Thailand Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

Before You Arrive

Thailand is one of the easiest countries in Southeast Asia to visit as a first-timer, but showing up unprepared still leads to avoidable headaches. This guide covers what you actually need to know — not the obvious stuff you can find on any tourist brochure.

Visas: Who Needs What

Citizens of most Western countries (USA, UK, EU, Australia, Canada) get a visa exemption on arrival — currently 60 days, extendable once at any immigration office for another 30 days (cost: 1,900 THB). You do not need to apply in advance for a tourist stay.

If you want to stay longer or plan to work remotely, look into the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) — a 180-day multiple-entry visa valid for 5 years. It costs 10,000 THB and requires proof of funds (500,000 THB equivalent) or remote work status. See our visa guide for full details.

What you need at the border:

• Passport valid for at least 6 months
• Proof of onward travel (a real ticket, or use an onward ticket service)
• Proof of funds (rarely checked, but 20,000 THB per person is the official requirement)
• Completed arrival card (handed out on the plane or available at immigration)

Money and ATMs

Thailand runs on Thai Baht (THB). As of early 2026, rough conversions: 35 THB ≈ $1 USD, 44 THB ≈ £1 GBP, 38 THB ≈ 1 EUR.

ATMs are everywhere — 7-Elevens, shopping malls, airport arrivals halls, tourist areas. Every Thai ATM charges a 220 THB foreign transaction fee regardless of your bank. To minimize losses, withdraw the maximum each time (usually 20,000–30,000 THB depending on the machine). If your home bank reimburses foreign ATM fees (Charles Schwab and Starling Bank do this), you're sorted.

Cards: Most mid-range and upscale restaurants, hotels, and shops accept Visa/Mastercard. Markets, street food stalls, and many local restaurants are cash only. Carry 500–1,000 THB in small bills at all times.

Exchange: Airport exchange rates are acceptable but not the best. Better rates at SuperRich (orange or green branches) in Bangkok, or any money changer on Khao San Road or in tourist areas.

Getting a SIM Card

Get a tourist SIM at the airport the moment you land — before you exit arrivals. AIS, DTAC, and TrueMove all have counters there. A 30-day unlimited data SIM runs about 299–599 THB ($8–17). TrueMove tends to have the best coverage outside cities; AIS is strong in Bangkok.

You'll need your passport. The process takes about 5 minutes. Don't wait until you reach your hotel — you'll want Maps and Grab working immediately.

Getting Around Thailand

Within Bangkok:

• BTS Skytrain: 16–62 THB per trip, covers most tourist areas. Fast and air-conditioned. Buy a Rabbit Card for convenience.
• MRT Subway: Similar pricing, covers areas the BTS misses (Chinatown, Lumphini Park, Chatuchak Market).
• Grab: Thailand's Uber. Always cheaper than negotiating with tuk-tuks or taxis. Use it for anywhere not on the rail lines.
• Taxis: Insist on the meter ("meter dai mai?"). A 20-minute ride should cost 60–100 THB plus expressway tolls.
• Boat: The Chao Phraya Express Boat is 15–40 THB and connects riverside temples (Wat Pho, Wat Arun, the Grand Palace area).

Between cities:

• Flights: AirAsia, Nok Air, and Lion Air connect Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Koh Samui for as little as 500–1,500 THB if booked ahead.
• Night trains: The train from Hua Lamphong or Bang Sue (new) to Chiang Mai takes 12 hours. A 2nd-class sleeper berth is 531–1,000 THB — actually comfortable and a great way to cover distance without losing a day.
• Buses: Long-distance buses (Nakhon Chai Air, Transport Co.) cover almost everywhere. VIP buses have wide reclining seats and are 300–800 THB for major routes.

Culture Do's and Don'ts

Thais are forgiving of most tourist mistakes, but a few things genuinely matter:

Do:

• Remove shoes before entering temples and many traditional homes (look for a pile of shoes at the entrance)
• Dress modestly at temples — shoulders and knees covered. Many temples lend sarongs at the entrance
• Wai (the prayer-hands greeting) back if someone wais you first, though for younger people or service staff, a smile and nod is fine
• Refer to the King and royal family respectfully — Thailand has strict lese-majeste laws and this is taken seriously
• Say "khob khun krap" (men) or "khob khun kha" (women) to say thank you — locals genuinely appreciate it

Don't:

• Raise your voice or show anger in public. "Losing face" is a real concept; staying calm gets problems solved faster
• Touch someone on the head — it's considered the most sacred part of the body
• Point your feet at people, images of the Buddha, or monks
• Touch monks if you're a woman — women cannot hand anything directly to a monk
• Discuss politics or the monarchy critically

Best Time to Visit

Thailand has three seasons and the right choice depends heavily on which region you're visiting. See our full month-by-month guide for detail, but the short version:

• Cool season (Nov–Feb): Best overall. Lower humidity, comfortable temperatures (25–32°C). Peak tourist season, so prices are higher and popular spots are crowded.
• Hot season (Mar–May): Temperatures hit 38–40°C in Bangkok. Phuket and the Andaman coast are still good. Songkran (Thai New Year water festival) is in April — absolute chaos and absolute fun.
• Rainy season (Jun–Oct): Significant discounts on accommodation. Rains are usually afternoon/evening thunderstorms, not all-day downpours. The Gulf Coast (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan) has its own dry season October–January, opposite to the Andaman side.

Safety Overview

Thailand is genuinely safe for tourists. Violent crime against foreigners is rare. The main risks are:

• Traffic: By far the biggest hazard. Thailand has some of the world's highest road fatality rates. Be extremely careful crossing streets and think hard before renting a motorbike without experience.
• Scams: Tuk-tuk drivers steering you to overpriced shops, "closed temple" misdirections, gem shop cons. See our full safety guide.
• Petty theft: Snatch theft from bags on motorbikes exists in tourist areas. Keep bags on the side away from the road.
• Sun: Thailand's equatorial sun is intense. Sunscreen, hydration, and shade.

Packing Essentials

Clothing: Pack light, breathable fabrics. Two to three "temple-appropriate" outfits (covered shoulders and knees). Sandals you can slip on and off easily. Rain jacket or small umbrella if visiting June–October.

Health: Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines are recommended. Malaria risk is low in tourist areas but higher in forested border regions. Pack a basic first aid kit, oral rehydration salts, and an anti-diarrheal. DEET mosquito repellent is important — dengue fever is real and spread by daytime mosquitoes.

Electronics: Power plugs in Thailand accept most flat-pin plugs (same as USA/Australia); Type A, B, and C all work. Voltage is 220V, so check your charger is dual-voltage.

Food: Your First Week

Thai food is extraordinary but the variety can be overwhelming. Start here:

• Pad Thai: Stir-fried rice noodles with egg, tofu or shrimp, peanuts, lime. The tourist gateway dish — 60–80 THB from a street cart.
• Khao Pad: Fried rice. Available everywhere. Safe, filling, 50–80 THB.
• Som Tam: Green papaya salad, usually quite spicy. Order "mai pet" (not spicy) if needed.
• Mango Sticky Rice: 60–100 THB from market stalls. Order it when you see it — it's not always available.
• 7-Eleven: Thai 7-Elevens are genuinely good. Salapao (steamed buns, 12–16 THB), onigiri, coffee, and hot foods are all reliable.

Street food meals run 40–80 THB. Local shophouse restaurants (sit-down, basic): 80–150 THB. Air-conditioned mall food courts: 80–150 THB and often excellent quality. You can eat extremely well on 300 THB per day.

Spice warning: When a Thai says "a little spicy," believe them. Som tam, pad krapao, and many Isaan dishes are genuinely scorching. Always specify "mai pet" (not spicy) or "pet nit noi" (a little spicy) when ordering.

Connectivity and Apps

Essential apps before you arrive:

• Grab: Rideshare and food delivery
• Google Maps: Works well in Thailand; download offline maps for your regions
• Google Translate: Camera translate mode is useful for menus
• HappyRoam: The app you're already using — AI travel advice, festival calendar, visa tracker
• Wise or Revolut: For fee-free currency conversion

Quick Tips Summary

• Always negotiate tuk-tuk fares before getting in, or just use Grab
• The words "khob khun" (thank you) and "mai ao" (no thanks) will save you a lot of hassle
• Carry a small amount of cash in 20 and 50 THB notes for street food and markets
• Photo ID (or a passport copy) is technically required at all times
• Most temples are free or cost 20–100 THB; the Grand Palace is 500 THB
• 7-Eleven is your friend: ATMs, SIM top-ups, cheap food, phone chargers
• Download maps offline before leaving wifi — rural areas have spotty signal
• Thai time is genuinely flexible; build buffer into transport connections