Thailand 101: From North to South
This Travel Kinship webinar with Ewan Cluckie, co-founder of Tripseed, is a practical guide to planning tailor made journeys across Thailand. Ewan follows a sample 12 day route through Bangkok, Chiang Mai and the coast, and shows advisors which regions, hotels and experiences suit which clients, and when to go. Recorded live on 29 October 2026, followed by questions from travel advisors.
What you will learn
Why Chiang Mai is Thailand's cultural heart, and how Bangkok's old streets and canals change the way clients see the capital
Where to take clients who have already seen the highlights, including lesser visited regions such as Isan
Andaman coast or Gulf coast: which beaches to recommend in which months, and how to plan around peak periods and festivals
Locally led experiences, from private craft and food sessions to community visits and carefully chosen elephant experiences
How to choose hotels by location, atmosphere and budget, from characterful boutique stays such as The Siam in Bangkok to ultra luxury retreats
How the same itinerary adapts for couples, families and different travel styles
How Tripseed works with advisors: proposal turnaround, booking lead times and support on the ground
Planning Thailand: key questions answered
When is the best time to visit Thailand?
It depends on where your clients are going. Chiang Mai, the north and Bangkok are at their best from November to February, when it is cool and dry. Phuket, Krabi and the Andaman coast are best from November to April, while Koh Samui and the Gulf islands are at their best from around April to August. Because the two coasts have opposite rainy seasons, there is a good beach somewhere in Thailand in almost any month. Green season rain usually arrives as short, heavy storms rather than all day rain.
How long should a first trip to Thailand be?
Ewan's sample journey for a couple is 12 days: three nights in Bangkok, four in Chiang Mai and four on the beach. There are no nonstop flights from the US, so the journey takes around 20 to 24 hours, and Tripseed keeps the first day free so clients can recover. Ewan rarely plans fewer than two nights in Bangkok.
Where should first time visitors stay in Bangkok?
On or near the Chao Phraya river. The Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun are minutes away, and river boats avoid the traffic. In Bangkok, Ewan says, location matters more than star rating, so the setting comes first and the hotel second.
Which Thai beach is right for my clients?
Choose the coast by month first, then the beach by the client. Some beaches are lively and better for couples who want buzz, others are calm and spacious for families. For families, Krabi's calmer water and island days by longtail boat often work better than Phuket. Tripseed matches the beach to the client rather than defaulting to the best known names.
How far ahead should Thailand trips be booked?
Allow at least six months for Christmas, New Year, Chinese New Year, Easter and the US summer holidays, for the best hotels and guides. Chiang Mai's lantern festivals, Loi Krathong and Yi Peng, follow the lunar calendar in late October or November and need 12 months or more. Some hotels add compulsory gala dinners on festival dates, which Tripseed flags when booking. Tripseed also handles last minute trips, acknowledges every enquiry within 24 business hours and usually sends a first proposal within 24 working hours.
Questions advisors asked Ewan
Can clients paddle their own longtail boat in Bangkok?
Longtail boats run on engines, so they are not paddled. Instead, Tripseed offers kayaking through Bangkok's canals, and some tours use a solar powered electric boat, where the driver may let clients have a go at steering.
How does Tripseed choose elephant experiences in Thailand?
Ewan explained that Tripseed only works with sanctuaries that are fully hands off and observation only, and that also look after the mahouts who care for the elephants. That standard leaves just a handful of places in Thailand, and Tripseed advises which suits each client's time and interests.
Are there treehouse stays in Thailand?
Yes, from true treehouses in the rainforest to villas designed to look like them. Most have a rustic feel, so Tripseed checks they suit the client and the ages of any children, and can send pictures and recommendations.
Does Tripseed work with UK tour operators?
Yes. UK tour operators are currently Tripseed's biggest market, and the team also works with travel advisors in the US and Canada.
Can Tripseed look after cruise passengers stopping in Thailand?
Yes, when clients book directly or through an advisor. Tripseed has handled few cruise clients so far, because most cruise passengers use the ground suppliers contracted by the cruise line.
Does Bangkok have a cruise terminal?
Not in the city itself. Ships dock some way from Bangkok, and the cruise lines or their ground operators arrange transfers into the city.
About Tripseed
Tripseed is a women led, majority Thai owned luxury DMC based in Thailand, creating private, tailor made journeys across the country for travel advisors. It is a People and Planet First Verified Social Enterprise. Travel Kinship represents Tripseed to travel advisors. Discover Tripseed or contact Travel Kinship for an introduction.
