Plan your Thailand trip

Thailand plans to reopen to international tourists in the second half of 2021. The opening will be in stages, starting with Phuket in July.
More details here

It looks likely that anybody who wishes to fly to Thailand in 2022 will need to show proof that they are fully vaccinated against Covid-19. There are still some questions which aren’t clear (e.g. what happens if you are travelling with children who have not been vaccinated). When more details are confirmed, they will be added here. In the meantime, please refer to the information on this page.

Check this list of suggested vaccinations for Thailand. You can also find advice on this site about mosquitoes, malaria and rabies.

There is no one-size fits all policy when it comes to visas for Thailand. Whether you need a visa or not depends on a number of factors including your nationality and how long you will be staying. Some tourists are eligible for a visa exemption while others may be able to obtain a visa on arrival. Please note, you may also be asked to show proof of funds when arriving in Thailand. Visa rules in Thailand have a habit of changing and regulations can be applied differently depending on the border crossing used. Contact the Thai embassy or consulate in your home country for the latest information in visas.

Travel insurance is an essential part of your pre-trip planning. If you require hospital treatment in Thailand you need to pay for it. There is no National Health Service or free Medicare for tourists. Make sure you are covered and be aware that there are some activities e.g riding a motorbike, which may be excluded from your insurance policy.

In most cases, bringing prescribed drugs into Thailand isn’t a problem. However, issues can arise if you travel via another country (e.g. Dubai) where regulations are stricter.

Check the month-by-month guides here to find out what weather you can expect during your trip. Any month can be a good month to visit Thailand and with different weather patterns on the Gulf Coast and Andaman Coast there is plenty of scope for a beach holiday.

Check for special events and festivals here. Individual destination pages also feature details of regional events.

The best place to go during your trip is down to individual preference. You may want to hit the islands and beaches of the south for a few weeks or spend time exploring the mountain scenery in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai provinces in the north. Take a look at the destination pages to see what appeals to you:
Bangkok
Chiang Mai
Ko Samui
Krabi
Phuket
More destinations »

I can’t arrange your itinerary, but for more inspiration on where to go, check out the suggestions in the itineraries section of this site.

If you are visiting Thailand for the first time, the must-see attractions in Bangkok include the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. For ideas on what to see and do in each city or region, take a look at the destination pages.

To keep comfortable in the heat, lightweight cotton and linen clothing are good choices. Laundry services are plentiful and inexpensive in Thailand so there is no need to bring bundles of clothes. At least one pair of trousers and smart casual shoes are a good idea for men if you are planning to visit a rooftop bar or restaurant in Bangkok. Women should bring an outfit that covers the knees and shoulders if you are planning to visit temples or royal palaces during your stay.

The strength of the air conditioning on buses, trains and at airports can catch travellers by surprise and a sweater or light jacket can be a welcome addition. A folding umbrella with a UV lining is a handy item to have and offers protection from strong sun and rain. These umbrellas can be bought for around 100 Baht in cities and resorts around Thailand. Although brand name sun lotions (e.g. Nivea) can be purchased at branches of Boots and Watsons in Thailand, you may find it is cheaper to buy in your home country.

If a hotel has its own website, you can sometimes get the best deals booking directly with them. Online booking sites Agoda and Booking.com often have the best rates for hotels and guest-houses in Thailand, but prices can vary between the two. They also offer a best-price guarantee and these are the two companies I use myself when booking hotels on my travels around Thailand.

When booking accommodation, be careful to check the location is where you want. In Thailand, the name of the city is often the name of the province. This means, for example, that a hotel described as being in Chiang Mai may actually be in the Chiang Mai countryside rather than in Chiang Mai city centre.

Over the years I’ve travelled to just about every province in Thailand and stayed in hundreds of hotels and guest-houses. Some have been fabulous, some OK and a few have been terrible. Whether you’re looking for the best place to stay in Bangkok or advice on where to stay in Chiang Mai, each destination page on this site has suggestions for accommodation.

Skyscanner is a good place to start researching for flights to Thailand. There can also be advantages in booking directly with the airline.

For internal flights within Thailand, I find it easier to book directly with the airline. Many will have promotion fares if you can book far enough in advance. Look too for seasonal offers which can be excellent value.

Thailand uses an old-fashioned system of arrival and departure cards. You will need to fill the card out before joining the queue for immigration/passport control. Arrival cards are normally handed out on your flight before landing. If you don’t receive one on you flight, you can find the arrival cards at the counters before you queue up at passport control. Carrying a pen with you will make things easier.

When you arrive in Thailand, the queues at immigration/security can be long so factor in waiting time when making onward transport arrangements.

When departing Thailand by air, land or sea you will still need to complete your departure card before clearing immigration/passport control. The walk to the departure gate can also add time. If you are flying on an international flight from Bangkok it is advisable to arrive at the airport three hours before your scheduled departure time. For domestic flights within Thailand, two hours should be sufficient.

There are two airports in Bangok. Most international visitors to Thailand will arrive at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport (BKK), but be aware that some flights (e.g. with Air Asia) arrive at Bangkok Don Mueang (DMK).
Hotels near Bangkok airport
Connecting bus service between Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang

If you are travelling into Bangkok the most comfortable option is usually to take a taxi or arrange a private transfer. There are also some handy alternatives if you are travelling light or are on your own, with the airport rail link and airport buses providing a cheap service into the city.

Trains
Train tickets can be purchased at any Thai railway station. For long-distance journeys it can sometimes be advisable to book in advance. The State Railway of Thailand’s (SRT) website isn’t the most modern or the easiest to use, but it is possible to book train tickets online. You can also use the services of an online agent such as 12Go Asia whose website is far more user-friendly than the SRT’s.

Buses
Not all bus companies in Thailand operate to the same safety standards. The best companies to use are the government regulated services and those of reputable operators including, The Transport Company Ltd., Green Bus Company and Nakhon Chai Air. There are online booking services, but they are aimed at Thai customers. You can book bus tickets in person at tour offices or online with 12Go Asia.

Boats
Boat and ferry tickets can normally be bought on the day of travel. If you prefer to have the security of a ticket in advance, you can book online with 12Go Asia. Try to stick to registered boat services and make sure the vessel has life jackets.

Throughout this site you will find information about various tourist attractions around Thailand with advice on how to visit them independently. If you would prefer to take an organised tour, check out the Thailand page from specialist tour company Klook. And for tours with a special focus on Thai food and local experiences, Take Me Tour is an excellent option.

Bangkok has a handy Skytrain and Metro service. Although they can be good for getting around parts of the city during off-peak periods, these services are often packed during the morning and evening rush-hours. Travelling with large luggage on the Skytrain or Metro during rush-hour is not a pleasant experience and you will find it easier and more comfortable to take a taxi.

There is also a boat service along the Chao Phraya River which is convenient for a number of Bangkok’s main tourist attractions.
Read more articles on travel and transport in Thailand »

Tuk-tuks can be fun to ride in, but are often more expensive than a taxi-meter. To get a better rate, try to flag one down that is moving instead of one parked up outside tourist attractions. The same principle also applies to taxis.

You can find information in the links below. Thailand has some of the worst road safety statistics in the world. Even experienced riders and car drivers should be extra careful on Thailand’s roads and if you’ve never ridden a motorbike before, Thailand is not a place for inexperienced motorbike riders.
Hiring a car
Hiring a motorbike

Although many minor indiscretions in Thailand will be overlooked, there are some important cultural do’s and don’ts to be aware of.
Read more about culture and etiquette in Thailand »

The Thai language can be difficult to grasp, but do try to learn at least a few words during your visit. Trying out your Thai language skills can be the perfect ice-breaker and establishes good intent. If you get the pronunciation wrong, mai pen rai! Smile and embrace the Thai concept of sanuk.
Read more Thai language tips »

Eating at a street food stall for the first time can be intimidating, but these nondescript little stalls can be wonderful places to eat. If Thai people are eating there it’s a reasonable bet that the food is good.

Iced drinks are generally safe although you should use bottled water and avoid drinking tap water.

Stomach upsets and illness that are sometimes attributed to food are often the result of not drinking enough water. Don’t underestimate the effects of the heat and humidity in Thailand. If you are out and about sightseeing, take regular breaks for drinks and keep a bottle of water with you.

Thailand is justifiably famous for its food. Whether it’s a tasty green curry in Bangkok, a spicy tom yam kung in Ko Samui or a satisfying bowl of khao soi in Chiang Mai, food is at the heart of Thai culture.

If you do have the misfortune to be ill during your trip, pharmacies are a good place to start. Pharmacists in most areas are able to speak English and an over the counter treatment is often all that most people need. Should you require more serious treatment, the pharmacist or your hotel will be able to suggest nearby hospitals. Medical staff, especially in tourist areas, usually speak good English.

The vast majority of tourists visit Thailand without any problems. Part of Thailand’s appeal is that it is considered one of the safest places for tourists in Asia. At the same time, it has to be said that Thailand has a very different safety culture compared to most Western countries. The apparent lack of rules and regulations is part of what makes Thailand so different. But behind this seemingly carefree lifestyle there are some grim statistics. Thailand’s roads have been ranked as the second most dangerous in the world. If you’ve never ridden a motorbike before, Thailand is not the place to learn.

Tourist police
If you run into problems in Thailand, there is a tourist police service which can be a useful first point of contact. The telephone line is free to call and is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 1155 for assistance.

Consular assistance
If you have more serious issues, you can contact your home country’s embassy or consulate in Bangkok.

When booking into hotels or checking in for domestic flights you will need to show your passport. Thai people are required to show their ID card. Some foreign embassies advise their citizens to carry their passport with them at all times in Thailand.

Con-artists do operate in some tourist locations in Thailand. One of the most common scams is around the Grand Palace in Bangkok. If an English-speaking Thai person approaches you to say the Grand Palace is closed for the day, politely ignore them. If you engage in conversation the next step will be them telling you about a ‘lucky’ Buddha temple nearby or a special government sale. It’s a scam. For the most part, Thai people are reserved and will not normally approach foreign tourists and engage in conversation. If you are in a tourist area be wary about scams, but don’t be paranoid.

It might seem odd, but vaping and electronic cigarettes are banned in Thailand. And at some beaches in Thailand, smoking is also banned.

Stray dogs
In some locations in Thailand stray dogs can be a nuisance. Although many are harmless they can sometimes be aggressive if you walk past them.

In most cases you will get a better exchange rate in Thailand compared to your home country. Read the tips here for the best place to change your money into Thai Baht.

Credit cards or debit cards are ideal for booking flights or hotels online. But for day-to-day transactions, Thailand is predominantly a cash culture. Although that is slowly starting to change, if you are eating at small restaurants or street stalls you will need to pay by cash.

There is a fee for using overseas bank cards at Thai ATMs. The standard fee is currently 220 Baht.

Tipping isn’t as common in Thailand as some other countries and is at your discretion. However, there are times when a small tip is a good idea. Find out more about tipping in Thailand here.

Although haggling is part of the Thai shopping experience, there is a right way to do it and a wrong way to do it. Find out more here.

Tourists are able to take advantage of tax savings on some goods by claiming a VAT refund. This involves filling out some paperwork and won’t always be worth the hassle, but if you have made a major purchase such as a camera or laptop, the money you can claim back can be significant.

Many visitors to Thailand are able to enjoy nightlife and entertainment venues without any problems. Be aware that many rooftop bars in Bangkok add on a service charge plus VAT to prices and this isn’t always clearly displayed. Elsewhere, bars and pubs often use a system where the price of each drink you order is hand-written on a receipt which is then placed in a small container in front of you. If you order more drinks, more receipts are added and you pay the total when you are ready to leave. Deliberate padding of bills does happen in some venues as do genuine mistakes. Keep an eye on your receipts or you can also opt to pay each time you order.