Thailand, formerly known as Siam, is composed of 76 provinces located at the center of the Southeast Asian Indochinese peninsula. The country is bordered by Myanmar to the north, Laos and Cambodia to the East, Malaysia and the Gulf of Thailand to the south, and the Andaman Sea to the west. Many backpackers and travelers choose Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, to start their journey around Southeast Asia due to it’s central location and accessibility. Thailand is extremely rich in culture with many ancient temples and artifacts a stone’s throw away. Inland Thailand is formed by many mountainous highlands and lush agricultural & rice fields. The south offers some of the world’s most beautiful beaches and islands around the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. It’s no wonder many people ends up falling deeply in love with this country and decides to call it home.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
THAILAND VISA
U.S. Citizens visiting Thailand for not more than 1 month/30 days are not required to obtain visas. Passports must be valid for a period of at least six (6) months beyond their stay in Thailand and Thai immigration officials may ask for proof of return/onward tickets. U.S. citizens looking to stay longer or for purposes other than tourism should check with the Royal Thai Embassy about visa requirements.
I was not asked for proof of return/onward tickets when visiting Thailand. This will vary person to person so it is up to you if you want to take the risk.
WEATHER
Thailand has a tropical climate with three seasons: hot, cool, and wet.
Hot Season (March – May): This is the hottest and most humid time to visit. Travelers unaccustomed to the heat may feel uncomfortable outdoors.
Cool Season (November – February): This is the best time to visit. Along with the slightly cooler weather, this is also a period filled with national & regional festivals like the popular Loi Krathong.
Wet Season (June – October): Monsoon season lies within this time period. The rains come in short bursts but some downpours can last all day. Late monsoon season is when rains are persistent and heaviest. I highly suggest getting an inexpensive hour Thai massage to wait out the rain.
MONEY EXCHANGE
Thailand’s main currency is the Thai Baht. At the time of writing the current exchange rate is 32.7 THB/USD. You can find money exchanges in the airport and across the city. International ATMs will provide you with the best exchange rate but you will get charged ATM plus any additional bank fees. I highly recommend opening a checking account with a bank that waives all ATM transaction fees before you travel abroad. You could easily save hundreds of dollars.
Cash is the most common form of payment in Thailand. Up-to-date hotels, large retail stores and modern restaurants may accept credit card but most shops are cash only especially on the islands.
ELECTRICAL SOCKET TYPE
The power sockets are mainly type A (2 flat parallel pins), type B (2 flat parallel pins and a grounding pin), and type C (2 round pins). The standard voltage is 220 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. If you are coming from the U.S then chances are your current plugs will work assuming your adapter has an automatic voltage converter (please take the extra precaution and check). Most laptop and cellphone chargers are dual voltage but you will need a voltage converter for appliances such as hair straighteners.
CELL PHONE DATA & INTERNET
If you have an unlocked cell phone then you can purchase a SIM card at the airport or in the city that includes internet data, local calls and text depending on your needs. You can also rent and share a pocket Wifi if you have multiple people in your group.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel insurance is not required but highly encouraged when traveling to a foreign country. Thailand is home to many physical activities such as snorkeling & scuba diving, hiking mountainous terrains, and motorbike riding. On top of that, different climate conditions, insect bites, or trying new types of food can cause one to get seriously ill. Unforeseen accidents do happen and expenses can add up and ruin your trip. The most popular insurance for all types of travelers is World Nomads. Their policies are created specifically with travelers in mind. It doesn’t hurt to Get a Free Quote and decide from there.
TRANSPORTATION
There are multiple transportation options when it comes to getting around Thailand. Here are the most common for travelers and will vary between cities and islands.
Tuk-Tuk: Relative of the rickshaw. These are three-wheeled motorized vehicles with an open air roofed seating in the back. You can get these by flagging them down or booking in advance. Make sure to negotiate an agreed price beforehand.
Motorcycle Taxi: These are motorcycles that can carry two people comfortably and is a great way to buzz through the city’s busy traffic. Getting one of these works the same way as getting a tuk-tuk.
Songthaew: Found in inner cities are pick-up trucks fitted with 2 rows of seats in the back for passengers. They can vary between having set routes like public buses or where their passengers want to go. You’ll be sharing the ride with other people and in some cases won’t start to move until the seats are full. They should be a cheap form of transportation so make sure you’re paying around 30-50 bahts per person one way.
Taxis: Always make sure to ask your driver to switch on the meter. Some deliberately neglect to do so resulting in customers usually paying a higher lump sum fare.
Grab: Working exactly the same as the Uber app. This is the safest way to get around in cities as the price is set at booking and you can pay by credit/debit card on file or by cash.
Bus: Buses run frequently throughout the day and can be found at bus stops. Buses with blue signs run the normal route while buses with yellow signs run the express route meaning they stop less frequently.
Bangkok Skytrain (BTS): An overground railway system comprised of the Sukhumvit and Silom lines. This is a popular form of transportation as it stops at many tourist areas and can be faster than being in Bangkok’s busy traffic. You can find maps and routes information by visiting Transit Bangkok BTS.
Bangkok MTR Subway: An underground railway system comprised of the blue and purple line with the former being more popular to tourist. It follows a slightly different route to the BTS Skytrain and connects at some places. You can find maps and routes information by visiting Transit Bangkok MTR.
Hire a driver: The most expensive but luxurious option is hiring a driver for a day. The driver will take you to where ever you want at an agreed price for the day.
Rent a motorbike/scooter: This is by far my favorite method for getting around especially on islands where traffic is nonexistent. On top of freedom and flexibility, it really allows you to live in the scene and venture off the beaten track.The cost ranges from 5-10 USD plus gas per day and can come out to be cheaper than public transportation depending on usage.
LANGUAGE
Thai is the main language with various dialects according to region. Most people understand and speak English in the main city and tourist areas.
THAILAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS
Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) in Bangkok are the two most popular airports for those flying into Thailand.
Once at the airport, I highly recommend first time travelers to setup the Grab app for their phones. It is similar to Uber and is the safest way to not get taken advantaged of by taxi services. Pricing is competitive and you can occasionally find discount codes advertised on banners around the airport. If you do not mind walking, an alternate option from BKK to the city is to take the Bangkok’s Airport Rail Link City Line. It should cost you under 50 bahts per person and is occasionally faster than cars and buses due to avoiding traffic.
