Being a famous tourist destination in Southeast Asia, Thailand boasts a wide variety and an abundance of accommodations. Not only can you find many international hotel chains in the main tourist cities such as Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Pattaya, but you will also find with pleasure that the rates are quite modest when compared with hotels of the same standards in other countries, especially in Europe and the USA.

It is no doubt that more accommodations of different types can be found in tourism boom cities, ranging from cheap guesthouses offering 200-baht rooms to luxury hotels in which one has to pay about 4,000 baht up for a standard room. So far as guesthouses are concerned, they are more abundant in Bangkok and Chiang Mai than other cities, and the rates may be a little lower due to high competition.

Generally, aside from guesthouses, in most cities in Thailand, budget accommodations are provided by small hotels which are usually located downtown or near the city's bus or train station. The rates are rather low ranging from 200 - 300 baht for a room with fan to 300 - 500 baht for an aircon room. These rates normally do not include breakfast unlike those of the tourist-class hotels. Tourist class and luxury hotels are available in most big cities, yet in some less active provinces there may be only one luxury hotel. The rates for tourist class hotels in Bangkok start from about 1,000 baht up for a standard room, while in rural provinces they are from 700 - 800 baht up.

Finding a Room & Reservations

- Whatever type of hotel you choose, it is strictly recommended to book a room in advance either through internet or a travel agent, particularly if you plan to travel during the high season. Many hotels in popular places such as Phuket and Ko Samui are fully booked 4 - 6 months in advance for a peak period.
- You can easily obtain information through Thai Hotels Association or Tourism Authority of Thailand. Reservations can also be made through a travel agent or a hotel.
- To ensure your reservations, it should be made in writing or by e-mail. As most hotels require an advance deposit, you should check about this with the hotel you contact and do according to its regulations to avoid any problem which may occur.

Check-in Time

- Most hotels in Thailand fix their check-in and check-out time at 12.00 hours. However, during the high season or when the hotel is fully occupied, the check-in time may be postponed to 13.00 hours.
- It is advisable to inform the hotel of your estimated time of arrival at the airport or the hotel in advance, especially if you think you may be late.

On-the-spot Reservations

In case you would like to book a room upon arrival, you may consult the counter of Thai Hotels Association or Tourism Authority of Thailand at the airport's arrival lounge.
But in this way there may be less choices of hotels or the hotel you want to stay in may have been fully booked already.

For lists of accommodations in each tourist centre see contents page.
For more details contact Thai Hotels Association or Tourism Authority of Thailand.