In this article, we’re gonna tell you 15 travel tips about Thailand. If you keep them in mind and apply them while you are in Thailand, you are going to save a lot of time and money, and of course, you are going to enjoy your vacation in a better way. So what are they?
Visa
64 countries people can come to Thailand using visa exemption, which grants you 30 day on-arrival visa in Thailand without applying for a visa. Before the end of 30 days, you can apply for a visa extension for another 30 days.
Before your 30 days expire go to a local immigration office and you’ll need to bring your passport, a copy of your passport, passport photo, the completed application form, and 1,900 Baht.
Just remember that, immigration offices are closed on weekends and national holidays. So check that calendar ahead of time. It’s very important that you extend your visa within that 30-day period or you leave the country.
Once you pass immigration and claim your baggage, you have to know about three essential things: which SIM card to buy, where to exchange money, and lastly, which kind of transportation to take. So let us simplify these things for you so that you avoid mistakes.
Buying SIM Cards
Most of the SIM card companies provide almost the same services. So you should think about the package you need. It will depend on how long you will stay in Thailand.
Our advice would be to buy the package according to how long you will stay with unlimited internet. So that you can use it throughout your vacation.
Exchanging Money plus ATM Fees
You’ll be tired after the flight, so you will be thinking of going to the hotel as soon as possible to take some rest. So you may exchange some money for quick needs. But try not to exchange much in an exchange shop. Because we have a better option for you. You can get the best rate through the Bank.
But the thing that you are going to realize after arriving in Thailand is the ATM fees. No matter what type of card you have, a foreign card obviously. No matter what ATM, no matter what bank, you are going to pay a whopping fee of 220 Thai Baht.
Every time you take out money, plus whatever commission your bank is going to charge. You can now avoid debt by going to the branch yourself with your passport and your card in your hand and just taking out money from the branch directly in person.
Airport to Accommodation
More concerning, which transportation to take. It’s so simple. If you are a couple or Solo Traveler with light baggage, go for public transportation. Take the airport link and you will be in downtown Bangkok for 40 Thai baht.
But if you are a family or have more than 3 members and of course more luggage, then take the public taxi. It will cost you between 200 to 400 Thai baht.
Make Sure to have travel insurance
If you are in Thailand then make sure you have travel insurance to save your back. If you fall into any problem for example you rented a scooter and something bad happened, or you’ve got an accident and you don’t have insurance to provide financial support. This is not good at all.
So make sure to have travel insurance when you are traveling in Thailand. One thing you must be careful about is checking the scooter insurance that you are renting in Thailand.
International Driver’s License
Whenever you go around Thailand and you want to rent a scooter or a car or anything like that, make sure that you have an international driver’s license.
Depending on the place that you’re in, for example, in Pai or a very touristy type of place, people will give you a scooter without checking your international driver’s license first. But in their laws and regulations, it says that you have to have one.
For renting a scooter in Thailand, it will cost 200 Thai baht per day.
Temple Visit Tips
One thing to keep in mind in Thailand is you’ve got to be respectful in these temples. When you are in a temple, make sure to dress appropriately; that goes for men and women.
Try to cover your shoulders, and try to cover your legs as well. Don’t point with your feet towards anything of significance. Don’t show the soles of your feet towards the statue of Buddha. Try to be as quiet as possible; don’t cause too much of a ruckus when you’re inside the temple.
Buying Alcohol in Thailand
This is really surprising. In Thailand, you can buy alcohol only at certain times, at least in supermarkets and 7-Elevens and stores like that. But bars and restaurants are not affected by that as much.
If you want to go to a 7-Eleven or a supermarket, alcohol selling times are usually 11 A.M to 2 p.m. and then 5 PM to midnight. So depending on what time you go there might not be any alcohol for sale.
There are some specific days, for example, before elections, there’s not going to be any alcohol sold at all.
Thai Street Food
Don’t be afraid to eat street food in Thailand. It will be a very big tourist mistake if you stay away from street food in Thailand.
Thai food is really amazing. Thai cuisine can be one of your favorites in the world. So don’t miss the chance to try Thai cuisine in a restaurant or on the street.
Thai food is honestly so cheap, especially compared to Western cuisines. Try the street food and go to the night markets because that’s where you get really cheap great food. There are ones all over the country, and honestly, Thai people know how to put on a good night market.
Don’t miss the Full Moon party
Something you might not do when you’re in Thailand, but if you are and it lines up, then you have to do the full moon party. It’s pretty much the biggest beach party in the world, and for good reason. It is so much fun with a lot of people on just one beach.
If you’re backpacking Thailand, you probably don’t want to book in advance. But for the full moon party, you must do it. Because if you don’t, the price is going to be really expensive. The taxis and stuff are really expensive in Koh Panyang if you stay quite far away from the actual beach.
Tip: Try to stay within a kilometer of Haad Rin Beach.
When to go to Thailand
Thailand has two seasons, dry seasons and wet seasons. Obviously, the dry season from November to March is pretty much the busiest time of the year. There are so many people during these times.
If you go in the wet season, prices are much cheaper. There are not as many tourists in the hotel. In Marina Phuket, it costs 32 dollars in the wet season but in the height of the dry season, it costs up to 75 dollars a night, which is a crazy difference. So you’ll get so much more value if you go in the wet season.
Budget for Thailand
As a cheap backpacker, not looking to drink much, staying in the cheapest accommodation, and eating cheap food can easily travel on under 25 dollars a day.
But if you want a little more comfort, then 35 dollars a day will give you a lot more comfortable stuff. Obviously, you can spend way more easily, but it all depends on the individual. Don’t feel like you need to spend loads.
Tip: One thing to keep in mind is that the north of Thailand is so much cheaper than the south of Thailand. If you’ve got less money, maybe you spend much more time up north.
How to get around
Thailand is probably one of the easiest countries to travel. Because there are tour agencies everywhere in Thailand. This is where you can book your transport to your next city, whether that’s taking a minibus or a ferry or whatever.
This is the best way, book with a travel agency, and they’ll help you, or your hotel or hostel, they’ll also do it too. If you want to go short distances, then we recommend using the Grab and the Bolt app. Honestly, it is pretty cheap there.
You don’t need to bargain with the taxi drivers, even if you don’t speak much English. So do that and it saves a lot of hassle.
But if you are a solo traveler and want to explore everything by yourself, then wherever you go in Thailand, just rent a Scooter and explore yourself with Google Maps.
7-Eleven Facility
Thailand’s little gem. No, it’s not a place; it is a 7-Eleven Store. 7-Elevens are literally everywhere, especially in the cities. Around Bangkok, every corner, every street, like 50 meters, has a 7-Eleven.
They have a wide range of food and drink selections, including iced coffees and sodas. They’re known for their good iced coke, and there are so many different drinks you can get, and we love it.
Tip: If you want to have a cheap lunch, then you can have a 7-Eleven microwave meal. They’re around 45 Thai baht, and it’s a quick, easy way to have lunch without spending too much money.
Bangkok Belly (Food Poisoning)
Just be careful with items like radishes, cucumbers, and tomatoes when they’re washed in the local water. Because that’s what can make you quite ill — the water used to wash the vegetables. We wouldn’t recommend eating them.
The last thing you want, especially if you’re on a short trip, is to get Bangkok’s belly and basically have food poisoning. It’s not much fun.
Quick Tips for a Thailand Trip
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- In Thailand, they use the US plug socket. So you’ll need a universal adapter from the UK or the EU or wherever you’re coming from.
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- They also drive on the left-hand side, like the British, not like they do in America.
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- An important thing to do is, don’t mention the king. If you want a fast-track way of getting into jail in Thailand, then say something bad about the king, and you’ll be put in jail.
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- Avoid the rush hours, mostly happening in the afternoon from 5 to 6 PM when local workers return from their work.
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- Don’t just stay in the hotel room after a busy day. Relax in a green park in Thailand and recharge your batteries in nature. You may find a green park near your hotel, maybe a 5-minute walk.
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