Thailand Travel Essentials
Ideal Duration: 7-10 days for a taste of the main cities and attractions; 2 weeks to a month for comprehensive exploration
Currency: Thai Baht (THB)
Best Time: November to February (Cool and dry season)
Accommodation Cost (per night in USD): Dorm bed: $5-15
Budget: $20-40
Mid-range: $50-100
Luxury: $150 and above
Budget for Food & Drinks (per day in USD): Budget: $10-20
Mid-range: $30-50
Visa Policy for Indians: Visa on Arrival (for some nationalities), E-visa
Visa Policy for Other Nationals:
Visa on Arrival (for some nationalities), E-visa or Visa-Free
Getting In Thailand: Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) in Bangkok, Phuket International Airport (HKT), Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX)
Getting Around Thailand: Tuk-tuks, taxis, buses, trains, motorbikes, songthaews, and domestic flights for longer distances
"Where Every Moment is a New Adventure"
Thailand Tourism
Thailand is a Southeast Asian country and one of Asia’s most popular tourist destinations, with stunning beaches, vibrant nightlife, and a backpacker-friendly atmosphere. Sharing borders with Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia, it is one of the top countries for exploring this region. Thailand is full of immersive experiences, whether you're seeking vibrant city life in Bangkok, historical sites in Ayutthaya, trekking through the jungles of Chiang Mai or enjoying the repose of the Phi Phi Islands.
One of the top beach holiday destinations in the world, Thailand is home to destinations like Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, Krabi, and Koh Samui. These offer breathtaking beaches, perfect for sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, and water sports. Thailand also boasts an unforgettable nightlife, particularly in cities like Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket. From trendy rooftop bars with panoramic city views to vibrant night markets and nightclubs pumping out music until the early hours, there is something for everyone.
Thailand is a country steeped in rich cultural heritage with a history spanning thousands of years. Visit its opulent temples, such as Wat Arun and Wat Phra Kaew, to witness intricate architecture and ornate decorations along with experiencing traditional Buddhist practices. Thailand is also a popular backpacker-friendly destination due to its affordability, accessibility, and welcoming atmosphere. Places like Bangkok's Khao San Road and Chiang Mai's Nimman Road are well-known hubs for backpackers.
Thai cuisine is beloved globally for its bold flavors, aromatic spices, and diverse dishes. From savory favorites like pad Thai, green curry, and tom yum soup to sweet treats like sticky mango rice, Thailand's culinary offerings delight food lovers. Encompassing lush mountains, fertile plains, tropical rainforests, and pristine coastlines, Thailand has to be visited to be experienced.
Tourist Places to Visit In Thailand
Must Know Before You Travel to Thailand
- Show Respect for the King & the Royal Family: Disrespecting or saying anything about the royal family is a criminal offense in Thailand.
- Opening Hours: Most tourist attractions are open from Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. In tourist cities like Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, and Phuket, opening hours are generally longer. Skytrain (BTS) and subway (MRT) operate daily from 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Some attractions, like the Grand Palace in Bangkok, are closed on certain days for royal or religious events.
- Museums and Art Galleries: Most museums and galleries are closed on Monday. Some close once a week or every public holiday.
- Public Transport: Taxis, tuk-tuks, and buses are widely available. Use metered taxis in cities to avoid overcharging. In cities like Bangkok, consider purchasing multi-day public transport passes for convenience and cost savings. In some cases, buying tickets at a kiosk or online can be cheaper than purchasing them directly on a bus.
- Limited Ferries: In some remote islands, ferry schedules may be limited. Check the ferry timetables and book your tickets in advance, particularly during high season.
- Restrictions: You can only carry 250 grams of cigars or smoking tobacco or 200 cigarettes and 1 liter of wine or liquor into Thailand. It is also illegal to carry a Buddha image or statue out of Thailand.
- Full Moon Party: The Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan is a popular event. Plan your trip around it if you want to join in the festivities or avoid the island during this time for a quieter experience. Read more about Full Moon Party in Thailand.
- VAT Refund for Tourists: Thailand has a VAT refund scheme on luxury goods for tourists. Purchase goods from stores with a "VAT REFUND FOR TOURISTS" sign and present the goods with original tax invoices at the customs counter at the airport while departing.
- Network Connectivity: While Thailand generally has good network coverage, some remote areas and islands may have limited connectivity. Local operators like AIS and TrueMove are recommended for SIM cards. The local SIM cards can be purchased at airports and convenience stores across the country.
- Tap Water: Tap water in Thailand is not potable. Always drink bottled water, and ensure that the ice in your drinks is made from purified water.
- Respect Local Customs: Dress modestly when visiting temples and religious sites. Cover your shoulders and knees.
- Common Scams: Be aware of common scams, such as gem scams, tuk-tuk scams, and overpriced goods. Read more about scams in Thailand.
- Health and Safety: Thailand is a tropical country. Be aware of health risks like dengue fever and take necessary precautions. Read more about Safety in Thailand.
More on Thailand Travel
Top Experiences in Thailand
Best time to visit Thailand
The best time to visit Thailand depends on the specific experiences you're seeking, as the country's climate varies from region to region. However, in general, the best time to visit Thailand is during the cool, dry season, which is from November to early April. The weather is generally pl...
Holidify's opinion on Travel to Thailand
What's Great about Travelling to Thailand?
- Pristine beaches
- Great diving sites
- Great nightlife
- Deep cultural roots
- Diverse Food
- Budget-Friendly
What's Not So Great about Travelling to Thailand?
- Many beaches and nightlife spots can be overcrowded
- Not many food options for vegetarians
- Expensive transport on islands
Who should Travel to Thailand?
- Beach lovers and diving enthusiasts
- Budget travellers
- Bachelors, bachelorettes and even couples
Top Stories about Thailand Tourism
Browse Package Collections
Read More on Thailand Travel
Exchanging Money in Thailand
Nightlife in Thailand
Most places in Thailand offer their own brand of nightlife. If it's the unspeakable kind of fun you are looking for, head to the infamous Walking Street in Pattaya. Amass with a-go-go bars, cabarets and strip clubs, Pattaya is a must-visit for your bachelor trip. Phuket adds to this its beach parties, while Bangkok adds its rooftop bars on top of tall skyscrapers. The Full Moon Party, which is held on all full moon nights at the Haad Rin beach in Koh Pha Ngan, is another unique feature of the Thailand nightlife. Chiang Mai offers a relatively quieter time and can be quite charming with its pubs playing live music by the river.
Shopping in Thailand
Haggling is the norm in many of the local markets, and you will find many vendors trying to charge as much as they think you can afford. These vendors drop the prices drastically once they know you have an idea of what it costs. It is okay to bargain for prices but not as hard as you might do in some other countries.
Shopping can also be done from the duty-free shops located at Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Had Yai airports. Souvenirs such as handicrafts, ceramic, jewellery, textiles and antiques are available at these shops and are excellent value.
Festivals of Thailand
The most popular festival is the Songkran festival or the Water festival, celebrated during the Thai New Year. Other festivals which can be an interesting experience include the Lopburi Monkey Banquet, the Vegetarian festival and Yi Peng (the Lantern festival).
Hygiene in Thailand
Food hygiene level is very high in Thailand, and you can easily eat the street food being offered. However, it is preferable to use bottled water for drinking. Beware of dairy products made with unboiled milk. Go for freshly cooked meat over reheated one. Avoid eating raw vegetables and fruits.
Tips for visiting Thailand
- The Thai Royal Family is greatly revered in Thailand so visitors should respect this. It is both, unacceptable and a criminal offence, to speak against the Royal family.
- Refrain from making public displays of anger as it is frowned upon in the Thai culture. Locals consider it as disrespect to their culture.
- Thai people are very religious so treat the Buddhist monuments with respect. It is considered disrespectful to place the Buddha images in an inferior position or as a backdrop for a photo.
- Public display of affection is frowned upon by the local people.
- Avoid wearing beachwear away from the beach areas. Sunbathing topless is not a part of Thai culture.
- Smoking in public areas is banned, and it is illegal to smoke in public establishments, restaurants and markets. You can face a fine if caught smoking.
Food of Thailand
The best part about Thailand that is you never need to enter a restaurant to eat, since there are large numbers of hawkers selling street food at every corner. Most of these road side stalls are pretty hygienic and can safely be eaten at.
When in Thailand, do visit the local night markets which are gatherings of open-air night-time kitchens found everywhere in the country. They are not the cheapest option, costing around THB 150 for a person. However, they are worth experiencing. They typically operate from 18:00 - 6:00 in the morning and can be found in the central areas of the cities.
Drinking the tap water is not recommended and it is advisable to buy packaged drinking water. When in Thailand do try the Thai iced tea. It is very strong and very sweet and served with a dash of condensed milk. Fruit juices and coconut water are also very popular in Thailand and sold on the streets.
The popular beers here are Singha and Chang, widely available throughout the country. Alcohol buckets, which are literally buckets filled with a few varieties of alcohol and mixers, stand out as offerings at pubs and bars. These are more often than not a rip-off, as the alcohol content is very low in these mixes. They are worth a try though.
Top Hotel Collections for Thailand
Photos of Thailand
+ 48photos
Reviews
Yatrika Tours Pvt Ltd
5 years ago
V Krishna Murty Peddinti
5 years agoHave a Question on Thailand?
experience.
Popular Questions And Answers on Thailand
Q. How to arrange a tour from Phuket to Phi-Phi Island ?
V Krishna Murty Peddinti
5 years agoQ. Best package Thailand including main destinations like Bangkok, Pattaya, Krabi, Phi Phi