Thailand Travel Guide
November–February is the cool, dry season. March–May is very hot; June–October is the monsoon, usually heavy afternoon downpours rather than all-day rain.
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Thailand at a glance
Best time to visit Thailand
November–February is the cool, dry season. March–May is very hot; June–October is the monsoon, usually heavy afternoon downpours rather than all-day rain.
Peak: December–January and Songkran (mid-April) — beach rates roughly double and rooms sell out.
Shoulder season: November and late February–March: dry weather before peak surcharges land.
Visa and entry
60-day visa-free for many nationalities on arrival. Visa runs available at most borders.
Entry rules depend on your nationality and change frequently. Always confirm with an official embassy or consulate source before booking.
Money and tipping
Thailand uses the THB (฿).
Optional but appreciated. 20–50 THB at restaurants; 50–100 THB for massage therapists; round up taxi fares.
Getting around
Bangkok's BTS Skytrain and MRT charge roughly ฿17–62 a ride. A Rabbit card covers the BTS, which also sells a one-day pass at about ฿150.
When a pass pays off: The BTS day pass beats singles from around 4 rides; for 2–3 rides a day a stored-value Rabbit card is cheaper.
Local etiquette
Do
- Return a wai (palms together) when greeted.
- Cover shoulders and knees at temples, and take shoes off before entering.
- Treat images of the Thai royal family with respect — this is a legal matter, not only etiquette.
Avoid
- Don't touch anyone's head, or point your feet at people or Buddha images.
- Don't raise your voice or lose your temper in public — visible anger causes loss of face on both sides.
- Don't buy Buddha images as souvenirs; export is restricted.
Common scams and tourist traps
- “The Grand Palace is closed today” is the standard opener for a gem or tailor tour — check closures yourself at the gate.
- Jet-ski and motorbike hire sometimes produces damage claims on return; photograph the vehicle first and don't leave your passport as deposit.
- Very cheap tuk-tuk fares are usually recouped through commission shop stops; agree the route first or use Grab or Bolt.
Health
Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations are commonly recommended for Thailand, and dengue fever precautions (mosquito repellent, covering up at dawn/dusk) are worthwhile year-round. This is general information, not medical advice — consult a doctor or travel clinic before your trip.
When locals eat
Meal windows shift by country, and eating on the local clock is the difference between a full restaurant and a closed kitchen.
| Meal | Early riser | Typical | Night owl |
|---|---|---|---|
| breakfast | 6:30 AM | 7:30 AM | 9:30 AM |
| lunch | 11:30 AM | 12:00 PM | 2:00 PM |
| dinner | 6:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 9:30 PM |
Useful Thai phrases
English is widely used in tourist Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai, much less so in the provinces.
- Hello
- สวัสดี(sa-wat-dee)
- Thank you
- ขอบคุณ(khop-khun)
- Excuse me / sorry
- ขอโทษ(khor-thot)
- How much is this?
- เท่าไหร่?(tao-rai)
Staying connected
eSIM providers that cover Thailand: Airalo, Holafly, Ubigi. Buying an eSIM before you fly avoids airport queues and roaming charges.
Thailand travel FAQ
- When is the best time to visit Thailand?
- November–February is the cool, dry season. March–May is very hot; June–October is the monsoon, usually heavy afternoon downpours rather than all-day rain.
- Do I need a visa to visit Thailand?
- 60-day visa-free for many nationalities on arrival. Visa runs available at most borders. Entry rules depend on your nationality and change often — confirm with an official consulate or embassy source before booking.
- Do you tip in Thailand?
- Optional but appreciated. 20–50 THB at restaurants; 50–100 THB for massage therapists; round up taxi fares.
- What currency is used in Thailand?
- Thailand uses the THB (฿).
- What power plug and voltage does Thailand use?
- Thailand uses Type A and Type B and Type C sockets at 220V / 50 Hz. Check your device's rated input before travelling; most modern laptop and phone chargers handle both 110V and 220V.
- What is the emergency number in Thailand?
- In Thailand, call 191 (police) / 1669 (ambulance) / 199 (fire).
- What time zone is Thailand in?
- Thailand is in the Asia/Bangkok time zone (UTC+07:00).
- What language is spoken in Thailand?
- The main language is Thai. English is widely used in tourist Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai, much less so in the provinces.
- Is public transport worth buying a pass for in Thailand?
- Bangkok's BTS Skytrain and MRT charge roughly ฿17–62 a ride. A Rabbit card covers the BTS, which also sells a one-day pass at about ฿150. The BTS day pass beats singles from around 4 rides; for 2–3 rides a day a stored-value Rabbit card is cheaper.
- What health precautions should I take in Thailand?
- Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations are commonly recommended for Thailand, and dengue fever precautions (mosquito repellent, covering up at dawn/dusk) are worthwhile year-round. This is general information, not medical advice — consult a doctor or travel clinic before your trip.
Ready-made Thailand itineraries
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Plan my Thailand tripThis guide is general travel information, not legal, medical, or financial advice. Visa, health, and safety requirements change — verify anything time-sensitive with an official source before you travel.