Thailand

Nyheterna om det smittsamma coronaviruset i den kinesiska Hubeiprovinsen har fått många resenärer att avboka sina resor också till Kinas grannländer. Det har skapat fyndläge för charteresor till Thailand.

Once the domain of sea gypsies, Lanta has morphed from a luscious Thai backwater into a getaway for both Asian and European, especially Scandinavian, visitors who come for the divine miles-long beaches (though the northern coast is alarmingly eroded) and nearby dive spots of Hin Daeng, Hin Muang and Ko Haa.

Most people are drawn to Sukhothai Province (จังหวัดสุโขทัย) by the ruins of the eponymous former kingdom, one of Thailand's most historically significant and impressive destinations.

Whether you're sun-seeking, dozing in a hammock, feasting on world-class cuisine, beach partying or discovering wellness in an exclusive spa, Ko Samui has it covered.

Lampang Province (จังหวัดลำปาง) is a vast, mountainous area known for its natural beauty, a pleasant provincial capital and for some of Northern Thailand’s most emblematic Buddhist temples. Formerly associated with the logging trade, today the province is more closely linked to industries such as mining and ceramics.

Same same, but different. This Thailish T-shirt philosophy sums up Bangkok, a city where the familiar and the exotic collide like the flavors on a plate of pàt tai.

Krabi’s fairytale limestone formations come to a dramatic climax at Railay (also spelt Rai Leh), the ultimate Andaman gym for rock-climbing fanatics. Monkeys frolic alongside climbers on the gorgeous crags, while down below some of the prettiest beaches in all Thailand are backed by proper jungle.

Udon Thani Province is dominated by its flashy, congested and rather nondescript capital. It's the World Heritage–listed Ban Chiang, amazing Red Lotus Sea and mysterious Phu Phrabat that make it a fascinating destination.

When travellers talk dreamily about the amazing Andaman, they usually mean Krabi, with its trademark karst formations curving along the coast like a giant limestone fortress of adventure, or rising out of the islands and hanging over idyllic white-sand beaches. Rock climbers will find their nirvana in Railay, while castaway wannabes should head to Ko Lanta, Ko Phi-Phi or any of the other 150-plus islands swimming off this 120km-long shoreline.

Occupying a narrow sweep along the banks of the Mekong, Nong Khai Province is a beautiful region. Being on the travel route to/from Vientiane, Laos, just a short hop across the river via the Friendship Bridge, it's also one of northeastern Thailand's most popular destinations. The surreal Sala Kaew Ku sculpture park is a must-see on any jaunt through the region, while the towns and temples along the Mekong west of the capital encourage travellers to slow down.