01/03/2026

ON SUNDAY March 1, 2026 theSunday Special VII

strain on local infrastructure during peak periods. Practical travel info for Malaysians • Visa requirements: Malaysians enjoy visa-free entry to Thailand for up to 30 days when travelling by air and 45 days when travelling by land, making short getaways simple. • Flights: • Bangkok: Multiple airlines, including Malaysia Airlines, Thai Airways and AirAsia, operate direct ÀLJKWV IURP .XDOD /XPSXU 3HQDQJ and Kota Kinabalu. Round-trip fares in this period start from RM350. • Chiang Mai/Chiang Rai: AirA sia and Thai Smile offer direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Chiang Mai. Chiang Rai can be UHDFKHG YLD D VKRUW GRPHVWLF ÀLJKW or a 3-hour drive from Chiang Mai. • Koh Samui: Bangkok Airways UXQV GLUHFW ÀLJKWV IURP ./,$ H[ - pect fares to start around RM900 return during this period. • Getting around: Ride-hailing ser vices like Grab are widely available in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, while songthaews (shared red trucks) remain a cheap and charming way to get around Chiang Mai. On the islands, motorbike rentals are common (from THB 200–300 per day, around RM25–RM35), but do check insurance coverage. • Currency: Most places accept Thai Baht cash, though credit card accep tance is growing in major cities. ATMs are plentiful – note that Thai banks charge a THB 220 withdrawal fee per transaction for foreign cards. • Language tips: While English is widely understood in tourist areas, learning a few Thai phrases, such as khop khun ka/krub (thank you), can go a long way in creating warmer interactions. Tips for shoulder season travellers Even though the weather is generally favourable, rain is common. Malaysians will feel right at home with the humidity, but packing a light rain jacket or travel umbrella is still a good idea when out and about. For northern Thailand, bring a light sweater or shawl for evenings, as tempera tures can dip below 20°C in higher eleva tions. On the islands, don’t forget reef-safe sunscreen and proper footwear if you plan on trekking or exploring waterfalls. Lastly, slow down and savour the expe rience. This is not the season for rushing. Browse the night markets at leisure, sip tea at a riverside café or spend an entire afternoon by the pool with a good book. T KDLODQG LQ 1RYHPEHU DQG HDUO\ 'H FHPEHU R̆ HUV D YHUVLRQ RI WKH FRXQWU\ that is freer, calmer and arguably more authentic. Whether it’s exploring Chiang 5DL¶V PLVW\ KLOOV GLYLQJ R̆ .RK 3KDQJDQ or indulging in Bangkok’s culinary trea sures, Malaysians have every reason to make the most of this overlooked season.

The northern escape

BY DAYANA SOBRI

T HAILAND’S northern region, often described as the country’s cultural heart, is at its most picturesque in September and October. The rain has done its work, turning the hills and rice paddies a brilliant shade of green. According to Tourism Authority of Thailand’s climate data, average daily temperatures in Chi ang Mai hover between 23°C and 29°C during this period – much cooler than the EOLVWHULQJ ƒ& KLJKV \RX¶G ¿QG LQ $SULO Chiang Rai, known for its Golden Tri angle location, is especially serene now. The grasslands are lush and mornings are often draped in mist. Eco-tourism activities like guided jungle treks, slow boat cruises on the Mekong and visits to elephant conservation centres are easier to book when fewer tourists are around. C KLDQJ 0DL R̆ HUV D XQLTXH EOHQG RI urban charm and cultural heritage. The city has over 300 Buddhist temples, many of which are UNESCO tentative sites and the night markets are lively but pleasantly uncrowded. Malaysian visitors can also take advantage of favourable exchange rates – around THB 7.8 to RM1 in 2025 – and meals, massages and handicrafts UHPDLQ D̆ RUGDEOH OX[XULHV The island idyll Head south to the Gulf of Thailand and \RX¶OO ¿QG WKDW 1RYHPEHU DQG 'HFHP ber are considered the soothing “good weather months.’’ That said, average rainfall is 150-180mm during this period and it might even be more, so for those who don’t mind the occasional shower, remember to bring a raincoat or umbrella and dress for the wet season. K RK 6DPXL UHPDLQV D ¿UP IDYRXULWH DPRQJ 0DOD\VLDQV R̆ HULQJ GLUHFW ÀLJKWV from Kuala Lumpur and Penang (with a

cocktails more enjoyable and popular attractions such as the Grand Palace see fewer tour groups. Food remains one of Bangkok’s biggest draws and this is the season for culinary exploration. The city boasts over 400,000 street food vendors and more than 30 Michelin-starred restaurants, making it a paradise for food lovers at every budget level. T KH EHQH¿WV JR EH\RQG ORZHU SULFHV Fewer crowds mean shorter waiting times DW DWWUDFWLRQV OHVV WUḊ F RQ WKH LVODQGV and a more relaxed atmosphere overall. For Malaysians who prefer spontaneous travel, this is a good time to score last minute deals – airline ticket data from Skyscanner shows that fares to Bangkok and Chiang Mai can be up to 15% lower in 2FWREHU 1RYHPEHU DQG HDUO\ 'HFHPEHU Environmentally, travelling during off-peak months also helps distribute tourism across the year, reducing the

travel time of around 2 hours 15 minutes). It recently enjoyed global spotlight status as a filming location for the Emmy nominated The White Lotus Season 3, giving fans an extra reason to visit. N HLJKERXULQJ .RK 3KDQJDQ R̆ HUV D slower pace and hidden coves perfect for a quiet escape. Beyond the famous Full Moon Party, the island has some of Thailand’s best dive sites. According to 3$', GDWD YLVLELOLW\ FDQ UHDFK XS WR metres in the fourth quarter of the year, so be extra cautious when diving as the waters turn choppier later in the year. City indulgence Bangkok is Thailand’s beating heart and visiting in the shoulder season has its perks. Hotel rates can be up to 25% cheaper compared to the year-end period close to the new year, according to STR Global’s hospitality data. The cooler evenings make riverside strolls or rooftop

Chiang Mai offers a unique blend of urban charm and cultural heritage.