Thailand is known for its beautiful beaches, azure waters, and historic sites. Its capital, Bangkok, is a modern, vibrant city with a wide variety of cultures and cuisines. Most people are friendly and welcoming, making travelers feel at home. Thailand offers a wide range of experiences and activities in its cities and destinations, and is known for its natural beauty and cultural richness.
1. Thailand Quick Facts
Language Thai
Religion Buddhism
Currency Thai Baht (THB)
Visa VOA or visa free access for 70+ nationalities
Power Plugs 220 V 50 Hz (A /B / C Type)
Capital Bangkok
ATM
ATM are also readily available, allowing you to withdraw money in local currency using credit or debit cards. It’s a good idea to bring plenty of cash, as it’s often useful.
Use card
Larger stores, such as malls and high-end restaurants, accept cards. However, many markets and local restaurants only accept cash.
Useful APP
Google Maps
Grab
2. Packing for your trip
Air plain Ticket
Dollar Flight Club has made it easier and cheaper to buy flights to the Airport.
SIM card
Airalo is the world’s first eSIM store that solves the pain of high roaming bills by giving you access to 200+ eSIMs (digital SIM cards) globally at affordable prices.
New member one-time use 15% discount coupon
10% discount coupon for multiple use by all members.
Phuket luggage storage and delivery services
Pacsafe Pro safe 800 Luggage Lock
Good protection against snatchers or impulse thieves.
Universal Power Adapter
One of the most essential but most forgotten items in your travel gear? A power adapter!
Travel insurance
Prepare for risky situations Travel insurance can be a big help in the event of an emergency
GoPro HERO11
If you want to capture your own memories of your travels, GoPro is the way to go. It’s small, has great image quality, and is easy to carry around.
Bug spray
Laos has a tropical climate and lots of bugs like mosquitoes. Pack bug spray and use it.
3. Transportation
Taxis: It is safe to assume that not all taxis are honest. You can use the “Grab” app to catch a safer and more honest taxi.
Tuk-tuks: Tuk-tuks can cost up to five times the price of a taxi. It’s worth taking a tuk-tuk for the experience, but be sure to check the exact fare to your destination before you get in.
BTS (Bangkok BTS Skytrain) Rabbitcard 100THB (card price) Base fare is 17THB, surcharges up to -47THB depending on distance, can be reloaded in 100THB increments and cannot be transferred to the MRT. You can also use Travel Wallet.
1-day pass 150THB Unlimited rides for one day
MRT (subway)The subway can be used with a credit card with the Travel Wallet (contactless leasing) contactless leasing feature.
You can do this by signing up for the app at Travel Wallet (https://www.travel-wallet.com/) and then applying for a physical card.
BTS has a partnership with MASTER and MRT with VISA, so you can use MRT with Travel Wallet.
4. Safety
Bangkok is generally regarded as safe, but there are many pickpockets lurking in the pubs and clubs along Khao San Road, where foreigners tend to hang out, so don’t accept drinks from strangers.
Klong Toey, Thailand’s largest slum, is located near the centre of Bangkok and is an area that is rarely visited by non-Thai residents, especially at night, as security deteriorates. Last year, three people were killed by gunmen in November 2023.
Useful phone numbers for tourists
Police and general emergency : 191
Tourist Police : 1155
Public Ambulance : 1669
5. Climate
Bangkok, Thailand has a tropical monsoon climate. It’s summer all year round, with hot and humid weather and distinct wet and dry seasons.
March-May Very hot summer averages 34°C (93°F)Dry weather
June-October Rainy season Thailand’s rainy season is a period of heavy rainfall, averaging around 29°C (84°F), and is humid and hot enough to make you sweat even if you stand still.
November-February Days average 32°C, with cooler mornings and evenings around 20°C (68°F), making this a pleasant time to travel.
6. price
Prices in Thailand are low, but they can fluctuate depending on where you’re travelling, and popular tourist destinations are more expensive than average. Fruit is particularly cheap.
Coca-Cola 325ml: 16 THB
McDonald’s Combo Meal: 285 THB
Water (1.5 litres): 20 THB
Starbucks Americano Grande: 150 THB
7. Travel precautions
Endemic diseases to watch out for in Thailand include dengue, malaria, and typhoid fever, so it’s a good idea to get vaccinated in advance, practice good hygiene while travelling, and avoid mosquito-infested areas. The hot and humid weather can also put you at risk for exhaustion, heat stroke, and food poisoning, so it’s a good idea to stay well hydrated and rested.
Thailand is a country where you can be punished for talking or writing negatively about the royal family.
Tap water in Thailand is unsafe and should be used with caution.
Carry portable tissues; most Thai restaurant toilets do not have them.
This is a country where cannabis is legal, so if you consume it, it could be illegal in your home country.
Public holidays Makabucha Day and Visakhapatnam are strict enough that bars and clubs are closed for a 24-hour ban on alcohol sales.
Feral dogs roam the streets and bites can cause rabies, which can be fatal, so if you are bitten, you should go straight to the hospital.
8. Etiquette & Service Tip
Knees and elbows must be covered when visiting temples and shoes must be removed before entering
Thailand is a Buddhist country and the head is considered the most sacred part of the body, so touching another person’s head is considered sacrilegious and travelers should be careful.
Tip
There is no set tipping culture. However, it is customary to tip as a ‘thank you’ for a good massage, tour, or pick-up service.
9. Holidays
The public holidays in Thailand in 2024
1 Jan Mon New Year’s Day
2 Jan Tue New Year Holiday
10 Feb Sat Chinese New Year *
24 Feb Sat Makha Bucha Day
26 Feb Mon Makha Bucha Holiday
6 Apr Sat Chakri Day
8 Apr Mon Chakri Day Holiday
10 Apr Wed End of Ramadan *
13 Apr to 16 Apr Sat to Tue Songkran Festival
1 May Wed Labour Day *
4 May Sat Coronation of King Vajiralongkorn
6 May Mon Coronation of King Vajiralongkorn Holiday
13 May Mon Royal Ploughing Ceremony *
22 May Wed Visakha Bucha Day
3 Jun Mon Queen Suthida’s Birthday
20 Jul Sat Asahna Bucha Day
21 Jul Sun Khao Phansa Day *
22 Jul Mon Asahna Bucha Day Holiday
23 Jul Tue Khao Phansa Holiday *
28 Jul Sun King Vajiralongkorn’s Birthday
29 Jul Mon King Vajiralongkorn’s Birthday Holiday
12 Aug Mon Her Majesty the Queen Mother’s Birthday
13 Oct Sun Passing of His Majesty the Late King
14 Oct Mon Passing of His Majesty the Late King Holiday
23 Oct Wed Chulalongkorn Memorial Day
5 Dec Thu His Majesty the Late King’s Birthday
10 Dec Tue Constitution Day
25 Dec Wed Christmas Day *
31 Dec Tue New Year’s Eve
2025 National Public Holidays:
Wednesday, 1 January :New Year’s Day
Wednesday, 29 January : Chinese New Year
Wednesday, 12 February : Makha Bucha Day
Sunday, 30 March : End of Ramadan
Sunday, 6 April : Chakri Day
Monday, 7 April : Chakri Day Holiday
Sunday to Tuesday, 13 April to 15 April : Songkran Festival
Thursday, 1 May : Labour Day
Sunday, 4 May : Coronation of King Vajiralongkorn
Monday, 5 May : Coronation of King Vajiralongkorn Holiday
Friday, 9 May : Royal Ploughing Ceremony *
Sunday, 11 May : Visakha Bucha Day
Monday, 12 May : Visakha Bucha Holiday
Tuesday, 3 June : Queen Suthida’s Birthday
Thursday, 10 July : Khao Phansa Day
Monday, 28 July : King Vajiralongkorn’s Birthday
Tuesday, 12 August : Her Majesty the Queen Mother’s Birthday
Monday, 13 October : Passing of His Majesty the Late King
Thursday, 23 October : Chulalongkorn Memorial Day
Friday, 5December: His Majesty the Late King’s Birthday
Wednesday, 10 December: Constitution Day
Thursday, 25 December: Christmas Day
Wednesday, 31 December: New Year’s Eve