Introduction
Thailand is a fairly large country, approximately the size of France, with a growing population of around 61 million. Its sits in the center of mainland South –East Asia bordering Myanmar to the east, Laos to the north and the north-east, Cambodia to the west and Malaysia to the south. The north of the country is mainly mountainous while the central region vast fertile plain. In the south the country stretches for over a 1,000km down a narrow peninsula to the Malaysian border.
Arrival
Starting 1 May 2025, all non-Thai nationals entering Thailand by air, land, or sea must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online before arrival.
This new digital system makes immigration processing faster, easier, and more secure—no more paper forms!
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Register within 3 days before arrival
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Apply here: https://tdac.immigration.go.th
Airport Tax
The Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT) has announced the adjustment of its passenger service charge (PSC) for international passengers from 700 baht per person to 730 baht per person and for domestic passengers from 100 baht per person to 130 baht per person. The adjusted PSC has been in effect from 1 April 2024 onwards, and is included in the passengers’ air ticket price. The PSC is applied in six international airports, namely Suvarnabhumi airport, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Mae-Fah Luang Chiang Rai, Phuket, and Hat Yai.
Clothing
Comfortable lightweight clothing in natural fabrics such as cotton is most suitable for traveling in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand. The dress code is fairly casual as in most parts of the tropics but it is advisable to cover arms and legs in the evenings against biting insects. A lightweight raincoat is a good idea in the rainy season. During the winter month’s warm clothing is needed for visiting the north of Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand. Visitors to Buddhist countries should not wear shorts, short skirts or other skimpy clothing when visiting religious buildings and shoes should be removed before entering a private home.
Electricity
220V
Food
The basis of a Thai meal is rice, usually steamed although it can be made into noodles, while glutinous or sticky rice is preferred with some specialties. Accompanying the rice are main dishes featuring vegetables, meat, seafood, egg, fish and soup. Although Thais generally prefer hot, spicy food, not all dishes are so intense and there are grades of hotness and Thai food can be modulated to suit most tastes.
Health Precautions
No vaccinations are required except for yellow fever if you are coming from an area where the disease is present. However, visitors should be inoculated against typhoid, cholera, hepatitis A & B, tetanus and polio. Malaria is present in most of the region and it is advisable to take precautions especially if travelling off the beaten track. Medical facilities are rather limited in all countries with the exception of Thailand and it is essential to take out a good medical insurance policy before traveling in case evacuation is needed. Please kindly visit our Travel Insurance for details.
Hours of Business
Most businesses are open from Monday to Friday. Government offices are open from 08:30 to 16:30 with some closing for lunch from noon to 13:00. Many retailers and travel agencies are also open on Saturday.
Language
The most widely spoken language in Thailand is Thai, a complicated language with a unique alphabet. Beside the numerous hill tribe dialects, the non-Thai languages include Lao, Khmer and Chinese.
Money
The currency in Thailand is the Baht. Banks, which are open Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 15:30, give the best exchange rates. In tourist areas there are also foreign exchange kiosks that stay open later, usually until around 20:00. All major Thai banks offer ATM machines and most of these will accept foreign ATM cards. Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and other businesses.
Public Holidays
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January 1: New Year's Day
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February 17: Makha Bucha Day
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April 6: Chakri Memorial Day
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April 12–14: Songkran Festival (Thai New Year)
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May 1: National Labour Day
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May 5: Coronation Day
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May 15: Wisakhabucha Day
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July 14: Buddhist Lent Day
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August 12: Queen’s Birthday
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October 23: Chulalongkorn Day
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December 5: Constitution Day
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December 10: King’s Birthday
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December 31: New Year’s Eve
Religion
Theravada Buddhism is practiced by about 95% of Thais. Every Thai male is expected to become a monk for a short period in his life. There is also a large Muslim minority in Thailand’s four southernmost provinces of Yala, Narathiwat, Pattani and Satun.
Shopping
Textiles are possibly the best buy in Thailand and Thai silk, considered the best in the world, is very inexpensive. The Thai shoulder bags known as yams are generally well made and come in many varieties, some woven by hill tribes. Other items to look out for include gems and jewelry, silverware, bronze ware, woodcarvings, lacquerware, celadon pottery, leather goods and tailoring.
Telecommunications
Telecommunication products and technologies from the United States are well known for high adoption rate of new advanced technologies, IoT, wearable technology, and autonomous/connected cars. Deployment of 5G in Thailand in Thailand provides reliable and fast connectivity required for these technologies. The major players in the 5G infrastructure market are Huawei (China), Ericsson (Sweden), Samsung (South Korea), Nokia Networks (Finland), ZTE (China), NEC (Japan), CISCO (US), CommScope (US), Comba Telecom Systems (Hong Kong), Alpha Networks (Taiwan), Siklu Communication (Israel), and Mavenir (US).
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included in all of our tours/service. We highly recommend you purchase your own one including air evacuation in your country before traveling.
Tipping
Tipping is not mandatory while traveling in Thailand. But considered as a gesture of appreciation for good service, it is certainly welcome. Based on your satisfaction with the tour, you may tip your guide and driver before they wish you farewell as appreciation. Suggested tips are USD 5-10 per traveler per day as tips for the guide, USD 4-6 per traveler per day as tips for the driver, and USD 2 as tips for the hotel and restaurant waitress. However, you may pay more or less depending on their services.
Visas
Under normal circumstances, tourists who come from visa-exempt countries such as America, British, Canada, Australia, etc. can enter Thailand without a visa to stay not over 30 days. However, if you're not from a visa-exempt country or need to stay longer, you need to obtain a tourist visa.
Documents required:
- Passport or travel document with validity not less than 6 months.
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Photograph of the applicant, taken within the past six months.
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Evidence of travel from Thailand (air ticket paid in full).
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Evidence of adequate finance (20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family).
Please check the relevant embassy/ consulate's website for specific required documents.
Water
It is not advisable to drink tap water in Thailand but bottled mineral water is safe and available everywhere. Ice in drinks is generally fine in good standard hotels and restaurants but it is best to avoid it on street stalls or in country areas.
Weather
Thailand’s climate is ruled by monsoons that produce three seasons in Northern, North Eastern, Eastern and Central Thailand, and two seasons in Southern Thailand. The three-season zone, which extends roughly from Thailand’s northernmost point and reaches to Phetchaburi province of the Southern Peninsula, experiences a ‘dry and wet monsoon’ climate, with the south-west monsoon arriving between May and July and lasting into November. This is followed by a dry period from November to May, a period that begins with lower relative temperatures until mid-February, followed by much higher temperatures from March to May.
