, and floating markets on the city's edge.

02 · Island

Phuket

Fine beaches and luxury resorts, and the natural base for boat trips to Phang Nga Bay and the Phi Phi islands.

03 · Coast

Krabi

A quiet coast guarded by limestone cliffs, made for those who love calm water, islands and snorkelling.

04 · Island

Koh Samui

Palm-lined beaches and refined hotels with panoramic views over the Gulf.

05 · City

Chiang Mai

A walled old city with a moat, ringed by mountains, nature reserves and elephant sanctuaries.

Experiences

What to do

The gilded spires of Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace, Bangkok

The Grand Palace and Wat Pho Bangkok A morning in royal Bangkok, between the Grand Palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and Wat Pho. A private guide explains the kingdom's history and craft.Discover

Koh Tapu, the needle rock known as James Bond Island, in Phang Nga Bay

Phang Nga Bay and Koh Panyee Phuket A day by boat among hundreds of limestone islands, sea-kayaking into hidden lagoons, and lunch in a Muslim fishing village built over the water.Discover

An Asian elephant at a sanctuary near Chiang Mai

A day at an elephant sanctuary Chiang Mai A day children love: feeding elephants and walking with them by the river, at an ethical sanctuary where no one rides them.Discover

Long-tail boats on the white sand of Maya Bay, Phi Phi Leh, below limestone cliffs

Sea and islands The Phi Phi islands and Maya Bay A boat trip to the Andaman Sea's most famous islands and the cliff-ringed Maya Bay. Snorkelling in clear water. Read more

Ao Nang beach in Krabi at dusk, with islands on the horizon

Sea and islands The Four Islands by long-tail boat Half a day around Poda, Tup, Chicken and Mor islands off Ao Nang. Sandy beaches and shallow water that suit children. Read more

Islands of Mu Ko Ang Thong Marine National Park across a calm sea

Sea and islands Ang Thong Marine Park More than 40 uninhabited islands west of Samui, with kayaking and a viewpoint over an emerald lake inside an island. Read more

Wachirathan waterfall in Doi Inthanon National Park

Nature Doi Inthanon, the roof of Thailand A day on Thailand's highest summit (2,565 m), among waterfalls, cloud forest and flower gardens. Read more

Wooden boats laden with fruit at Damnoen Saduak floating market, seen from above

City and shopping Damnoen Saduak floating market Boats piled with fruit and flowers on country canals south-west of Bangkok. A colourful morning for all ages. Read more

Red-brick ruins of Wat Mahathat in the Historic City of Ayutthaya

Culture and heritage Ayutthaya, the old capital The ruins of Siam's capital from 1350 to 1767, a World Heritage Site since 1991. Read more

Where to stay

Hotels and resorts we recommend

View all 4 stays

The white colonial Authors' Wing of Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, in its tropical garden

Bangkok Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok Historic palace Explore

Railay West beach and its limestone cliffs, beside Rayavadee (the resort's setting)

Krabi Rayavadee Krabi Beachfront Explore

The coast of Koh Samui seen from the sea (the resort's setting)

Koh Samui Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui Private villa Explore

The Ping river near Chiang Mai in the early morning (the resort's setting on the same river)

Chiang Mai Anantara Chiang Mai Resort Historic palace Explore

Taste and addresses

Flavours and places to know

Thai cooking balances hot, sour, sweet and salty, with fresh herbs such as Thai basil and lemongrass. Thailand also has a long Thai-Muslim culinary tradition, from massaman curry to khao mok, the Thai biryani, and certified halal restaurants are easy to find in the cities and the south.

A bowl of beef massaman curry in Bangkok

To tasteMassaman curryแกงมัสมั่น

Khao mok kai, Thai chicken biryani, served in Bangkok

To tasteKhao mok kai (Thai chicken biryani)ข้าวหมกไก่

To tasteTom yum goongต้มยำกุ้ง

Mango sticky rice with coconut cream, served in Thailand

To tasteMango sticky riceข้าวเหนียวมะม่วง

Ton Son Mosque, the oldest mosque in Bangkok

Landmark · Bangkok Ton Son Mosque Bangkok's oldest mosque, on the west bank of the Chao Phraya. Read more

ICONSIAM seen from a boat on the Chao Phraya river

Shopping · Bangkok ICONSIAM A riverside shopping complex reached by boat, with an indoor floating market. Read more

Stalls and roofs of the Chatuchak Weekend Market, Bangkok

Shopping · Bangkok Chatuchak Weekend Market One of the world's largest open markets, open at weekends. Read more

Sino-Portuguese shophouses on Thalang Road, Old Phuket Town

Landmark · Phuket Old Phuket Town Streets of colourful Sino-Portuguese shophouses, cafés and craft shops. Read more

Landmark · Chiang Mai Wat Phra That Doi Suthep A temple on Doi Suthep with a view over the whole of Chiang Mai. Read more

Journeys

Ways to see it

Itineraries drawn up by our consultants, to adapt to you day by day.

Thailand · 9 days

Thailand in full: Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Krabi

The capital, the mountain north and the Andaman Sea in one journey

Eight nights across Thailand's three faces: riverside Bangkok, Chiang Mai among mountains and elephants, and the limestone beaches of Krabi.

Price On request View the package

Questions

Before you go

Do Saudi citizens need a visa for Thailand?

Saudi citizens do not need a visa for tourism stays of up to 30 days, under the rules in force since 15 September 2026. You need a passport valid for at least 6 months, a return ticket, and the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) filled in online before arrival. For residents of Saudi Arabia the rules depend on nationality, and we check them for you before booking.

When is the best time to visit Thailand?

November to April for Bangkok, the north and the Andaman islands (Phuket and Krabi), when it is drier and the sea calmer. In summer we suggest Koh Samui on the Gulf of Thailand, whose best months are January to August.

Is halal food easy to find in Thailand?

Yes. Thailand has a large Muslim community, and the Central Islamic Council of Thailand certifies halal restaurants and products. Halal restaurants are plentiful in Bangkok, Phuket and Krabi, and many large hotels offer halal menus on request, which we arrange in advance.

Are there mosques and prayer rooms?

Yes. Bangkok alone has more than 100 mosques, including the historic Ton Son Mosque and the Central Mosque in Bang Kapi, and mosques are common across the south. Suvarnabhumi Airport and the large malls have prayer rooms.

How do we travel between cities and islands?

By short domestic flights from Bangkok: about 1 h 10 min to Chiang Mai, roughly 1 h 30 min to Phuket or Krabi, and an hour to Samui. In each place we provide a private car with driver, and private boats for the islands.

Is Thailand safe for families?

Thailand is one of Asia's most family-friendly destinations and its tourist areas are generally safe. Avoid unlicensed street offers, use licensed cars and boats, and respect the red flags on beaches during the monsoon.

What is the currency and how do we pay?

The currency is the Thai baht (THB). Cards are accepted in hotels, malls and larger restaurants; carry cash for markets and boats. Saudi riyals or US dollars can be exchanged at licensed money changers.

What should we wear?

Light cotton clothing all year. Palaces and temples require covered shoulders and knees, and some do not allow open sandals. In the north, a light jacket helps on winter mornings.

Thailand, from golden temples to limestone islands