A detailed explanation of the best Thailand travel tips and advice for all travellers.
Thailand is a beautifully diverse and culturally enriching travel destination in Southeast Asia.
This small country has towering mountains, bustling cities, picturesque beaches, rugged cliffs, dense jungles, and a whole lot more.
The people are friendly, the food is mouthwatering, and the activities are endless.
You can spend your days hiking, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, kayaking, practicing yoga or island hopping. You can spend your nights eating street food, watching a ladyboy cabaret or attending a Muay Thai boxing match.
See the famous Grand Palace or Wat Pho in Bangkok or explore the temples of Chiang Mai. Attend cooking classes, learn to scuba dive in Koh Tao, or attend the Full Moon Party on Koh Pha Ngan.
There is truly so much to see and do in Thailand, so you want to make sure you enter the country prepared for anything.
In preparation for your trip, you may want to brush up on some general travel tips for Thailand so you can feel confident in your knowledge of the country and its customs.
Thai culture is very centered around respect, so it is important to always be respectful of Thai people and their way of life.
Table of Contents
My Expert List of the Best Thailand Travel Tips
With this article of Thailand travel tips, you can read about some of the recommended things to know before travelling around this beautiful country in Southeast Asia.
In addition to general travel tips for Thailand, you can read about cultural tips, budgeting tips, safety tips, health tips, and a few recommendations about what not to do in Thailand.
READ MORE: Plan your trip to Thailand with our comprehensive Thailand travel guide.
Thai beauty extends to the offshore islands
General Thailand Travel Tips
Without further ado, let me share my ultimate list of things to know before you travel to Thailand.
Check Visa Requirements
Check if you need a visa before travelling to Thailand.
The visa requirements are different for many countries; some nationalities do not need visas for a stay less than 30 days, some nationalities can obtain their visas when they arrive at the airport, and some nationalities must obtain a visa in advance.
Always check the visa requirements for your country to make sure you are allowed to enter Thailand!
Pack For Hot, Humid Weather
The weather in Thailand is hot and humid. That’s just a fact when considering Thailand travel tips.
Unless you are in higher altitudes where the temperature drops a bit, pack plenty of lightweight, breathable warm weather clothes.
Prepare to Pay with Cash
Paying with cash is much more convenient than paying with a card in Thailand.
Street markets, local restaurants, and many tourist attractions usually only accept cash as payment, but luckily ATMs are frequent in touristy areas.
Make sure you alert your bank that you’ll be travelling so they don’t assume your transactions in Thailand are a fraud.
Verify Companies’ Legitimacy Before Booking
Before booking any hostels, guesthouses, volunteer programs, or tours, read customer reviews to make sure it is legitimate.
The rise in tourism in Thailand has unfortunately led to a rise in scams and illegitimate businesses that try to get money out of tourists.
Just confirm before you book anything that the business is reputable. We recommend using Klook for Thailand.
BONUS – Booking ahead of time ensures you won’t miss out on the tour, and get the best price too! And just for NOMADasaurus readers, if you use the Klook discount code “NOMADS10” on the website when checking out, you’ll get $10 off your first booking!
Klook.com
Cultural Tips for Thailand
There are some other travel tips for Thailand that I have to share that relate specifically to the beautiful Thai culture.
Remove Your Shoes
Feet are considered the dirtiest part of the body in Thai culture.
You’ll have to remove your shoes whenever you enter temples, people’s homes, spas, and other establishments, so wear shoes that are easy to slip on and off.
Avoid Touching Other People’s Heads
The head is considered the holiest part of the body, so you should never touch someone’s head.
It seems unlikely that you would touch someone’s head anyway, but just be aware that it is seen as disrespectful so try to avoid that.
Dress Respectfully
When entering temples, you have to abide by the dress code.
In addition to removing your shoes, you have to wear clothes that cover your knees, shoulders, chest and stomach.
There is no strict dress code for everyday life, but Thais do tend to dress modestly.
Respect their way of life by covering up a bit more.
You are perfectly fine wearing shorts and T-shirts when it is hot out, just try to hide areas like cleavage and the midriff so you seem a bit more aware of the Thai modesty.
Ask Before Photographing People
Before taking a photo of someone, ask for their permission.
If you see a local wearing a traditional garment or a monk praying in a temple, this can be a beautiful image to capture.
Thais are usually very friendly, so if you ask for a photo they will most likely oblige.
If you need more help with this, check out our guide to travel photography tips for beginners.
A photogenic Thai girl posing for a photo.
Respect the King
Thais love their king. You’ll find posters, monuments, emblems, and other displays of affection with the king’s face plastered on them.
All that this means for travellers is to respect monarchy and never say anything negative or offensive about the king.
Learn to Love the Ladyboys
Be prepared to see lots of ladyboys…or not see them.
Ladyboys are Thai men who dress up as women, and sometimes they do it so well that you would never even notice the difference.
You can attend a cabaret show to see the ladyboys performing their hearts out, or you can just wander through the streets of Bangkok and try to spot them in the crowds.
Bargain with Dignity
Bargaining for goods at street markets is a huge part of travelling to Thailand.
Definitely give it a try, but always be respectful and don’t bargain too low.
See what the original price is, and slowly try and lower the cost.
Generally speaking, half of the original price is as low as you should go. Anything lower than that may offend the vendor.
If you are buying something handmade or truly unique and special, just pay the full price as your money will benefit the local artist and community.
READ MORE: Know what to bring with you with our Thailand packing list.
Budget Travel Tips for Thailand
I get it, you’re trying to save money when you travel. We all are. Luckily Southeast Asia is the perfect place to travel on a budget.
So here are some budget-specific travel tips for Thailand.
Keep in mind, the local Thailand currency is the Thai Baht.
Consider the Economy of the Country
Generally speaking, northern Thailand is cheaper than the south.
Besides popular cities like Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, there aren’t many tourist destinations in the north of Thailand so the prices haven’t been hiked up.
If you are really trying to stretch your money to last a long time, consider spending more time exploring northern Thailand than the south.
Check out our lists of the best things to do in Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai!
Stay in Hostels
Staying in hostels will be cheaper than staying in hotels.
This Thailand travel tip can actually apply to any country, but you’ll find hostels in Thailand to cost as little as 6 USD per night.
On average, hostels cost between 6 to 13 USD per night.
Thailand is such an affordable destination that even nice hotels can be cheap, but you’ll save the most money by staying in hostels.
Eat Like The Locals
Eat local street food whenever possible! Thailand has some amazing food, and the locals know how to cook it the best.
Pad thai, spring rolls, curries, mango and sticky rice, all these essential Thai food dishes you can find in the street.
Definitely treat yourself to a few nice Thai restaurants, but you’ll find that the street food tastes the same, if not better than the expensive stuff.
Do trust your judgment though. If you have a sensitive stomach, maybe skip the meat and seafood and eat safer street food, like noodles and fruits.
Street food in Thailand can be pretty awesome
Avoid Drinking Too Much
Drink responsibly to save money. Partying and buying lots of drinks in bars or clubs always adds up quicker than we’d like to think.
If you’re on a tight budget, limit your drinking to a few beers a week and you’ll save a lot.
Also be on the lookout for happy hours so you can get discounted drinks, or consider buying some drinks from the liquor store for cheaper prices.
Consider just cutting down on drinking in general if you want to save the most money; you’ll also have a clearer head and fewer hangovers so you can enjoy exploring even more.
Find the Cheapest Form of Transportation
Compare different forms of transportation to find the cheapest option.
Thailand has an extensive network of travel options.
For travelling short distances you can take a tuk-tuk, rent a motorbike, or hop into a songtaew (red pickup trucks that serve as shared taxis).
For travelling long distances, you can take buses, minivans, trains, or planes.
One transport option isn’t always cheaper than the others, so ask around, do some research, and try to find the cheapest option before you travel.
I recommend you start off by using 12Go.asia as a guide. You’ll often find the best price here, but do your research.
Fly Budget Airlines
If you plan on flying around the country, choose budget airlines like Nok Air, Lion Air, Air Asia, Vietjet, Orient Thai, or Thai Smile.
Any of these reputable airlines can get you across the country quickly and cheaply.
They fly into popular cities like Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Phuket, and more.
Because budget airlines are so cheap, they often charge extra for other things like food, drinks, and bags.
To save the most money, pack your own food and water, and keep your bags to carry-on size.
Health Tips for Thailand Travel
It’s important to stay healthy when you travel, and a trip to Thailand is no exception.
Purchase Travel Insurance
Always travel with travel insurance.
You never know what will happen abroad, especially if you are taking part in more extreme activities like riding motorbikes, hiking mountains, cliff-jumping, and doing water sports.
Even if you don’t plan on doing crazy sports, you still want to be covered in case you get sick.
READ MORE: Check out this post if you need more reasons to purchase travel insurance.
Important Note! Before you book any international trip, we honestly recommend getting travel insurance. You never know when things will go wrong, and medical bills can add up quickly if you get sick or injure yourself overseas.
Our personal recommendation based on our own experience is World Nomads.
Consult Your Doctor
Visit your doctor at home before you visit Thailand. Ask them if they recommend taking any medications or if you need any vaccinations before you go.
Don’t Drink the Tap Water
The tap water is not safe for drinking in Thailand.
Bring a reusable water bottle that you can refill at drinking water stations, or bring your own filter so you can always have clean water.
You can buy bottled water during your trip to Thailand, but try to reduce your plastic waste whenever possible!
Use Sun Protection
Always wear sunscreen. Whether you are on the beach, in the city or in the mountains, whether it is sunny or cloudy, just wear sunscreen to be safe.
The sun is so strong in Thailand, so you are always at risk of burning, no matter what skin type you have.
You may want to bring your own sunscreen from home, as the prices are quite expensive in Thailand.
Also, wear sunglasses and a hat whenever possible.
READ MORE: Plan your trip with our 1,2 and 3 week Thailand itineraries.
Safety Tips for Travelling in Thailand
Thailand is overall a very safe country for tourists.
Just use common sense and street smarts and you shouldn’t have any problems.
Avoid Petty Theft
The biggest crime for tourists to encounter in Thailand is just petty theft.
To keep your belongings safe, lock your stuff in a safe or locker at your accommodation and try not to bring too many valuables out with you while exploring.
Only take as much money as you think you’ll need, and avoid wearing flashy jewellery or expensive watches as it makes you a target for pickpockets.
Carry your belongings in a secure bag that you can always have a hand or an eye on, especially when walking through large crowds.
Take Caution on Public Transport
Also, try to keep your baggage safe when travelling on local buses.
Especially on overnight buses or when your bags are thrown up onto the roof of the bus, lock everything up and keep your most important items on your person in a smaller handbag.
Stick With a Group
Try to avoid walking around alone at night. This is common knowledge, but it is so true.
Stick with a group and don’t stray too far from the touristy areas unless you are very familiar with the area.
If you’re travelling alone, you’ll be fine to sightsee during the day or check out touristy areas at night on your own.
But if you plan on straying off-the-beaten-path, try to find a travel buddy in your hostel to accompany you, especially at night.
Exercise extra caution at night
Be Safe on the Road
Drivers in Thailand can be insane to say the least.
Sometimes road traffic doesn’t seem to have any rhyme or reason, and some locals drive super fast.
You’ll see about 10 people on motorbikes in one lane, all packed close together and whipping around corners.
It is a bit scary, so always pick bus companies that are reputable so you know you are safe on the road.
If you plan on driving in Thailand, either in a rental car or on a motorbike, be very careful at all times!
Like I said, local drivers can be crazy so always be aware of them and make sure you drive carefully.
On a motorbike, always wear your helmet.
What NOT to Do in Thailand
Now for some tips for how to act, or more importantly how NOT to act, in Thailand.
These are some of the most important things to know before you go travelling in Thailand.
Do Not Flaunt Your Feet
Do not use your feet for anything except for walking.
As mentioned earlier, the feet are the dirtiest part of the body and doing anything out of the ordinary with your feet is considered disrespectful.
That means no putting your feet up on seats, no pointing at things with your feet, and no pushing or moving things with your feet.
Keep them pointed away from people, or under your body and out of sight.
Do Not Ride Elephants
There are lots of companies that exploit animals for the purpose of tourism, which is a sad and horrible reality.
Elephants’ spines are made to carry lots of weight underneath them, not above them.
That means riding elephants puts lots of stress on their bodies and can be extremely harmful.
There are some elephant sanctuaries that rescue elephants and keep them in a safe environment.
Here, you can visit with the elephants, photograph them, and observe them without harming them.
So if you are eager to see Asian elephants in their natural habitat, always do your research to ensure you are choosing an ethical tour company, and never book a tour that allows you to ride the elephants.
Let me say it again. DO NOT RIDE ELEPHANTS!!!!!!!!!!
Check out our complete guide to sustainable tourism.
Do Not Disrespect the Buddha
Buddhism is the main religion in Thailand, so the Buddha is highly revered by locals.
When visiting temples and statues of the Buddha, avoid taking any inappropriate or goofy photos and avoid touching the Buddha.
You are also not supposed to point your feet directly at the Buddha since the feet are considered dirty.
That is why you’ll see locals kneeling with their feet pointed behind them when praying to the Buddha.
Do Not Touch the Buddhist Monks
Especially if you are a woman, avoid touching the monks in any way.
That means no hand-shakes or hugs, and sometimes you can’t even hand them anything; you’ll have to put it on the ground first for them to pick up.
Buddhist monks are not allowed to touch women, so, therefore, women should not touch them either.
Monks are a highly-respected part of daily life in Thailand
Do Not Stand Taller Than a Monk
Do not put yourself in a physically higher position than a monk.
If a monk is sitting down, you should not stand next to him, but lower yourself down to his level.
The monks are some of the most highly respected people in Thailand, so they take their traditions very seriously.
Do Not Make a Scene in Public
In Thailand and lots of other Asian cultures, modesty and respect are very important.
Try not to attract attention to yourself in any way.
That means no screaming, yelling, arguing or fighting, and no excessive public displays of affection.
Just carry yourself in a poised and humble manner and you will blend in with the locals more.
Do Not Abandon Your Passport
Do not leave your passport with any tour companies, medical centres, or scooter rental companies.
Some businesses can be sketchy, and leaving them with your most valuable travel item gives them the opportunity to scam you.
Always carry a paper copy of your passport and give that to them instead.
Do Not Overstay Your Visa
Do not stay in Thailand longer than your visa allows.
Thais are pretty strict with their immigration rules in terms of overstaying visas.
Usually, in your passport they will write the ending date for your visa, so make sure you leave before then.
If you fall in love with the country and want to stay longer, which very well may happen, you can apply for a visa extension.
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