Travel Tips to Thailand

VISA

Thailand offers several visa options depending on your nationality and the purpose of your visit. Travelers can enter visa-free for short stays under the Visa Exemption Program—usually 30 days for most countries (extendable for 30 more days at a local immigration office). For longer stays, you can apply for a Tourist Visa (TR), which allows 60 days in Thailand, extendable for 30 more days. Other visa types include Non-Immigrant Visas (for work, study, retirement, or family reasons) and the Thailand Elite Visa for long-term stays. Travelers are advised to check the latest visa rules before their trip, as regulations may change.

HEALTH & SAFETY

As in most countries, vaccination certificates are not required for people unless coming from or passing through a designated "contaminated" area. Some border areas of Thailand are malarial and appropriate precautions should be taken if visiting there. Bangkok, major cities, and resorts have excellent medical facilities0222and most hotels have doctors on 24-hour call. Thailand has a total of 455 private hospitals—121 in Bangkok, 165 in the Central region and East Coast, 62 in the North, 57 in the Northeast, and 50 in the South. Visitors can be assured of round-the-clock international standard medical services.

ELECTRICITY

Thailand uses 220V, 50Hz electricity, with plug types A, B, C, F, and O commonly found. Most hotels, cafes, and public places provide standard sockets that fit two flat or round pins. Travelers from Europe and Asia often don’t need an adapter, but visitors from countries like the USA, UK, or Australia may require a universal travel adapter. Power outages are rare in big cities but can occasionally happen in remote areas or islands, so keeping a power bank is handy.

CURRENCY, EXCHANGE & ATM

The official currency is the Thai Baht (THB). Banknotes come in 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 denominations. Exchange booths and banks are widely available in cities, airports, and tourist areas. Rates are often better in town than at airports. Bring clean, undamaged bills for exchange. ATMs are everywhere, even in smaller towns. Most accept international cards (Visa, MasterCard, etc.), but expect a withdrawal fee of around 220 THB per transaction, plus your bank’s charges. Credit/debit cards are accepted in hotels, malls, and many restaurants, but cash is still king for markets, street food, and small shops. (Carry some cash in small denominations for tuk-tuks, street vendors, and local buses.)

TIME ZONE & WORKING HOURS

Thailand follows Indochina Time (ICT), UTC +7, with no daylight saving time. Most offices, banks, and government services open Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM. Shopping malls and stores usually open daily from 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM. Day markets often start early in the morning, while night markets and street food stalls are busiest from 5:00 PM until late at night. Temples and museums generally open around 8:00–9:00 AM and close by 4:00–6:00 PM.

Thailand is very lively at night—don’t miss night markets or evening street food scenes.

TRANSPORT

Getting around Thailand is easy and affordable, with plenty of options for every type of traveler. From colorful tuk-tuks and convenient ride-hailing apps in the cities to long-distance buses, trains, and domestic flights connecting the country, transportation is well-developed and accessible. For island lovers, especially Phuket, ferries and boats make hopping between tropical destinations simple and enjoyable.

INTERNET

Thailand has reliable and affordable internet, making it easy for travelers to stay connected. Free Wi-Fi is common in hotels, cafés, restaurants, and even shopping malls. For more convenience, visitors can buy a local SIM card from providers like AIS, TrueMove, or DTAC at airports and 7-Eleven stores. Packages are cheap and fast, with 4G and expanding 5G coverage across the country, including many islands and rural areas. Buying a tourist SIM card on arrival is the easiest way to enjoy smooth internet access throughout your trip.

POST & COMMUNICATION

Telephone, fax, telegraph, and telex services are provided at post offices, hotels and business centers. Mobile phones are widely used. Sending postcards or parcels overseas is easy, and international delivery is generally efficient. For communication, most locals use apps like LINE, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger, while English is widely understood in tourist areas. International calls can be made through local SIM cards, but most travelers prefer internet-based messaging and calling for convenience.