Some visit for the temples, others for the food, and for many it’s just a stop-off on the way to other parts of the country. To skip past Bangkok is a big mistake, though. This frenetic city is big on fun and full-on flavour (from some of the world’s best street food to incredible Michelin-star dining, with tasting menus that cost a fraction of what they do in Europe). There are backpacker hangouts, fancy rooftop and riverside bars, temples, floating markets where flowers, fruit and veg are sold from longtail boats, and a great hotel scene — go for something with a pool for that post-sightseeing cool off.

It takes a tiny bit more effort to reach Koh Lanta than Koh Samui or Phuket but your reward is fewer tourists and a vibe that feels like Thailand 30 years ago. Chilled fairy light-lit bars, zero jet skis and long beaches make this 15 mile-long island ideal for families and quiet-seeking couples looking to stay put for a couple of weeks. Keen to venture out? Lanta Marine National Park has great snorkelling and two of Thailand’s best dive sites — Hin Daeng and Hin Muang — are nearby.

Don’t dismiss Koh Phangan as a no-go just because of the wild full-moon parties on Haad Rin beach. This hilly, jungly island has some peaceful hangouts, like the palm-fringed Haad Khom beach to the north, and the peaceful, restaurant-filled village of Chalok Lam. Minibuses will transport you wherever you want to go, so even if neon paint and whisky buckets aren’t for you, then watching fire jugglers on a moon-bathed beach may well be.

Hua Hin’s handy location — 125 miles southwest of Bangkok — helped it grow from a sleepy fishing village into a popular beach destination for Thai royalty. The country’s railway line helped broaden its appeal (its station is said to be the prettiest in the country). A hundred years on and it’s still a popular getaway and worthy of its well-heeled crowds, with its long golden beaches, an excellent night market and hotels from some of the world’s coolest brands.

es, Koh Samui has seen some speedy development, but the result is an island jammed with some of the country’s most luxurious hotels, although there are plenty of budget options. If your priorities are sunbathing, spas and good food (there’s even a great vegan scene), then hole up here for a week. For something more taxing, venture out to see the limestone towers and crystal-clear snorkelling spots of the Ang Thong National Marine Park, or rent a car for some beach-hopping on the south coast. This is also your jumping off point for other islands — try Koh Tao for diving and smaller family run hotels.