By Kylian Dev
1"The palace is closed today"
A friendly stranger near the Grand Palace says it's closed and offers a cheap tuk-tuk tour instead — which ends in gem or tailor shops.
Check opening times at the official entrance and walk away politely.
Practical guide
Thailand travel tips: the practical guide
Everything you need to sort out before and during a trip to Thailand — money, mobile data, safety, scams, culture and the few laws that genuinely trip travellers up.
- Before-you-go checklist
- Cash, cards & ATM fees
- SIM vs eSIM
- 8 classic scams
The essentials in 30 seconds
Thailand is easy and safe for travellers: carry some cash, get a local SIM or eSIM, dress modestly for temples, never joke about the monarchy, and remember 1155 for the English-speaking Tourist Police.
Currency
Thai baht (THB)
Cash is still king at markets and street stalls
Power
220 V · 50 Hz
Sockets usually take flat and round two-pin plugs
Tourist Police
1155
English-speaking, free from any phone
Visa
Exempt for many
Many Western passports enter visa-free — check yours
Checklist
Before you go: the checklist
Tick these off in the weeks before departure and you have covered 90% of the practical side. For the bag itself, generate a tailored list with our packing list generator.
- Passport valid for 6+ months after arrival
- Visa exemption checked for your nationality and length of stay
- TDAC digital arrival card filled in (within 3 days before arrival)
- Travel insurance with medical cover and evacuation
- Travel doctor visit for recommended vaccines
- Bank warned, low-fee card for ATMs, some cash for arrival
- eSIM installed or plan to buy a local SIM at the airport
- Grab and/or Bolt app installed, offline map downloaded
- Copies of passport and insurance saved in the cloud
- International Driving Permit if you plan to ride a scooter
Visa
Visa & entry: the short version
Entry rules change regularly, so we keep the detail on a dedicated page. Here is what to check first.
- Many passports (EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia…) can enter visa-exempt for a tourist stay — the allowed length has changed in recent years, so check the current rule.
- Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months on arrival.
- Since May 2025, every foreign arrival must complete the online Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) — free, within 3 days before arrival, on the official immigration website.
- Immigration can ask for an onward ticket and proof of funds.
Rules change often: always check your government's travel advice and the Thai embassy or immigration website before booking.
Money
Money: cash, cards and ATMs
Thailand runs on the baht. Cards work in malls, hotels and chains, but you will pay cash for street food, markets, tuk-tuks and most island boats.
Cash is still essential
Keep small notes (20, 100 baht) for street food, taxis and temples. Large 1,000-baht notes are often hard to break at small stalls.
Cards: fine in cities
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in hotels, malls, 7-Eleven and restaurants in tourist areas. Some places add a small card surcharge.
ATM fees add up
Thai ATMs charge foreign cards a flat fee per withdrawal — expect 220 to 250 baht (sometimes more depending on the bank and card; check the fee on screen), on top of your own bank's fees. Withdraw larger amounts less often, and see our guide to money and cards in Thailand for the cheapest options.
Refuse 'conversion'
When an ATM or card terminal offers to charge you in your home currency, decline and pay in baht: the dynamic conversion rate is usually poor.
Exchange booths
Licensed exchange booths in cities often give better rates than airports or hotels. Bring clean, undamaged notes — torn ones may be refused.
Want to know what 500 baht is worth at home? Use our live currency converter to get a feel for prices before you go.
SIM & internet
SIM card, eSIM and wifi
Mobile data is cheap and 4G/5G coverage is good across the country, including most islands. You will want data for Grab, maps and translation apps.
Local tourist SIM
Best value for most trips
Sold at airport arrival halls and in 7-Eleven; generous data packs; a Thai number for Grab and hotels. Bring your passport — registration is mandatory.
Airport kiosks can have queues, and you need an unlocked phone.
Travel eSIM
Easiest if your phone supports it
Buy and install before you leave, data works as soon as you land, and you keep your home SIM active for bank codes.
Usually data-only (no Thai number) and often a bit pricier per GB.
Home roaming
Only for very short trips
Zero setup.
Thailand is outside EU roaming rules — without a travel plan, costs can be high. Check your operator first.
The three networks are AIS, TrueMove H and dtac (now merged with True). All sell tourist SIMs at the airport and in their city shops; staff register the SIM with your passport on the spot.
Free wifi is standard in hotels, guesthouses and cafés. Keep your home SIM reachable (in a dual-SIM phone) so you can receive bank verification texts.
Safety
Is Thailand safe?
Violent crime against tourists is rare. The real risks are road accidents, water safety and petty scams — all avoidable with a few habits. Our full guide to safety in Thailand goes into more detail.
Do
- Use Grab or Bolt, or insist on the meter in taxis.
- Wear a helmet on any scooter or motorbike taxi.
- Respect red flags on beaches — rip currents are real, especially during the monsoon.
- Keep a photo of your passport and store the original in the hotel safe.
- Watch your drink at full-moon and bucket parties.
Don't
- Don't ride a scooter without a motorcycle licence and an International Driving Permit covering motorbikes — without them, insurance is usually void.
- Don't leave your passport as a deposit for a scooter rental.
- Don't swim or drive after drinking.
- Don't get involved in arguments — losing your temper publicly rarely ends well.
- Don't accept 'help' from strangers who approach you near big sights.
Scooters are the #1 cause of tourist injuries. Many travel insurance policies refuse claims if you ride without a licence valid for motorbikes. Read our guide to getting around for safer alternatives.
Scams
Common tourist scams (and how to dodge them)
Thailand's scams are old, well documented and mostly harmless if you recognise them. Here are the ones you are most likely to meet.
2The gem scam
You are steered to a 'government sale' of gems you can supposedly resell at home for a big profit. The stones are worth a fraction of the price.
Never buy gems as an investment on holiday, however convincing the story.
3The 20-baht tuk-tuk tour
An unbelievably cheap tour that stops at shops paying the driver commission.
Agree on a destination and price before getting in, or use Grab.
4Jet-ski 'damage'
On return, the operator points at old scratches and demands a large sum for repairs.
Photograph and film the jet-ski before riding, or simply skip jet-ski rentals.
5Scooter damage claims
Similar to jet-skis: pre-existing damage is blamed on you when you return the bike, with your passport held as leverage.
Take a timestamped video of the bike and never leave your passport.
6Taxi without a meter
Drivers quote a fixed, inflated price, especially at night or near tourist hubs.
Ask for the meter or book through Grab or Bolt for a fixed upfront fare.
7Unsolicited 'guides'
Someone attaches themselves to you at a temple or pier, then asks for a hefty fee.
A firm, smiling 'no thank you' (mai ao khrap/kha) is enough.
8Card skimming
Tampered ATMs or terminals copy your card details.
Use ATMs inside banks or malls, cover the keypad and turn on card notifications.
Health
Health and travel insurance
No vaccine is mandatory for travellers arriving from Europe, but private hospitals are expensive: travel insurance is the single most important thing to sort out.
Travel insurance
Take out a policy with solid medical cover, including evacuation. Check that scooter riding and activities like diving are covered — our travel insurance guide for Thailand explains what to look for.
Vaccines
No vaccine is required when arriving from Europe (yellow fever proof only if you come from a risk country). Hepatitis A and B, typhoid and up-to-date routine shots are usually recommended — see a travel doctor 4–6 weeks before you leave. Details in our Thailand vaccines and health guide.
Drinking water
Don't drink tap water. Bottled water is everywhere and cheap; ice in restaurants is generally made from purified water.
Mosquitoes
Dengue is present across Thailand. Use repellent, especially at dawn and dusk and in the rainy season. Ask your doctor about recommended vaccines.
Heat & sun
The sun is fierce, even when cloudy. Hydrate, use reef-safe sunscreen and plan sightseeing in the morning.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies are everywhere in towns and pharmacists often speak some English. Bring any prescription medicine in its original packaging.
The packing list includes a ready-made travel first-aid kit. For entry formalities, see our visa guide.
Etiquette
Etiquette and Thai culture
Thais are famously tolerant with visitors, but a few rules matter a lot — mostly around temples, the head and feet, and the royal family.
Do
- Cover shoulders and knees in temples and royal sites.
- Take your shoes off before entering a temple building or someone's home.
- Return a wai (palms together, slight bow) — you don't need to initiate one with staff.
- Stand for the royal anthem, played before films in cinemas.
- Stay calm and smile: keeping 'cool heart' (jai yen) is highly valued.
Don't
- Don't touch anyone's head, including children's.
- Don't point your feet at people or Buddha images, or step over someone.
- Don't criticise or joke about the king or royal family — it is a serious offence.
- Women shouldn't touch monks or hand things to them directly.
- Don't climb on Buddha statues or use them as photo props.
Carry a light scarf or sarong: it covers your shoulders for temples and doubles as a beach towel.
Laws
Laws that catch tourists out
A handful of Thai laws surprise visitors every year. Rules evolve, so treat this as a heads-up rather than legal advice.
Vapes and e-cigarettes are banned
E-cigarettes have been illegal since 2014: importing, selling, possessing and using them. Enforcement stepped up sharply in 2025, tourists face heavy fines (often tens of thousands of baht) and importing can mean up to 10 years in prison. Leave your vape at home.
Drugs: zero tolerance
Penalties for drug offences are severe. Since 26 June 2025 (Royal Gazette), cannabis flowers are a controlled herb: buying them requires a medical prescription (valid up to 30 days) from a licensed practitioner, recreational use is prohibited, and penalties reach up to 1 year in prison and/or a 20,000 THB fine. Check official sources before you travel.
Drones need registration
Flying a drone generally requires prior registration with Thai aviation and telecom authorities, plus insurance. Many areas are no-fly zones.
Respect for the monarchy
Lèse-majesté laws are among the strictest in the world. Never damage banknotes (they carry the king's portrait) or post disrespectful content.
Alcohol sale hours
Shops can only sell alcohol at set times (typically 11:00–14:00 and 17:00–24:00), and sales are banned on some Buddhist holidays and election days.
Littering and beach smoking
Several popular beaches ban smoking, and littering can be fined. Use designated areas and bins.
Information provided for guidance only. Check your government's travel advice and official Thai sources before you travel.
Tipping
Tipping
Street food & local restaurantsNot expected — leave the coins
Sit-down restaurantsRound up or ~20–100 baht, unless service is included
MassageAround 50–100 baht is appreciated
Taxi & GrabRound up to the nearest 10 baht
Tour guides & driversA tip at the end of a good day is customary
Hotel portersAround 20–50 baht
Plugs
Plugs & power
- Voltage
- 220 V
- Frequency
- 50 Hz
- Sockets
- A, B, C, O
- European plugs
- Usually fit (2-pin)
Two-pin European plugs usually fit, but grounded or UK plugs need an adapter. A universal adapter is on our packing list.
Emergency
Emergency numbers
Save these before you land. All are free and work from any phone, including without a Thai SIM.
For non-urgent issues, contact your embassy in Bangkok and your insurer's assistance line.
Thai phrases
10 useful Thai phrases
Thai is tonal and hard to master, but a few words go a long way. Men end polite sentences with 'khrap', women with 'kha'.
| Meaning | Say it | Thai |
|---|---|---|
| Hello / goodbye | sa-wat-dee khrap / kha | สวัสดีครับ / ค่ะ |
| Thank you | khop khun khrap / kha | ขอบคุณครับ / ค่ะ |
| Yes / correct | chai | ใช่ |
| No / not | mai chai | ไม่ใช่ |
| No thanks (I don't want it) | mai ao | ไม่เอา |
| How much? | tao rai? | เท่าไหร่ |
| Too expensive | paeng mak | แพงมาก |
| Not spicy, please | mai phet | ไม่เผ็ด |
| Delicious | a-roi | อร่อย |
| No problem / never mind | mai pen rai | ไม่เป็นไร |
Offline translation apps with a Thai language pack are a lifesaver for menus and taxi addresses.
Practical basics
Other practical basics
The small things that make daily life easier on the ground.
Time zone
Thailand is on UTC+7 all year, with no daylight saving time: 5 hours ahead of Paris or Berlin in summer, 6 hours in winter.
Bargaining
Expected at markets and with tuk-tuks, not in malls, 7-Eleven or restaurants. Stay friendly, start around half to two-thirds of the asking price and walk away with a smile if it doesn't work.
7-Eleven & convenience stores
Open late and everywhere: snacks, water, SIM top-ups, toiletries, basic medicines and bill payments. Handy for breaking large notes.
Weather
Hot all year with a rainy season roughly May to October that varies by coast. Pick your region by month with our guide.
Check the current time in Thailand and the time difference before you call home. Choose the right region for your dates with our best time to visit Thailand guide, then estimate your costs with the budget calculator.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to go to Thailand?
Many nationalities, including most EU citizens, UK, US, Canadian and Australian passport holders, can enter visa-exempt for a tourist stay. The allowed duration has changed several times recently, so check our Thailand visa guide and official sources before booking.
What is the TDAC and is it mandatory?
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) replaced the paper arrival form in May 2025. It is mandatory for foreign visitors, free, and must be completed online within the 3 days before arrival (see our step-by-step TDAC guide). Only use the official government website — paid look-alike sites exist.
Is it better to bring cash or use a card in Thailand?
Both. Use cards in hotels, malls and larger restaurants, and cash everywhere else. Since each foreign-card ATM withdrawal carries a flat fee (220 to 250 baht, sometimes more), withdraw larger amounts less often, and always choose to be charged in baht. Check prices with the live baht currency converter.
Should I buy a SIM card or an eSIM for Thailand?
A local tourist SIM bought at the airport or in 7-Eleven is usually the best value and gives you a Thai number. An eSIM is more convenient if your phone supports it, as it works as soon as you land.
Which vaccines do I need for Thailand?
No vaccine is mandatory for travellers coming from Europe; proof of yellow fever vaccination is only required if you arrive from a country with yellow fever risk. Hepatitis A and B, typhoid and routine vaccines are commonly recommended. Ask a travel doctor, ideally 4–6 weeks before you leave, and read our health and vaccines guide.
Is Thailand safe for tourists?
Yes, Thailand is generally a safe destination. The main risks are road accidents (especially on scooters), drowning in strong currents and petty scams. Serious crime against tourists is rare. More in our guide is Thailand safe for travellers.
Can I bring a vape to Thailand?
No. E-cigarettes have been illegal in Thailand since 2014 (import, sale, possession and use), enforcement was stepped up in 2025, and tourists face heavy fines, often tens of thousands of baht; importing can carry up to 10 years in prison. Leave them at home.
What should I wear to visit temples?
Cover your shoulders and knees — no tank tops, shorts or short skirts. Remove your shoes before entering temple buildings. The Grand Palace in Bangkok is particularly strict.
Do you tip in Thailand?
Tipping is not mandatory but is appreciated in tourist areas: round up taxi fares, leave small change or around 20–100 baht in sit-down restaurants, and tip massage therapists and guides.
What plug type is used in Thailand?
Thailand uses 220 V / 50 Hz with type A, B, C and O sockets. Flat two-pin European plugs usually fit; grounded plugs (French, German Schuko) and UK plugs need an adapter. Most phone and laptop chargers accept 220 V. Add an adapter to your Thailand packing list.
Plan the rest
Tools to prepare your trip
Next steps: learn how to get around Thailand, estimate your costs with the budget calculator, or build your route in the itinerary planner.