Country guide

    Thailand essentials

    Visa & entry

    Thailand scrapped its 60-day visa-free scheme on 19 May 2026. Most nationalities from the original 93 countries have reverted to 30-day visa-free stays. A Visa Policy Committee is reviewing each country individually — some may be reduced to 15 days. Always check the latest rules with the Royal Thai Embassy before travel.

    Visa exemption

    30 days (reverted from 60 days as of 19 May 2026)
    55 countries
    Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei…

    Main visa types

    eVisa

    Apply online at the official Thailand eVisa portal before travel.

    Tourist Visa

    Apply at a Thai embassy/consulate or through the official eVisa system.

    Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)

    Apply via the official Thailand eVisa portal.

    Visa on Arrival (VOA)

    Apply on arrival at designated immigration checkpoints.

    Non-Immigrant Visa

    Apply at a Thai embassy/consulate or via the eVisa system.
    Good to know. The 60-day visa-free scheme was officially cancelled on 19 May 2026. Most travelers revert to 30 days visa-free. A Visa Policy Committee is reviewing each country; some nationalities may be reduced to 15-day visa-free entry depending on the review outcome. Visa-exempt entry is for tourism and short visits only — work, long-term study, or paid employment require the correct visa. Thailand requires a Digital Arrival Card for many nationalities; complete online before travel. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months on arrival; have proof of onward travel and sufficient funds ready. Do not overstay — fines and future entry bans apply. Confirm the latest rules with the Royal Thai Embassy or official Thai Immigration before departure.

    Customs

    Declare honestly on arrival in Thailand. Cash, valuables, and restricted goods must be declared; prohibited items can be seized and penalties may apply.

    Alcohol

    Up to 1 liter total of alcoholic beverages per adult traveler, subject to Thai customs rules and age restrictions.

    Tobacco

    Up to 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco, or a combination within the official limit.

    Goods

    Personal goods up to THB 20,000 in total value may be duty-free if they are for personal use and not prohibited or restricted.

    Perfume

    Reasonable personal-use quantities; no separate high-value perfume allowance is typically published, so keep it clearly for personal use.

    Prohibited / restricted

    FoodDrugs & Prohibited SubstancesWeapons & Dangerous GoodsCounterfeit Goods
    Must declare. Cash Declaration · High-Value Items · Restricted Goods

    When to go

    Thailand has a tropical monsoon climate. Bangkok and central Thailand are hot most of the year, the north is cooler in the cool season, and the Andaman and Gulf coasts have different rainy patterns. The Tourism Authority of Thailand describes the country as having roughly three seasons: hot, rainy, and cool, with average temperatures around 18–38°C nationwide. ([thai.tourismthailand.org](https://thai.tourismthailand.org/Plan-Your-Trip/Weather?utm_source=openai))

    Jan
    $ HighCrowd High
    Hanoi 22 → 32°C
    Feb
    $ HighCrowd High
    Hanoi 24 → 33°C
    Mar
    $ MediumCrowd Medium
    Hanoi 26 → 35°C
    Apr
    $ HighCrowd High
    Hanoi 27 → 36°C
    May
    $ MediumCrowd Medium
    Hanoi 27 → 35°C
    Jun
    $ LowCrowd Low
    Hanoi 26 → 34°C
    Jul
    $ LowCrowd Low
    Hanoi 26 → 34°C
    Aug
    $ LowCrowd Low
    Hanoi 26 → 33°C
    Sep
    $ LowCrowd Low
    Hanoi 25 → 32°C
    Oct
    $ MediumCrowd Medium
    Hanoi 25 → 32°C
    Nov
    $ HighCrowd High
    Hanoi 23 → 31°C
    Dec
    $ HighCrowd High
    Hanoi 22 → 31°C

    Currency & costs

    1 USD ≈ 33.3 THBThai Baht (THB) · 5 banknotes in circulation

    Daily budget

    Budget Traveler (Daily)

    1,000–2,000 THB (≈ $30–60)

    Mid-Range Traveler (Daily)

    2,500–5,000 THB (≈ $75–150)
    Payment. Cash is still widely used, especially at street food stalls, markets, small guesthouses, and local transport. Cards are accepted at many hotels, malls, and larger restaurants. PromptPay/QR payments are very common in cities, but foreign visitors may not always be able to use them directly. Keep small notes and coins for taxis, buses, and convenience stores. ATMs are easy to find, but foreign withdrawal fees are common, so withdrawing larger amounts less often can save money.

    Language

    Thai. English is widely understood in Bangkok and major tourist areas, but less so in smaller towns and rural areas. Thai is a tonal language, so the same syllable can mean different things depending on pitch. For travelers, approximate pronunciation is usually enough if you speak slowly and politely.

    Handy phrases

    สวัสดีครับ / สวัสดีค่ะsa-wat-dee khráp / sa-wat-dee khâHello
    ขอบคุณครับ / ขอบคุณค่ะkhòp-khun khráp / khòp-khun khâThank you
    ขอโทษครับ / ขอโทษค่ะkhŏr-thôt khráp / khŏr-thôt khâSorry / Excuse me
    เท่าไหร่?thâo-rài?How much?
    ไม่เป็นไรmâi bpen raiNo problem / It's okay
    ใช่châiYes
    ไม่ใช่mâi châiNo / Not correct
    ฉันไม่เข้าใจchăn mâi khâo-jaiI don't understand
    พูดภาษาอังกฤษได้ไหม?phûut phaa-săa ang-grìt dâi măi?Do you speak English?
    ห้องน้ำอยู่ที่ไหน?hông-náam yùu thîi năi?Where is the bathroom?
    ช่วยด้วยchûai dûaiHelp
    ฉันต้องการไปที่นี่chăn tông-gaan bpai thîi nîiI want to go here
    คิดเงินด้วยkhít ngern dûaiCheck, please
    แพ้pháeAllergy / I am allergic

    Power & plugs

    220V-230V · 50 HzNationwide

    Plug types

    Type AType BType C
    Bring a universal travel adapter for Type A/B/C/O compatibility. If your device is dual-voltage, only an adapter is needed. If it is single-voltage 110V, you need a voltage converter. For grounded devices, check whether the outlet supports grounding before use.

    Essential apps

    G
    Grab
    The most useful super app in Thailand for rides, food delivery, grocery delivery, and package delivery. Great for solo travelers who want upfront pricing and cashless convenience.
    B
    Bolt
    A strong ride-hailing alternative in major Thai cities, often useful for comparing fares and finding cheaper point-to-point rides.
    L
    LINE
    Thailand’s dominant messaging app for chatting with hotels, tour operators, local businesses, and new friends. Many Thai businesses prefer LINE over WhatsApp.
    G
    Google Maps
    Essential for navigation, transit planning, and finding nearby places. Download offline maps for islands, rural areas, and weak-signal zones.
    T
    TrueMoney
    A major Thai e-wallet used for QR payments, top-ups, bills, and some merchant payments. Helpful for cashless spending where card acceptance is limited.
    T
    Trip.com
    Useful for booking flights, hotels, trains, airport transfers, and attractions across Asia, often offering competitive prices and multilingual customer support.
    K
    Klook
    Handy for booking tours, airport transfers, attraction tickets, and transport passes in Thailand, often with mobile-only deals.

    Getting around

    Ride-Hailing Apps (Grab / Bolt / inDrive)

    Best for solo travelers in cities and for airport transfers. Grab is widely used in Thailand and offers upfront fares; it is especially useful when you want a safer, cashless option and less bargaining. Bolt and inDrive are also common in many cities, often with lower prices than street taxis depending on demand.

    BTS Skytrain (Bangkok)

    Fastest way to move around central Bangkok and avoid traffic. Useful for solo travelers staying near Sukhumvit, Siam, Silom, or Chatuchak areas. BTS sells Single Journey Cards, One-Day Passes, and Rabbit Card options.

    MRT Subway (Bangkok)

    Good for reaching business districts, markets, and transfer points across Bangkok. MRT is often the easiest backup when BTS does not reach your destination. Some lines and stations support contactless payment and stored-value cards depending on operator and line.

    Airport Rail Link (Bangkok)

    Efficient connection between Suvarnabhumi Airport and central Bangkok. A strong budget option for solo travelers arriving late or avoiding airport taxi queues.

    Metered Taxi

    Available in major cities and at airports. Always insist on the meter in Bangkok and avoid drivers who refuse or quote a fixed price unless it is clearly reasonable. Good for door-to-door travel when carrying luggage.

    Motorbike Taxi

    Very fast for short hops in congested areas, especially in Bangkok and provincial towns. Best for solo travelers with light luggage and short distances. Use only licensed riders and agree on the fare before departure if the app does not show it.

    Intercity Train (State Railway of Thailand)

    Scenic and often budget-friendly for long-distance travel, especially overnight routes. Good for solo travelers who want to save on a hotel night. Book official e-tickets in advance for popular routes and holiday periods.

    Intercity Bus / Minivan

    Usually the cheapest way to travel between provinces. Large operators and booking platforms make it easy to compare schedules. Minivans are faster but can be less comfortable; buses are better for luggage and longer trips.

    Domestic Flights

    Best for long distances such as Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi, Hat Yai, or Samui connections. Useful when time matters more than cost. Thai Airways and other domestic carriers offer frequent routes, and booking early usually gives the best fares.

    Ferries / Speedboats

    Essential for island travel to places like Koh Samui, Koh Tao, Koh Phangan, Phuket, Krabi, and the Andaman coast. Schedules can change with weather, so solo travelers should avoid tight same-day flight-to-boat connections.

    Car Rental / Self-Drive

    Useful for rural areas, national parks, and flexible road trips, but not ideal in central Bangkok due to traffic and parking. Solo travelers should compare insurance carefully and avoid driving in unfamiliar urban areas at rush hour.

    Safety & health

    Use Caution · Level

    Thailand is generally safe for travelers, but solo visitors should use caution around traffic, petty theft in crowded areas, and regional security issues near the southern border and the Thai-Cambodian border.

    Crime & Security

    28/100

    Health & Medical

    38/100

    Natural Disasters & Environment

    42/100

    Traffic & Transportation

    78/100

    Emergency contacts

    Police / Fire / Ambulance (General Emergency)
    191
    Medical Emergency (National EMS)
    1669
    Tourist Police Hotline
    1155
    Tourist Assistance Centre
    1672

    Practical hacks

    Free WiFi

    Cafes, malls, airports, BTS/MRT stations. Ask for the WiFi name/password at the counter; many places print it on the receipt or display it near the cashier.

    Best Connectivity

    Tourist eSIM/SIM from AIS, dtac, or True. Buy at the airport if you want instant setup, or use eSIM if your phone supports it. Keep your passport handy for registration.

    Bangkok Transit

    BTS Rabbit Card + MRT stored value. Use a Rabbit Card for BTS and top up at stations; it saves time versus buying single tickets repeatedly.

    Safer Rides

    Grab. Use app-based rides for upfront pricing and to avoid meter disputes, especially late at night or at airports.