Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, is a large city known for ornate shrines and vibrant street life. The boat-filled Chao Phraya River feeds its network of canals, flowing past the Rattanakosin royal district, home to opulent Grand Palace and its sacred Wat Phra Kaew Temple. Nearby is Wat Pho Temple with an enormous reclining Buddha and, on the opposite shore, Wat Arun Temple with its steep steps and Khmer-style spire.

Pattaya is a city on Thailand’s eastern Gulf coast known for its beaches. A quiet fishing village as recently as the 1960s, it’s now lined with resort hotels, high-rise condos, shopping malls, cabaret bars and 24-hour clubs. Nearby, hillside Wat Phra Yai Temple features an 18m-tall golden Buddha. The area also features several designer golf courses, some with views of Pattaya Bay.

Phuket City, on Phuket Island, is the capital of Thailand’s Phuket Province. In the Old Town, Thalang Road is lined with colorful 19th-century shophouses and Sino-Portuguese buildings. Built in 1903 by a wealthy tin merchant, Baan Chinpracha mansion has Italian floor tiles, shuttered windows and antique furniture. Set in a 1930s manor, the Thai Hua Museum has exhibits on Phuket’s culture and history.

Bangkok is a fascinating, intoxicating and chaotic place, brimming with sights, smells, thrills, gracious people, contradictions, cultures, cars, noise and bedlam. But as with any teeming metropolis, it’s also got its fair share of potential disappointments and frustrations.

To steer clear of the negative experiences during your first time in Bangkok, dust off that sage old adage, ‘knowledge is power!’ Use our years of hard-earned experience so your first impression of visiting the Thai capital will be an unforgettably great one.

Phuket is a relatively safe and modern island, particularly around its popular tourist areas like Patong and Phuket Old Town. There are relatively few unusual regulations to be mindful of, but it’s always best to be prepared and fully informed. Have a look at our answers to frequently asked questions about Phuket and see if there’s anything you’ve missed.