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Can I travel to Thailand? Entry requirements from the UK explained

By Abigail Malbon

Travel to Thailand from the UK is allowed, but what are the Covid rules when flying to the destination? Here’s what you need to know about holidays to Thailand.

What are the entry requirements for Thailand?

In January 2023, the Thai government reintroduced some requirements for international travellers after China reopened its borders for the first time since 2020. These include all airline passengers over 18 providing proof of full vaccination or proof of Covid-19 recovery in the past six months (180 days). Those who are exempt from vaccination must provide proof from a doctor. 

Additionally, any travellers who are visiting from a country that may prohibit them returning home in the case of a positive Coronavirus test occurring while in Thailand must have insurance covering at least $10,000 of health care while in the country. 

Thai passport holders and those transiting through Thailand en-route to another country are exempt from these checks. 

For more information and updated rules, visit the UK government website before travelling. We also recommend ensuring you have valid travel insurance with Covid cover before taking any trips.

Can I travel to Thailand from the UK, and back again?

Yes. Since 18 March 2022, there are no Covid travel rules in the UK, which means that those returning from Thailand do not need to test, quarantine or fill in a passenger locator form , regardless of their vaccination status. The UK government also stopped managing any quarantine hotels at the end of March. 

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Thailand travel rules: Can I go on holiday there and what tests do I need?

Thailand was removed from the uk’s red list on 11 october, article bookmarked.

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As of 11 October, Thailand is no longer on the UK’s red list for international travel.

This means that travellers coming into Britain from Thailand no longer have to quarantine for 11 nights in a government-mandated hotel, at a cost of thousands per person - making a holiday there a much more appealing prospect, just in time for winter.

But is Thailand letting UK travellers in?

Here’s what we know so far.

Can UK arrivals enter Thailand?

Yes - but there are strings attached.

If you want to travel to Thailand, you must apply for permission to travel via the Royal Thai Government’s online platform .

Most travellers to Thailand, including British nationals travelling from the UK, are required to complete 14 days’ quarantine at a State Quarantine or Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) facility. While in ASQ, you will normally not be allowed to leave your room except for medical treatment or Covid-19 tests, according to the Foreign Office advice.

However, in some areas of Thailand it is possible to complete some or all of the quarantine period without being restricted to an ASQ facility. Schemes include the Phuket Sandbox , which enables fully vaccinated Brits to swerve quarantine when staying Phuket. They must stay on the island for at least seven nights and will then be allowed to visit other destinations in Thailand.

Restrictions will further ease next month; Thailand will end quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated tourists from at least 10 low-risk destinations from 1 November , officials have said.

The list of nations allowed in includes the UK , as well as China, Singapore, Germany and the US.

When tourists from the countries are permitted to arrive, “they should present a [negative] Covid test... and test once again upon arrival”, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha said.

If the second test is also negative, any visitor from those countries will be able to “travel freely like Thais”.

Are flights and holidays operating to Thailand?

Yes - flights and holidays are still operating, though at a reduced rate.

For example, British Airways is selling flight and hotel packages departing this month. Seven nights in Phuket staying at the Amari will currently set you back £941, including return flights from London Heathrow, departing 23 October.

Thai Airways is offering direct flights from London to Phuket; KLM, Swiss and Singapore Airlines all have connecting flights to Bangkok.

As of 11 October, the Foreign Office has also removed its advice against all but essential travel to the country, so British travellers should have no problem getting a valid travel insurance policy to cover their trips.

What’s are the Covid restrictions like on the ground?

You will be required to wear a face mask and follow other public health measures when using public transport, including planes, trains, buses and taxis. In some provinces, public transport may stop earlier than normal or have less capacity than normal.

Domestic flights in and out of provinces categorised as dark red, including Bangkok, are currently prohibited.

Until further notice you must wear a mask in all indoor and outdoor public spaces in Thailand and in vehicles if you are with others. If you do not wear a mask you may have to pay a fine.

The Thai government also advises that you should avoid unnecessary travel and crowded places, and scan the ‘Thai Chana’ QR code where available.

A number of disease control measures at national and local levels are also in place. These include a colour rating for each of Thailand’s 76 provinces based on the number of Covid-19 cases. Restrictions in each province and for movement between provinces depend on the colour rating and any additional local rules, and they may change at any time.

Thailand will not open entertainment venues or serve alcohol until 1 December - and several provinces including the capital Bangkok still have a 9pm-4am curfew.

What about coming back to the UK?

Since Thailand is now off the red list, and on the symbolic ROW (“rest of world”) list, fully vaccinated UK travellers only need to book a day two PCR test for their return, taking it and sending it off for results within the two days after landing.

Unvaccinated travellers or those who have only had one jab will need to self-isolate for 10 days on return, plus take an additional PCR test on day eight of quarantine.

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Thailand Travel Advice

Thailand is fully open and looking forward to welcoming you. We have put together this list of resources to help you plan your trip to Amazing Thailand.

Entry rules

Domestic travel, health, safety and insurance, do’s and don’ts, responsible tourism.

• Itineraries

Useful links

Thailand is fully open to visitors with no entry restrictions .

If you are not flying directly to or from Thailand and transiting via another country, you should check the policies of your airline and the regulations of the country you are transiting in.

• Flights to Thailand: Travel tips and advice
• What to pack for your Thailand trip
• Booking domestic travel in Thailand
• Exploring Thailand by train
• Booking boat and ferry trips in Thailand
• Do I need a visa for Thailand?

Whether you need a visa to travel to Thailand depends on a number of factors including how long you are planning to stay in Thailand and your nationality. If you hold a UK or Irish passport and are flying to Thailand for a 2-3 week holiday, you do not require a visa. You can enter under the visa exemption scheme .

Visa Exemption

Permitted to stay in Thailand for: 30 days * The visa exemption scheme allows passport holders from certain countries, including the UK and Ireland, to stay for 30 days without applying in advance for a visa. Please read the information here for full details.

* Between October 2022 and March 2023 this was temporarily extended to 45 days. In April 2023 it reverted to the usual 30 days .

Tourist Visa

Permitted to stay in Thailand for: 60 days Tourists from the UK and Ireland who wish to stay in Thailand for up to 60 days can apply for a Tourist Visa. Apply for the Tourist Visa at least four weeks in advance of the travel date via the official Thai E-Visa website .

If you are travelling from Ireland, please note the Royal Thai Consulate in Dublin stopped issuing visas in May 2021. Visa applications can now be processed online or via the Royal Thai Embassy, London.

Thailand is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world and the vast majority of tourists have no problems during their time here. However, there are some important points that visitors should be aware of when travelling in Thailand. If you require medical treatment in Thailand, you will be required to pay for it. You should take out appropriate travel insurance before travelling to Thailand.

• What vaccinations do I need for Thailand?
• NHS fit for travel (advice for Thailand)
• Bringing prescribed drugs into Thailand
• Get the right travel insurance for Thailand
• Thailand road safety advice
• Thailand beach safety
• Thailand travel advisories (from UK government)
• Travel Aware (from UK government)

Useful telephone numbers Tourist Hotline: 1672 Tourist Police: 1155

Thailand is a laid-back and welcoming country, but there are some important things to be aware of to avoid causing any offence.

• Thailand do’s and don’ts
• Useful Thai words and phrases to know
• Etiquette advice for visiting Thai temples
• Cannabis laws
• Flying a drone

Please note that  vaping and e-cigarettes are illegal in Thailand . Smoking is also prohibited on a number of beaches with signs in place advising visitors.

• 21 ways to be a responsible tourist in Thailand
• How to choose an ethical elephant sanctuary in Thailand
• Read more about responsible tourism
• Delve into the delights of Thai food
• Eat your way around Thailand
• 19 favourite Thai dishes
• Advice for vegans and vegetarians travelling in Thailand

The Thai currency is baht. Changing a small amount of money into baht before you travel can be handy so you’ve got some with you on arrival for transport or food, but in most cases you will get a better exchange rate when you arrive in Thailand compared to changing money in the UK or Ireland.

• Where is the best place to change money into Thai baht?
• How to claim a VAT refund on your shopping

Itineraries and advice

Although we can’t organise an individual itinerary for you, we have put together some useful information below to help you plan your Thailand holiday. Check out our destination guides  for ideas and our  travel features section  for more inspiration.

• Advice for first-time visitors to Thailand
• 2-week Thailand itinerary (for first-time visitors )
• 3-week Thailand itinerary
• 4-week Thailand itinerary
• Itinerary ideas for repeat visitors to Thailand
• 2 days in Bangkok: What to see and do in 48 hours
• All-inclusive holidays in Thailand
• How to choose your ideal Thai beach holiday
• Disabled travellers
• Female travellers
• LGBT+ travellers
• Mature and older visitors
• Solo travellers

Any month can be a good time to visit Thailand. Take a look at our information here:

• When is the best time to visit Thailand?
• Why Thailand is the perfect year-round destination

And for more detailed advice, check our month-by-month guides below:

• Royal Thai Embassy, London
• British Embassy, Bangkok
• Irish Embassy, Bangkok
• Thai Airways
• Tourism Authority of Thailand newsroom

Destinations

Experiences

Ask the Expert

News & Events

Meaningful travel: visit thailand, we'd love to hear your story....

Fan Club Thailand is all about sharing experiences of Thailand. So, we'd love to hear your stories and see your photographs. If you've got some tips about visiting Thailand, please click below.

@fanclubthailand

Stunning views and breathtaking scenery come as standard in Thailand. Here are four favourites by @2troubletravelers to whet your wanderlust appetite: 1. Bottle Beach Viewpoint on Koh Phangan - a 15 min (approx.!) hike to the top and you’re greeted with beauty beyond words. 2. John Suwan Viewpoint on Koh Tao - a slightly rocky trail but twice as nice with views across both Chalok Baan Kao Bay and Shark Bay. 3. Nang Yuan Viewpoint - surprisingly a short trek for such beautiful views - 10am is prime time here. 4. Hong Island Viewpoint in Krabi - climb 400 steps and be welcomed with panoramic views of Hong Island and the surrounding Phang Nga Bay

Staying in Bangkok but looking to venture further afield? Here are three great day trips that can easily be enjoyed from the bustling capital. 1. After The Rain Coffee and Gallery - coffee, canoes and the tree-top canopy….what more could you ask for! 2. Wat Samphran or Dragon Temple - a pink and praise-worthy, mystical must-see. 3. O2 Kaffee & Bistro - delicious Thai food in a coconut garden with many coconut inspired dishes. 🎥 @twotravelingsmiles

Feel those jungle vibes at the five-star Panwaburi Beachfront Resort. Book a room with direct access to the pool and take a refreshing morning dip, enjoy a floating breakfast, soak up the sun at the beautiful Ao-Yon Beach, sip cocktails at the roof bar..... the choice is yours! The resort is also approx. 10 km from Phuket old Town means you have the best of both worlds. 🎥 @tropic.destination

No visit to #Thailand is complete without sampling the tantalising array of delicious flavours of authentic Thai street food. Here are some local favourites brought to you by @sammcclendon -Pad Thai (an obvious choice, but it’s 1000x better here) -Khan Soi (Thai curry noodle soup) -Iced Thai Tea -Pad Kra Pao (Thai basil stir fry) -Pad Kana Moo Krob (Chinese broccoli with crispy pork) -Kaeng Khiao Won (Thai Green Curry with Roti bread) -Goong Hom Pha (Thai Shrimp in a deep-fried blanket) -Khao Neeo Mamuang (Thai sweet sticky rice with mango) -Moo ping (grilled pork) -Som tam (papaya salad) Which would you choose?

Koh Phangan is the fifth largest island in Thailand and renowned for its stunning natural beauty and untamed wilderness. And this reel by ordinarytravelgoals captures a little glimpse of its native charm. Have you been? We’d love to know.

🤩 Check out some of the funfilled Songkran celebrations at Patong Beach in Phuket, perfectly captured on camera by @thailand_adel Were you in Thailand for the wonderful Songkran Festival?

Ko Tao is known for its tropical coral reefs, Located in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Tao is an enchanting island with idyllic beaches and tropical coral reefs - the perfect place to relax and enjoy island life. Make the most of your time here with this 2-day itinerary by @dreamin_worldwide and @Thailand itineraries 🚤 Day 1: Island Vibes * Start your day with a sunrise stroll along Sairee Beach. * Dive into the underwater wonderland with a morning snorkelling session at Shark Bay. * Afternoon chill at Freedom Beach for sunbathing and cocktails. * Catch the breathtaking sunset at John-Suwan viewpoint. 🍜 Day 2: Cultural Delights * Embark on a scenic hike to Love Koh Tao viewpoint. * Explore the island’s charm with a scooter ride to Mango Bay. * Savour local flavours with a seafood feast at the Night Market. * End the day at Lotus Bar for a taste of Koh Tao’s lively nightlife. Koh Tao’s natural beauty and vibrant activities make it the perfect getaway for a tropical escape! Let us know if you plan to visit soon

Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, is a bustling metropolis that blends modernity with rich cultural heritage meaning there is sooooo much to do and see. In no particular order here are some recommendations to help plan your trip. Thanks to @mely_travel for the mini-guide. 🍸 Rooftop Bars 🍤 Markets and Street Food 🍃 Parks 🛕 Temples 🎉 Nightlife

🇹🇭 Today marks the start of Songkran celebrations when the traditional Thai New Year is welcomed by the people of Thailand. 💦 It’s a fun time, with lots of playful water fights taking place across the country which symbolises washing away any bad luck and ready for a clean start for the year ahead. 🙏 Songkran is also a celebration that is steeped in tradition. Families pay respect to their elders, ancestors, and sacred Buddha images are cleaned. These are just some of the many different traditions of Songkran. 🫶Wherever and however you celebrate Sawatdee pii mai!

Bangkok’s nightlife is vibrant, diverse, and renowned worldwide for its pulsating energy. From stunning rooftop bars and starlight river cruises to bustling night markets and live music - there is something for everyone and every occasion. What would be your perfect evening? 🎥 @thailandista and @bangkok.travelers

Thai New Year, or Songkran, takes place on the 13th of April and the celebration lasts three days. It’s a fun time, with lots of playful water fights taking place across the country which symbolises washing away any bad luck and ready for a clean start for the year ahead. Songkran is fun but also a celebration that is steeped in tradition. Families pay respect to their elders, and ancestors and sacred Buddha images are cleaned. These are just some of the many different traditions of Songkran. Wherever and however you celebrate Sawatdee pii mai! 🎥 : @doiteerapat 📍: Chiang Mai

Located on the picturesque shores of Phuket, YONA Beach Club is the first floating beach club in the world. It’s a stylish place to relax, sunbathe, sip cocktails, take a dip in the infinity pool, chill in a private cabana or dance to the beats. 🎥 @thailand_adel

Find cheap flights to Thailand from £254

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a kayak user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from the united kingdom to thailand departing on 19/5. fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. click the price to replicate the search for this deal., search hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to thailand.

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Best Thailand Flight Deals

Cheapest return prices found by our users on KAYAK in the last 72 hours

Good to know - Cheap tickets to Thailand

Faqs - booking thailand flights, which airline is the most sustainable on this route.

Generally speaking, choose KLM if you want to reduce your carbon footprint from most UK airports. For example, you can save up to 59% in carbon emissions if you fly from Edinburgh with the airline. Its flights from London emit up as much as 65% less CO2 than standard flights. Similar savings apply to its flights from other UK cities.

Which airlines offer a really good service on flights to Thailand?

Emirates is always a safe bet if you're looking for the extra touches that make the flight to Thailand more comfortable. It's world-renowned for top-class cabin service too. Thai Airways is another great option, given the indigenous flavour to the whole flight experience, it offers on all flights to its home country. Lufthansa makes for a good choice too.

Which London airports do flights to Thailand depart from?

You can fly to Thailand from Heathrow Airport if you're to the west of Central London, or from Gatwick Airport (LGW) if you're coming from South London or southern England. If you're travelling to London from its northern outskirts or beyond, choose Stansted Airport (LST). London Airport (LCY) also offers flights, which is the closest to the city centre.

Which airlines operate direct flights to Thailand?

British Airways, Thai Airways and EVA Air all operate direct flights between London Heathrow (LHR) and Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok. From here you can catch connecting flights to other international and regional airports in Thailand.

Do I need a visa to visit Thailand?

British passport holders are allowed to enter Thailand by air without a visa as long as they are only staying for up to a 30-day period and will be issued with the visa exemption at the airport. It is possible to renew this visa exemption for a further 30 days once you have arrived.

I want to visit the province of Satun. Which airport is closest?

Hat Yai International Airport (HDY) is the best airport to book flights into if you want to explore the southern province of Satun. While there are no direct flights from UK to Hat Yai, you can book an onward flight from one of the main airports in Bangkok or Phuket.

I want to visit Khao Yai National Park, which city should I fly to?

The best airports to fly into if you are going to spend some time in the Khao Yai National Park are in Bangkok – Don Mueang International Airport and Suvarnabhumi International Airport – both of which are within two hours of the park by road.

How long is the flight to Thailand?

An average direct flight from the United Kingdom to Thailand takes 17h 44m, covering a distance of 5996 miles. The most popular route is London - Bangkok with an average flight time of 11h 25m.

What is the cheapest flight to Thailand?

The cheapest ticket to Thailand from the United Kingdom found in the last 72 hours was £447 one-way, and £446 round-trip. The most popular route is London Heathrow to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi and the cheapest round-trip airline ticket found on this route in the last 72 hours was £455.

Which airlines fly to Thailand?

Thai Airways, Air Canada & EVA Air fly the most frequently from the United Kingdom to Thailand. The most popular route is from London to Bangkok, and Thai Airways, Air Canada and EVA Air fly this route the most.

What are the most popular destinations in Thailand?

Based on KAYAK flight searches, the most popular destination is Bangkok (92% of total searches to Thailand). The next most popular destinations are Phuket City (5%) and Koh Samui (1%). Searches for flights to Chiang Mai (0.8%), to Krabi (0.7%) and to Rayong (0.2%) are also popular.

How does KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy?

KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a given destination and date is likely to change within 7 days, so travellers know whether to wait or book now.

Top tips for finding cheap flights to Thailand

• Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest Thailand flight deals.
• If you're looking to find cheap flights to Thailand from the UK, consider booking an indirect flight. Qatar Airways offers one that stops over at Manama Bahrain Airport (BAH) from London Heathrow (LHR), and you can fly from Edinburgh (EDI) via Amsterdam (AMS) on KLM, for instance.
• You can find cheap flights to Thailand from many UK cities, including London (LON), Manchester (MAN), Edinburgh, Glasgow (GLA), and Birmingham. So no matter where you are in the country, you'll find an airport close by to get to Thailand.
• The public transport can be erratic or non-existent in some areas of Thailand, so consider adding a hire car when booking your ticket. You can sometimes get package discounts, which is another way to find cheap flights to Thailand.
• Thailand has two international airports in Bangkok – Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) and Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) – and as these are located in the centre of the country, they provide a good starting point to explore north and south. If you wish to go to the north of the country, consider booking a flight to Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX), while if you would like to visit the south, then Phuket International Airport (HKT) is a good option.
• Visitors who would like to do some island hopping while in Thailand should consider booking a flight into Krabi Airport (KBV). Krabi is an ideal place to base yourself in order to visit the many islands in the area and is well-connected with flights to and from Bangkok airports.
• If you are looking at flights to Thailand in order to visit some of the attractions in the north-east of the country on the border with Laos, why not think about booking a connecting flight from Bangkok to Udon Thani International Airport (UTH), which serves as a hub for this region. Udon Thani International Airport only operates domestic flights, so you will need to fly in from one of the main airports in Bangkok or Chiang Mai.
• The U-Tapao Rayong Pattaya International Airport (UTP) in the Rayong province is a good airport to consider flying into if you want to spend your holiday on the island of Kho Samet. You will need to book a connecting flight from Bangkok or Phuket to Rayong or in the high season, Tui Airways operates direct flights from Birmingham Airport (BHX), London Gatwick (LGW) and Manchester Airport (MAN) to U-Tapao Rayong Pattaya International Airport.
• The best way to buy foreign currency for your trip to Thailand is to take some GBP or USD cash with you and change it at a bureau du change. These money exchange counters will yield better rates than the ATMs and can be found in the airports.

Top 5 airlines flying to Thailand

On time. Great service. Good food. Good movies. All good!

Fast and efficient boarding. Flight was on time. Service was very good for our long flight. First time flying with this airline and I would highly recommend.

Pleasant, comfortable, and entertaining. All told, ZERO issues with it. And sadly, so far the flight was WAY more comfortable than the hellhole that is "Lambug Beach Resort" at Badian Beach!

No ice for the drinks. Only gave a half a cup of your beverage. Not enough water. I got very dehydrated.

Fast boarding process. Flight was expected for a long haul economy flight

Boarding is fast and easy for economy class, food was ok baggage policies are good

The flight went well. Everything good. Boarding. Meal service. Snack (crackers) & Drinks. Entertainment was good as I watch 4 movies. The need to have milk for hot black tea though as coffee creamer just never makes tea taste nice.

Polite hard working crew. No complaints really. Meals were not to my liking.

Very uncomfortable and crowded seats in economy. Flight attendant refused request to move to nearby unused seat with more legroom because “It was more money for that seat”. It was also near impossible to reach airline directly by phone. Waits upwards of an hour and not very helpful customer service representatives after long wait. Cannot recommend this airline.

Everything was fantastic! It was a short flight but the crew really went above and beyond to make it a great flight. I felt cared for with EVA.

Flights were both delayed. No luggage on arrival for the whole plane and no contact since submitting a PIR.

Flight from Dubai to Zagreb very bad cabin crew. Bad food

Absolutely terrible delays for 3 hours changed seats after we paid an upgrade on both legs. It appears it’s up to us to request a refund after they down graded our seat. Never again !!

They had superb boarding (started an hour before flight time). Timely pushback from them gate and an early arrival. Flight and service was very comfortable. I wanted to move my flight to an earlier one, only thing was there was no one at emirates in Heathrow to help. Had to call the call the center and pay to change. There were ample seats on the flight though

The lounge Emirates uses at Jeddah airport is horrible even with the opening of the new section. Food selection is poor and never enough seating . Staff are not friendly. Boarding process at Jeddah always an absolute mess

Probably the best flight I’ve ever been on. Emirates first class is leagues beyond British airways and Lufthansa’s.

Great flight. Comfortable seats, courteous service, and excellent selection for entertainment.

Lovely experience. I feel like travelling in Emirates.. The flights are always superb.Vegan food served was really good..

The amenities offered in the Business class is far away less compared with other Air Companies. Emirates is going down in the competition pricing the same value as Qatar airways for example.

Overall experience was bad , one does not expect after travelling for 14 hrs in Boing 777-300 ER to be pushed in to a craft with a extermly poor seating pitch, no room for hand baggage in the luggege bins and extermly poor service quality. This patch made my overall expereince mediocre and would definetly look for better choices when flying in or out of Delhi in future.

Extra seat belt across the chest 10 minutes before taking off and 15 minutes before landing seemed excessively safe.

The transfer from Domestic and International was a bit confusing but I am easily confused. I did not eat any food, but the food on the other leg was decent. It was nice they turned the lights off on the night flight. The plane was in good shape, but was a little cramped in economy and I am small. They gave me a customs form to fill out and nobody looked at it as I went through customs. Not a bad flight.

We are satisfied with the cabin crew serviceand the quality of meals served.

Lunch Food was tasteful and had variety. Seat was comfortable. However, when I was reserving my seats during booking, the seat configuration showed was 3-3-3, but when I boarded it was a 2-4-2 configuration? Also during booking, I had also bought travel insurance together with my TG booking. However there was no confirmation of my purchase from Allianz and TG. After several emails with TG contact, sales, reservation and Allianz was i able to confirm my insurance purchase. When the policy was issued, the birth dates of me and my wife were wrongly stated and I had to go through another round of emails with Allianz to get it corrected. Otherwise any claims would be void! It was indeed not a very good booking experience!

Check in was a disaster. 90 minutes and only 2 economy check in desks open. Had to rush to catch the flight.

I couldnt go on this flight and lost all my money over 1,000 UK Pounds as my visa to Myanmar was not accepted :(

Thai Airways is one of the best airlines in the business. Looking forward to fly again with them.

After going back and forth with the airline, they never reimbursed the airline tickets. Went around asking multiple people how to get reimbursed and kept getting put back, not satisfied with their customer service.

No working jet bridge to deplane, with priority customers deplaning last. Followed by bus to terminal.

Efficient like all the other flights with them. An outstanding budget airline!

I staff or crew they were very friendly and humbly, they done theirs service very well, I appreciate them and thank you to the company or Qatar 🇶🇦 Government for providing as good service in their flight ,once again, thank you 😊 🙏 😀 😉 👍

The crew was fantastic and the over flight was perfect as well.

The crew was great and the food and liquor offerings were good. Seats were a bit cramped. Flight arrived early at destination. That's a plus.

The crew was courteous and efficient. There was no entertainment or liquor service on this short international flight.

From home to the airport, you must mention the terminal ready.

Crews are very rude and unhelpful. Cramped seats in economy. Foods are useless

Polite and helpful crew. My son developed fever. Crew members came and gave him medication and also came and enquired about his health several times.

They ran out of some of the popular food items. 😞

Lovely aircraft and I flight entertainment. Good leg room. Full flight crew struggled a bit

In spite of placing requests for vegetarian food, I didn’t get it because they ran out of stock. According to crew, only fixed number of vegetarian orders will be carried. Typically, they should have checked and served those who had specifically requested. I was one of those to get the food last.

1st of all on February 27th Abu Dhabi to Delhi flight the seat wasn't comfortable at all, coming back the Lounge at Abu Dhabi didn't have anything. Than the Food in the flight

Good range of movies but lacking decent tv shows. Wifi was really expensive on this flight, considering flights under 7 hours have a $9.99 USD charge for streaming, to jump up to $24.99 for a 7 hour 40 flight seemed a little bit of a rip off. Staff are inattentive, and really need to improve on the customer experience. The new airport is fantastic, as is the new lounge, a huge upgrade from the old airport and lounge!

The staff was very nice and polite but it was very very hot and no ways to have some fresh air. It would be nice to have more time to sleep since it was a night flight

1.Aircraft Comfort: The aircraft type was quite small with non-reclining, cramped seats that significantly lacked comfort. 2.In-flight Entertainment: There was no provision of in-flight entertainment screens or Wi-Fi for the majority of the flight. 3.Boarding Process at New Abu Dhabi Airport: Despite the move to a new airport, which promised enhanced experiences, the use of buses instead of jet bridges did not meet expectations, causing inconvenience. 4.Gate Change Communication: A last-minute gate change was poorly communicated, resulting in a long and difficult walk.

Ripped off and broken seats in Business class. Seats stink and need to request the staff for additional bedsheets. Crew if very friendly though

Crew member took too long time to take back leftover food plates from passenger seats. Food was nice.Easy excellent checking.Guy at checking counter was really kind and helpful.Made our checking very quickly. Leftover food should be taken back ASAP. Because in economy class passanger have narrow space . In the long journey like this, passanger have difficulties to sit with the plates.overall experience was good.

Crew was good, boarding mediocre, food choices were limited, seating was not comfortable

Food and beverage service have rooms for improvement .there were no entertainment facilities available

Very very bad service very tight seats never ever flying with Etihad again

Check in was quick and gentleman was very nice and friendly, during flight crew members were polite and attentive, food wasn’t as it should’ve been. Entertainment section needed to be updated i.e add new movies

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Hello everyone,

14 replies to this topic

"Google tells me I need 2-3 weeks to explore all Poland,"

Just goes to show how little Google knows.

'Google tells me I need 2-3 weeks to explore all Poland' You may want to decide how much time you want to travel in Poland rather than rely on a data mining company incidentally acting as a search engine.

'Skyscanner does not give me the choice to find the cheapest place of Europe to fly from' Skyscanner offers results from rather unreliable third party booking sites (kiwi.com, Opodo, eDreams etc) at the top of their search results because those third party sites pay Skyscanner to show their results first.

Choose the airline you'd like to fly with and book directly with them rather than through any third party site. Better yet, try Trailfinders, who still have brick and mortar High Street branches, and ask them to find an inexpensive flight to BKK from a European departure city. Departing from Bucharest may offer some cheaper options, but you'll need to make your way from Poland to that city as well.

This is one for the Air Travel Forum - https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowForum-g1-i10702-Air_Travel.html

"You may want to decide how much time you want to travel in Poland rather than rely on a data mining company incidentally acting as a search engine."

Indeed. I am old enough to remember when Google was a useful search engine.

How times change.

We moved your post from the United Kingdom forum, to the Air Travel forum, since it is more appropriate for your topic.

Thanks for being part of our community!

Tripadvisor Community Team

And do know you are flying into Thailand during our rainy season.

You need to play a bit around.

There are basically two options. Either with Lufthansa Group / Star Alliance or with KLM / Sky Team.

Flying to a hub will in average result in lower prices than flying directly from a hub.

I would check the following airports: Warsaw and Krakow in Poland, Budapest, Munich, Brussels, Zurich. Vienna, Prague and Berlin.

However, I would focus on Poland. You also will have travel costs reaching another airport from Poland. And should you take a bus or a flight on a separate ticket, you need to calculate in a lot of time, between your planned arrival and planned departure.

Personally, I would buy a ticket directly from an airline to avoid issues. But I know, the word cheap can be very powerful and may tempt you to buy from a third party. It is just, the costs can finally only calculated at the end of the trip.

I think you need to work out first what you want to do on your holiday and then worry about how to get from one country to the next. Tailor your plans as needed.

“Best” means cheapest?

Yes, best in this context means cheapest.

Thank you all so much for your comments, they helped me.

I booked the ticket and ow it's visa time.

Thank you again!

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Thailand Pass for UK Citizens

IMPORTANT: For Thailand Travel Restrictions in 2023, please click the link below:

Thailand Travel Restrictions 2023

Thailand Travel Restrictions for 2023  

========================

A lot has changed in the United Kingdom over the last few years. Brexit, leaving the EU, Covid, lockdowns, freedom, harsher lockdowns, and removal of all Covid restrictions. One thing that hasn’t changed is the British weather.

Britain was on the forefoot of reducing and removing Covid-related restrictions, especially when it came to international travel. It felt like they were waiting for the rest of the world to catch up.

Well, it did. As other countries opened their borders and eased travel restrictions, Brits found they could get away again. Foreign shores were calling.

Thailand has recently announced new changes to their Thailand Pass system which take effect on June 1.

Thailand has always been a popular choice of holiday for UK citizens. It is outside what many Brits can find, exotic food and culture, lush jungles, and long, sandy beaches, even the rain has a holiday feel to it, warm and fast. It doesn’t set in for days and leaves you feeling as grey as the clouds.

Thailand realized it needed to welcome back its visitors while keeping both its citizens and other travelers safe. Their answer was to introduce a simple, online system called Thailand Pass.

Required Documents for Travel to Thailand

Please have the following documents ready.

• Passport with at least six month validity
• Visa or visa exemption qualification
• Buy Thailand Travel Insurance
• Boarding pass to be presented at Passport Control
• Hotel booking confirmation if asked by Immigration Officer
• Note: Vaccination record no longer required

Incorrect documents will delay the entry screening by rules from the Thai immigration bureau and its Thai immigration officials.

Buy Your Insurance Now

What is Thailand Pass?

Thailand Pass is a free online registration system where people who travel to Thailand can provide some basic health information and be approved to visit the country. It confirms the vaccination status of travelers arriving in Thailand and ensures they have the necessary protection in case they are diagnosed with COVID while here.

You will be pleased to know there were big changes to the Thai Pass system from June 1st, 2022.

• Thai Pass approvals are now instant on submission.
• All mandatory quarantine periods have been removed.
• Unvaccinated travelers now have the option of completing an RT-PCR test or the faster Professional Antigen Test (Pro-ATK).

Let’s break down how Thailand Pass works so British travelers can get here as quickly as possible.

Getting to Thailand

There are two ways a British citizen can register their entry to Thailand in Thailand Pass; by Air or by Land.

Air is for those who will be arriving on a flight through an international airport.

Land is for visitors who are currently in a country that borders Thailand and seek to enter the country through a land border.

Vaccination Status

Thailand welcomes all travelers no matter their state of vaccination. They have eased their travel restrictions and tried to make it easy for people to visit while keeping them safe.

Your vaccination status will determine what you need to provide when applying for a Thailand Pass.

British travelers will fall into one of two categories when they look at applying for their Thailand Pass.

• Unvaccinated

The paperwork and process are a little different for each category, so have a close read to work out which works best for you.

Thailand Pass Requirements

Vaccinated:

Brits who are fully vaccinated no longer need to complete any sort of mandatory quarantine when they arrive.

They will apply for a Thailand Pass and upload the required documents for approval. Once they arrive, vaccinated UK citizens are free to travel and stay anywhere in Thailand.

The documents a vaccinated Brit needs when applying for a Thailand Pass are:

• Passport details
• A flight itinerary
• Medical insurance with COVID cover
• Vaccination certificate

Unvaccinated: British visitors who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated have the option of entering the country without a mandatory 5-Day Alternate Quarantine.

Travelers who choose this option will need to complete an RT-PCR or Pro-ATK test within 72 hours before departure from their home country and before they apply for a Thailand Pass. The result needs to be uploaded to the application for approval.

British visitors who choose this method will be free to travel anywhere in Thailand on arrival.

The documents needed for this method of entry are:

• A pre-departure RT-PCR/Pro-ATK test result no older than 72 hours before traveling

COVID Insurance Requirements for Thailand Pass

Because foreign travelers are not eligible for free medical care in Thailand, the Thai government has included health insurance with Covid coverage as part of their entry requirements.

They understand no matter how hard we try to curb the spread of COVID, things can still go wrong and people can still test positive. 

If a visitor tests positive for covid, they will need to quarantine or isolate until fully recovered. The standard of insurance cover ensures a foreign traveler is protected and can cover any medical costs or treatments that accrue during their recovery. 

To have your insurance approved in Thailand Pass, it must meet the following requirements:

• A minimum cover of $10,000 USD for medical expenses and treatment.
• It must specifically state that it covers COVID-related incidents.
• It must remain valid for the entire length of your stay in Thailand.

If your policy meets these requirements, it will be approved. However, if you would like a policy that is flexible and designed specifically to meet the standards set by Thai authorities, check out the AXA Sawasdee Thailand policy. As a trusted insurer in Thailand, this policy is guaranteed to be approved.

Get your Thailand Pass Insurance here: https://u.axa.co.th/Sawasdee_Siamlegal

Applying for your Thailand Pass

Now that you know what you need to apply for a Thailand Pass, let’s look at how you apply.

The first few steps are the same for each category of visitor.

• Go to Thailand Pass web portal: https://tp.consular.go.th/
• Choose whether you will enter Thailand by Air or Land.

Now your vaccination and choice of entry scheme come into effect.

Vaccinated travelers:

• Input personal details. This will include your country of departure, arriving flight number, and address of where you will stay on your first night.
• Upload your passport, flight itinerary, insurance policy, and vaccination certificate.
• Submit and receive a confirmation email after registration
• Check your email for the instant Thailand Pass approval.

Once approved, you will receive an email with your QR Entry Code and Thai Pass ID.

Unvaccinated travellers with RT-PCR or Pro-ATK test:

• Upload your passport, flight itinerary, insurance policy, and RT-PCR test result.

Thailand Pass: https://www.thaiembassy.com/travel-to-thailand/thailand-pass Thailand Pass Support: https://www.siam-legal.com/thailand-pass

Checking your Thailand Pass Status

“How do I know if my Thailand Pass has been approved?”

We get asked this a lot, so it’s worth covering. 

When you hit submit on your application, you will receive an email confirmation. You should then receive your approval and Thai Pass QR code in a second email.

If you do not receive your QR code within an hour, you can check the status of your application at: https://tp.consular.go.th/en/check-status

You will need your:

• Access code
• Passport Number
• Email address

Thailand Pass for Children

Opening your kid’s eyes to another culture is marvelous. Many children have been hit hard by the isolation of Covid. For some, it is all they know. Kids can be a handful when out of the house, so Thailand Pass tries to make their entry as simple as possible. This is how Thailand Pass works for kids.

• Children under the age of 18 can be added to a parent’s application. They do not need a separate application. Once the Thailand Pass is approved, the parent and the child will receive their own QR code.
• Children under 18 will need to be covered by insurance. They can have their own policy or be included in a family policy. If you are getting a family policy, make sure all names are clearly stated.
• Children enter the country under the same scheme as their parents. If you are vaccinated and don’t need a test, your child does not need one. If you are doing an RT-PCR test, your child will complete a test as well.

That’s it! Visiting Thailand with your children is simple if done right.

Now you know what you need to complete your Thailand Pass application and how you get it approved.

The world is ready to welcome visitors on foreign shores as airlines take to the sky again. It is time to leave those feelings of isolation behind and rediscover what it means to leave Queen and country in beautiful Thailand.

Do UK Citizens Need a Visa for Thailand?

Thailand Pass is not a visa or permit to stay in Thailand. It is only a permit to enter Thailand during the COVID pandemic. 

British citizens may enter Thailand without a visa. Brits can enter under the Visa Exemption program . Under the Visa Exemption program, UK citizens may stay up to 30 days in Thailand. This 30-day permit can be extended for another 30 days at any local immigration in Thailand. 

For British travelers who are planning to stay in Thailand longer than 60 days or visiting Thailand for a different purpose other than tourism, they are required to apply for a proper Thai visa. They may apply for one of the following visas:

• Tourist Visa (TR visa) for tourists who can stay up to 60 days with 30 days extension.
• Non-Immigrant B Visa for business or employment purposes
• Non-Immigrant O visa for British citizens married to a Thai or a parent of a Thai national
• Non-Immigrant O visa for retirees
• Non-Immigrant OA visa for retirees
• Non-Immigrant ED visa for students

To apply for a Thai visa, UK citizens may visit: https://www.thaievisa.go.th/

The application for the Thai Visa is only through the website. Walk-in and mailed applications are no longer permitted. 

Thai Embassy and Thai Consulates in the UK

To learn more about the different visa options or for more information on visa application, UK passport holders who are currently in the United Kingdom may contact the Thai Embassy or Consulate.

Thai Embassy London Royal Thai Embassy 29-30 Queen’s Gate, South Kensington, London, SW7 5JB United Kingdom Telephone (visa): 0207 589 2944 Email: [email protected] http://www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk

UK Citizens Who Need to Book Hotel for Thailand

Our recommendation for booking hotels in Thailand is using Agoda.com

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The exciting country where it’s easy to mix affordability and the exotic

Thailand does high/low holidays better than anywhere else, says our writer who followed a week in a family bungalow with a luxury romantic break (guess which she preferred…).

T he “tower of lager” arrives with a thud on our wooden table at the Why Not beach bar in Kantiang Bay, Koh Lanta. It is a tall, plastic canister, beaded with condensation, fitted with a tap and filled with seven pints of the local Leo lager.

Because there are 11 of us in our family group; seven adults and four teenagers, the tower of lager takes roughly five minutes to be drained dry.

“Dad, can we go again?” someone pipes up. “Or how about a jug of happy hour margarita?”

It was during lockdown that my brothers and I started talking about a family reunion. I live in London with my two daughters, who are 23 and 21, and my brothers live in our home town of Melbourne with their wives and two children each, aged 15, 16, and a brace of 17-year-olds.

I have been back to Melbourne since lockdown to see my family, but the cousins hadn’t seen each other, apart from patchy Zoom chats, since 2017. They missed each other terribly. The question was, where should we reunite? As our parents had died a few years ago, the reunion didn’t have to involve the ankle-swelling hell of a 22-hour economy-class flight to Australia. We could now meet anywhere.

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Thailand seemed like a no-brainer. It is vaguely equidistant, with glorious weather and beaches, and some of the best cuisine in the world.

Importantly, with such a mixed-age group, it isn’t short of activities, with key pursuits such as Muay Thai boxing classes, paddleboarding and mooching around temples providing enough diversion to keep each generation happily engaged and off each other’s backs.

So we scouted for an island that was more fun than flashy, then looked for a buzzy, affordable beach hotel with our own bungalows for essential time-out space. After a lot of research, we chose the island of Koh Lanta, a short speedboat ride away from Phuket, to spend ten days swimming, snorkelling, bouncing down unmade roads in the back of a converted truck (or “troop carrier” as my brother called it), eating noodles at street-food stalls and downing bowls of red duck curry at fairylit beach bars at night.

We went kayaking, visited temples and markets in the island’s old town and walked with rescue elephants in an ethical sanctuary called Following Giants ― my ecologist daughter did her research and this was the most ethical one, where you observe rather than touch them (followinggiants.net). We all had a brilliant time, and what made it all the more enjoyable was that this chaotic, multigenerational fun-fest didn’t require a second mortgage to fund it. The bill at the Lanta Miami Resort for a family-sized bungalow sleeping three for ten nights (breakfast included) came to £1,100 ― and that was peak-season pricing.

Job done. Now for the next chapter. Once my 21 and 23-year-old daughters were (grudgingly) dispatched back to London, my partner flew out for an entirely different kind of holiday ― the “high” part of my high-low trip.

“Affordable luxury” has become a new buzz phrase in travel, gaining more popularity over the past year, according to a recent report from the World Travel Market. We don’t want to forgo exotic travel, but we are more careful about how we manage our tightened budgets. For many of us, this means planning hybrid holidays ― a week or so of affordability with a gloriously self-indulgent splurge at the end.

The upside is that, after filling your boots with culture and real-world fun for ten days, you will enjoy the downy pillows and infinity pool of your five-star stay even more. And few destinations do high-low better than Thailand. It might still be the go-to destination for gap-year students, but it also has the best constellation of five-star resort hotels in southeast Asia. It’s why much of the third series of the hit TV show The White Lotus is being filmed in the dizzying jungle glamour of the Four Seasons Hotel on Koh Samui and at the Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas.

• My stay at the next White Lotus hotel — on a beautiful Thai island

For our few days of blow-out luxury, we chose to stay at Samujana on Koh Samui, a collection of private, modern beach houses on a hill above the Gulf of Thailand.

Our slick, minimalist white beach house, with a breezy open kitchen and sitting area overlooking the sea, couldn’t have been further from the wooden bungalows and foam mattresses of our first stay. Away went the flip-flops and baggy shorts and out came the Celine sunglasses, white linen and hair straighteners. The switch in mood was instantaneous.

The villa, which is one of a collection of 26 hidden among the flowering frangipani and palm trees of the Samujana Estate, is what one per cent tastes like. The villas come with private pools and terraces, marshmallowy beds, cinema rooms, gyms, open-air kitchens and mesmerisingly cinematic views of the ocean.

We sank back into the outdoor sofas, closed our eyes and drank in the kind of hush only money can buy. After 12 days spent looking after the troops, the ultimate luxury of all was to be looked after by somebody else ― and that person was our private villa manager, Na. Greeting us at the door with a welcome drink and a big smile, Na fed and watered us, ordered us taxis, booked us massages, cleaned and ironed our clothes and mothered us to the point of tearful gratitude.

“What time shall chef prepare your banquet tonight?” she asked, as we picked at the slivers of mango, papaya, dragon fruit and pineapple she had prepared for breakfast on our first morning.

The estate has nothing as common as a restaurant buffet. Instead, a private chef will prepare you anything from a Thai banquet to a wagyu burger on your terrace, with the breeze lifting gently off the sea and the twinkle of fishing boats on the horizon.

There is a small, rocky beach at the foot of the estate, which is, disappointingly, too dangerous for sea swimming (a buggy will take you down the hill to it) so, like every other cosseted Samujana guest, we gave the nearby public beach Choeng Mon a miss and stuck to our private pool. Which I guess is the whole point ― privacy, silence and discretion are what you pay for.

You could quite easily spend an entire week here and never leave the villa, which is tempting but would be a real shame when Koh Samui has so much to offer. Take the furious buzz of the Fisherman’s Village Market on Bophut Beach to the scene-y jungle spas and bars, and the exceptional restaurants. Try the treetop haven of the Koh Thai Kitchen at the Four Seasons Hotel, for raw tuna with herbs or wagyu beef cardamom curry (mains from £13), or the simple seafood served at Baan Suan Lung Khai on a coconut plantation in the owner’s house (five-course set menu £11), both of which helped to get Koh Samui into the Michelin guide for the first time last year.

We did manage to get our act together and head out to Bophut Beach one night to drink cocktails on the sand and watch fire shows at Coco Tam’s beach bar, and to trawl the market stalls for jewellery and unconvincing designer knock-offs, before eating seafood pulled that day from the bay. But the real joy was returning to our private lair for a midnight swim.

Our blast of insane luxury at the end of our good-value trip ― let’s call it the “luxet holiday”, half luxury, half budget ― meant our few extra days of indulgence tasted even sweeter.

This article contains affiliate links, which can earn us revenue

Fiona McIntosh was a guest of Samujana, which has B&B doubles from £600 per night, including dedicated villa manager, airport transfers and beach shuttles (samujana.com). She paid for her flights and Lanta Miami Resort, which has seven nights’ B&B for three from £1,000 (booking.com). Fly to Bangkok, Phuket or Koh Samui

Three more high-low holiday options

By Hannah Summers

If you’re apprehensive about backpacking Malaysia is a great country in which to try it out. You can swerve the hostels and find simple yet clean and comfortable accommodation in all the main destinations. Start with street food in the capital, Kuala Lumpur, then head for the markets in Malacca and the rolling green tea fields of the Cameron Highlands. Save your cash on modest stays before wrapping things up with a stint at Pangkor Laut Resort, a private island with dense jungle and beaches where Pavarotti used to holiday. Details B&B doubles from £175 (pangkorlautresort.com). Fly to Kuala Lumpur

You’ll need to do two acclimatisation hikes in Bhutan ― one to the Taktsang monastery, another to Kila Gompa nunnery ― before setting off on the more challenging six-day Yaksa trek. You’ll be walking up to 12 miles a day towards the base camp at Mount Jomolhari, a climb of more than 4,000m that takes in river valleys, pine and rhododendron forests, snow-capped peaks and traditional Bhutanese yaks and yak herders. You’ll be camping as you go (porters will help to carry your kit), but the end stay is something else: two nights in Como Uma Paru, one of the kingdom’s only boutique hotels, perched on a forest-draped Himalayan mountainside. Relax, there’s a spa doing a posh version of the traditional Bhutanese hot-stone bath ― historically villagers have created a pool by a river with rocks, then heated a stone in a fire to drop in and warm the water; here you get the luxury version. Details 11 nights’ B&B from £3,715pp, including guided hikes and camping equipment, entrance fees, hotels and domestic flights (bluepoppybhutan.com). Fly to Kathmandu or Delhi

Vietnam and Cambodia

Experience a serene and simple life during a Vietnamese homestay in the small hamlet on the banks of the Ham Luong River in the Mekong Delta, followed by a second rural homestay at Banteay Chhmar in neighbouring Cambodia. Visitors’ rooms are dotted among the traditional Khmer houses in the village ― it’s basic (with shared bathrooms, mosquito nets being the only luxury), but you’re there for the warm hospitality and the opportunity for hosts to provide additional income for their families. From there you’ll be journeying on to other parts of Cambodia, including the ultra-luxe private island of Song Saa in the Koh Rong archipelago. Details 13 nights’ B&B from £4,395pp, including transfers and activities (InsideAsiaTours.com). Fly to Ho Chi Minh City

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• Beach holidays

British Airways flash sale has discounted holiday packages to Europe, Thailand & the US

• Giuli Graziano , Travel Writer
• Published : 13:38, 29 Apr 2024
• Updated : 13:38, 29 Apr 2024

BRITISH Airways has launched a new sale on holiday packages in 2024 and 2025.

The discounts include up to £300 off, and they can be used on all holidays from European beach breaks to long-haul holidays in the US, Caribbean and Middle East.

How much you save will vary according to how much you're spending, with the discounts going from £25 to £300 off .

These are the discounts available in the flash sale:

• £25 off when you spend a minimum of £625 on flight + car packages
• £50 off when you spend a minimum of £1,250 on flight + hotel or flight + car packages
• £100 off when you spend a minimum of £2,500 on flight + hotel or flight + car packages
• £200 off when you spend a minimum of £5,000+ on flight + hotel packages
• £300 off when you spend a minimum of £10,000 on flight + hotel packages

There is no need for a code either, as the discounts will apply automatically.

read more travel deals

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The sale is available on holidays departing by April 17, 2025, but you can only book until May 14.

All BA's holiday packages include accommodation and roundtrip flights with a 23kg baggage allowance.

• Check out the British Airways flash sale here

We've found the best discounts to be on all-inclusive packages, with many European holidays costing less than £500pp.

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The biggest bargain we've spotted is in Kos, Greece, where week-long stays are all-inclusive and cost from £469pp .

The deal includes your stay at Mitsis Family Village , where all your meals, snacks and drinks will be included.

Also costing from £469pp , you could book seven nights all-inclusive in Croatia , staying at Iberostar Herceg Novi .

The beachfront hotel is situated on a private beach and boasts a panoramic rooftop bar and an outdoor pool with views of the sea.

Here are some more short-haul beach holiday deals we've spotted under £500:

• 7 nights all-inclusive at Belmare in Rhodes, Greece - from £469pp
• 7 nights all-inclusive at AluaSun Cala Antena in Majorca, Spain - from £469pp
• 7 nights all-inclusive at Perdikia Hill Family Resort in Olu Deniz, Turkey - from £469pp

The flag carrier has also announced new flights and holiday packages to Thailand beginning this October.

The new flights to Bangkok will begin on October 28, 2024, and will continue to fly every Monday, Thursday, and Sunday.

To celebrate the new route, there are plenty of discounted breaks to Thailand up for grabs. Here are just a few of the best ones we've found:

• 5 nights room-only at ibis Pattaya in Bangkok, Thailand - from £691pp
• 7 nights room-only at Karon Puhanaka Resort in Phuket, Thailand - from £896pp
• 7 nights b&b at Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort in Samui Island, Thailand - from £1,206pp

For even more discounted deals to tropical paradises, there are a few holidays to the Caribbean costing less than £800pp.

These are just some of the ones we've found:

• 7 nights room-only at Timothy Beach Resort in St Kitts - from £629pp
• 7 nights b&b at Shepherds Inn in Tobago - from £629pp
• 7 nights room-only at Kalinago Beach Resort in Grenada - from £739pp
• 7 nights b&b at Mount Irvine Bay Resort, Tobago - from £740pp
• 7 nights b&b at Hotel La Semilla in Cancun, Mexico - from £753pp

If you'd rather head off for a city break and don't mind travelling further, we've also spotted some good deals to the US:

• 7 nights b&b at Ramada Plaza Resort in Orlando, Florida - from £529pp
• 3 nights room-only at Millennium Downtown New York - from £529pp
• 3 nights room-only at OYO Times Square in New York - from £529pp
• 7 nights room-only at Holiday Inn Resort in Orlando, Florida - from £605pp
• 7 nights room-only at Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas - from £669pp

Depending on your departure date, you can also book with  deposits from £60pp .

The prices on the  British Airways  website are "updated every 24 to 48 hours", so they might differ slightly on different days.

The  airline  has also announced that it will invest in new short-haul seats, a new website, a mobile app, and free onboard messaging.

Plus, starting this year, British Airways will be the only short-haul airline having a business class in London Stansted. There will be business class (Club Europe) and economy class (Euro Traveller) cabins on every aircraft.

In the business class cabin, passengers will be served a complete lunch and drinks. Business class ticket prices cover priority boarding and additional baggage allowance.

If you're after more bargain deals, TUI revealed next month’s best holidays under £300pp – with discounted stays in Spain, Turkey and Greece.

Plus, we've revealed a  little-known beach resort with more than 300 sunny days has £26 flights and £2 pints .

READ MORE SUN STORIES

Three holiday spots that could result in £55 fines before you even get to flight

I work more & earn the most so why should I do housework? Women who do are mugs

For something closer to home, Pontins launched adult-only breaks with Strictly Come Dancing performances and themed activities .

Prices correct at the time of publication.

• Beach Holiday Deals
• British Airways
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• Family Holiday Deals
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• Where to Eat 2024

How (and Why) to Forage for Ant Eggs in a Northeastern Thai Forest

Though Isan cuisine has proven popular around the world, chefs in the northeastern Thai region are still fighting for recognition domestically, using foraged ingredients and fine dining techniques to rewrite their culinary reputation

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Share All sharing options for: How (and Why) to Forage for Ant Eggs in a Northeastern Thai Forest

Gather eggs between march and may., prepare for thorny underbrush and an armada of hungry mosquitos., ants are creatures of habit. if a tree has yielded eggs before, it will do so again., all it takes are a series of sharp, well-directed shakes of a branch to deposit handfuls of pearl barley-like white “caviar” into a net., hurry. ants will chase you when you take their eggs. if they catch you, they bite — hard..

These rules are second nature to chef Weerawat “Num” Triyasenawat and second-generation forager Chimphan “Auntie Noi” Sripha, who regularly collect ingredients from the forests of Thailand’s northeastern Isan region. After dusting their haul with potato starch, which repels swarming ants, they calmly count their bounty and taste a couple of plump eggs, which burst in the mouth with the flavor of fresh milk.

Locals typically use ant eggs for spicy salads or soup. Sripha combines them with sweet tree leaves and queen ants (which have a mildly hallucinogenic effect) in a delicately spiced stew that’s typical for the region. A longtime proponent of foraging, just like his culinary idol, French chef Michel Bras, Num uses the eggs at Samuay & Sons , his restaurant in Udon Thani, the third largest city in Isan .

“We have been eating insects for centuries,” Num says. “Foraging is [part of our shared] wisdom, from [when we were in] survival mode.”

A full morning’s labor yields enough eggs for one dinner service — not a huge return on investment. But Num says the exercise isn’t about gathering enough eggs to fill out a menu. It’s about reframing the culinary narrative around Isan. Though the region is a huge agricultural powerhouse, it’s relatively poor and chronically underrated by city folk from Bangkok and Central Thailand, akin to the divide between coastal capitals and flyover states in the U.S.

“Most people think Isan food is humble, affordable, cheap,” he says. “I want to take what people know about Isan food and then take them somewhere else.”

Num is one of a growing number of chefs rewriting the culinary map of Thailand. Utilizing seasonal, traditional ingredients — mountain crabs, boba pearl-like mushrooms, sour forest mangoes, mole crickets — his sophisticated-yet-unpretentious dishes are upending stubborn perceptions.

As for the ant eggs, Num quickly salt-cures them, smokes them with sugarcane, and combines them with caviar from Hua Hin in Southern Thailand in an inventive take on the salad called sup nor mai. The implication is clear: If eggs from fish can be a delicacy that fetches thousands of dollars, why not eggs from Isan’s ants?

Num’s ant eggs thunder with umami, but the dish is a far cry from Isan’s reputation for fiery, tart, and salty food. While a specific, crowd-pleasing version of the region’s cuisine has become hugely popular at street food stalls in Thailand and restaurants across the U.S. — often boiled down to the “holy trinity” of grilled chicken, som tum (green papaya salad), and sticky rice — food in Udon Thani usually bears more similarities with the murky, umami-filled cuisine of Northern Thailand. Dishes often have a slightly bitter undertow, restrained acidity, absolutely no sugar, muted spice, and strong notes of pla rah, a fish sauce made by fermenting freshwater fish with salt for up to a year.

Nuance tends to get lost when people discuss Isan, which is both Thailand’s most populous region and its poorest, contributing less than 10 percent of national gross domestic product, mostly from agriculture. Centuries of cultural difference and economic inequality have created deep divides between the Northeast and the seat of power in Bangkok. Though politicians regularly woo voters in Isan in order to win seats in parliament, they rarely deliver on promises to help the region; populist administrations supported by Northeasterners never last long in the capital, either, leading to an adage: Isan votes governments into power and Bangkok kicks them out.

Without economic or political leverage, Isan is stuck in a kind of catch-22: too poor to build enough infrastructure to attract tourists, yet not enough tourism money to rise out of poverty.

The popularity of Isan cuisine initially seems like a silver bullet to solve some of the region’s woes, but the spread of food around the country and the world hasn’t historically translated into real opportunities back home. Persistent stigmas among Central Thai residents about their Northeastern neighbors continue to shape interpretations of Isan food.

“How could this region, with such culture, hard-working people, vast and diverse landscapes, and so many phenomenal Thai dishes be so overlooked?” asks Aarya Surindhara, a hotelier and restaurateur in the process of turning her childhood home in northern Isan into a hotel, Domaine du Mekong.

Surindhara finds the roots of the impasse deep in Isan’s history. The region was part of the Lao Lan Xang kingdom, the Land of a Million Elephants, from the 14th to 18th centuries, before it was conquered by France in 1893 and ceded to what was then Siam a few years later. Some of Isan’s most famous dishes are adaptations from Laos, including som tum, larb, sticky rice, and jaew (spicy sauce that accompanies grilled meat). Foods influenced by Laos are especially prominent among Isan’s farm workers because they’re easy to assemble, transportable, and eaten by hand with local leaves and herbs. Mok pla, for instance, combines freshwater fish with a heady paste of dill, chiles, makrut lime leaves, garlic, and onions, all wrapped in a banana leaf and steamed.

But in Bangkok, these Laotion influences aren’t seen as anything to be proud of. Capital residents regularly use the term “Lao” as a pejorative, meaning “country bumpkin” or someone unsophisticated and credulous. And that’s not the only aspect of Isan cuisine that Bangkokians have rejected.

After World War II, workers from the Northeast migrated en masse to the capital, where they mostly took up blue-collar jobs as taxi drivers, maids, security guards, and construction workers. Homesick for their own cuisine, some migrants started selling som tum, chargrilled meats, and larb from food stalls by the city’s Victory Monument. But locals — many of them averse to funky pla rah — quickly reinterpreted these dishes, giving birth to items like “som tum Thai,” a sour-salty-sweet-spicy melange that adds dried shrimp and peanuts (typical Central Thai flourishes) to the standard green papaya.

“Isan food in Bangkok is so different,” Num says, creating a sort of “parallel cuisine” in which almost every flavor is louder than what you get back home. “It’s spicier. And when [chefs] do use pla rah, it’s so much more pronounced.” He notes that Bangkok chefs usually use too much sugar as well, echoing a common complaint among chefs about the current state of Thai food in general. Num’s hypothesis for the reason behind Bangkok’s sweet tooth? “Sweetness equals wealth.”

In the last few decades, immigrants from Myanmar have gradually taken over a lot of those blue-collar jobs. But economic opportunities in Isan have remained limited, and many ambitious young folks still expect to migrate to the capital. This has been especially true for chefs, who have developed a playbook for culinary stardom: After rising from humble beginnings in a small town, they develop an innovative take on a local cuisine, earn a Michelin Bib Gourmand or other recognition, conquer Bangkok with a chain of restaurants, expand abroad, and maybe land a Netflix special. This narrative leaves out a critical final step: widely affecting perceptions of regional Thai cuisine.

Rejecting that narrative and eschewing Bangkok for Udon Thani has turned chef Num into a folk hero of sorts. Though he has his side projects — a Thai restaurant inspired by the 1970s and ’80s opening in Bangkok, a pop-up in Khao Yai to help reforest the surrounding mountains — he continues to cook alongside his brother, chef Voravat “Joe,’’ at Samuay & Sons, a restaurant named for his mother and inspired by his father, an insurance salesman who served as the family cook.

His ringtone, Nino Rota’s “Speak Softly, Love” (the theme to The Godfather ), hints at the role he plays in the local food world. He constantly takes calls to connect chefs with producers, advise culinary students, or weigh in on ingredient questions.

“I don’t do this for myself,” Num says in between calls. “I just want to help people get good money.”

In Khon Kaen, a neighboring city, chefs Paisarn Cheewinsiriwat and Kanyarat Thanomsang have found their own riches at Kaen , a reference to the city and to Paisarn’s parents’ timber business (“kaen” means “wood”). The dining room, which is predictably filled with wood, is also decorated by the best in local textiles, and local music plays from the speakers.

“We have a saying: ‘Gindan kue sinsap,’ or ‘poverty can yield treasure,’” Paisarn says. “The herbs that grow here have such strong flavors because they have to be strong enough to survive. There are so many good things in this land.”

While working as a chef at a luxury wellness resort, Paisarn dreamt of one day cooking with Iranian caviar, Canadian lobster, and all of the world’s most expensive ingredients. Now that he finally has his own restaurant, his perspective on luxury has shifted. “The way of being elegant has changed,” he says.

Kaen’s seasonal menu allows Khon Kaen’s ingredients to shine with simple European-inflected techniques. Local wagyu steaks are grilled and served with charred local sugar peas and mushrooms. A rustic vegetable stew seasoned with pla rah is dressed up as minestrone. Bottles of the local moonshine — once the purview of celebrating villagers — are given the digestif treatment, wheeled out on a trolley as Isan eau-de-vie.

In Ubon Ratchathani in southeastern Isan, Sirorat Thowtho, who goes by Pa Chef (Auntie Chef), also embraces local inspiration, but she doesn’t feel the need to attract outside customers. She named her restaurant Mok , a reference to the farmer’s dish mok, but also to mok’s other meaning in Thai: “hidden.”

“If anyone doesn’t intend to come looking for us, they won’t be able to find it,” she says. “It’s a hidden gem.”

Those lucky enough to find the restaurant are treated to a multicourse Isan omakase, including local fish made into sausage and served in its broth with dollops of chile paste and osetra caviar, local snails cooked in white wine a la escargot, and dancing shrimp (served grilled instead of alive, as they’re often eaten locally) with shrimp biscuits and pineapple salsa.

“In the eyes of outsiders, this land is full of drought,” Thowtho says. “But Isan is the source of the best meat, vegetables, and jasmine rice in the world.”

Chefs don’t have to serve local cuisine in order to serve their communities. Tawara “Earl” Ananthikulchai felt lost after graduating from college, so he taught himself how to bake.

“After I decided to stay at home, I had only one idea: bring what I learned about French pastry to my hometown,” he says. Ananthikulchai now runs the popular patisserie Le Bonheur out of his childhood home. He prides himself on introducing treats like Black Forest cake, poached pears in red wine, and perfect scones to Udon Thani’s burgeoning scene.

These chefs no longer need a big glitzy place in Bangkok to prove their chops and attract followers. Though they have seemingly opposite approaches to attracting the attention of diners outside Udon Thani, Samuay & Sons and Mok both earned Bib Gourmand recognition in Michelin’s inaugural Isan guide in 2023.

“It used to be very difficult to be a talented chef stuck in an Alpine lodge somewhere,” says Gavin Vongkusolkit, owner of the Ad Lib hotel in Khon Kaen. He cites social media as a big shift in how fans find and honor great cooking. “Now with Michelin and Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, people travel for food. They’re looking for something different.”

Foreign audiences, like those that control awards-granting organizations and support Isan restaurants abroad, have been especially receptive to the region’s transformation. But global affirmation only gets a chef so far.

“I want to see Samuay & Sons as a good place to eat for everyone, for local people and as a destination,” Num says.

During many dinner services, Samuay & Sons caters to locals, who arrive for a quick bite from the a la carte menu, which is cheaper and quicker than the tasting menu. They order simple dishes like massaman curry and the chef’s own childhood favorite, kai pullo, eggs and pork braised in Chinese five-spice powder. Ant eggs don’t make an appearance.

“The a la carte menu is a straightforward focus on flavor. The [tasting menu] courses are meant to be innovative,” he says. “I hope Michelin understands the concept.” Num doesn’t see the two menus as mutually exclusive. He believes he can push boundaries without alienating his local customers. “The concept of authenticity is Western,” he says.

This big-tent conception has allowed the region’s restaurants to gain traction with many types of customers, as chefs cook with local ingredients at various price points. It also seems like Num’s broader message about Isan’s value is getting through to diners.

“Seven years ago, people had no idea what I was trying to do,” Num says. “But now we can say we are pioneers.”

Chawadee Nualkhair is a Bangkok-based food writer.

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Confirm you’re free to get married in Thailand

What British nationals need to do to get married in Thailand, including what documents you need.

Check eligibility and the documents you need

Check the laws in Thailand to make sure you can get married. There’ll be certain local conditions you have to meet. Contact the local district office, also known as an ‘amphur’ (amphoe) or ‘khet’, to make sure you understand all the eligibility requirements to get married in Thailand, including what documents you need.

Your marriage will be recognised in the UK if:

• you follow the correct process according to the law in Thailand
• it would be allowed under UK law

Keep a copy of your Thai marriage certificate as evidence of your marriage. You may want to get it translated into English, especially if you want to use it outside of Thailand. Find a qualified translator .

Marital status affirmation

In most provinces in Thailand, British nationals need a marital status affirmation and a certified copy of their passport to get married. Check with the person conducting your ceremony or venue before you apply to make sure you need a marital status affirmation.

Once you’ve received your marital status affirmation and certified copy of your passport you’ll need to get them translated into Thai and ‘legalised’ (certified as genuine) by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Thailand. You should allow enough time to do this between your embassy appointment and your marriage ceremony.

If your partner is a British national

They should make their own application for a marital status affirmation.

If your partner is not a British national or Thai national

Your partner should contact their nearest embassy to find out what documents someone of their nationality needs to get married in Thailand.

How to get a marital status affirmation

• Apply online and pay £50 for your marital status affirmation and £25 for the certified copy of your passport (£75 in total).
• Book an appointment at the British Embassy Bangkok. 
• Attend your appointment where you can check all the information in the affirmation and make any corrections.
• Make your declaration and sign your affirmation.

Book your embassy appointment for at least 7 days after you apply for an affirmation so consular staff have time to check your documents. 

Up to 52 appointments are available every week, usually on Tuesdays and Thursdays and can be booked up to 45 days in advance. During peak periods you may have to wait up to 3 weeks for an available appointment. Once you have applied for the service you can keep accessing the booking system to check if different appointments are available. 

You’ll need to bring the originals of the documents you upload to your embassy appointment. If you do not do this, your application will be cancelled and you’ll have to apply and pay the consular fees again.

Your partner does not need to attend your embassy appointment.

You’ll get your affirmation at the end of your embassy appointment. The district office will accept it for 3 months from the date of issue but you can only get married during the month you stated within your application, which is also stated on your affirmation. 

For example, if you applied online for an affirmation on 10 June, stated your intended marriage was 5 September, and booked an embassy appointment for 15 July, your affirmation would be dated 15 July and the district office would accept it for any marriage date during September.

Apply for a marital status affirmation online

To apply for your affirmation online you’ll need:

• the month you intend to get married
• your UK passport
• proof of your permanent address
• your partner’s passport – or national identity card if they’re not a British national
• the names and addresses of 2 referees who do not live in Thailand
• proof any previous marriages or civil partnerships have ended
• a credit or debit card to pay for your affirmation

If any documents are not in English or Thai, you’ll need to upload these along with a  translation into English or Thai, and bring the original document and translation to your embassy appointment. Find a qualified translator .

Your referees should be non-Thai nationals living outside of Thailand. They can be anyone who knows you, including family or friends, and do not have to be the same people who witness your marriage ceremony.

Make sure you have all details and documents with you before you start your application. The application will time out if you’re inactive for 20 minutes. You can either scan your documents or take photos on your mobile phone.

It will take about 35 minutes to apply and pay for your affirmation online.

You should not apply for your affirmation more than 3 months before your intended date of marriage. Most district offices will only accept affirmations dated up to 3 months before your marriage. 

Your application will be cancelled if you do not attend an embassy appointment within 3 months of submitting your application. We will not refund your application fee.

Apply for a marital status affirmation .

Provide proof of your address

If you live in Thailand, use your ‘Tabien Baan’ (yellow book) or pink ID card as proof of your Thai address. If you do not have one of these, check with the district office what they need to accept your affirmation. You may need to use one of the following as proof of a UK or other address outside Thailand:

• DVLA-issued driving licence
• bank or mortgage statement, or other letter from your bank 
• utility or Council Tax bill, not including a mobile phone bill
• tenancy agreement or Housing Association rent card – or the equivalent in your country
• HMRC tax demand or self-assessment statement

Your proof of address must be dated within the last 3 months, unless it’s a residence permit or driving licence.

If you change your address after submitting an application, bring evidence of the new address to your embassy appointment. Consular staff will update your affirmation with your new address before it’s printed.

Find out more about providing proof of address .

If you’ve been married or in a civil partnership before

You’ll need one of the following:

• a decree absolute or final order – or the equivalent in the country where it was issued
• your annulment certificate
• your civil partnership dissolution
• your partner’s death certificate and marriage certificate

You’ll need to bring the original of the documents you upload to your embassy appointment. If you do not have the original documents, you can order a UK decree absolute or final order from a divorce, dissolution or annulment. You can also order a UK death certificate .

If your divorce, civil partnership dissolution or annulment took place outside the UK, you’ll need evidence that you or your ex-partner lived in or were a national of that country at the time.

Your marriage ceremony

Take your affirmation and a certified copy of your passport to the district office where you are getting married on the agreed date. The district office must be in the province stated on your affirmation. 

The registrar will conduct the marriage ceremony and give you 2 identical marriage certificates in Thai. You can also pay a fee for the registrar to marry you at your chosen venue.

Religious ceremonies are not valid on their own. The registrar must conduct a ceremony.

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