In 1959, my parents stepped off the boat and landed in Singapore to start a new life. That same year, Lee Kuan Yew become the island state?s first prime minister. I grew up with visits to the snake temple, country-club pool, street markets and home of ouramah (housekeeper) to celebrate the autumn lantern festival, along with mandatory trips to Fraser?s Hill, in Malaya, to escape the sweltering heat of the urban sprawl. It had all the trappings of a colonial life in the tropics.

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Thailand is one of the world’s best destinations for luxury travel. It has miles upon miles of white sandy beaches, great geographic diversity, and some of the best accommodations on the planet. Planning the perfect Thailand holiday takes some planning, however, since there are so many things to do and options you could consider. You also need to know a thing or two about the country before you go if it’s your first time. Let’s take a look at how to plan for a luxury holiday in Thailand.

Choose the Right Time

If you’re going to Northern Thailand try to avoid going from May to November as this is the southwest monsoon season. The weather between November and May is mostly dry with cooler temperatures between November and February and also March-May. Rainfall in the north is heaviest between May and November, thanks to the southwest monsoon.

The weather in Southern Thailand is wetter. The area experiences two weather patterns and gets a lot of rain during the wet monsoon seasons.

If you’ll be staying on the west coast, we suggest that you avoid the months between April and October as the area experiences a lot of rain during that period. The best time to go would be around November to April with April being the best because of the high temperatures.

The east coast has generally good weather all year, however, and the dry season extends from December to October, so everything should be fine if you book during that period.

Consider Booking a Villa

Skip resorts and luxury suites and consider going for a full villa instead. Nothing compares with villas in terms of accommodation, and they offer more convenience and freedom than other options. This is an especially great choice if you’re traveling with a large group or family, but also if you’re a couple that enjoys privacy or if you want to entertain while you’re there.

If you’re looking for a great villa, one place you could check out is Thailand Retreats. Agencies like these will have access to all sorts of villas around the country, whether you’re looking for a beachfront property, one with an ocean view, or one right in the middle of one of the country’s major cities.

Avoid Jet Lag

No one wants to deal with jet lag. Check where your flight will stop, as it’s not uncommon for flights to Thailand to make a stop in the Middle East then on to a second destination near Thailand like Singapore, for instance. There are also cases where the long stretch is at the beginning with only one stop near Thailand then to the country’s top beach destinations. So, you might want to check how your flight will be set up so you can get as much sleep as possible.

These few tips will help you get the most out of your coming luxury trip to Thailand. It is a wonderful country with lots of things to do, so look at everything the country has to offer so you can enjoy your holiday to the fullest.