Thailand is one of the most popular tourist destinations, and for good reason. Stunning beaches, great weather (usually), delicious food, friendly locals and numerous cultural sights help make Thailand so desirable. But this can all come at a cost - Thailand can be overrun with tourists in some areas, which is fine if you don't mind that kind of thing, but for many, getting away from the hoards and unwinding away from your fellow countrymen is the real joy of a holiday. Here are 6 top tips to help you avoid the crowds and find a more authentic Thailand.
1) Travel outside peak season
If you can, avoid travelling to Thailand during the peak season. This is generally November-February, although will depend to an extent on where you plan to go. With abit of careful research and planning, going outside of this time can really cut down the tourist numbers. Look into climate (Summer can be too hot for tourists) and consider packing less cities/regions in so that you can stay in one area with a distinct climate, rather than going from North to South and encountering good weather in one region but storms in the other.
2) Ask the locals
Locals often know great places to eat and drink that the tourists don't know about. This works best when you are already on holiday, but forums and websites often have guides that may reveal local secrets. Just be wary that sometimes so-called secrets can quickly turn into tourist traps, especially if mentioned in the popular guidebooks (which brings us nicely to...).
3) Throw away your guidebook
OK, maybe not literally, but not following the "Top itineraries" or ""17 Must-See Sights" from your Lonely Guide or Rough Planet will really help you see more of the real Thailand and avoid the tourists. "But, they are top sights for a reason", some will say, which is true to an extent, but you will often find equally stunning destinations that are less well known and less busy by doing abit of research.
4) Avoid the Southern coastal resorts
While places like Koh Pha Ngan, Phuket, Koh Samui and Krabi are undoubtedly stunning, they are also undoubtedly flooded with tourists and gap year students getting pissed on the beaches and singing Wonderwall at 2AM. Our advice is to avoid these areas altogether if you want a taste of real Thailand. There are much quieter towns/islands elsewhere in the South, and these should certainly be researched. Fight that urge to hit the classic tourist trail. Also, these areas tend to be overpriced - £2.50 for curry and rice might still seem ridiculously cheap compared to European prices, but when you pay 50p for something even better outside the tourist areas, you quickly realise the prices are being hiked up for Westerners. The same is true for accommodation, with Phuket being particularly pricey.
5) Hire a bike
If you are in a relatively touristy area, in general you will find most of the tourists congregate in a very small area where the attractions are most concentrated. Hire a bike, and you can get outside of this area in few minutes and explore new areas rarely trodden by tourists. A good example is Chiang Mai - almost all tourists wander inside the city walls, and just outside the Eastern gate. Rent a bike, cycle outside the walls, and there is a whole world to see that shines a new light on the city. Even the market just North of the city walls is almost devoid of tourists, but full of locals having lunch - you can get a delicious, super-spicy Khao Soi for 30 Baht (70p).
6) Take a risk
Sometimes picking somewhere almost at random can lead to the best holiday experiences. Pick a town on your train route to a more major destination, and you will often find some hidden gems and experience authentic Thai life. Language will be an issue as the locals may never encounter tourists but you'll also find the friendliest faces. Plus, pointing to something tasty in someones food cart is often a winner. Just remember the way back to the train station.
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