After visiting Thailand more than 30 times, here are my best Thailand travel tips and trip advice. They will help you prepare for your vacation in the land of smiles.
For more information, check out the best places to visit in Thailand for first-timers and the Thailand packing list.
Travel tips and the best things to know before you come to Thailand
Check the latest entry requirements for Thailand and if you need a visa.
According to the latest information, you need the following documents to enter the country:
- Passport with at least a six-month validity when you enter the country.
- Most nationalities don’t need a visa in advance. The visa waiver is for 30 days and people eligible for a visa on arrival get 15 days. If you want to stay longer, you can now apply for an e-visa, and there is no need to go to an embassy. On the same website, you can check if you need a visa. Thailand will soon allow visa-free stays for up to 60 days.
- Medical insurance is not required but recommended
Requirements for visa on arrival:
- You must have a confirmed flight ticket to another country within the days of your visa. Open tickets do not qualify.
- Proof of funds of at least 10,000 baht per person or 20,000 per family for your stay in Thailand.
- Bring 2000 baht in cash to pay for the visa
- Accommodation booking confirmation for the time of your stay.
How to book a hotel in Thailand?
- Online through booking sites like Booking, Agoda, Expedia, etc.
- Direct booking through the hotel website
- On arrival at the hotel reception
Booking online through Booking or Agoda is the best option for short stays. Yes, I take a commission if you make a booking through my affiliate link at no extra cost to you, but it’s easy to join other affiliate programs, too. I made most of my reservations for over thirty trips through these websites.
Booking is the most famous booking site, but Agoda often has better rates for Thailand and SE Asia. Both companies have the same owner, Booking Holdings (formerly The Priceline Group), so your bookings are safe, and you have the same great support. Moreover, many Asian hotel owners/managers list their properties only there.
Booking directly through a hotel website is usually the worst and most expensive way to book your hotel in Thailand. Most hotels sign contracts that will give better rates to booking agents and are afraid to offer great rates online.
Getting the best rate at the hotel reception is a good way to lower the price if you plan to stay longer (for a few weeks or more) and have good bargaining skills. However, it’s not worth the effort for short stays.
Where are the best places to visit in Thailand, and where to stay?
- Bangkok and Chiang Mai for sightseeing
- Phuket and Koh Samui for beach holidays and nightlife
- Koh Phangan, Krabi (Ao Nang), Koh Lipe, Koh Lanta, and Koh Tao for the best beaches
- Pattaya and Bangkok for nightlife
- Chiang Mai, Kanchanaburi, Khao Sok, and Khao Yai national parks for natural attractions
When is the best time to visit Thailand?
December to March is the best time to visit Thailand for most places. April is the hottest month. The rainy season is between July and October and better to avoid August-September, especially for natural attractions and beach holidays. If nightlife is the main purpose, it’s good to come all year round.
What is the best month to visit Thailand?
February is the absolute best month to visit Thailand. It has the best weather, regardless of location, whether you come for nightlife, a beach holiday or natural sightseeing. Moreover, the hotel rates are lower than those for Christmas/New Year’s holidays.
How to book trips for a holiday in Thailand?
- Online through a reputable website
- At hotel reception or local agency when you arrive in Thailand
Booking online in advance saves you time, so you don’t have to worry about it later. It’s also a great option if you travel alone or as a couple, as many agencies don’t lower the price much for only a few people.
For group traveling, if you have good bargaining skills, it’s worth booking your trip on arrival. Most agencies easily give much better rates for groups.
Pro tip: Book more than one trip with the same travel agency and ask for a better price when you bargain.
What to wear in Thailand?
Bring clothes like cotton T-shirts, shorts and lightweight shoes for hot and humid weather. Don’t forget to bring a hat as the sun is very strong. For more information, see my Thailand packing list.
Travel tips after you come to Thailand
Can I pay by credit card in Thailand or pay cash?
In Thailand, cash is king, so bring cash. Most banks have high transaction fees of at least 3% if you pay by card and a 220 baht ATM fee per withdrawal. The street vendors don’t accept credit cards either. Bring cash, book a hotel with an in-room safe, and keep your money there.
Where to exchange money for my trip to Thailand?
Don’t get Thai baht at home. You’ll get a much better rate in Thailand. It’s easy to exchange all major currencies there. However, it’s essential to bring new large bills. New bills are accepted everywhere and you’ll get the best rate for your 100 euro and dollar bills.
Where to buy a sim card in Thailand?
SIM cards are cheap, have fast internet speeds, and are easy to find. There are three major operators in Thailand. I’ve used AIS and Dtac and have always been happy with them. They have tourist sim cards with unlimited high-speed internet. You can buy SIM cards upon arrival at the biggest international airports and in many convenience stores like 7-Eleven.
The SIM cards at the airport are more expensive but have the fastest internet speed and best coverage. Those at 7-Eleven are from True; they are cheaper, but the speed is good enough for messages and to check your social media accounts.
What to eat in Thailand?
Thai food is very spicy, but street food is cheap and delicious if you don’t have a sensitive stomach.
Some of the best typical Thai foods to try are:
- Pad thai, or the local spaghetti, is the only non-spicy food to save the day.
- Tom yum soup with shrimps, chili paste, coconut milk and lemongrass.
- Som Tam is a spicy green papaya salad with dried shrimps.
- Mango with sticky rice.
Enjoy a Thai massage.
Thai massages are everywhere. They are cheap and good for your health. However, they are often intense and painful, so learn to say “bao-bao”. It’s a Thai word for “gentle, please”.
Transportation in Thailand
Planes and Flights
Thailand is a vast country and you’ll probably need to fly between the capital, the islands and the northern part. Luckily, some great flight companies operate in Thailand.
My first choice is usually Bangkok Airways. It’s a local boutique company and they cost more but offer much more than the others. Their planes have a comfortable space between the rows. There is a catering service on board, even for short flights. They are usually on time. What I love the most is their free lounge with snacks and drinks for everyone before the flight.
Air Asia is a good choice, too. It’s a cheap and award-winning low-cost company with many flights in the area. However, they fly from smaller airports, the seat space is limited, and you must pay extra for every service.
Nok Air, Vietjet, Lion Air, and other companies also fly there.
Buses
Buses are a cheap and reliable way of transportation between cities if you have time. Public, private and VIP buses are usually in good condition and air-conditioned.
Taxis
Taxis in Thailand are generally safe, but make sure they put the meter on. If the meter is not on, find another driver or always agree on the price in advance.
Use Bolt to travel within the big cities.
I am a big fan of Grab and use it in many Southeast Asian countries, but Bolt is better in Thailand. It’s much cheaper than Grab and taxis and is a safe, reliable, hassle-free service.
Don’t use tuk tuks in Thailand
It’s a great experience, but try them in Cambodia. In most tourist places in Thailand, they are overpriced and there is a famous tuk-tuk-related scam in Bangkok.
Thailand Safety Tips and What Not to Do
Quick tips
- Don’t overstay your visa. You must pay hefty fines for overstaying and get a temporary ban to re-enter the country.
- Always keep your passport in a waterproof, safe place.
- Pickpocketing is the most common crime, so don’t carry too many valuables, and you better keep them in your hotel room’s safe. Avoid wearing expensive gold chains, rings and watches. Оnly bring as much money as you need for the day.
- Don’t drink too much alcohol and don’t be involved in fights.
- Don’t talk about local politics and don’t participate in anti-government protests.
- Be safe on the road. Thailand has one of the highest road traffic fatality rates in the world.
- Thailand is generally safe, but avoid traveling to the southern provinces Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla as there is frequent violence and bombings there.
- Bag snatching is common, so hold your bags and backpacks in front of you.
- Drink spiking is not uncommon, so never leave your drink unattended.
- Don’t try to feed or touch monkeys, as there is a high chance of getting bitten.
- Don’t use drugs, as the penalties for drug offenses are heavy, including the death penalty.
- Check weather reports for storms and floods, especially in the rainy season.
- E-cigarettes and shishas are illegal.
- Don’t touch people’s heads. It’s considered very rude and disrespectful in Thailand as it’s the holiest part of the body.
- Don’t point at someone with your foot. The feet are considered the dirtiest part of the body, so don’t use them to point at someone, and don’t step on Thai money.
Respect the King
Thai people love their king, so you never say anything offensive against the king and the monarchy of Thailand. There is even a lese-majeste law and you can go to jail.
Don’t show disrespect to Budha and Buddhist monks
Bringing a Buddha image out of the country is illegal unless you have a license. However, you can buy similar human statues or play safe and buy elephant figurines instead.
Dress respectfully when you enter the temples and the Royal Palace
There is a dress code when you enter the temples and the Royal palace. Bring clothes that cover your knees, shoulders and belly. You don’t need fancy clothes, long shorts covering your knees and T-shirts are acceptable. Wearing open shoes and flip-flops is fine, but remove them when entering temples and private homes.
Don’t drink tap water
Tap water is not safe to drink in Thailand, so just buy cheap bottled water in any superstore or from street vendors. You can also purchase glass bottles to reduce plastic waste. Most hotels also provide at least two complimentary bottles of water daily.
Use sun protection
Wearing sunglasses and a hat is good, but more is needed, as the sun is very strong in Thailand and the risk of sunburn is high. You can buy sunscreen from home or when you arrive in Thailand. I like to use banana boat sunscreen as it is suitable for daytime boat trips or a day at the beach.
Don’t ride elephants
It’s a big no-no as elephants for rides are often mistreated and it’s very painful and stressful. If you want to see elephants, book an ethical tour instead. You can go to elephant sanctuaries to feed, bathe, and photograph them in their natural environment. It’s easy to book this kind of trip through a reputable agency.
Don’t be afraid to bargain
Except in some places with fixed prices like malls, it’s part of the culture to bargain to get better prices for services or when you buy clothes or souvenirs. Generally, you can get most things at the market for half price. Start low but not too low to offend the vendor and raise the price gradually.