Easter Holidays to Thailand

The hottest and driest stretch of the year is the best reason to choose a coastal base for your spring break.

• Phuket: Phuket sits on the Andaman coast and enjoys the warm, dry conditions that dominate through the spring months, when humidity can feel high but rain is rare. The island has a wide choice of beach hotels, from the busy strip at Patong to quieter bays on the west coast, so you can match the atmosphere to your group. We recommend choosing a beach area with easy access to the main road so that day trips and restaurants are simple to reach. Expect a lively evening scene in the busier areas, and book beachfront rooms early because demand is strong across the whole Easter period. It is exactly the brief our Thailand Beach Holidays deals are built around.
• Krabi: Krabi offers warm spring weather on the mainland and a short boat ride to the limestone cliffs and bays that define the coastline. The resort village at the centre of the western shore is the most accessible base, with restaurants, shops and frequent longtail boat links to nearby beaches. The trade-off is that the boats can be busy and tides affect some landing points, so plan excursions around the timings of the day. For travellers who want warm sea water and dramatic scenery within a short journey, Krabi is one of the most rewarding choices.
• Koh Samui: Koh Samui is the largest island in the Gulf of Thailand and has a dependable spring climate that suits beach-focused family holidays. Its airport receives direct flights from the capital, which makes internal transfers quicker than on many of the smaller islands. Resorts on the north and east coasts tend to be calmer and better suited to young children, while the south has more restaurants and nightlife. Because the island is popular with families at Easter, we advise booking well ahead for the best beachfront properties.
• Khao Lak: Khao Lak on the Andaman coast offers warm, settled spring weather with calm, gently sloping beaches that are comfortable for children to paddle and swim. The area sits close to the national park, so families can combine beach days with rainforest excursions and boat trips. The resorts here are generally quieter than those on the island's busier shores, which makes it a good choice if you want a low-key stay. Transfers from the main regional airport take a little over an hour, so factor that into your arrival day.
• Chiang Mai: Chiang Mai is the cooler northern city of Thailand and offers a welcome change from the heat of the coast during the hottest weeks of April. Its old walled centre is filled with temples, and the mountain views from Doi Suthep make a rewarding day out. Temperatures in the city remain warm but are usually more comfortable than in the capital or on the southern islands. Visitors should note that there are no beaches here, so this works best as part of a wider itinerary or for those who prefer culture to sea.