Best Places to Visit in Thailand for Couples – From One Desi Traveller to Another#

So, quick confession before we start. When people say "Thailand for couples" I always pictured just party scenes, full moon, buckets, all that. But when me and my wife finally went (after postponing for like 2 years thanks to visa issues, office drama, all that adulting), I realised it's so much more. Beaches, temples, crazy good food, and surprisingly chill vibes for couples. And ya, in 2026 and beyond it's only getting more popular with Indian travellers, so might as well plan properly instead of last minute jugad.

If you're an Indian couple planning your first international trip together, or even honeymoon, Thailand is honestly one of the easiest and safest options right now. Visa process is smoother, flight options from India are plenty, and you don't need to sell one kidney for the trip. Let me just walk you through the places that actually felt romantic, not just Instagram-friendly.

1. Phuket – Not Just for Bachelor Parties, Okay?#

Phuket surprised me yaar. I went with this typical mindset that it'll be all noise and tacky nightlife. But if you stay slightly away from Patong area, it's a different world. Soft sand, sunset, coconut trees, and you two just walking and talking nonsense about life. Low key filmy.

For couples I’d say:

  • Skip staying in Patong if you want romance. Pick Kata or Karon beach side. Quieter, cleaner, more couple-friendly.
  • Sunset at Promthep Cape – sounds touristy, but trust me, that golden light with sea breeze... proper Bollywood moment.
  • Take a day trip to Phi Phi or James Bond Island, but book with a smaller tour company. Fewer people, more space to click those cheesy couple pics.

Accommodation wise, for a desi middle-class couple budget, you're looking at:

  • Decent 3-star hotel: around ₹3,000–₹6,000 per night
  • Nice resort with pool: ₹6,000–₹12,000 depending on season

We stayed at a mid-range resort near Karon beach, Indian honeymoon crowd everywhere. One Gujarati couple even asked my wife, "Bhai, yahan khaane ka kya scene hai veg log ke liye?" and honestly, veg options are decent now. You'll easily find Indian restaurants, especially around Patong, but do try local stuff like pad thai (ask for no fish sauce if strict veg), coconut ice cream, mango sticky rice – my god that dessert is dangerous.

2. Krabi – For Those Filmy, Slow-Motion Beach Moments#

If Phuket is a bit loud for you, Krabi is like its calmer, more romantic cousin. Ao Nang is where most couples stay. It's got that perfect mix – cafes, beach, island tours, and a lot of Indian travellers so you don't feel completely lost.

Things me and my wife loved as a couple:

  • Railay Beach: You take a long-tail boat from Ao Nang, and when you reach, huge limestone cliffs on both sides. Crazy beautiful. We literally just lay on the sand doing nothing for 3 hours. No guilt.
  • 4-island tour: Good value, snorkeling is fun even if you don’t know swimming properly. They give life jackets, don’t worry.
  • Night walk on Ao Nang beach road – street food, sea breeze, random live music… perfect for chilling.

Typical stay prices in Krabi:

  • Hostels / basic stays: ₹1,500–₹3,000
  • Cute boutique hotels and resorts: ₹4,000–₹8,000

Best time to go is roughly November to March, because the Andaman side gets proper monsoon earlier in the year. We went in December, clear blue water, no crazy heat. Just book your island tours in advance if you're going in peak time, spots do get full now with the post-Covid travel boom.

3. Bangkok – Not Just Mall & Massage, There Is Romance#

I know, I know, Bangkok has this reputation among Indians that I don't even need to explain. But as a couple, if you do it right, it's honestly amazing. We used it as a base for 3 days before flying back to India.

Couple-friendly things to do in Bangkok:

  • Chao Phraya River Cruise: Do one proper dinner cruise at least once. Lit up temples on both sides, live music, buffet, you two pretending like you're in a movie. Prices start around ₹3,000–₹4,000 per person, depending on how fancy.
  • Wat Arun & Grand Palace in the morning: Go early, before heat and crowd kills the vibe. Dress modest – shoulders and knees covered, no shorts inside temple complexes.
  • Sky bars: Even if you don't drink, just go for view. We went to one near Sukhumvit, honestly felt like we're on top of the world. Just check dress code – no slippers, no shorts for guys.

From India, Bangkok is usually your first entry point. Right now there are direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, etc. Return tickets, if you plan a bit early, can come around ₹18k–₹28k per person, depending on season and city. AirAsia, Indigo, Thai Airways, VietJet, lot of options.

Safety wise, I actually felt quite comfortable. Many Indian couples, solo female travellers also. Just follow basic common sense – avoid dodgy lanes late night, keep money in different places, don't leave phone on the table and walk off. You know the drill.

4. Koh Samui & Koh Phangan – For Chill, Slightly Offbeat Couple Vibes#

If you have a bit more time, consider the Gulf of Thailand side – Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. Less crowded than Phuket, and feels more intimate somehow. We did Samui for 3 nights and honestly I wish we had extended.

Koh Samui highlights for couples:

  • Stay in a resort with direct beach access if you can stretch budget. Waking up, stepping out and boom – sand and sea. Unreal feeling.
  • Rent a scooter (around 200–300 THB per day) and just explore. Roads are decent. Just carry Indian driving licence and be a bit careful in rain.
  • Visit Fisherman’s Village in Bophut for date night – cute cafes, beachside restaurants, fairy lights types, very Instagram-y but still nice.

Koh Phangan is known for full moon party, but couples scene is also strong now. There are quieter beaches on the other side of the island. If you both like a bit of party + a bit of peace, this combo actually works really well.

5. Chiang Mai – When You Want Culture, Coffee & Cooler Weather#

Now if you’re the kind of couple who's like, "ya beaches are fine but we also want a little culture" then Chiang Mai in the north is perfect. Slightly cooler, especially from November to February, hills around, tons of temples, and a very cozy city vibe.

What we loved in Chiang Mai:

  • Old City temples – you can literally just walk around, temple-hop, stop for coffee, repeat. Very relaxed pace.
  • Doi Suthep – temple on a hill with crazy views of the city. Go for sunset if possible.
  • Night markets – you get everything from clothes to art to food. My wife went into full shopping mode. I just followed with a coconut in my hand.

Chiang Mai also has some really ethical elephant sanctuaries now (double check reviews, avoid ones that allow rides). Spending a day there feeding and bathing elephants together… I won’t lie, it was quite emotional and bonding for both of us.

Flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is usually around 1–1.5 hours, and if you book early, tickets are like ₹3,000–₹5,000 one way for each person. Plenty of low-cost airlines – AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Smile, etc.

Best Time to Visit Thailand as a Couple#

Weather in Thailand is a little tricky, but roughly, for most Indian couples planning honeymoon or quick romantic trip:

  • November to March – best overall, pleasant weather, ideal for Phuket/Krabi/Chiang Mai
  • April–May – very hot, but if you don't mind heat and want better deals, you can still manage
  • June–October – monsoon in many parts, some islands see choppy water and fewer ferries

One thing – because more Indians are travelling post pandemic, peak months like Dec–Jan are getting crowded and expensive. So if you can, plan shoulder season (late October, early March types). You get better prices and still good weather.

Budget for a Thailand Couple Trip (Rough Idea)#

Everyone keeps asking, "Kitna kharcha hoga bhai?" So here’s a very rough breakdown for 7–8 days for two people, mid-range comfort, not full luxury but not backpacking also:

  • Flights from India: ₹40,000–₹60,000 for two (return, depending on city & season)
  • Hotels/Resorts: around ₹5,000–₹8,000 per night x 7 = ₹35,000–₹56,000
  • Food: if you mix street food + normal restaurants, around ₹2,000–₹3,000 per day for two
  • Internal flights / ferries / taxis: maybe ₹15,000–₹25,000 total
  • Tours & activities (island tours, temple entries, massage etc.): another ₹15,000–₹25,000

So overall, a comfortable romantic trip can be done in the range of around ₹1.2L–₹1.8L for two people, depending on your style and how much shopping you do. Some couples manage less also with smarter planning, some go full luxury and spend double. Totally your call.

Latest Travel & Safety Updates – Stuff You Should Actually Know#

Right now Thailand is very open to tourists again, and Indians are one of their biggest markets. Rules keep changing slightly, so always double check just before booking, but generally:

  • Visa: Thailand keeps doing visa-on-arrival or e-visa options for Indians, sometimes they run promotions with reduced fees. Check the official Thai e-visa website or consulate site before you travel so you don't rely on random WhatsApp forwards.
  • Safety: For couples, it's pretty safe. Just be careful with drunken tourists in party areas, and avoid any drugs scene completely. Thailand police doesn't take that lightly, at all.
  • Money: UPI is slowly picking up through some tie-ups, but don't depend on it. Carry a mix of cash (INR converted to THB) and one international card. Forex cards make life easier, honestly.

Also, travel insurance – don't skip. I know it feels like useless extra cost until something goes wrong. One Indian couple we met had their luggage misplaced, insurance literally saved their entire trip mood.

Food, Culture & Little Couple Moments#

Thailand is like heaven for foodies. Even for us Indians who're used to spice and flavour overload. Street food looks scary at first, but once you get used to it, you'll crave it.

Couple tips from my own hit-and-miss:

  • If you're vegetarian, learn to say "no fish sauce" and "no meat" in Thai or just show it written on phone. Many dishes use fish sauce by default.
  • Don’t only eat Indian food yaar. Try Tom Yum soup, papaya salad (if you can handle spice), Thai curries with rice. They're different but amazing.
  • Try a couple massage at a decent spa, not the shady ones. Around ₹2,000–₹3,000 for both of you for an hour in many places. After one full day of walking, it feels like heaven.

Culturally, Thai people are super polite. They appreciate if you dress a bit respectfully at temples and speak softly. As Indians we sometimes tend to talk loudly without realising, I also got stared at once in a quiet cafe because me and my friend were laughing like we’re in a train compartment.

Final Thoughts – Why Thailand Actually Works for Indian Couples#

End of the day, Thailand ticks a lot of boxes for us desi couples:

  • Short flights, decent prices
  • Easy vegetarian + Indian food options
  • Beaches, hills, temples, shopping – a bit of everything
  • Places are pretty used to Indian travellers now, so you don't feel out of place

It’s also a good “first international trip” country. You and your partner get to figure out how you travel together – who handles bookings, who remembers passports, who gets grumpy when hungry (that’s me, by the way). Those tiny fights, getting lost together, finding a random cafe when it suddenly rains, watching one more sunset even though you’ve already seen five… that’s the stuff you actually remember, not just which hotel you stayed in.

If you're planning your couple trip and just feeling overwhelmed with too much info online, take a breath, pick 2–3 places from this list – maybe Bangkok + Krabi + Phuket or Bangkok + Chiang Mai + Samui – and build around that. Keep at least one slow day with no plan. Those days somehow become the best ones.

And ya, if you want more detailed itineraries, cost breakdowns, and real desi travel stories, just keep an eye on AllBlogs.in – I keep going back there for planning my next escape too.