Tropical Adventure
Culture
Gastronomy
Southeast Asia
Thailand
Best time to travel
Nov - Apr
Current status
Take caution
Safety
Risky
Thailand is generally safe for travelers, though visitors should stay alert for petty theft and common tourist scams in crowded areas like Bangkok and Phuket. Road safety is the primary concern, exercise extreme caution when renting scooters or navigating heavy traffic.
Weather
Sunniest
Dec - Apr
Rainiest
May - Oct
Seasons
Intense heat and rising humidity - this is the hottest period of the year in Thailand.
Tips for this season
- Songkran Festival (mid April) is the nationwide water fight - expect to get soaked and see business closures.
- Avoid outdoor exposure between 11:00 and 15:00 to prevent heatstroke.
- The best time for fruit lovers - durian and mangosteen are in peak season.
Language
English is functional in major tourist hubs, but you will likely need a translation app for meaningful communication or when traveling off the beaten path.
Official
English language level
Moderate
Prices
Accommodation
Transport
Food
Activities
Currency
Thai Baht
THB
US Dollar Rate
$1 = THB 32.6
Euro Rate
€1 = THB 37.9
Select currenct...
Useful tips
- Cash is essential - while high-end malls and hotels accept cards, street food, local markets, and island transport strictly require physical Baht.
- Stick to reliable banks like Kasikorn (Green) or Krungsri (Yellow) and always select Withdraw in THB and decline the machine's conversion to get your home bank's better rate.
- Thai ATMs charge a flat 220 THB fee per transaction for foreign cards; withdraw the maximum allowed amount (usually 20,000–30,000 THB) in one go to minimize these costs.
- Look for SuperRich (Green or Orange) branches in Bangkok for the best cash rates. The worst rates are at airport counters and small hotel kiosks. Avoid changing money at standalone machines in tourist areas, as they often have 5-10% hidden markups.
Transport
Direction
Left side
Public
Punctual and covers most of Bangkok via Skytrain/Subway. Stations get crowded, but trains are frequent so there’s no need to rush.
Local Traffic
Often dense and chaotic and a high volume of agile motorcycles. Generally flexible approach to lane discipline.
Taxi & apps
Taxis and apps like Grab provide convenient, air-conditioned travel; always insist on the meter or use fixed digital pricing for transparent fares.
Intercity
Use Low-Cost Carriers (AirAsia) or overnight sleeper trains, which are efficient and often cheaper than flying.
Useful tips
- Always negotiate tuk-tuk fares and agree on a fixed price with a driver before you get in the vehicle.
- Reserve overnight train berths in advance, as popular routes like Bangkok to Chiang Mai sell out quickly.
- Drivers often "don't have change" for 500 or 1,000 THB notes. Carry small change.
Entry Information
Citizens of 68+ countries (including US, UK, EU, AU) enjoy visa-free entry for up to 90 days. Most travelers can now apply via eVisa. You must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online within 72 hours of your flight to receive a mandatory QR code. Present this code along with your passport to the immigration officer upon arrival to enter the country.
Vaccination
Yellow Fever
*If you are arriving from, or have transited for more than 12 hours through, a country with a risk of Yellow Fever transmission (mainly parts of Sub-Saharan Africa and South America
Recommended
Hepatitis A
Typhoid
Routine Jabs
Tetanus
